Sustainability Appraisal Report (SAR)SA… · The Sustainability Appraisal Report (SAR) follows on from the Initial Sustainability Appraisal Report (January 2008) that was consulted

Torfaen County Borough Council

Local Development Plan 2006 - 2021

SustainabilityAppraisal Report(SAR)

March 2011

Torfaen Deposit LDP Sustainability Appraisal Report (March 2011)

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Torfaen County Borough Council

Local Development Plan

(To 2021)

Sustainability Appraisal (incorporating Strategic

Environmental Assessment)

Sustainability Appraisal Report (SAR)

March 2011


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Consultation Foreword

Abbreviations

Glossary of Terms Compliance with the SEA Regulations 1. Introduction 2. Sustainability Appraisal incorporating Strategic Environmental Assessment

Methodology 3. Identifying other Plans and Programmes (Task A1) 4. Review of Economic, Social and Environmental Baseline Characteristics for

Torfaen (Task A2) 5. Identification of Key Sustainability Issues (Task A3) 6. Sustainability Appraisal Framework (Task A4) 7. Testing the LDP Objectives against the Sustainability Objectives (Task B1) 8. Development of LDP Strategic Options (Task B2/B3/B4) 9. Assessment of LDP Preferred Strategy Strategic Policies (Task B3/B4) 10. Preparing the Sustainability Appraisal Report (Task C1) and Predicting and

Evaluating the effects of the Deposit LDP (Task B3/B4) 11. Revisions to the Deposit LDP Policies following B3/B4 Assessment 12. Monitoring 13. Conclusions 14. Summary and Next Steps List of Figures Figure 0.0 SEA Regulations Schedule Figure 1.1 Torfaen County Borough in Context Figure 1.2 Key Sustainability Appraisal Tasks Figure 1.3 Incorporating LDP, SA/SEA and Consultation Figure 2.1 Compatibility of Objectives Key Figure 2.2 Options Assessment Key Figure 2.3 Criteria for Assessing Significance of Effects Figure 3.1 Relevant Plans and Programs Figure 3.2 Sustainability Themes linked to final SA objectives

CONTENTS


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Figure 5.1 Key Sustainability Issues Figure 6.1 Sustainability Appraisal Framework Figure 8.1 Overview of Sustainability Assessment of Strategic Options Figure 9.1 Summary of Assessment of Strategic Policies – LDP Preferred Strategy

2008 Figure 10.1 Summary Assessment of the Deposit LDP Figure 11.1 Summary of Amendments to LDP Policies following B3/B4 Assessment Figure 12.1 Monitoring Framework Maps Map 4.1 Ecological Designations Map 4.2 Landscape Map 4.3 Heritage Assets Map 4.4 Transportation Map 4.5 Flood Risk and the Water Environment Map 4.6 Mineral Resources Map 4.7 Landscape Character Areas

Appendices Document (Issued Separately)

Appendix A - Report of Consultation on the SA/SEA Scoping Report (July 2006) Appendix B - Report of Consultation on SA/SEA Initial Sustainability Appraisal Report

(January 2008) Appendix C - Review of Relevant Plans and Programs at European, National and Local

Level Appendix D - Torfaen SA Baseline Data Collection and Analysis Appendix E - Changes to SA Framework for Deposit LDP Appendix F - LDP Objectives Compatibility Assessment Appendix G - LDP Strategic Options Assessment Appendix H - LDP Strategic Policies Assessment Appendix I - Revisions to LDP Strategic Policies for the LDP Preferred Strategy Appendix J - Predicting and Evaluating the Effects of the Deposit LDP Appendix K - Revisions to LDP Policies following the Assessment of the Deposit LDP


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This report is the Sustainability Appraisal Report for the Deposit LDP and is issued for consultation alongside the LDP between Monday 28th March and Friday 27th May 2011. This report documents the Sustainability Appraisal (incorporating Strategic Environmental Assessment) process that has informed each stage of the LDP to date. The Sustainability Appraisal Report (SAR) follows on from the Initial Sustainability Appraisal Report (January 2008) that was consulted on as part of the LDP Preferred Strategy. The report updates the baseline data and key sustainability issues. Further, the report describes the process and outcomes of sustainability assessment on the Deposit LDP and includes monitoring arrangements in order to monitor the significant effects of the LDP. Authorities which, because of their environmental responsibilities are likely to be concerned by the effects of implementing the plan must be consulted on the scope and level of information contained in the SAR. These statutory consultation bodies in Wales are Countryside Council for Wales (CCW), CADW (Welsh Assembly Government Historic Environment Division) and the Environment Agency Wales (EAW). It is good practice to consult with other appropriate consultees in respect of social and economic interests who would have a significant influence upon, or would be influenced by the LDP. This SAR is available for consultation to all stakeholders. A Non Technical Summary of this SAR has been produced which is available to view alongside this full report. The SAR is available to view and download on the planning policy pages of the Councils website at: www.torfaen.gov.uk/LDP Copies are also available at County Hall, Cwmbran and the Civic Centre, Pontypool and all Council libraries. Hard copies of the report can be obtained by contacting the Forward Planning team on 01633 648140. A charge will be made for hard copies of this document.

CONSULTATION FOREWORD


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• AMR Annual Monitoring Report • AONB Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty • AQMA Air Quality Management Area • BILWHS Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site • BREEAM Building Research Establishment Environment Assessment Method • CADW (Welsh Assembly Government Historic Environment Section) • CCW Countryside Council for Wales • CfSH Code for Sustainable Homes • CIS Community Involvement Scheme • DEFRA Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs • DETR Department for Environment, Transport and the Regions • DTI Department of Trade and Industry • EAW Environment Agency Wales • EEC European Economic Community • EU European Union • FIT Fields in Trust • HLT High Level Targets • HRA Habitats Regulations Assessment • ISAR Initial Sustainability Appraisal Report • IT Information Technology • LANDMAP Landscape Assessment and Decision Making Process • LBAP Local Biodiversity Action Plan • LDP Local Development Plan • LNR Local Nature Reserve • LPA Local Planning Authority • LSOP Lower Super Output Area • MTAN Minerals Technical Advice Note • NPFA National Playing Fields Association • ODPM Office of the Deputy Prime Minister • ONS Office for National Statistics • PPPs Policies, Plans and Programmes • PPW Planning Policy Wales (2010) • RIGS Regionally Important Geological Sites • SA Sustainability Appraisal • SAC Special Area of Conservation • SAM Scheduled Ancient Monument • SAR Sustainability Appraisal Report • SEA Strategic Environmental Assessment • SINC Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation • SPG Supplementary Planning Guidance • SSSI Sites of Special Scientific Interest • TAN Technical Advice Note • TCBC Torfaen County Borough Council • UDP Unitary Development Plan • WAG Welsh Assembly Government • WHQS Welsh Housing Quality Standard • WIMD Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation

ABBREVATIONS


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• Adoption - The final confirmation of the LDP, as the land use framework to guide the

development and use of land in the County Borough. • Affordable Housing - Housing provided to those whose needs are not met by the open

market. Affordable housing should meet the needs of eligible households, including availability at low enough cost for them to afford, determined with regard to local incomes and local house prices; and include provision for the home to remain affordable for future eligible households, or if a home ceases to be affordable or stair casing to full ownership takes place, any subsidy should generally be recycled to provide replacement affordable housing.

TAN 2 – Planning and Affordable Housing (2006)

• Allocation - Land which will be proposed for development, which will be identified on a Proposals Map in the Deposit and the adopted version of the LDP.

• Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) - This will assess the extent to which policies in the

LDP are being successfully implemented, and how effective the LDP and its policies are in encouraging or restricting various types of land uses and in delivering development.

• Baseline Data - Baseline data is basic information gathered before a programme

begins. It is used later to provide a comparison for assessing programme impact. • Brownfield Site/Land - Previously developed (or brownfield) land is that which is or was

occupied by a permanent structure (excluding agricultural or forestry buildings) and associated fixed surface infrastructure. The curtilage of the development is included, as are defence buildings, and land used for mineral extraction and waste disposal where provision for restoration has not been made through development control procedures. Planning Policy Wales(2010)

• Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) - Sets out the project plan and policies of the

Local Planning Authority for involving local communities, including businesses, in the preparation of LDPs. The CIS is submitted to the Welsh Assembly Government for agreement as part of the Delivery Agreement.

• Consultation - A formal process in which comments are invited on a particular topic or

set of topics, or a draft document. • Delivery Agreement - A document comprising the Local Planning Authority’s timetable

for the preparation of the LDP together with its CIS, submitted to the Assembly Government for agreement

• Deposit Plan Consultation - A formal stage of the LDP preparation process during

which organisations and individuals can make representations on the detailed policies and proposals of the LDP.

• Employment Land / Site - Land that typically forms part of an industrial estate or

business park, which is occupied by one or more of the following: offices, manufacturing, research and development, storage and distribution.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS


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• Environmental Consultation Bodies - An authority, which has environmental responsibilities and is concerned by the effects of implementing plans and programmes and, must be consulted at specified stages of the SEA. The Consultation Bodies designated in the SEA Regulations in Wales are Cadw (Welsh Historic Monuments), Countryside Council for Wales and Environment Agency Wales.

• Greenfield Sites - These are sites which have never been previously developed or used

for an urban use, or are on land that has been brought into active or beneficial use for agriculture or forestry i.e. fully restored derelict land.

• Housing Need - Assessed by examining the suitability of present housing and the ability

of households to afford market priced housing. • Implementation - Implementation is the carrying out, execution, or practice of a

plan/policy/allocation, a method, or any design for doing something. As such, implementation is the action that must follow any preliminary thinking in order for something to actually happen.

• Indicator - An indicator is something that helps you understand where you are, which

way you are going and how far you are from where you want to be. A good indicator alerts you to a problem before it gets too bad and helps you to recognise what needs to be done to fix the problem.

• Infrastructure - Water supply and sewerage facilities, roads and transportation, local

community, shopping and other facilities required as framework for development. • Local Development Plan (LDP) - The required statutory development plan for each

local planning authority area in Wales under Part 6 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. The Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) have to set out their objectives in relation to the development and use of land in their area and set out the general policies and proposals for the implementation of those objectives within their LDPs. As well as having regard to national planning policy, the LPA have to take into account of regional planning policy and the authority’s community strategy and the social, economic and environmental factors relating to the local area and global environment, by undertaking a Sustainability Appraisal of the LDP.

• Local Nature Reserve (LNR) - Declared by local authorities to protect sites of local

importance for nature conservation, education and amenity. The local authority must either own or have a legal interest in the land before a LNR can be declared. Although LNRs have no direct statutory protection, management rules or bye-laws can be used to control damaging activities.

• Material Assets – This is one of eight topic areas which needs taken into account when

undertaking Strategic Environmental Assessment. There is no definition as to what Material Assets encompass but a common interpretation includes housing and infrastructure relating to areas such as energy, water and transport networks. It also includes social infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and other public buildings. It can also include Previously Developed Land, Minerals and Aggregates, Environmental Infrastructure, Tourism and Recreation infrastructure, Telecommunications and Waste Water infrastructure.

• Mitigation - Measures that avoid, reduce, remediate or compensate for the negative

impacts of a strategic action.


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• Monitoring - Monitoring means gathering evidence to show what progress has been made towards strategic priorities and targets and the implementation of policies.

• Objectives - Objectives state what is to be achieved and cover the range of desired

outcomes to achieve a goal. • Objective 1 Funding - A regional policy of the European Union (EU) that aims to

improve the economic well being of regions in the EU. The Structural Funds assign regional aid according to three Objectives. Objective 1 Funding helps regions whose development is lagging behind, where the Gross Domestic Product per head is less than 75% of the EU average. Attention is focused on providing basic infrastructures, developing human resources, investing in research and innovation, and promoting the information society.

• Scoping - The process of deciding the scope and level of detail of an SEA, including the

environmental effects and alternatives which need to be considered, the assessment methods to be used, and the structure and contents of the Environmental Report under the SEA Directive.

• Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) - Areas of land and wetland of

local importance for the conservation of semi-natural habitats including mosaics of heath land, unimproved grassland, scrubland and plantation and/or habitats which support rare local wildlife species. They are not of sufficient extent or quality to qualify for national recognition as a SSSI.

• Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) - A conservation designation denoting a

protected area in the United Kingdom. SSSIs are the basic 'building block' of nature conservation designations and other designations are based upon them, including National Nature Reserves, Ramsar Sites, Special Protection Areas, and Special Areas of Conservation.

• Soundness - Concept against which an LDP is examined under section 64(5)(b) of the

2004 Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act. • Stakeholders - Interests directly affected by the LDP (and/or SEA) –involvement

generally through representative bodies. • Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) - Generic term used internationally to

describe environmental assessment as applied to policies, plans and programmes. The SEA Regulations require a formal “environmental assessment of certain plans and programmes, including those in the field of planning and land use”.

• Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive - The SEA Directive is officially

called the Directive on the Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes on the Environment (and is known as Directive 2001/42/EC). The main objective of the SEA Directive is to ‘provide for a high level of environmental protection and to contribute to the integration of environmental protection and to contribute to the integration of environmental considerations into the preparation and adoption of plans and programmes…’(Article 1 of the SEA Directive)

• Strategy - A strategy is a long-term plan or method designed to achieve a particular goal or objective.


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• Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) - Supplementary information in respect of the policies in an LDP. SPG does not form part of the development plan and is not subject to independent examination but must be consistent with the plan and with national policy.

• Sustainability Appraisal (SA) - A form of assessment used in the UK, particularly for

regional and local planning, since the 1990s. It considers social and economic effects as well as environmental ones, and appraises them in relation to the aims of sustainable development. Sustainability Appraisal, which fully incorporates the requirements of the SEA Directive, is required for Local Development Documents/ Regional Spatial Strategies in England and Local Development Plans in Wales under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.It is a systematic and iterative process undertaken during the preparation (and review) of a plan which identifies and reports on the extent to which implementation of the plan will achieve the environmental, social and economic objectives by which sustainable development can be defined and identifies opportunities for improving plan performance in relation to these.

• Sustainability Appraisal (SA) Report - A document required to be produced as part of

the Sustainability Appraisal process to describe and appraise the likely significant effects on sustainability of implementing the LDP, which also meets the requirements for the Environmental Report under the SEA Regulations. S62 (6) of the 2004 Act requires each local planning authority to prepare a report of the findings of the Sustainability Appraisal of the LDP.

• Sustainable Development - Sustainable Development is defined as “Development

which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” in the Bruntland Report to the World Commission on Environment and Development held in 1987. The UK government has set out four aims for sustainable development in its strategy A Better Quality of Life, a Strategy for Sustainable Development in the UK. The four aims, to be achieved simultaneously, are: -social progress which recognizes the needs of everyone; effective protection of the environment; prudent use of natural resources; and the maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment.

• Unitary Development Plan (UDP) - The required statutory development plan for each

local planning authority area in Wales under the Town and County Planning Act 1990.


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Compliance with the SEA Directive This Sustainability Appraisal has been undertaken in order to meet the requirements of the SEA Directive for environmental assessment of plans. Figure 0.0 sets out the way the specific SEA requirements have been met in this report. Figure 0.0: SEA Requirements Schedule

Requirements of the Directive Where Covered in Report

Preparation of an environmental report in which the likely significant effects on the environment of implementing the plan or programme, and reasonable alternatives taking into account the objectives and geographical scope of the plan or programme, are identified, described and evaluated. The information to be given is: a) An outline of the contents, main objectives of the plan or programme and relationship with other relevant plans and programmes

Section 1, 3 and Appendix C

b) The relevant aspects of the current state of the environment and the likely evolution without implementation of the plan or programme

Section 4 and Appendix D

c) The environmental characteristics of areas likely to be significantly affected

Section 4, 5 and Appendix D

d) Any existing environmental problems which are relevant to the plan or programme including, in particular, those relating to any areas of a particular environmental importance, such as areas designated pursuant to Directive 79/409/EEC and 92/43/EEC

Sections 4, 5 and Appendix C, D

e) The environmental protection objectives established at international, community or national level which are relevant to the programme and the way those objectives and any environmental considerations have been taken into account during its preparation

Section 3, 4 and Appendix C, D

f) The likely significant effects on the environment, including: short, medium and long term; permanent and temporary; positive and negative; secondary, cumulative and synergistic effects on issues such as: biodiversity, population, human health, fauna, flora, soil, water, air, climatic factors, material assets, cultural heritage including architectural and archaeological heritage, landscape and the interrelationship between the above factors.

Section 7, 8, 9, 10 and Appendices F, G, H, I

g) The measures envisaged preventing, reducing and, as fully as possible, offsetting any significant adverse effects on the environment of implementing the plan or programme.

Section 7 , 8, 9, 10 and Appendices F, G, H and I

h) An outline of the reasons for selecting the alternatives dealt with and a description of how the assessment was undertaken including any difficulties (such as technical deficiencies or lack of know-how) encountered in compiling the required information

Section 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and Appendices G, H, I, J

i) A description of measures envisaged concerning monitoring (in accordance with regulation 17)

Section 6, and 12 and Appendices E.

j) A non-technical summary of the information provided under the above headings Available as separate document

Consultation with: Authorities with environmental responsibility when deciding on the scope and level of detail of the information to be included in the environment report

Consultation Foreword, Section 1, and Appendix 1, 2

Authorities with environmental responsibility and the public to be given an early and effective opportunity within appropriate time frames to express their opinion on the draft plan and accompanying environmental report before its adoption

Will be consulted during Consultation Period

Other EU Member States, where the implementation of the plan or programme is likely to have significant effects on the environment of that country

Not applicable

COMPLIANCE WITH THE SEA REGULATIONS


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Taking the environmental report and the results of the consultations into account in decision making

Provision of information on the decision: When the plan or programme is adopted the public and any countries consulted must be informed and the following made available: • The plan or programme as adopted • A statement summarising how environmental considerations have been integrated

into the plan or programme in accordance with the requirements of the legislation • The measures decided concerning monitoring

Not at this stage yet

Monitoring of the environmental effects of the plan or programmes implementation must be undertaken

Not at this stage yet


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1 Purpose of the Sustainability Appraisal Report (SAR)

1.1 This is the report that documents the Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic

Environmental Assessment for Torfaen County Borough Council’s Deposit LDP. It explains how sustainability considerations have influenced the development of the Deposit LDP. This Sustainability Appraisal Report is being published for consultation with the Deposit LDP in accordance with SA guidance and SEA regulations. Under the provisions of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, SA is mandatory for all LDPs. An SEA is also required under European Directive 2001/42/EC ‘on the assessment of certain plans and programs on the environment’ (the SEA Directive). The requirements of SA and SEA are satisfied through one appraisal process henceforth designated SA/SEA.

1.2 Atkins Ltd was employed by TCBC in 2006 and has been working in tandem with the

Council on the undertaking of the SA incorporating SEA of the LDP since that time. The SA/SEA process has been integrated throughout the preparation of the LDP so that the predicted social, economic and environmental implications of the policies and proposals are clearly identified and amendments made where necessary to ensure that the LDP is based on sound sustainability principles.

1.3 This Sustainability Appraisal Report outlines how the statutory requirements of

Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment have informed the Deposit LDP. It outlines the outcomes of the consultation on the Initial Sustainability Appraisal Report as part of the Preferred Strategy (Appendix B) and how this has informed development of the SAR. The ISAR comprised the report detailing the evaluation and development of options for the LDP. It also contained the compatibility assessment of the LDP and SA Objectives, assessment of the Strategic Policies and the assessment of the four development strategies against the SA Objectives.

1.4 The SAR details the SA assessment of the LDP Strategic, Borough Wide, Detailed

and Action Area polices and the assessment of the LDP site allocations against the SA objectives, recommendations for changes to policies as a result of the SA assessment and the Council’s decision on how to implement those recommendations. The SAR also details the proposed measures for monitoring the significant effects of the LDP.

The Local Development Plan 1.5 The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (section 62) requires Torfaen

County Borough Council to prepare a LDP, which sets out the Council’s objectives and priorities for the development and use of land within Torfaen and its policies for implementing them. Authorities are required by law to prepare LDP’s with the overall objective of contributing to Sustainable Development. The current development plan for Torfaen County Borough Council is the Adopted Torfaen Local Plan (July 2000) and Gwent Structure Plan (1996). The Council is now preparing the Local Development Plan, which on adoption will replace these plans as the development plan for the County Borough. The LDP will guide the future use and development of land in the County Borough up to 2021.

INTRODUCTION


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Torfaen Deposit Local Development Plan (March 2011) 1.6 The Deposit Plan sets out the Development Strategy and detailed policies and

proposals to guide the future development and use of land in to 2021. The LDP Vision statement is outlined below:

‘At the eastern edge of the South Wales valleys, Torfaen will be part of a networked city region supporting thriving communities and a diverse economy in an outstanding historical, cultural and natural environment’ To achieve this: By 2021, through collaborative working, the development strategy for the Torfaen Local Development Plan will deliver planned, sustainable growth reflecting the specific role and function of settlements. It will provide a distinctive, vibrant and prosperous area where people have the skills, knowledge and opportunities to achieve a better quality of life in safe, healthy and thriving communities with accessible local facilities. It will promote the sustainable regeneration of our town centres ensuring they are a focus for social, commercial and community life, whilst also protecting and enhancing Torfaen’s unique natural heritage and cultural and historic identity.

1.7 In order to achieve this vision the Deposit LDP identifies the following objectives:

1. To ensure the provision of an appropriate quantity and range of employment sites and retail opportunities to support high and stable levels of employment in Torfaen and deliver a competitive, modern and sustainable economy and thriving town centres.

2. To promote health and well being through the provision of development including community facilities, leisure and outdoor recreational opportunities, accessible to all.

3. To ensure that the location of development does not result in unacceptable risk from flooding, subsidence or health hazards.

4. To ensure the highest quality of design in all developments and delivering safe, healthy and attractive environments.

5. To provide opportunities for the establishment of a network of quality educational facilities which serve local communities and are accessible for all sections of the current and future population.

6. To protect, manage and enhance sustainable tourist attractions and facilities in Torfaen for the benefit of tourists and the community.

7. To conserve and enhance the distinctive cultural and historic resources of the County Borough.

8. To ensure that all new development reflects best practise in sustainable design and location, construction and operation.

9. To allocate mineral sites if required and safeguard appropriate mineral resources from sterilisation.

10. To protect, manage and enhance biodiversity and ecological networks across Torfaen.

11. To minimise climate change impacts through reduced emissions of greenhouse gases in both new and existing development, and to adapt


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to climate change through considerations of its effects in the design and location of new development.

12. To protect and enhance the valued landscape character of Torfaen, including important open space and sense of rurality between settlements.

13. To protect Greenfield land by enabling and promoting the most efficient use of appropriate brownfield sites for redevelopment across Torfaen.

14. To ensure all development contributes to improving water quality, protecting water supply and maximising the efficiency of water consumption.

15. To identify and conserve important soil and geological resources including Regionally Important Geological Sites (RIGS) and maintain their quality.

16. To ensure the allocation of an appropriate quantity and variety of housing sites to deliver high quality choice in sustainable locations, well served by essential facilities and accessible by a range of transport modes.

17. To develop integrated and efficient transport infrastructure, public transport and communication networks which are accessible and attractive to all, and encourage a reduction in private car use.

18. To ensure people and organisations reduce, reuse and recycle waste and to foster this through the provision of regional and local waste management facilities.

1.8 The Objectives have informed the development of the Strategic, Borough Wide,

Action Area and Detailed Policies of the Plan and the policies have been developed to deliver the above relevant objectives.

1.9 These objectives led to the development of the LDP Preferred Strategy which was

consulted on during January – March 2008. The overall development strategy for the Deposit LDP is the Network of Integrated Communities Strategy which is outlined below. Further detail of the issues and spatial opportunities relating to the geographical areas of the strategy is contained in the Deposit LDP.

The Network of Integrated Communities Strategy 1.10 This Development Strategy aims to ensure a network of integrated communities,

focusing particularly on the two key settlements of Cwmbran and Pontypool to ensure that they are successful and function as service hubs for the surrounding settlements. Growth is focused in locations where wider benefits are likely to occur, for example the realisation of the regeneration potential of the British Strategic Action Area, Cwmbran Town Centre and adjacent Strategic Action Areas. Effective transport links must be forged to and from jobs and services, which are not available locally. Development is emphasised along key transport routes and will reflect the role, scale and function of individual settlements, with each settlement building upon its particular opportunities for the benefit of the County Borough as a whole. Other key principles of the LDP strategy are summarised below:

• Expanded settlements will include greenfield land, which will allow for necessary

strategic developments to be achieved, and to deliver wider regeneration benefits to Torfaen;


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• This strategy is anticipated to accommodate mid to high housing provision of 5,000 dwellings (through the allocation of 6,000 dwellings);

• The Strategy seeks to achieve affordable housing on new development sites across the County Borough subject to site viability;

• The potential of the growth hubs of Cwmbran and Pontypool will be realised, alongside the tourism potential of Blaenavon. The Strategy seeks to ensure that key services and facilities are accessible to the County Borough as a whole and as such the location of strategic service provision will be focused in the key centres; and

• Developments outside the central areas will need to link to existing service centres and have good access to these facilities. In areas where service provision does not currently exist, developments will need to ensure that local services can be provided and accessed, and developments can be successfully integrated into existing settlements and communities.

1.11 The Deposit LDP identifies how the above strategy will be delivered through the three

Spatial Strategy areas of Cwmbran, Pontypool and North Torfaen. Further detail can be found in section 4 of the Deposit LDP.

1.12 The Deposit LDP contains the following policies which will assist in delivering the

development strategy and the LDP Objectives: STRATEGY POLICIES

S1 Urban Boundaries S2 Sustainable Development S3 Climate Change S4 Place Making / Good Design S5 Housing S6 Employment and Economy S7 Conservation of Natural and Built Heritage S8 Planning Obligations S9 Retailing/Town Centres BOROUGH WIDE POLICY BW1 General Policy - Development Proposals STRATEGIC ACTION AREAS SAA1 Eastern Strip Central SAA, Cwmbran SAA2 Canalside SAA, Cwmbran SAA3 Llantarnam SAA, Cwmbran SAA4 Mamhilad SAA, Pontypool SAA5 The British SAA, Talywain, Pontypool SAA6 South Sebastopol SAA, Cwmbran SAA7 Llanfrechfa Grange SAA, Cwmbran STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY AREAS SOA1 Eastern Strip South SOA, Cwmbran SOA2 Eastern Strip North SOA, Cwmbran SOA3 Clarence Corner SOA, Pontypool


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TOPIC BASED POLICIES Housing H1 Housing Allocations within the Cwmbran Housing Sub Market Areas H2 Housing Allocations within the Pontypool Housing Sub Market Area H3 Housing Allocations within the North Torfaen Housing Sub Market Area H4 Affordable Housing H5 Provision for Recreation, Open Space, Leisure Facilities & Allotments H6 Conversion, subdivision or re-use of buildings for residential purposes within

the Urban Boundary H7 Gypsy and Traveller Site Allocation H8 New Gypsy Traveller Site Proposals H9 Affordable Housing Exception Sites Economy, Employment and Tourism EET1 Employment Allocations in the Cwmbran Area EET2 Employment Allocations in the Pontypool Area EET3 Employment Allocations in the North Torfaen Area EET4 Regional Employment Allocations EET5 Protection of Employment Land and Premises EET6 Leisure/Tourism Proposals Retail and Town Centres RLT1 Town Centre Boundaries RLT2 Town Centre Development in Cwmbran Town Centre RLT3 Retail Proposals outside Established Centres RLT4 Provision of Small Scale Retail Uses RLT5 Primary Frontages RLT6 Pontypool Town Centre 100% A1 Retail Frontages RLT7 Secondary Frontages RLT8 Local and Neighbourhood Shopping Centres RLT9 Food and Drink Establishments Transport T1 Transport Improvements T2 Safeguarding Former Transport Routes T3 Walking and Cycling Routes

Minerals M1 Minerals Safeguarding M2 Minerals Applications and Coal Working Exclusion Areas M3 Tir Pentwys Preferred Area of Search for Aggregates M4 Minerals Sites Buffer Zones Waste W1 Strategic Waste Management / Resource Recovery Facilities W2 Sustainable Waste Management / Resource Recovery Proposals


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Community Facilities CF1 Healthcare Facility Safeguarding CF2 Primary School Safeguarding CF3 Community Facilities CF4 Protection of Important Urban Open Space CF5 Protection of Allotments and Recreation & Amenity Open Space Countryside C1 Green Wedges C2 Special Landscape Areas C3 Rural Development and Diversification C4 Conversion / Rehabilitation of Buildings in the Countryside C5 Replacement Dwellings in the Countryside Biodiversity / Geodiversity BG1 Locally Designated Sites for Biodiversity and Geodiversity Historic Environment HE1 Buildings of Local Importance HE2 Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site


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Study Area 1.13 The key strategy diagram below outlines the core components of the Development

Strategy as outlined above and the extent of the LDP area.

Figure 1.1 Torfaen County Borough in Context


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Sustainable Development and Climate Change: Setting the context 1.14 The promotion of sustainable development is a core component of the planning

system, and as such Sustainable Development considerations have been integral in the development of the Deposit LDP. The term sustainable development has been used since 1987 following the publication of the World Commission on Environment and Development report “Our Common Future”, referred to as the Bruntland Report. It called for a strategy that unified development and the environment, now commonly referred to as ‘sustainable development’. The definition of sustainable development within the report was as follows:

“Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”

1.15 Sustainable development is not solely focused on the impact of development on the

environment, but also on economic issues and social issues. Achieving sustainable development therefore means ensuring that economic, social and environmental issues are not adversely affected and preferably to have a positive impact on all three.

1.16 The UK Governments goal of sustainable development is to enable all people

throughout the world to satisfy their basic needs and enjoy a better quality of life, without compromising the quality of life of future generations. The Government’s national strategy on sustainable development (Securing the Future, 2005) has key priority areas for action which are:

- Sustainable consumption and production – Working towards achieving more with

less - Natural Resource Protection and environmental enhancement – protecting the

natural resources on which we depend - From local to global: building sustainable communities – creating places where

people want to live and work, now and in the future - Climate Change and energy – confronting the greatest threat

1.17 The Welsh Assembly Government has a legal duty under section 79 of the

Government of Wales Act 2006, to promote sustainable development and it has been a central organising principle of the government since its inception. It requires Welsh ministers to make a scheme setting out how they propose in the exercise of their functions to promote Sustainable Development. The WAG has produced their own Sustainable Development Scheme for Wales entitled “One Wales: One Planet”. The scheme sets out the government’s vision of a sustainable Wales and the priority it attaches to sustainable development. It defines what sustainable development means in Wales:

“In Wales, sustainable development means enhancing the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of people and communities, achieving a better quality of life for our own and future generations: - In ways which promote social justice and equality of opportunity; and - In ways which enhance the natural and cultural environment and reflect its limits

– using only our fair share of the earths resources and sustaining our cultural legacy”

1.18 The WAG strategy for sustainable development is organised according to 5 headline

indicators of sustainable development:


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- Sustainable Resource Use - Sustainable Society - Wellbeing of Wales - Sustainable Economy - Sustaining the Environment

1.19 Key areas of new planning policy, in relation to important sustainable development

principles are outlined in PPW (2011). One is aspect is the inclusion of a transport hierarchy:

“The Assembly Government supports a transport hierarchy in relation to new development that establishes priorities in such a way that, wherever possible, they are accessible in the first instance by walking and cycling, then by public transport and the finally by private motor vehicles” (Para 8.1.3)

1.20 Other key changes incorporated into PPW (July 2011) placed a focus on the promotion of climate responsive development and the inclusion of sustainable buildings standards for new development in Wales.

“Development proposals should mitigate the causes of climate change by minimising carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions associated with their design, construction, use and eventual…The overall aspiration is to secure zero carbon buildings…while continuing to promote a range of low and zero (LZC) technologies as a means to achieve this Development proposals should also include features that provide effective adaptation to, and resilience against, the current and predicted future effects of climate change, for example by incorporating green space to provide shading and sustainable drainage systems to reduce run-off, and are designed to prevent overheating and to avoid the need for artificial cooling of buildings To move towards more sustainable and zero carbon buildings in Wales, the Assembly Government expects that the following standards will be met: • Applications for 1 or more dwellings received on or after 1st September 2010 to

meet Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 and obtain 6 credits under issue Ene1 – Dwelling Emission Rate

• Applications received on or after 1st September 2009 for non residential development which will either have a floorspace of 1000m2 or more, or will be carried out on a site having an area of one hectare or more to meet the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) ‘Very Good’ standard and achieve the mandatory credits for ‘Excellent’ under issue Ene1 – Reduction of Co2 Emissions” (Paras 4.11.2, 4.11.3, 4.11.4)


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Requirement for Sustainability Appraisal (SA) 1.21 The purpose of SA is to promote sustainable development, through a better

integration of economic, environmental and social considerations in the preparation and adoption of development plans. Under the provisions set out in Section 39 (2) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, a Sustainability Appraisal is required for Local Development Plans in Wales.

1.22 Local Development Plans Wales (2005) defines SA as:

‘a systematic and iterative process undertaken during the preparation (and review) of a plan which identifies and reports on the extent to which the implementation of the plan will achieve the environmental, social and economic objectives by which sustainable development can be defined and identifies opportunities for improving plan performance in relation to these’. (para 3.2)

1.23 The purpose of SA is to address the effects of these three interlinked issues from the

outset of the LDP process. This will ensure that decisions made on the policies and strategy accord with sustainable development. Local Development Plans Wales (2005) advises that ‘to be effective sustainability appraisal should be fully integrated into the plan making process and should provide input at each stage when decisions are taken’. (para 3.5)

Requirement for Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) 1.24 The Regulations also stipulate that SA should meet the requirements of the EU

Directive 2001/42/EC on the assessment of effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment (the ‘SEA Directive’). The SEA Directive came into force in the UK on the 20th July 2004 through the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations (Wales) 2004. The objective of the Directive is:

‘to provide for a high level of protection of the environment and to contribute to the

integration of environmental considerations into the preparation and adoptions of plans … with a view to promoting sustainable development, by ensuring that, in accordance with this Directive, an environmental assessment is carried out of certain plans …which are likely to have significant effects on the environment’. (Article 1, 2001/42/EC).

1.25 The SEA Directive relates to a wide range of plans and programmes that would have

an impact on the environment. The LDP is prepared and adopted by the authority at the local level for the purposes of Town and Country Planning and is required by legislative provisions under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004., and is likely to have significant effects on the environment. It is therefore necessary that the LDP is subject to environmental assessment under the SEA Directive.

1.26 SEA is an iterative assessment process which plans and programs are required to

undergo as they are developed to ensure that potential significant effects arising from the plan/programme are identified, assessed, mitigated and communicated to plan makers. SEA also requires the monitoring of significant effects once the plan or programme is implemented.

1.27 SEA is primarily focused on environmental effects and to satisfy the requirements of

the SEA directive, the LDP will need to consider its effect on the following areas, namely Air, Biodiversity, Cultural Heritage, Climatic Factors, Flora and Fauna,


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Human Health, Material Assets, Landscape, Population and Water and the interrelationship between these topics.

1.28 A key requirement of the SEA regulations is that an Environmental report is prepared

and this report should identify, describe and evaluate the likely significant effects on the environment of:

• Implementing the plan or programme (the LDP); • Reasonable alternatives taking into account the objectives and the geographical

scope of the plan or programme 1.29 In terms of data gathering in order to inform the SEA and the prediction of effects the

level of detail is not clearly identified however guidance does outline that additional primary research is not necessary. With regard to monitoring the effects of the plan the guidance indicates that only a limited number of indicators should be used to monitor the plan. It is important that these indicators can be monitored annually so that performance against the relevant Sustainability Appraisal Objectives can be determined.

Requirements for undertaking an SA/SEA of the LDP 1.30 The requirements to carry out SA and SEA are thus distinct, but the guidance in the

Local Development Manual (2006) concurs with the November (2005) ODPM guidance on ‘Sustainability Appraisal of Regional Spatial Strategies and Local Development Documents’ that it is possible to satisfy both requirements through a single appraisal process. The SA methodology will therefore need to identify how the specific requirements of the SEA directive have been met.

1.31 Guidance contained in the Local Development Plan Manual (2006) and the ODPM

guidance (2005) identifies the main stages in undertaking SA to be as follows:

• Stage A – Setting the context and objectives, establishing the baseline and deciding on the scope;

• Stage B – Developing and refining options and assessing effects; • Stage C – Preparing the Sustainability Appraisal Report • Stage D – Consulting on the draft plan and the Sustainability Appraisal Report; • Stage E – Monitoring implementation of the plan

1.32 The WAG/ODPM guidance also requires the preparation of the following reports as

part of the SA process:

• Scoping Report (summarising Stage A work) which should be developed in conjunction with the pre-Deposit LDP participation work and consulted upon (This was undertaken during July – August 2006);

• Initial Sustainability Appraisal Report (documenting Stages A-B) which should be used in the public consultation on the pre-Deposit LDP (This was undertaken during January – March 2008)

• Sustainability Appraisal Report (documenting Stages A-C) which should accompany the Deposit LDP. The SAR is a key output of the appraisal process, presenting information including predicting and evaluating the effects of the LDP policies and proposals against the social, environmental and social objectives, and identifying appropriate mitigation measures to reduce significant adverse effects.


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1.33 Figure 1.2 below provides an overview of the Key Sustainability Appraisal Tasks and the relationships between them. Figure 1.3 provides an explanation of how the key LDP and SA tasks link with consultation requirements.

Figure 1.2: Key Sustainability Appraisal Tasks


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1.34 To date, Stage A and B, and C of the SA/SEA process has been undertaken and this

is fully documented under the Methodology discussion in Section 3. As part of the development of the Deposit LDP the stage B assessments were undertaken in three iterative stages (Strategic Options (B1); Strategic Policies and Deposit Plan (B3/4)), ensuring that the SA was able to influence the development of the plan.

Figure 1.3 Incorporating LDP and SA/SEA and Consultation


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Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) 1.35 The European Directive (92/43/EEC) on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and

Wild Flora and Fauna (the Habitats Directive) protects habitats and species of European nature conservation importance. The Habitats Directive establishes a network of internationally important sites designated for their ecological status. These are referred to as Natura 2000 (N2K) sites or European Sites, and comprise Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) [which are classified under the Council Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds, the ‘Birds Directive’].

1.36 The purpose of Habitats Regulations Assessment is to assess the impacts of a land-

use plan, in combination with the effects of other plans and projects, against the conservation objectives of a European Site and to ascertain whether there is potential for significant effects on the integrity1 of that site. Where the potential for significant negative effects are identified, avoidance, mitigation and where necessary alternative options should be examined to avoid any potential damaging effects. The scope of the HRA is dependent on the location, size and significance of the proposed plan or project and the sensitivities and nature of the interest features of the European sites under consideration.

1.37 Torfaen does not contain any European sites, but the assessment of the LDP has

considered the Usk Bat site SAC and the River Usk SAC in neighbouring Monmouthshire. The Habitats Regulations Assessment took place as a separate parallel exercise to the SA/SEA.

1.38 Following initial assessment of the LDP Preferred Strategy in 2008, a further

screening of European sites undertaken in April 2009 concluded that in relation to the Usk Bat sites SAC subject to the LDP including specific wording to ensure that site level HRA is applied to specific development proposals there would be no likely significant effects resulting from the implementation of Deposit LDP.

1.39 In respect of the River Usk SAC, an Appropriate Assessment of the LDP was

undertaken as the HRA could not conclude with certainty that the level of development proposed in the Deposit LDP and surrounding areas will not have adverse in-combination effects on the integrity of the River Usk SAC through reduced water quality and increased water resource demand. Mitigation measures have now been incorporated into the Deposit LDP to ensure that water resources for new developments are supplied sustainably and water quality monitoring indicators have been added to the Monitoring Framework to allow the Council to determine if developments being implemented through the Deposit LDP are having adverse impacts on the water quality of the Afon Lwyd.

1.40 The Council has considered the conclusions arising from the HRA process and the

advice provided by CCW. To ensure that the requirements of the Habitats Regulations are met, all the proposed recommendations detailed in this report have now been incorporated into the Deposit LDP. At this stage, the AA therefore concludes that with the monitoring and mitigation measures in place, the implementation of the Deposit Plan will not result in adverse in combination effects

1 Integrity is described as the sites’ coherence, ecological structure and function across the whole area that enables it to sustain the habitat, complex of habitats and/or levels of populations of species for which it was classified, (ODPM, 2005).


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on the integrity of the River Usk SAC. The HRA (Appropriate Assessment Report) February 2011 is available for consultation as a separate report.

Format of the SAR 1.41 The second section provides an overview of the SA/SEA methodology undertaken on

the LDP to date, and the stages remaining. 1.42 The third section outlines Stage A1 of the process and the results of the review of

relevant plans and programs. 1.43 The fourth section outlines Stage A2 of the process providing an overview the

economic, social and environmental characteristics of Torfaen County Borough. 1.44 The fifth section outlines Stage A3 of the process, which identifies the Key

Sustainability Issues to inform the LDP which have been generated from Stage A2 of the process.

1.45 The sixth section covers Stage A4 of the process outlining the development of the SA

Framework through the different stages of the LDP, which covers the sustainability objectives that have been used in the assessment of the LDP and the indicators and targets proposed for monitoring.

1.46 This seventh section covers Stage B1 of the process outlining how the SA/SEA process has contributed to the development of the Torfaen LDP Vision and Objectives. The assessment of the LDP objectives against the SA Objectives, undertaken by our consultants Atkins Ltd ensured that the final set of LDP objectives performed favourably in sustainability terms. This informed the Initial Sustainability Appraisal Report in January 2008.

1.47 The eighth section of this report covers Stage B2 of the process and discusses the

key strategic options considered for the LDP and those rejected, and outlines how these were assessed against the SA Objectives to understand the potential economic, environmental and social implications of these proposed options. This section also outlines how the preferred strategy ‘the Network of Integrated Communities Strategy’ was arrived at, including the necessary mitigation measures required if implementing this strategy.

1.48 The ninth section identifies the strategic policies assessment undertaken as part of

the LDP Preferred Strategy, and how the social, economic and environmental effects of these policies were identified through assessment against the SA Objectives. Proposed mitigation measures are discussed in this section. This informed the Initial Sustainability Appraisal Report in January 2008.

1.49 The tenth section covers Stage B3/B4 of the process and details the assessment of

the Deposit LDP Policies and Proposals, and the process of site assessment undertaken by TCBC on all submitted Candidate Sites for development and provides a schedule of mitigation measures to combat identified significant negative effects, together with recommendations for their inclusion in the LDP.

1.50 The eleventh section outlines the changes made to the LDP Policies following SA

Assessment by TCBC and the reasons for those changes


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1.51 The twelfth section provides a monitoring schedule to assess the significant effects of the implementation of the LDP. The monitoring framework for the SA will be integrated into the Annual Monitoring Report for the LDP.

1.52 The thirteenth section provides the conclusions of the SA process in the development

of the LDP. 1.53 The fourteenth section provides a summary of stages remaining in the SA/SEA

process.


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2. Sustainability Appraisal Methodology 2.1 TCBC commissioned consultants, Atkins Ltd, in March 2006 to assist in the

undertaking of the Torfaen LDP Sustainability Appraisal (incorporating Strategic Environmental Assessment). Atkins Ltd have assisted the Council in the production of the LDP SA/SEA Scoping Report (July 2006), the development of the LDP Initial Sustainability Appraisal Report (January 2008) and this Sustainability Appraisal Report. Atkins Ltd will work with the LDP team throughout the remaining stages of the process to adoption of the LDP.

2.2 WAG guidance emphasises that SA is an iterative process that identifies and reports

on the likely significant effects of the plan and the extent to which the implementation of the plan will achieve the social, environmental and economic objectives by which sustainable development can be defined. The intention is that SA is fully integrated into the plan-making process from the earliest stages, both informing and being informed by it.

2.3 The methodology adopted involved the completion of the SA stages A, B and C and

associated tasks as listed in Figure 1.2. As mentioned in Section 1, there is a fundamental difference between the SA and SEA methodologies. SEA is primarily focused on environmental effects and the methodology addresses a number of topic areas as listed in Section 1 and Figure 0.0. SA, however, widens the scope of the appraisal to include social and economic topics as well as environmental as it is intended to assess the impact of a plan from an environmental, social and economic perspective.

2.4 Figure 0.0 demonstrates how this SA meets the requirements of the SEA Directive.

Stage A: Setting the Context and Objectives, Establishing Baseline and Deciding on the Scope

2.5 Scoping work was undertaken between March and July 2006 to help ensure that the

SA covered the key sustainability issues relevant to Torfaen in the context of the LDP.

A1: Identifying other relevant policies, plans, programmes (PPPs) 2.6 It is important that the LDP should be set in the context of other national, regional

and local objectives and alongside strategic economic, environmental and social policies. Therefore the first task of the scoping exercise was to undertake a comprehensive review of and to take account of the relationships between the LDP and other relevant plans and strategies.

2.7 The review of documents took into consideration relevant documents at the

European, national, regional and local level, as required by the SEA Directive. The constraints or challenges the plans pose for the LDP were considered and summarised by setting out how the plan might take account of them.

2.8 The results of this exercise is summarised in Figure 3.1 in section 3 of this report.

This table has been amended following consultation on the SA/SEA Scoping Report and the Initial Sustainability Appraisal Report. Figure 3.2 outlines the broad SA themes generated from the review. These have been grouped under the three main topic headings namely, environmental, social and economic, representing the three dimensions of sustainable development. Each objective was assigned to the


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dimension of sustainable development to which it was most strongly associated, although most of the issues are interrelated. The table also sets out the source documents (specified plans and programmes) from which the broad SA themes were derived, together with their relationship to SEA topic areas, which was considered to fulfil the requirements of the SEA Directive.

2.9 Full details of the reviews of each plan, policy and programme are included in

Appendix C. A2: Collation of Baseline Data 2.10 The next task in the scoping exercise was to undertake the collation of baseline

information. In accordance with national guidance, as contained in the LDP Manual (2006), local planning authorities should focus their baseline data collation on characteristics that will be directly affected by land use plans. The indicators used in the baseline tables will also provide a benchmark against which future monitoring can take place.

2.11 The LDP Manual (2006) advocates a practical approach to data collation. Baseline

information provides the basis for predicting and monitoring sustainability effects of the LDP and helps to identify sustainability problems and alternative ways of dealing with them through land use planning. Sufficient information about the current and likely future state of the area covered by the document needs to be collected to allow effects to be adequately predicted. Recognising that certain data may not be available at present, the process of data gathering is a continuous and evolving process, as the SA guides plan making and new data becomes available. The aim was to collect only relevant and sufficient data on the present and future state of Torfaen to allow the potential effects of the LDP to be sufficiently predicted.

2.12 Data were sorted under general baseline indicators of relevance to the plan. These

indicators have been chosen to illustrate the trends taking place during the plan period of the LDP. For each indicator selected, enough information is needed to answer the following questions. Therefore the table has been devised, to attempt to identify these key issues: • How good or bad is the current situation? Do trends show that it is getting better

or worse? • How does the baseline compare to regional trends, national trends so that a

comparative analysis can be drawn against different areas? • How far is the current situation from any established thresholds or targets? • Are particularly sensitive or important elements of the economy, physical

environment or community affected, e.g. skills shortages, endangered species or rare habitats, and vulnerable social groups?

• Are problems reversible or irreversible, permanent or temporary? • How difficult would it be to offset or remedy any damage? • Have there been significant cumulative effects over time? Are there expected to

be such effects in the future? 2.13 A summary of the main economic, environmental and social characteristics of

Torfaen is provided in section 4 of this report. Again this has been updated following consultation on the Scoping Report, and on the Initial Sustainability Appraisal Report. A full review of the collected baseline data is included in Appendix D.

2.14 It should be noted that the majority of the data constitutes secondary data,

minimising the need for primary data collection. However primary data collection was


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undertaken including the Ecology Phase 1 Habitat Survey, Retail Study, Employment Land Study, Open Space and Recreation Study, and Special Landscape Area Study. All relevant data were sourced where available. Where gaps exist, these are identified in Section 4 and recommendations for filling the gaps will be included in the proposals for monitoring the implementation of the plan.

A3: Key Sustainability Issues 2.15 The next stage of the SA process involved the identification of key sustainability

issues relevant to the LDP (including environmental problems as required by the SEA Directive). Implications for the document, as well as opportunities for addressing these problems, were identified using the baseline data collated under stage A2. The identification of key sustainability issues is an important component in influencing the emerging SA Framework.

2.16 Sustainability issues identified were those considered to be relevant to Torfaen over

the long term. This was further informed and updated following results of the consultation on the SA Scoping Report and on the Initial Sustainability Appraisal Report and other key issues that have emerged since that time. The key sustainability issues are presented in Figure 5.1 of this report.

A4: Sustainability Appraisal Framework 2.17 The next task in the SA process involved the development of the SA Framework.

This framework translates the key sustainability issues and PPP review outcomes into a systematic tool, to enable the sustainability effects of policies and proposals in the LDP to be analysed.

2.18 The draft SA Objectives were derived from Stage A1 (Review of relevant plans and

programs, Stage A2 (Collation of Baseline Information) and Stage A3 (the identification of Key Sustainability Issues). The draft objectives were worded so that they reflected one single desired direction of change for the theme concerned and did not overlap with other objectives.

2.19 For each objective, a set of indicators was set to enable the testing of the objective

against specified targets, now or in the future. Indicators used in the baseline were used as a starting point, with others added that were identified throughout the SA process as being more appropriate to monitor the likely significant effects.

2.20 Following consultation on the Draft SA Scoping Report, the draft SA Framework of

objectives, indicators and targets was refined. This framework was used to inform the Initial Sustainability Appraisal Report (January 2008). Following consultation on the ISAR, the SA Framework was further refined to inform this SAR. The final SA Framework and outlined changes are presented in section 6 in Figure 6.1.

A5: Consulting on the Scope of the Sustainability Appraisal 2.21 The SA Scoping Report is the culmination of tasks A1-A4 in stage A of the process.

The main purpose of the work contained under stage A is to develop a Draft SA Framework, which, when refined following consultation will be used to assess the policies and proposals in the LDP.

2.22 As part of a participative scoping process, SA scoping workshops were held to inform

production of the emerging SA Scoping Report. Further details on these workshops


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are contained in the Draft SA Scoping Report (July 2006). The purpose of these events was to consult key stakeholders from a range of disciplines both internal and external of the council, and generate debate on the findings from tasks A1-A4.

2.23 Consultation on the SA Scoping Report was undertaken during July and August

2006. The aim of the consultation was to engage with all the relevant statutory consultees and other key stakeholders, to ensure the finalised version is both a robust and comprehensive tool in which to assess the LDP. To meet the requirements of the SEA Directive, the local planning authority (LPA) consulted the three statutory environmental consultation bodies – Countryside Council for Wales, Cadw and Environment Agency (Wales).

2.24 The consultation results influenced the preparation of the ISAR in 2008 and the

representations made to that consultation are outlined in Appendix B. Stage B: Developing and refining options and assessing effects B1: Testing the plan objectives against the SA Framework 2.25 An initial compatibility assessment was undertaken of the LDP objectives against the

SA objectives. This helped to consider to what degree they are in accordance with sustainability principles, with a view to developing and refining the LDP objectives through an iterative process, as they will guide the policies and proposals in the emerging LDP. When testing compatibility the following scale was used:

Figure 2.1- Compatibility of Objectives Key

Potentially Compatible

X

Not Compatible

Not relevant

?

Dependent on the nature of delivery

2.26 The result of this exercise is discussed in section 7. This work was undertaken as

part of the development of the ISAR. B2: Developing the Plan Options 2.27 This stage involved the prediction of effects resulting from the implementation of the

draft LDP Strategic Options. This enabled the sustainability implications of each of the options to be identified. Each of the four strategic options was assessed against the SA objectives to assess their performance against the range of economic, environmental and social objectives. This process has involved close liaison between Torfaen County Borough Council and Atkins Ltd, who undertook the appraisal of the options.


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2.28 SA task B2 was preceded by stakeholder input through Strategic Options workshop sessions held in March and April 2007. The options were generated considering the key issues facing the County Borough, as outlined in the SA Scoping Report, the Strategic Options Briefing Papers and other LDP background documents. The stakeholder workshops ensured that the final list of options were generated with input from a wide variety of stakeholders.

2.29 A judgement was made against the SA objectives to predict the likely sustainability

implications which might arise should the option be implemented. In order to arrive at a conclusion about how the LDP would affect the achievement of the SA objectives, each assessment combines qualitative and quantitative techniques, taking account of:

• What the SA objective is trying to achieve; • The status of the relevant baseline, and how it has changed over time; and • Current knowledge of the various relationships between the content of the LDP and

SA objectives.

2.30 At this early stage of assessment a broad approach to appraisal was taken to provide an initial indication of the relative sustainability of each of the options. Prediction involved using a scale from ‘+++’ (strong positive effect) to ‘---’ (strong negative effects) with the associated commentary indicating any further details to note. The assessment scale is outlined in Figure 2.2 below

Figure 2.2 - Options Assessment Key

Assessment Scale Assessment Category

+++ Strongly positive

++ Moderately positive

+ Slightly positive

0 Neutral or no obvious effect

- Slightly negative

-- Moderately negative

--- Strongly negative

? Effect uncertain

2.31 Objectivity and consistency in making judgements is assisted by reference to the

assessment rationale Figure 6.2. This provides a focus for the appraiser in terms of understanding what the SA objective is trying to achieve and what impact the proposed action may have. Matrices were used to record likely sustainability effects of each option against each objective in the SA Framework.

2.32 The TCBC Forward Planning Team then reviewed this assessment before it was

finalised. The assessment of the strategic options is presented in section 8 of this report with the full assessment table in Appendix G. The appraisal findings, together with responses to the Strategic Options consultation, were taken into account in the development and choice of the Preferred Strategy.


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B2: Development of Strategic Sites

2.33 To inform the LDP TCBC undertook a full assessment of Strategic Sites as part of the

Candidate Sites Assessment Process. This included an assessment of the development potential of sites, and assessment against the LDP and SA objectives, and the LDP strategy. The SA of the LDP sites, undertaken as part of the Candidate Sites Assessment Process, identified key areas of mitigation to be employed on a site by site basis. It also assessed whether each site was likely to have either a positive, neutral or negative effect against each of the identified SA objectives. The results of this exercise are contained in the Candidate Sites Assessment Report (December 2010). This report was used to inform SA tasks B3 and B4 of the LDP by Atkins Ltd for the appraisal of the Deposit Plan (2010).

B3: Predicting the effects of the plan, including options; and B4: Evaluating the Effects of the LDP Preferred Strategy

2.34 The methodology that has been adopted for this assessment is generally broad-

brush and qualitative which is generally accepted as good practice by SA guidance. The assessment of the Deposit LDP has been broken down into ‘evaluation’ of effects and ‘mitigation’ of effects. The prediction of effects was undertaken for each proposal being implemented through the LDP against the SA Framework.

2.35 The evaluation involved forming a judgement on whether or not the predicted effects will be environmentally significant. The technique that has primarily been used to assess the significance of effects in this assessment is a qualitative assessment based on expert judgement. Other techniques included consultation with stakeholders involved in the SA process, geographical information systems and reference to key legislation, primarily the Strategic Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004 and Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 1999.

2.36 As with the prediction of the effects, the criteria of assessing the significance of a specific effect used in this assessment, as outlined in Annex II of the SEA Directive, has been based on the following parameters to determine the significance:

• Scale;

• Permanence;

• Nature and sensitivity;

• Cumulative effects.

2.37 In the current practice of sustainability appraisals, the broad-brush qualitative prediction and evaluation of effects is based on a qualitative seven point scale in easily understood terms. In general, this assessment has adopted the scale set in Figure 2.3 to assess the significance of effects of the LDP proposals.


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Figure 2.3 - Criteria for Assessing Significance of Effects

Assessment Scale Assessment Category Significance of Effect

+++ Strongly positive

++ Moderately positive

Significant

+ Slightly positive

0 Neutral or no obvious effect

- Slightly negative

Not Significant

-- Moderately negative

--- Strongly negative

Significant

? Effect uncertain

2.38 Moderately and strongly positive and negative effects have been considered to be of

significance whereas neutral and slightly positive and negative effects have been considered non-significant.

Secondary and Cumulative Effects Assessments

2.39 Annex I of the SEA Directive requires that the assessment of effects include

secondary, cumulative and synergistic effects. 2.40 Secondary or indirect effects are effects that are not a direct result of the plan, but

occur away from the original effect or as a result of the complex pathway e.g. a development that changes a water table and thus affects the ecology of a nearby wetland. These effects are not cumulative and have been identified and assessed primarily through the examination of the relationship between various objectives during the assessment of environmental effects.

2.41 Cumulative effects arise where several proposals individually may or may not have a

significant effect, but in-combination have a significant effect due to spatial crowding or temporal overlap between plans, proposals and actions and repeated removal or addition of resources due to proposals and actions. Cumulative effects can be:

• Additive- the simple sum of all the effects; • Neutralising- where effects counteract each other to reduce the overall effect;

and • Synergistic– is the effect of two or more effects acting together which is

greater than the simple sum of the effects when acting alone. For instance, a wildlife habitat can become progressively fragmented with limited effects on a particular species until the last fragmentation makes the areas too small to support the species at all.

2.42 Many environmental problems result from cumulative effects. These effects are

very hard to deal with on a project by project basis through Environmental Impact Assessment. It is at the SA level that they are most effectively identified and addressed.


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2.43 Cumulative effects assessment is a systematic procedure for identifying and evaluating the significance of effects from multiple activities. The analysis of the causes, pathways and consequences of these effects is an essential part of the process.

2.44 Cumulative (including additive, neutralising and synergistic) effects have been

considered throughout the entire SA process, as described below:

• As part of the review of relevant strategies, plans and programmes and the derivation of draft SA objectives, key receptors have been identified which may be subject to cumulative effects;

• In the process of collecting baseline information cumulative effects have been considered by identifying key receptors (e.g. specific wildlife habitats) and information on how these have changed with time, and how they are likely to change without the implementation of the LDP. Targets have been identified (where possible), that identify how close to capacity the key receptor is, which is a key determining factor in assessing the likelihood of cumulative and synergistic effects occurring, and their degree of significance;

• Through the analysis of environmental issues and problems, receptors have been identified that are particularly sensitive, in decline or near to their threshold (where such information is available);

• The development of SA objectives, indicators and targets has been influenced by cumulative effects identified through the process above and SA objectives that consider cumulative effects have been identified; and

• The likely cumulative effects of the strategic alternatives have been identified which highlighted potential cumulative effects that should be considered later in the SA process.

2.45 The LDP policies were assessed in two iterations: Strategic Policies (2008) and the

LDP Deposit Policies (2010). The Strategic Policies were prepared following the development of the Strategic Options. The assessment of the LDP Strategic Policies against the SA objectives is described in further detail in Section 8 of this report. The SA of the Strategic Options and Strategic Policies was reported in the Initial Sustainability Appraisal Report (ISAR) in 2008.

2.46 The assessment of the Deposit LDP policies involved their grouping into themed

components. Each component was assessed against the SA Framework. The SA Framework used at this stage of the assessment had evolved from the objectives used in the assessment of the Strategic Objectives, Options and Policies, reported in the ISAR (2008). This is documented in Section 6 of this report. The assessment of the LDP Deposit Policies was undertaken by consultants Atkins Ltd.

B5: Considering Ways of Mitigating Adverse Effects and Maximising Beneficial Effects 2.47 Through the assessment of the LDP Policies by Atkins and the assessment of sites

undertaken by TCBC, mitigation measures have been identified. This was achieved both through amending the policies to improve their performance in sustainability terms and the identification of measures to be undertaken as the details of the plan emerge. Mitigation measures have been identified during the evaluation process to reduce the scale/importance of significant negative effects and also to maximise


36

beneficial effects. The mitigation measures identified are discussed in section 10 and 11 of this document. The full assessment is presented in Appendix J. Details of the resulting policy amendments are presented in Appendix K.

B6: Proposing Measures to Monitor the Significant Effects of Implementing the Core Strategy 2.48 The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act (UK Government 2004) and the

Strategic Environmental Assessment Regulations (National Assembly for Wales 2004) require that a monitoring strategy be prepared for publication to monitor the effects of the Local Development Plan once it has been implemented. SA monitoring involves measuring indicators, which will enable the establishment of a causal link between the implementation of the plan and the likely significant effect (positive or negative) being monitored. It thus helps to ensure that any adverse effects, which arise during implementation, whether or not they were foreseen, can be identified and that action can be taken by TCBC to deal with them. The monitoring framework developed to monitor the predicted significant effects of the LDP is included in section 12 of this report.

Stage C: Preparing the Sustainability Appraisal Report 2.49 This represents the current stage in the process. This SA Report documents the SA

process to date, that has informed the development of the Deposit LDP.


37

3. Identifying other Plans, Policies and Programmes (Task A1)

Introduction 3.1 The review of plans and programmes is the first key stage in the development of the

SA Framework detailed later in the report in section 6. The LDP is prepared in the context of other plans and programmes, which need to be taken into account. The LDP must comply with national planning policy, and reflect other local plans and strategies, providing the spatial planning framework to help deliver those strategies.

Task A1: Relevant Plans and Programmes

3.2 As identified in section 2 a thorough review has been undertaken of European,

National, Regional and local strategies considered relevant to the emerging LDP as a requirement of the SEA Directive.

3.3 The plans and programmes identified as part of the SA process are outlined in Figure

3.1 below. The full review of each plan and programme is attached in Appendix C. 3.4 General sustainability objectives were generated from the review of plans and

programmes and these are split into the three strands of sustainability namely, economic, environmental and social. The results of this exercise are presented in Figure 3.2. It specifies the source documents to which the general objectives relate and the implications for the LDP and issues that should inform the identification of sustainability objectives. Also the table identifies the link between these objectives and the list of final objectives in the SA Framework alongside the SEA topic areas, which is a requirement of the SEA Directive.

Figure 3.1 – Relevant Plans and Programmes

Plan / Programme

European / International Plans and Programmes

Aarhus Convention on Access to information, public participation in decision making and access to justice in environmental matters (2005/370/EEC)

Agenda 21

Common Agriculture Policy (Reform 2003)

Convention of Wetlands of International Importance especially as a Waterfowl Habitat

Convention on Biological Diversity

EU Air Quality Framework Directive (96/62/EC)

EU Directive on Energy Performance of Buildings

EU Directive on Environmental Impact Assessment

EU Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Flora and Fauna (92/43/EEC)

EU Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds (79/409/EEC)

EU Environmental Liability Directive

EU Groundwater Directive

EU Landfill OF Waste Directive (97/11/EC)


38

Plan / Programme

EU Landfill OF Waste Directive (97/11/EC)

EU Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC)

EU Noise Directive (2003/10/EEC)

EU Objective 1,2, and 3 Programmes

EU Rural Development Policy

EU Sixth Environmental Action Plan

EU Urban Waste Water Directive

EU Waste Framework Directive (91/156/EEC)

EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC)

EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC)

European Climate Change Programme

European Commission White Paper on the European Transport Policy (2001)

European Employment Strategy

European Landscape Convention

European Spatial Development Perspective

European Sustainable Development Strategy

Intelligent Energy Europe

Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development

Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change

Renewable Energy Coalition

Rio Declaration on Environment and Development

Statement of Principles on Forests

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

World Health Organisation Europe – Physical Activity

National Plans and Programs

A Living and Working Environment for Wales: the State of the Welsh Environment

A Winning Wales – The National Economic Strategy of the Welsh Assembly Government

A Working Countryside for Wales – Rural White Paper 1996

Achieving Our Potential 2006-2013 – Strategic Action Plan

Action Plan for the Countryside Experience

Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Building a Future for Wales – A sustainable housing strategy

Climate Change Act 2008

Climate Change: The UK Programme

Climbing Higher – WAG Strategy for Sport and Physical Activity


39

Plan / Programme

Communities First

Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000

Cultural Tourism Strategy for Wales

DfT: The Future of Transport: A Network for 2030

Drought Management Plans

Dwr Cymru Draft Water Resources Management Plan (DCWW) (March 2008)

Environment Strategy for Wales

Farming for the Future: A new direction for farming in Wales

Five Counties Regeneration Framework

Guidelines for the Selection of Wildlife Sites in South Wales

“Heads - We Win…” - A Strategic Framework for the Heads of the Valleys

Minerals Planning Policy Wales (2001)

Minerals TAN 1 – Aggregates (2004)

MTAN2: Coal (2009)

National Housing Strategy – Better homes for People in Wales

Nature Conservation TAN 5 – Draft 2006

One Future, Different Paths – The UK’s Shared framework for Sustainable Development (2005)

One Wales ‘A progressive agenda for the government of Wales’

One Wales One Planet – A Sustainable Development Scheme for Wales

Our Energy Future – Energy White Paper

PAS 2010, Planning to Halt the Loss of Biodiversity – Biodiversity Conservation Standards for Planning in the UK – Code of Practice (Aug 2006)

People, Places, Futures – The Wales Spatial Plan 2008 Update Wales – A better Country – The Strategic agenda of WAG The Sustainable Development Action Plan – 2004-2007 Environment Strategy for Wales (These documents produced by WAG are designed to work in parallel to deliver Sustainable Development across Wales)

Planning Policy Wales (2011)

Priority Habitats of Wales (2003)

Property Strategy for Employment in Wales

River Basin Management Plan ‘Severn River Basin District’ (Dec 2009)

Road Safety Strategy

Sports Tourism in Wales: A Framework for Action

Strategic Environmental Assessment and Climatic Change for Practitioners.

Strategy for Flood Risk Management 03 - 08 (EA).

Technical Advice Notes (TANs) – TAN1- Joint Housing Land Availability Studies, TAN2 –


40

Plan / Programme Planning and Affordable Housing, TAN3 – Simplified Planning zones, TAN4 - Retailing and Town Centres, TAN5 – Nature Conservation and Planning, TAN6 – Agriculture and Rural development, TAN7 – Outdoor Advertisement Control, TAN8 – Renewable Energy, TAN9 – Enforcement and Planning Control, TAN10 – Tree Preservation Orders, TAN11 – Noise, TAN12 – Design, TAN13 – Tourism, TAN14 – Coastal Planning, TAN15 – Development and Flood Risk, TAN16 – Sport and Recreation, TAN18 – Transport, TAN19 – Telecommunications, TAN20 – The Welsh Language – UDP’s and Planning Control, TAN21 – Waste

Strategy for Older People in Wales

Sustainable Development Action Plan – 2004-2007

Transport Framework for Wales

Trunk Road Forward Programme (2002)

Turning Heads: A strategy for the Heads of the Valleys 2020

UK Biodiversity Action Plan

UK Sustainable Development Strategy –‘Securing the Future’

WAG – 21st Century Schools

Wales - A Better Country

Wales Draft Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan

Wales Programme for Improvement – Dec 2005

Wales Transport Strategy

Wales: A Vibrant Economy

Walking and Cycling Strategy for Wales

Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000 – A Fuel Poverty Commitment for Wales

Water for people and the environment – Water resources strategy for England and Wales

Water Resources for the future: A summary of the strategy for England and Wales 2001

Water Resources for the future: Strategy for England and Wales

Waterways for Tomorrow (2001)

Well Being In Wales

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Wise about Waste: The National Waste Strategy for Wales

Woodlands for Wales

Regional Plans and Programs

Adopted Blaenau Gwent Unitary Development Plan, July 2006

Adopted Monmouthshire Unitary Development Plan, June 2006

Adopted Newport Unitary Development Plan, May 2006

Blaenau Gwent Unitary Development Plan Proposed Modifications

Brecon Beacons National Park Adopted Local Plan - May 1999

Brecon Beacons National Park LDP Deposit Plan 2010


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Plan / Programme

Brecon Beacons National Park Unitary Development Plan (UDP)

Caerphilly County Borough Local Development Plan (2010)

Council Approved Caerphilly Unitary Development Plan, April 2003

Ebbw and Lwyd Catchment Abstraction Management Plan

Ebbw and Lwyd Catchment Abstraction Management Plan (Update 2007)

Five Counties Regeneration Framework

Heads we win – A Strategic Framework for the Heads of the Valleys

Managing Change Together: Brecon Beacons Draft Management Plan 2009-2014

Monmouthshire UDP 2006

Newport Unitary Development Plan 2006

Property Strategy for Employment in Wales (2004-2008)

South East Wales Development Strategy

South East Wales Development Strategy – Enter the dragon

South East Wales Economic Development Strategy

South East Wales Regional Planning Guidance

South East Wales Regional Technical Statement on Aggregates

South East Wales Regional Waste Plan

South East Wales Regional Waste Plan

South East Wales Strategic Planning Guidance Volume 1 (January 2000) and Volume 2 (July 2001)

South Wales Regional Transport Plan (2008)

Usk Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy 2006

Valleys Regional Park Plan (2nd Draft Strategic Framework)

Wye and Usk Catchment Flood Management Plan 2010 - ‘Managing Flood Risk’

Local Plans and Programs

Adopted Torfaen Local Plan

Better Homes, Better Lives: A Local Housing Strategy Torfaen 2004 - 2009

Forgotten Landscape Project

Gwent Structure Plan

Regeneration through Tourism – A Regeneration Strategy fro Torfaen


42

Plan / Programme

Strategy for Older People in Wales (2008-2013)

TCBC – 21st Century Schools – A Strategic Outline Program

Torfaen Air Quality Progress Report 2003

Torfaen Children and Young People Framework Plan 2003-2008

Torfaen Community Safety Partnership Strategy – Making Torfaen a Safer Place

Torfaen Community Strategy

Torfaen Contaminated Land Inspection Strategy

Torfaen Corporate Plan

Torfaen Countryside Strategy 2003-2006

Torfaen Digital Valley

Torfaen Economic Development Strategy (2007-2012)

Torfaen Education Strategic Plan

Torfaen Education Strategic Plan 2006-2008

Torfaen Energy Policy

Torfaen Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Needs Assessment 2007

Torfaen Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Strategy 2008-2011

Torfaen Improvement Plan 2005-2006

Torfaen Landscape Strategy

Torfaen Local Biodiversity Action Plan

Torfaen Local Housing Strategy 2004-2009

Torfaen Local Transport Plan 2001-2006

Torfaen Objective 1 Local Strategy

Torfaen Regeneration Strategy 2004-2016

Torfaen Risk and Protection Audit Report – Communities that Care

Torfaen Road Safety Strategy

Torfaen School Organisation Plan

Torfaen Tourism Strategy – Regeneration through Tourism

Torfaen Waste Management Strategy


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Figure 3.2 – Sustainability Themes linked to final SA Objectives

Source Themes relevant to SA/SEA of Torfaen LDP European National/Regional Local Implications For The LDP

Main SEA Topics

Relationship to final SA Objectives

ECONOMIC

Ensure high, stable and sustainable levels of local employment

Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development, The European Employment Strategy, European Sustainable Development Strategy, Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, EU Objective 1, 2 and 3 Programmes.

A Winning Wales, The National Economic Strategy of WAG, Five counties Regeneration Framework, People Places Futures, The Wales Spatial Plan, South East Wales Economic Development Strategy, South East Wales Development Strategy, Adopted Monmouthshire Unitary Development Plan, Caerphilly County Borough Council LDP, Adopted Blaenau Gwent Unitary Development Plan, Adopted Newport Unitary Development Plan, Brecon Beacons National Park UDP, UK Sustainable Development Strategy, Wales: A Vibrant Economy, Turning Heads: A Strategy for the Heads of the Valleys 2020,

Torfaen Regeneration Strategy – 2004-2016; Torfaen Economic Development Strategy (2007-2012); Torfaen Community Strategy

Policies should ensure adequate provision of a range of quality local employment opportunities

Population Material Assets 1, 2

Promote Economic growth and business competitiveness across the County Borough

European Spatial Development Perspective, The European Employment Strategy, The Common Agricultural Policy (Reform 2003), EU Objective 1, 2 and 3 Programmes

A Winning Wales, The National Economic Strategy of WAG, South East Wales Economic People Places Futures, The Wales Spatial Plan, Development strategy, Wales Spatial Plan; South East Wales Development Strategy, PPW, A Vibrant Economy, Turning Heads: A Strategy for the Heads of the Valleys 2020, Five counties Regeneration Framework, Achieving Our Potential – Strategic Action Plan, Farming for the future: A new direction for farming in Wales

Torfaen Regeneration Strategy – 2004-2016; Torfaen Local Plan, Gwent Structure Plan, Torfaen Economic Development Strategy (2007-2012)

Policies should ensure range of employment sites and premises to meet business needs

Population Material Assets 2


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Main SEA Topics


Ensure a supply of local employment sites and premises which meet the needs of a diverse changing economy

EU Objective 1, 2 and 3 Programmes, European Employment Strategy

A Winning Wales, The National Economic Strategy of WAG, South East Wales Economic Development Strategy, People Places Futures, The Wales Spatial Plan, Wales Spatial Plan; South East Wales Development Strategy, PPW, A Vibrant Economy, Turning Heads: A Strategy for the Heads of the Valleys 2020, Five counties Regeneration Framework,

Torfaen Regeneration Strategy 2004-2016; Torfaen Local Plan, Gwent Structure Plan, Torfaen Economic Development Strategy (2007-2012)

Policies should ensure range of employment sites and premises to meet business needs

Population Material Assets 1,2

To promote/develop a Knowledge based economy

European Spatial Development Perspective.

A Winning Wales, South East Wales Economic Development strategy; Five counties Regeneration Framework; Wales a better country, WAG 21st Century Schools

Torfaen Regeneration Strategy 2004-2016; Torfaen Improvement Plan 2005-2006, Torfaen Digital Valley, Education Strategic Plan

Policies should ensure supporting educational and ICT technology infrastructure

Population 2,21

Establish a strong tourist economy, sensitively capitalising on environmental, heritage, and leisure assets

PPW, TAN13 – Tourism, Sports Tourism in Wales: A framework for Action, Cultural Tourism Strategy for Wales; Wales Spatial Plan 2008 Update, Adopted Monmouthshire Unitary Development Plan, Caerphilly County Borough Council LDP, Adopted Blaenau Gwent Unitary Development Plan, Adopted Newport Unitary Development Plan, Brecon Beacons National Park UDP, South Wales Regional Transport Plan (2008), Cultural Tourism Strategy for Wales, Achieving Our Potential - Strategic Action Plan, Turning Heads: A Strategy for the Heads of the Valleys 2020

Torfaen Regeneration Strategy 2004-2016; Torfaen Local Plan, Torfaen Economic Development Strategy (2007-2012), Torfaen Tourism Strategy, Forgotten Landscapes Project, Blaenavon World Heritage Site Management Plan

Policies should promote the sustainable use and enhancement of landscape, cultural and historic resources including the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site

Biodiversity Flora and Fauna Population, Cultural Heritage, Landscape Material Assets

3,4, 5, 6, 10,11,20,23


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Main SEA Topics


Improve the vitality and viability of towns and neighbourhood centres

European Sustainable Development Strategy

PPW, TAN4 – Retailing and Town Centres, Monmouthshire Unitary Development Plan, Caerphilly County Borough Council LDP, Adopted Blaenau Gwent Unitary Development Plan, Adopted Newport Unitary Development Plan, Brecon Beacons National Park UDP, South Wales Regional Transport Plan, Five Counties Regeneration Framework, Turning Heads: A Strategy for the Heads of the Valleys 2020

Torfaen Regeneration Strategy 2004-2016; Torfaen Local Plan, Gwent Structure Plan

Policies should enhance the attractiveness and accessibility and role and function of centres, which should be the focus for community life. Policies should also seek to minimise the ecological footprint of town and community centres and enhance their environmental attributes such as parks and green spaces.

Population Material Assets 1,2,3,4,10,20,23

Promote the regeneration of disadvantaged wards and support the revitalisation of such areas

EU Objective 1,2 and 3 Programmes

PPW, The Wales Spatial Plan, UK Sustainable Development Strategy Wales a better country. Communities First Programme. Monmouthshire Unitary Development Plan, Caerphilly County Borough Council LDP, Adopted Blaenau Gwent Unitary Development Plan, Adopted Newport Unitary Development Plan, Brecon Beacons National Park UDP, South Wales Regional Transport Plan, Turning Heads: A Strategy for the Heads of the Valleys 2020, People Places Futures – The Wales Spatial Plan

Torfaen Regeneration Strategy 2004-2016; Torfaen Improvement Plan;

Policies should promote safe, sustainable communities with access to range of essential services

Population; Human Health 1,18,19,20, 22,23

Maintain and enhance an efficient, competitive and innovative retail and commercial sector

PPW, TAN4 – Retailing and Town Centres, Monmouthshire Unitary Development Plan, Caerphilly County Borough Council LDP, Adopted Blaenau Gwent Unitary Development Plan, Adopted Newport Unitary Development Plan, Brecon Beacons National Park UDP.

Torfaen Regeneration Strategy 2004-2016; Torfaen Local Plan, Gwent Structure Plan

Policies should ensure a range of accessible retail and commercial premises and provide opportunities for future developments

Population Material Assets 1,2,20


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Main SEA Topics


ENVIRONMENTAL

Protect, promote and enhance the biodiversity of Torfaen

Convention on Biological Diversity, The EU Biodiversity Strategy, Convention on Biological Diversity, EU Habitats Directive, Agenda 21, Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, The Environmental Liability Directive 2004/35/CE

PPW, TAN5 – Nature Conservation and Planning, UK Biodiversity Action Plan, Woodlands for Wales, Environment Strategy for Wales, Monmouthshire Unitary Development Plan, Caerphilly County Borough Council LDP, Adopted Blaenau Gwent Unitary Development Plan, Adopted Newport Unitary Development Plan, Brecon Beacons National Park UDP.

Torfaen LBAP 2003; Torfaen Countryside Strategy 2003-2006; Torfaen Local Plan;

Policies should protect, promote and enhance areas of biodiversity importance

Biodiversity; Flora and Fauna; Landscape; Population

5,6,7,9,16

Identify, manage and protect habitats and species which are important on a international, national and local scale

Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development, European Sustainable Development Strategy, Convention on Biological Diversity, The EU Biodiversity Strategy Statement of principles on

PPW, TAN5 – Nature Conservation and Planning, UK Biodiversity Action Plan, UK Biodiversity Action Plan, Priority Habitats of Wales, Environment Strategy for Wales, Woodlands for Wales, Monmouthshire Unitary Development Plan, Caerphilly County Borough Council LDP, Adopted Blaenau Gwent Unitary Development Plan, Adopted Newport Unitary Development Plan, Brecon Beacons National Park UDP.

Torfaen LBAP 2003; Torfaen Countryside Strategy 2003-2006; Torfaen Local Plan, Gwent Structure Plan

Policies should protect important habitats and species

Biodiversity; Flora and Fauna; Landscape

5,6,7,16


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Main SEA Topics


forests, The EU Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds, EU Habitats Directive, Agenda 21, Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, Statement of Principles on Forests, The Environmental Liability Directive 2004/35/CE.

Minimise the effects of Noise Pollution

The EU Noise Directive, The Environmental Liability Directive 2004/35/CE.

PPW, TAN11 – Noise, Environment Strategy Wales, Monmouthshire Unitary Development Plan, Caerphilly County Borough Council LDP, Adopted Blaenau Gwent Unitary Development Plan, Adopted Newport Unitary Development Plan, Brecon Beacons National Park UDP.

Torfaen Local Plan

Policies should minimise noise creation and separate noise sensitive uses from noise generating uses.

Human Health; Population 8

Reduce air pollution and ensure improvements in air quality

The EU Air Quality Framework Directive, Environmental Liability Directive.

PPW, Environment Strategy Wales, Air Quality Strategy for the UK, the transport framework for Wales, Monmouthshire Unitary Development Plan, Caerphilly County Borough Council LDP, Adopted Blaenau Gwent Unitary Development Plan, Adopted Newport Unitary Development Plan, Brecon Beacons National Park UDP, South Wales Regional

Torfaen Local Plan; Torfaen Waste Management Strategy, 2010 Air Quality Progress Report for TCBC.

Policies should reduce air polluting uses

Air; Climatic Factors; Human Health; Population; Biodiversity and Flora and Fauna

5,6,7


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Main SEA Topics


Transport Plan (2008).

Reduce the risk of flooding by assessing developments against the precautionary principle, and promote protection of floodplains from inappropriate development

The EU Water Framework Directive, European Sustainable Development Strategy.

PPW, TAN15: Development and Flood Risk, Environment Strategy for Wales, Water resources for the future: Strategy for England and Wales, River Basin Management Plan, Ebbw and Lwyd CAMP, Wye and Usk CFMP,Monmouthshire Unitary Development Plan, Caerphilly County Borough Council LDP, Adopted Blaenau Gwent Unitary Development Plan, Adopted Newport Unitary Development Plan, Brecon Beacons National Park UDP.

Torfaen Local Plan, Gwent Structure Plan

Policies should prevent sensitive development in identified flood risk areas, and the LDP should adopt the precautionary approach to development and floodrisk as adopted in TAN15.

Water; Human Health; Population; Biodiversity and Flora and Fauna

6,9,22

Protect and enhance the valued historic environment and its setting

PPW, Cultural tourism strategy for Wales, Monmouthshire Unitary Development Plan, Caerphilly County Borough Council LDP, Adopted Blaenau Gwent Unitary Development Plan, Adopted Newport Unitary Development Plan, Brecon Beacons National Park UDP.

Torfaen Local Plan; Gwent Structure Plan, Blaenavon WHS Management Plan, Pontypool, Blaenavon and Cwmavon Conservation Area Appraisals, Forgotten Landscapes Project

Policies should protect and enhance the valued historic environment and its settings

Cultural Heritage; Landscape 3,4,10,11,23

Encourage sustainable use, enjoyment and management of the countryside

European Sustainable Development Strategy, European Landscape Convention, EU Rural Development Policy, Countryside and

Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, The Sustainable Development Action Plan 2004-2007, Action Plan for the Countryside Experience, TAN 6 – Agricultural and Rural Development, PPW, Farming for the future: A new direction for farming in Wales.

Torfaen Countryside Strategy, Torfaen ROWIP, Torfaen LDP, Torfaen LBAP

Policies should promote sustainable access and use of the countryside in the interests of human health.

Biodiversity and Flora and Fauna Population Human Health

3,5,13


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Main SEA Topics


Rights of Way Act

Promote protection and enhancement of valued landscape character

European Landscape Convention, EU Rural Development Policy, The Environmental Liability Directive 2004/35/CE.

TAN 6 – Agriculture and Rural Development, Environment Strategy for Wales, Woodlands for Wales, Monmouthshire Unitary Development Plan, Caerphilly County Borough Council LDP, Adopted Blaenau Gwent Unitary Development Plan, Adopted Newport Unitary Development Plan, Brecon Beacons National Park UDP. PPW, Farming for the future: A new direction for farming in Wales, LANDMAP.

Torfaen Local Plan; Torfaen Landscape Action Plan; Torfaen Local Biodiversity Action Plan (2003-2008); Torfaen Waste Management Strategy – ‘Watch Your Waste’; Torfaen Landscape Strategy

Policies should protect and enhance the valued landscape character in Torfaen

Landscape; Cultural Heritage 4,11

Reduce pollution of water courses, groundwater and improve poor water quality

The EU Nitrates Directive, The EU Water Framework Directive, EU Groundwater Daughter Directive (2006/118/EC), Agenda 21, The Environmental Liability Directive 2004/35/CE.

Water resources for the future: Strategy for England and Wales, TAN15: Development and Flood Risk, Environment Strategy for Wales, River Basin Management Plan, Ebbw and Lwyd CAMP, Wye and Usk CFMP, Monmouthshire UK Sustainable Development strategy, Monmouthshire Unitary Development Plan, Caerphilly County Borough Council LDP, Adopted Blaenau Gwent Unitary Development Plan, Adopted Newport Unitary Development Plan, Brecon Beacons National Park UDP.

Policies should promote the protection of the quality and quantity of surface and groundwaters.

Water; Human Health; Biodiversity and Flora and Fauna

5,14,16

Encourage the redevelopment of appropriate previously developed land before considering development of Greenfield sites

TAN1 – Joint Housing Land Availability Study, PPW; Wales Spatial Plan, Monmouthshire Unitary Development Plan, Caerphilly County Borough Council LDP, Adopted Blaenau Gwent Unitary Development Plan,

Policies should promote a sustainable approach to development encouraging development of brownfield sites before Greenfield sites

Population; Human Health; Biodiversity and Flora and Fauna

12,14


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Main SEA Topics


Adopted Newport Unitary Development Plan, Brecon Beacons National Park UDP.

Encourage the use of more sustainable forms of transport, reducing the need to travel by car

European Sustainable Development Strategy.

The Transport Framework for Wales, PPW, TAN18, Walking and Cycling Strategy for Wales, People Place Futures – The Wales Spatial Plan, Environment Strategy for Wales, Monmouthshire Unitary Development Plan, Caerphilly County Borough Council LDP, Adopted Blaenau Gwent Unitary Development Plan, Adopted Newport Unitary Development Plan, Brecon Beacons National Park UDP, South Wales Regional Transport Plan (2008),

Torfaen Local Transport Plan; Torfaen Local Plan; Gwent Structure Plan;

Policies should provide opportunities to access new and existing developments by a range of sustainable travel modes.

Air, Climatic Factors Population; Human Health; Material Assets

7,13,20,22

Reduce traffic congestion to protect the environment and human health

The Transport Framework for Wales, PPW, TAN18, Walking and Cycling Strategy for Wales People Place Futures – The Wales Spatial Plan, Environment Strategy for Wales,

Torfaen Local Transport Plan;

Policies should seek to minimise the need to travel by allowing access to services locally

Air; Climate; Human Health 7,13,20,22

Improve accessibility and transport links to key services from residential areas through improved travel choices

TAN 18, PPW, The Transport Framework for Wales; Wales Spatial Plan People Place Futures – The Wales Spatial Plan, Environment Strategy for Wales,

Torfaen Local Transport Plan

Policies should ensure developments and key services are served by a range of transport options to improve accessibility

Population 13,20

Address the causes of climate change and promote the reduction of Greenhouse gas emissions

The EU Sixth Environmental Action Plan, United Nations Framework Convention on

UK Sustainable Development Strategy, Environment Strategy Wales, Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; Wales Spatial Plan, TAN8, Climate Change Act

Torfaen Energy Policy , Torfaen Local Transport Plan

Policies should aim to reduce the causes of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas omissions associated with aspects of new developments, and explore opportunities for utilising low and

Air; Climatic Factors; Biodiversity and Flora and Fauna

7,14,17


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Main SEA Topics


Climate Change, European Climate Change Programme, The EU Air Quality Framework Directive

2008, One Wales, One Planet A Sustainable Development Scheme, The Transport Framework for Wales, PPW, TAN18, TAN22, Walking and Cycling Strategy for Wales, People Place Futures – The Wales Spatial Plan, Environment Strategy for Wales

zero carbon sources on sites

Promote the reduction of waste generation and landfill, and increase levels of recycling to achieve more sustainable waste management

The EU Landfill of Waste Directive, EU Waste Framework Directive,

Environment Strategy Wales, Wise about Waste: The National Strategy for Wales, The UK’s shared framework for Sustainable Development, TAN21 – Waste, PPW, South East Wales Regional Waste Plan, WSP, Wales a better Country; Wales Spatial Plan, SE Wales Regional Waste Plan, One Wales One Planet

Torfaen Community Strategy; Torfaen Waste Management Strategy; Torfaen Corporate Plan (5 Key Priorities),

Policies should promote the minimising of waste in new developments as well increasing opportunities for recycling and reducing the amount of waste that is sent to landfill. Also the LDP should identify locations for waste management facilities.

Air Climatic Factors Waste Population

1,14,15

Increase energy efficiency and promote renewable energy production and use

Renewable Energy Coalition, Intelligent Energy Europe, EU Directive on energy performance of buildings, Kyoto protocol on climate change

UK Sustainable Development Strategy – Securing the future, WSP, Wales a better country, PPW, TAN8, Our energy future – Energy White Paper; Wales Spatial Plan

Torfaen Energy Policy

Policies should promote energy efficiency in new developments and the creation of energy from renewable sources.

Population Air Climate Factors Material Assets

14,17

Safeguard non renewable resources and use all resources wisely

Renewable Energy Coalition, Intelligent Energy Europe, Kyoto protocol on climate change

UK Sustainable Development Strategy – Securing the future, Environment Strategy for Wales, WSP, PPW, South East Wales Regional Waste Plan, Minerals Planning Policy Wales, MTAN; Wales Spatial Plan, S Wales Regional Technical Statement on Aggregates

Torfaen Local Plan

Policies should safeguard minerals and other non renewable resources and development proposals should not be permitted when they would sterilise important mineral resources.

Population Material Assets Human Health

6,22


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Main SEA Topics


To conserve soil resources and maintain their quality

EU 6TH Environmental Action Plan

Environment Strategy for Wales, Wales Spatial Plan

Torfaen Contaminated Land Inspection Strategy

Policies should ensure soil resources are protected especially Agricultural Land of grades 1,2 or 3a.

Soils Landscape Water

6,11

Promote good design in all new development to contribute to a higher quality built and natural environment

PPW, TAN12 – Design, TAN22 – Sustainable Buildings Torfaen Local Plan

Policies should ensure good design in development proposals which respects the local vernacular and compliments the area in which they are located

Population Landscape Cultural Heritage

4,11,14

SOCIAL

Improve the health and well being of the population through reducing inequalities in health and improving accessibility to health services

EU 6th Environmental Action Plan, World Health Organisation Europe – Physical Activity

Wales Spatial Plan, Accessible Natural Green space Toolkit, Climbing Higher, WAG Strategy for sport and physical activity, PPW, Walking and Cycling Strategy for Wales

Health Needs Assessment, Health and Well Being Strategy 2008-2011; Childrens and Young People Plan (2008-2011), Torfaen Community Strategy; Torfaen Corporate Plan (5 Key priorities); Torfaen Children and Young People Framework Plan 2003-2008

Policies should promote healthy and active lifestyles and allow access to recreation opportunities. Health facilities should be located to maximise accessibility.

Human Health Population Material Assets

20,22,23

Improve accessibility to services

WSP, Wales a better country TAN18 (Transport); Wales Spatial Plan

Torfaen Community Strategy; Torfaen Regeneration Strategy

Policies should ensure services are accessible to all by a range of transport modes

Population Human Health 20,23


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Main SEA Topics


Raise educational attainment to help improve opportunities for life

South East Wales Economic Development Strategy; Wales Spatial Plan, WAG 21st Century Schools, One Wales One Planet

Torfaen Education Strategic Plan; Torfaen Regeneration Strategy, TCBC 21st Century Schools Strategic Outline Programme, Health and Well Being Strategy 2008-2011; Childrens and Young People Plan (2008-2011), Torfaen Objective 1 Local Strategy, Torfaen Community Strategy

Policies should ensure the opportunity to access educational facilities is available to all.

Population 21,22

Raise skill levels to enable individuals to equip themselves with the necessary skills to find and remain in work.

A Winning Wales – The National Economic Development Strategy of the WAG; Wales a Better Country; Wales Spatial Plan, Turning Heads: A Strategy for the Heads of the Valleys 2020,

Torfaen Regeneration Strategy; Torfaen Economic Development Strategy 2007-2012, Torfaen Regeneration Strategy, Torfaen Community Strategy

Policies to enable training and educational facilities are located so as to maximise accessibility

Population Human Health

2,21,22

Improve the quality, variety and affordability of housing to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live in a decent affordable home

TAN 2; Wales Spatial Plan; National Housing Strategy – Better Homes for People in Wales; PPW , Local Authority Based Population and Household Projections, People Places Futures – The Wales Spatial Plan

Torfaen Local Housing Strategy; Torfaen Community Strategy; Torfaen Corporate Plan (5 key priorities);

Policies should ensure adequate provision of affordable housing to meet local need.

Population Human Health Material Assets

18,19,22


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Main SEA Topics


Reduce levels of crime and fear of crime and promote safer neighbourhoods

TAN 12; Strategy for Older People In Wales, PPW

Torfaen Community Strategy; Torfaen Corporate Plan (5 Priorities); Torfaen Crime and Disorder Unit 2005-2008; Risk and Protection Audit – Communities that Care, Community Safety Partnership Strategy – Making Torfaen a safer Place, Torfaen Obj 1 Local Strategy

Policies should promote safe and sustainable communities.

Population; Human Health 20,22,23

Reduce poverty and social exclusion and improve equality of opportunities amongst all social groups

Torfaen Community Strategy; Torfaen Corporate Plan (5 Priorities); Torfaen Risk and Protection Audit – Communities that Care, Community Safety Partnership Strategy – Making Torfaen a safer Place, Torfaen Obj 1 Local Strategy

Policies should promote safe and sustainable communities and allow people to access employment and other opportunities

Population; Human Health

22, 23

Create sustainable and balanced communities

Wales Spatial Plan, Turning Heads: A Strategy for the Heads of the Valleys 2020, PPW UK Sustainable Development Strategy – Securing the future, One Wales One Planet

Torfaen Community Strategy, Torfaen Corporate Plan

Polices should provide for a range of housing, employment and other opportunities to enable people to realise their individual aspirations.

Population; Human Health 20,22,23

Protect and provide local social, recreational and leisure facilities

Accessible Natural Green space Toolkit, TAN16, PPW, Walking and Cycling Strategy for Wales

Torfaen Regeneration Strategy, Torfaen

Policies to provide for a range of social, recreational and leisure facilities to meet local need.

Population; Human Health 1,20,22,23


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Main SEA Topics


Local Plan, Torfaen Community Strategy, Torfaen Corporate Plan


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4. Review of Economic, Social and Environmental Baseline Characteristics for Torfaen (Task A2)

4.1 A comprehensive review of baseline information was undertaken in order to provide an understanding of the key Economic, Environmental and Social issues in Torfaen. This was undertaken in part to satisfy the requirements of the SEA Directive.

4.2 This baseline review has now been updated since consultation on the SA Scoping report and on the Initial Sustainability Appraisal Report and is contained in Appendix D. A key overview of the baseline position in Torfaen is outlined in the following paragraphs. This draws out the key strategic land use issues facing Torfaen for the LDP to address. Details on the type of data collated under the key SEA topic areas follows. A summary review of the key baseline highlighting the key issues facing Torfaen in respect of Air, Climatic Factors, Cultural Heritage, Biodiversity and Flora and Fauna, Human Health, Material Assets, Landscape, Population, Waste and Water is provided in Appendix D. The full review of Baseline information from which this overview is drawn is also outlined in Appendix D. The chapter concludes with the key Spatial Opportunities and Constraints facing Torfaen.

Torfaen – General Overview 4.3 Torfaen, the eastern most valley of the south Wales coalfield, includes the

communities of Blaenavon, Pontypool, the new town of Cwmbran and their surrounding rural areas. Within the County Borough there are a variety of urban and rural landscapes including the international designated World Heritage site around Blaenavon.

4.4 The north of the County Borough grew during the industrial revolution in the

eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, due to the presence of coal and iron deposits at workable levels. The growth of the settlements in the north continued through to the very early twentieth century. Since then the settlements have suffered from significant out-migration, echoing the decline in the coal and iron industries.

4.5 The south of the County Borough remained largely undeveloped until the designation

of the Cwmbran New Town in 1949. Since the early 1950s Cwmbran has been the focus of large-scale development and consequently has had a significant in-migration rate. The high rates of development in Cwmbran were maintained until the mid-1990s, and despite a relative fall from the peak periods of the new town expansion, pressure for development has continued in the area since due to Cwmbran’s proximity to the M4 corridor.

Key Strategic Land Use Issues - Economic 4.6 Employment is focused in the manufacturing and public sector which have poor

growth forecasts for the immediate future. Unconstrained and readily available employment land is required and existing employment premises are in need of renewal or updating to accommodate a more diverse economy.

4.7 Torfaen suffers from a north-south divide in terms of investment and private sector

interest. Whilst the south of the County Borough attracts the greatest investment and economic activity, the north of the County Borough does not attract such interest. The poor transport infrastructure to the north is a significant obstacle to generating economic development.


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4.8 Significant internal and out commuting occurs to access employment opportunities in the region particularly in the City Coastal Zone. The majority of the population rely on the private car for their work journey and there are low levels of walking and cycling in Torfaen.

4.9 Cwmbran Town Centre is the predominant retail centre in Torfaen serving as a sub-

regional centre. Key Strategic Land Use Issues - Environmental 4.10 The valley landscape of Torfaen has a predominantly enclosed character, and is

characterised by the urban and suburban landscape of Cwmbran and Pontypool to the south and mid of the County Borough, with the predominantly rural and post industrial landscape around Blaenavon to the north.

4.11 The enclosed character provides attractive upland valley landscapes which also limit

connectivity to other valley communities to the North, West and North-East. The Southern area of Torfaen provides a more rolling rural landscape where it adjoins Newport to the south and Monmouthshire to the south-east.

4.12 The upland nature and relatively poor accessibility of Blaenavon has restricted

pressure for development following the early industrialisation of the area in the 18th, 19th and early 20th Century. This has contributed to the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape being inscribed as a World Heritage Site in November 2000. Continued protection and enhancement of the World Heritage Site will be promoted through the LDP. Other landscape features in the County Borough contribute to the valued landscape character of Torfaen including Green Wedges and Special Landscape Areas. Similarly, the County Borough has a network of open spaces which contribute to the landscape character and to the health and wellbeing of the population.

4.13 The County Borough has a rich and varied biodiversity resource and important

wildlife corridors, habitats and species and stepping stone habitats such as the Afon Lwyd River. The County Borough’s national and locally designated sites including Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation and Local Nature Reserves are key assets. Protection and enhancement of the biodiversity resource will be a key aim of the LDP.

4.14 The County Borough has an industrial legacy. Therefore, remediation of

contaminated sites will be promoted through the LDP. Avoiding development on floodplains and reducing flood risk will also be key environmental issues for the LDP.

Key Strategic Land Use Issues - Social 4.15 WAG have forecast that Torfaen will have a declining population over the longer term

(both absolutely and more pronounced relatively within the region) and an increasing proportion of the population located in the older cohorts.

4.16 House prices are lower than the regional average and the housing stock in Pontypool

and North Torfaen is to a great extent dominated by older traditional terrace properties. The percentage of unfit properties is well above average and the status of Cwmbran as a new town means that significant amounts of properties will require renewing due to simultaneous ageing.


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4.17 Qualifications and skill levels are lower than the Welsh average and the population has associated lower wages, economic activity rates and higher unemployment and reliance on benefits. Employment is focused highly in the manufacturing and the public sector which are expected to face continuing pressures and challenges during and beyond the plan period.

4.18 A history of employment in traditional industries, poor housing, an ageing population

and lower educational attainment has also contributed to a higher than average preponderance of poor health indicators.

Overview of SEA Topic Area Baseline – Key Issues and Features

4.19 The Baseline data provides an overview of the key Economic, Environmental and

Social characteristics of the LDP area and where applicable how these compare to the region, Wales and the UK. A summary overview of the baseline data collated under the SEA topic areas is presented at the beginning of Appendix D, with the full data tables also in Appendix D. Data has been analysed and collated for the following areas:

Air

• Air Quality Management Areas • Local Air Quality • Carbon Dioxide Emissions • Ozone • Odour, Noise and Light Complaints

Biodiversity and Flora and Fauna

• Torfaen Land Classification • Local Nature Reserves (LNR) • Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) • Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) • LANDMAP • Protected Species • Key Habitats and Action Plans • Key species Action Plan • Population of Wild Birds • Ecological Footprint • Ancient Woodlands Climatic Factors

• Climate Change Impact • Energy Consumption • Emissions of Carbon Dioxide • Energy Consumption • Electricity provided from renewable sources

Cultural Heritage

• Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site • Conservation Areas


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• Historic Landscapes • Listed Buildings • Buildings at Risk • Tourist Attractions • Scheduled Ancient Monuments • Welsh Language

Human Health

• Health Demographics • Index of Multiple Deprivation • Birth/Death Rates • Life Expectancy • Limiting Long term Illness • Health Deprivation • Crime rates and Fear of Crime

Landscape

• Landscape Designations • Special Landscape Areas • LANDMAP data • Public Rights of Way

Material Assets (Various Data sets contained under the following areas)

• Employment and Economic Activity • Community Infrastructure • Housing • Minerals • Transport Population

• Overall Population • Population Trends • Religion • Employment • Income • Households • Education and Qualifications • Education Deprivation • Pupil Projection Rates

Waste

• Waste Arisings • Waste Imports/Exports • Waste Reused/Recycled/Composted • Waste Management Infrastructure • Waste disposed to landfill


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Water

• TAN15 Floodrisk Areas • Number of properties at risk from flooding • Public Water Supply abstraction • Water Supply • Sewerage • River Water Quality • Groundwater • Source Protection Zones • Aquifers

Environmental Constraints 4.20 In accordance with the requirements of the SEA Directive, information on the

geographical scope of the environmental constraints in the plan area needs to be identified. Therefore, maps identifying the Environmental Constraints in Torfaen are included on the following pages. They include Map 4.1 (Ecological Designations); Map 4.2 (Landscape); Map 4.3 (Heritage Assets); Map 4.4 (Transportation); Map 4.5 (Flood risk and Water Environment),Map 4.6 (Mineral Resources) and Map 4.7 (Landscape Character Areas).

Data Limitations 4.21 The purpose and use of indicators is to provide quantified, objective information in

order to show how things change over time. However, they don’t explain why particular trends are occurring and the secondary, or knock on effects of any changes. It is acknowledged there are gaps in the data collected, and a particular problem has been identifying locally specific data over recent time periods. In addition to this, the process of data collection has relied heavily on data obtained from other sources, and therefore TCBC has little control over the spatial scope of data collected and the frequency in which data is collected, which hinder the ability to draw comparisons and trends over time. It is important to recognise these limitations and to outline that focussing solely on quantified data is not viable, and it will be necessary to utilise quantified information alongside expert judgement in assessing the effects of policies and options. However it is considered that the data sets available provide a comprehensive overview of the sustainability situation in Torfaen. Data Gaps include:

• Biodiversity and Flora and Fauna - Trend data for the presence of key species of

importance in Torfaen • Climatic Factors – Local Level Data on Renewable Energy generation • Material Assets – Public Transport Data • Soils - Local Level Data on Agricultural Land Classification

Spatial Opportunities and Constraints 4.22 The key issues identified indicate the social, environmental and economic

characteristics to be addressed in order to achieve sustainable development in Torfaen. The issues identified are that socially Torfaen has poor educational performance, a significant need for new housing and affordable housing in particular, high deprivation levels particularly in the Northern and Central Cwmbran areas, poor human health compared to the Welsh average and an increasingly ageing population with a low overall increase in the population of Torfaen forecast over the LDP period.


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4.23 With regards to the environment Torfaen has a rich and varied landscape, of varied

important ecological, cultural and historic assets. 4.24 With regards to economic issues the south of the County Borough is generally more

attractive than the north due to greater accessibility. A key issue will be improving transport infrastructure to both service opportunities for development in the north as well as improving access to opportunities in the south for the northern population. There are high unemployment and inactivity rates across the County Borough, and in relation to employment opportunities many people are employed in the manufacturing and public sector.

4.25 In terms of addressing the above issues and promoting development opportunities in

all locations, the northern and mid areas of Torfaen comprise communities historically formed around the iron and coal industries. Whilst historically independent, de-industrialisation and associated depopulation has meant increasingly there has been a requirement for employment and services to be accessed outside these areas. Topographical and access issues constrain development opportunities and therefore it is important to maximise the benefits of development opportunities where they arise and provide appropriate services to facilitate a more sustainable future for this area.

4.26 The altitude and steep nature of North Torfaen combined with the large scale of

development of these areas in the 19th and 20th Century means that the majority of readily developable and accessible sites have been developed. Regeneration and brownfield opportunities will therefore present a significant element of the potential development sites in this area alongside potential Greenfield options. Opportunities will be constrained where they do exist and there may be significant conflicting interests in relation to development options. Improving access to the north of Torfaen as well as securing investment in supporting infrastructure is seen as a key issue in delivering a more sustainable development pattern for the area.

4.27 The geographical character of South Pontypool and Cwmbran provides opportunities

to promote a more sustainable pattern of development. All suburban areas can readily access the Town Centre, which is in relatively close proximity. The Town Centre has an extensive range of services within a compact area and positive opportunities exist for expanding its role. There are opportunities to integrate new development with existing settlement patterns helping to ensure that homes, jobs, services, recreation and cultural activities are readily accessible and potentially more viable. Paying particular regard to the south of the County Borough, Brownfield sites will be given a preference, with some Greenfield sites required in order to meet housing need for the Cwmbran housing market areas.


62


63


64


65


66


67


68


69

5. Identification of Key Sustainability Issues (Task A3) 5.1 The review of relevant plans and programs, and baseline information allowed

the identification of key sustainability issues related to Torfaen. They have been derived by analysing the baseline data and contextual information from the Review of Plans and Programs, and assessing what the likely significant issues would be over the longer term. Again this is a requirement of the SEA Directive, which outlines that the Environment Report should include:

u “any existing environmental problems which are relevant to the plan or programme, including in particular, those relating to any areas of a particular environmental importance, such as areas designated pursuant to Directives 79/409/EEC (Birds) and 92/43/eec (Habitats) 2 (Annex 1 (d).”

5.2 The analysis of key sustainability issues has been an iterative process and has been developed following consultation on the SA Scoping report and the Initial Sustainability Appraisal Report. Some of the sustainability issues identified are not necessarily under the direct field of influence of the LDP, for example population and growth. However it is considered important to reflect these where there may be indirect links that can potentially be shaped by policies through the LDP. The key sustainability issues identified cover a range of economic, environmental and social issues and are presented overleaf in Figure 5.1.


70

Figure 5.1 - Key Sustainability Issues

Key Sustainability Topic Area

Problems/Opportunities Implications for LDP Relevance to SA

Relationship to SA objectives

Economic

Economy

Facilitating economic growth across the borough Torfaen suffers from a north – south spilt in terms of investment and private sector interest, and poor transport infrastructure to north of the borough, which hinders economic development. This can be aided by improvements to the North Torfaen Highway and Public Transport improvements (mainly A4043 & B4246 corridors) and provision of the Pontypool Park and Ride Facility. Old business estates do not satisfy the demands of new businesses There is a need for economy to diversify to improve economic competitiveness The competing demands of employment and residential uses particularly in the south of the County Borough Between April 2009-April 2010 it was estimated that 30.3% of people in Torfaen between the ages

The level of development north of the borough will be restricted by highway capacity, so measures to improve capacity need to be considered i.e. road improvements and traffic reduction. The LDP includes policies to facilitate improvements to the North Torfaen Highway Network Employment allocations will be made and existing sites will be protected to meet future demand. The LDP seeks to allocate a range of land for employment opportunities throughout the borough, also identifying land for strategic regional uses which will assist in delivering growth in the local economy. The LDP allocates a range of employment and residential opportunities in attractive locations, including strategic mixed use action areas that serve both employment and residential functions. The allocation of a range of sites and employment opportunities will assist in reducing economic inactivity rates in the County

Population Human Health Landscape Air Climatic Factors Material Assets

1,2,3,20,22


71




of 16-64 were economically inactive, compared to welsh average of 27.3%, higher than neighbouring authorities. This trend was identified in unemployment rates fro the same age group over the same period with 10.6% of population unemployed compared to a figure of 8.6% for Wales. Reducing the numbers of economically inactive in the County Borough should be a key priority in the plan Increase in visitor numbers and visitor spend in Torfaen, but Tourist infrastructure of Blaenavon WHS is currently inadequate with no hotels hostels in the north of the County Borough. Blaenavon WHS provides an opportunity for sustainable businesses and tourism links should be investigated to enhance the attractiveness of the area. Significant tourism opportunities in Torfaen, with the Monmouth to Brecon canal offering potential for tourism and recreational route development Cwmbran has become a focal point for investment, and therefore there is a need to promote the distinctiveness and capitalise on the opportunities and advantages of the three retail centres of Cwmbran, Pontypool and Blaenavon Priorities should include enhancement of the

Borough. The LDP should take advantage of the Heads of the Valleys Strategy, recognising the need for access improvements and the need to regenerate the quality of the built form The LDP should recognise the importance of tourism to the economy and promote and provide opportunities for its enhancement through the LDP. Similarly the promotion of sustainable businesses within the WHS will be promoted which will enhance the tourist offer. Also the LDP should provide opportunities for the tourist infrastructure of Blaenavon WHS to be enhanced. The LDP should recognise the limited supply of touring caravan provision. Any provision of businesses within the historic landscape should be of low impact. The LDP should maintain and enhance the retail hierarchy in Torfaen, reflecting the distinct role the three centres have in the hierarchy. Recognition of the important role Cwmbran has to future economic growth of Torfaen due to its role as a sub regional centre within the region is


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Blaenavon and Pontypool Town Centres to improve their provision of local services for surrounding areas and promotion of Cwmbran in its wider regional role as a Sub regional retail centre for services and facilities. New housing plays a vital role in promoting growth and a vibrant economy as new housing will encourage people to live, work and spend in Torfaen. There is a need to ensure a range of sites throughout the County Borough to ensure new housing opportunities can be accessed by all settlements of the County Borough .

capitalised on within the LDP. The LDP will provide an additional 5000 new home over the plan period 2006-2021 to enable it to sustain its population share of SE Wales, and to encourage investment into the borough. In order to ensure a choice and variety of sites within Torfaen the LDP strategy will identify 80ha of land for general employment purposes within the urban area. Redevelopment at both Pontypool and Cwmbran town centres will provide opportunities for new employment development as part of these schemes. Taking into account recent findings from the Retail and Leisure Study Update for Torfaen (2011) the LDP will seek to expand the Sub Regional centre of Cwmbran, consolidate the District Shopping centre of Pontypool and consolidate the district shopping centre of Blaenavon

Environmental

Biodiversity and Flora and Fauna

Protection and Enhancement of Biodiversity 4 SSSIs – These important resources should be protected from harm. There is a high number of designated SINC’s in the County Borough, approximately 156 in total. There is an issue therefore that there is conflict with the need to protect these designations and the need to allocate a range of sites to achieve

In allocating sites in the LDP has considered the effect on habitats and species, designated sites important for nature conservation and promote any opportunities for their enhancement. In recognising the need for development, which ultimately results in the loss of some of the SINC area, the Council will be producing a Biodiversity SPG which will describe a framework for the mitigation/compensation measures to maintain

Biodiversity and Flora and Fauna Landscape Human Health Population Water

5,7,16,22


73




the housing requirement. Loss of Grassland Habitats to development through loss of these SINC’s is an issue for the LDP. 6 designated LNR’s. Torfaen has a large area of LNR, therefore the continued protection and enhancement of these resources should be a continued aim of the plan. Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal is a strategic wildlife corridor and also the National Cycle Route and the Afon Lwyd River The Afon Lwyd River is a key tributary of the River Usk SAC. Upper reaches of the Afon Lwyd (outside Torfaen) has declining quality but Torfaen stretch is of acceptable quality. There will be a need to reduce source pollution into the Afon Lwyd as this is a direct tributary of the River Usk White clawed crayfish is an endangered species in Torfaen. Also of major concern is the fact that Great Crested Newts are almost at the point of becoming extinct in the County Borough. General trends indicate that species of bats are

and enhance the biodiversity network in Torfaen where resources are unavoidably lost to deliver necessary development. The LDP identifies and protects important wildlife corridors and stepping stone habitats. The LDP should recognise the importance of the rivers edge for biodiversity interests and protect the areas from development where appropriate. Also watercourses should be protected from development pressures so they will remain sustainable ecological features assuming good water quality. In order to seek the protection and enhancement of biodiversity the LDP will identify, protect and link important ecological corridors such as the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal and the Afon Lwyd River. It will also seek the protection and enhancement of important international, national, regional and local species and habitats including European Protected Species, SAC’s, SSSI’s, SINC’s and LNR’s. The LDP includes policies to ensure that pollution to surface and groundwater sources is not to an unacceptable degree. The LDP includes policies to promote and ensure the protection of endangered species and control of invasive species

Climatic Factors


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decreasing but otters are increasing. An important positive find in 2010 was that there were 3 pairs of breeding falcons raising their young in Torfaen. There is an issue of invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed There are a number of potential Regionally Important Geological/Geomorphological Sites, former quarries and mineral reserves which are important for Geodiversity The reclamation of Brownfield land can lead to loss of habitats that have been established. Countryside Crime – Off road motorcycling and other vehicles causes distress to residents and causes damage to large areas of important landscape and habitat. Flytipping in the Countryside is also an issue that has negative effects on biodiversity. Wildlife Crime - This form of crime is unfortunately widespread in Torfaen, from badger digging, peregrine persecution, builders and individuals dealing with bats in buildings, damage to SSSI’s through the misuse of off road vehicles, public bodies felling trees containing protected species, removal of important hedgerows,

The LDP promotes Geodiversity and ensures the protection of Regionally Important Geological Sites Environmental enhancements will be sought in major schemes possibly through the use of S106 agreements. The LDP will seek to produce Supplementary Planning Guidance on Biodiversity. New housing development should promote the integration of biodiversity and green infrastructure into schemes and this will be supported through the LDP.


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Landscape Protection of the Valued Landscape of Torfaen Pressure for development in important landscape areas. Need for continued protection of green wedge between Cwmbran and Newport and New Inn and Mamhilad, and identified special landscape areas Key priority is to avoid unsympathetic development and design within the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site. Pressure for development ensures the need to deliver high quality design in development and to avoid development in locations that would have a negative impact on the setting of the World Heritage Site. There is a network of open spaces throughout the County Borough which serve an important landscape, amenity and also biodiversity function.

The LDP will seek the protection of important landscape features, focusing on the continued protection and enhancement of the Blaenavon World Heritage Site, and identifying new Special Landscape Areas for Torfaen, whilst seeking the retention of the important green wedges between Cwmbran and Newport, Mamhilad and New Inn and Ponthir and Caerleon. Finally the LDP will identify important open and urban spaces and protect them from inappropriate development. The LDP has considered that allocation of sites within Blaenavon that will have a positive impact on the setting of the WHS, and includes thorough design policies to ensure quality design. This is supported by the Blaenavon WHS Design Guide SPG. The LDP identifies and protects a network of important urban open spaces throughout the borough and policies to protect existing areas of open space and policies to ensure new space is provided as part of development

Biodiversity Flora and Fauna Landscape Human Health Material Assets

5,11,22


76




Seek to explore opportunities to enhance the Public Rights of Way Network. The Council manages 370km of the Rights of Way Network as well as access to common land and open access land. In 2009 57% of paths surveyed were ‘easy to use’, a 5% increase on 2007/08 figures

proposals. Explore opportunities for new development sites to link into the Public Rights of Way Network

Landscape To improve derelict landscapes There is a legacy of derelict landscapes from coal mining, which offer opportunities for regeneration. Sites including the British offer strategic opportunities for regeneration, acknowledging the wide ranging economic, social and environmental opportunities and constraints these sites offer.

Where reclamation of derelict sites is required, thorough investigation is needed to ensure continued protection of important historic, cultural and wildlife resources. Reclamation may include coal recovery and built development after uses. Ensure that derelict landscapes are reclaimed in a sensitive manner particularly in the North of the County Borough to reduce negative effects on the character and setting of the World Heritage Site. There will be a need to consider the protection and enhancement of any historic and wildlife value on derelict sites.

Population Human Health Cultural Heritage Soil Landscape Biodiversity and Flora and Fauna

5,11,13,22

Cultural Heritage Protection and enhancement of the historic environment and cultural heritage Potential impact of development on Blaenavon World Heritage Site and Landscape of Outstanding Historic Interest Lack of management of 5 Conservation Areas

The LDP considers the effect of development, on the World Heritage Site, conservation areas and listed buildings and promotes their protection and enhancement where possible. This will be enabled by ensuring good design and appropriate uses in any proposals and identify where possible and economic, sustainable use for such structures. The LDP

Cultural Heritage Landscape Population

4,10


77




Lack of management of the 250 listed buildings and 25 scheduled ancient monuments The need to preserve Archaeological Sites Declining condition of listed buildings Torfaen has a high amount of old housing stock which reflects much of the history of the area

recognises the importance of the ‘background heritage’ and character such as the predominant terraced streets and stone and public assembly buildings. The LDP should promote the protection of all archaeological sites from inappropriate development and also protection of the historic landscape. The LDP should promote the sustainable reuse of old housing stock. In attempting to preserve the cultural heritage ion Torfaen, the LDP will promote the key strategic heritage assets including the World Heritage Site/Historic Landscape, Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal and Pontypool Park and the five conservation areas. The LDP will ensure that development proposals consider the historic environment and local distinctiveness and character to ensure development is appropriate in terms of both design and setting.

Water Reducing the risk of flooding and better flood management Certain areas of the borough are vulnerable to flooding without significant flood infrastructure. 2288 properties are at risk from the 0.1% (1 in 1000 yr) extreme flood, and 1736 properties at

Ensure that flood risk is considered in the allocation of sites for development. The LDP applies the precautionary principle to decision making so that risk can be minimised, and the

Water Population Human Health

5,9,14


78




risk from the 1% (1 in 100 year) flood event. Areas of Undefended floodplain in the County Borough (zone C2) should not be built on for highly vulnerable uses as indicated in the TAN15 guidance. Certain areas of the borough are vulnerable to flooding without significant flood defence infrastructure Opportunity for habitat creation on floodplains New Housing should incorporate water-recycling measures.

risk of flooding is acceptable and ensure that all surface run off is maintained to Greenfield rates through the promotion of sustainable drainage schemes. The approach to development in flood risk areas will be consistent with TAN15. The LDP should encourage the use of green spaces in developments, rainwater harvesting, SUDS and measures such as green roofs in order to reduce surface runoff.

Biodiversity and Flora and Fauna Material Assets

Water Promoting Water Quality The Afon Lwyd River is a key tributary of the River Usk SAC. Upper reaches of the Afon Lwyd (outside Torfaen) has declining quality but Torfaen stretch is of acceptable quality. There will be a need to reduce source pollution into the Afon Lwyd as this is a direct tributary of the River Usk A large area of North Torfaen has been designated a Source Protection Zone, therefore protection of water quality in this area will be important, particularly where developments propose non mains drainage.

The LDP contains robust policies to ensure that surface and groundwater resources are not affected to an unacceptable degree.

Biodiversity and Flora and Fauna Human Health Water

5,16,22


79




Climatic Factors Improve Energy efficiency and reduce Consumption and Addressing the Impacts of Climate Change Increase in energy usage in recent years Need to increase the use of renewable energy sources in new developments Promote energy efficiency in new developments both through design and layout. Torfaen has decreased its ecological footprint by 0.8 global hectares during 2003-2006.

Torfaen is performing favourably in terms of Carbon Dioxide emissions compared to other SE Wales authorities. The largest emissions in Torfaen are from industry and commercial uses and had the 6th lowest emissions out of the SE Wales authorities. It was ranked 19th out of 22 for the lowest emissions in Wales.

The LDP encourages energy efficient developments to the highest standards and promotes the use of low and zero carbon energy sources and sustainable transport. Development should be in locations which reduce the need to travel, and the LDP should promote the mitigation of negative effects The LDP has an important role to play in mitigating the effects of climate change and also adapt to those effects which are already inevitable by prioritising the allocation of development sites which form part of a sustainable settlement pattern through not building in flood risk areas and prioritising the development of urban and brownfield sites. The LDP will promote energy efficiency in new development and require that developers consider renewable energy generation. The LDP should promote the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. It can target reductions in the domestic emissions by building homes to more sustainable standards, and encourage a reduction in road traffic by locating new development in sustainable places to reduce the need to travel by car.

Air Climatic Factors Human Health Population Water

7,14,17


80




Waste Reducing Waste and Increasing Recycling TCBC exceeded the recycling /composting targets so is performing well in terms of sustainable waste management. The percentage of waste reused/recycled/composted rose by 42.8% over the 11 year period 1998/1999 -2009/2010, compared to a rise of 37.5% in Wales as a whole. Torfaen has reduced its municipal waste arising from 52783 tonnes during 1998/1999 to approximately 46440 tonnes during 2009/2010. TBCB is required as part of the SE Wales Regional Plan to provide for between 4.4ha-8.0ha of new in building waste technologies.

The LDP should enable waste reduction and management measures that maximise recycling, reduce landfill tonnages through allocating appropriate sites for the pre treatment and recycling of waste. The LDP allows for provision of up to 3.5ha of taking into account existing commitments and permissions. The LDP promotes the development of sustainable waste management facilities

Population Landscape Water Human Health

1,15

Material Assets - Transport

Promoting Sustainable transport and Reducing the reliance on the private car There is a low level of walking and cycling in Torfaen, but whilst the coverage of the bus network is good there is potential for the rail transport system to be improved. 65.7% of the population rely on the private car for their work journey, with only 10% of the population walking or cycling to work.

The LDP strategy should provide allocations, which one can access by non-car modes and the strategy should plan, for ‘sustainable communities’ including the provision of sustainable transport infrastructure, to encourage walking and cycling and where the need for travel is reduced.

Air Climatic Factors Population Human Health Biodiversity and Flora and Fauna

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The coverage and quality of the local bus network in Torfaen is very good; therefore as there is spare capacity on most of these buses, there is an opportunity for modal shift. The need to discourage the reliance on the private car will be assisted with improvements to the public transport system in Torfaen. The recently developed park and ride railway facility at Cwmbran provides good linkages to Abergavenny and Cardiff / Newport and beyond with services running approximately every half hour to the hour. Further improvements to the frequency of services from both Cwmbran and New Inn would be beneficial .This should be supported by improvements to the walking and cycling network. Improvements to the North Torfaen Highway and Public Transport improvements (mainly A4043 & B4246 corridors) required to improve the efficiency of the North Torfaen network. Traffic growth in the County Borough will rise in common with the rest of the UK, therefore the LDP has an important role in reducing this trend. Need to improve the cycle and bridleway network, especially in town centres with designated lanes and parking. Particularly, in Torfaen there is a lack of roadside footways in many areas, especially the north of the County Borough in the older areas not originally built with heavy

All new developments will need to contribute to improvements in the non-motorcar transport network. This will be supported by ensuring that employment areas, schools and health facilities are in proximity to residential areas where appropriate, to encourage walking and cycling. The LDP allocates land for a Park and Ride Facility at Pontypool. The LDP also safeguards land for key strategic transport improvements safeguards former transport routes so they can be reused in the future and safeguards land to facilitate improvements to the walking and cycling network in Torfaen.


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vehicular traffic in mind.

Material Assets - Minerals

Need to safeguard mineral resources Torfaen is not self sufficient for aggregates and the Torfaen LDP will need to make provision for the extraction of 5-6 million tonnes of aggregate between 2006-2021. There is a requirement to safeguard economically viable and environmentally acceptable coal reserves in Torfaen.

The LDP identifies Aggregate and Coal safeguarding areas to ensure important mineral resources are not sterilised. The LDP makes provision for 5-6 million tonnes of aggregate provision at Tir Pentwys.

Landscape Soil Material Assets

6

Soils Reducing contaminated land and Efficiency in Land Use In 2010 TCBC had a high level of brownfield development exceeding the target of 60% for development on previously developed land The County Borough has an industrial legacy and therefore remediation of contaminated sites should be promoted through the plan. Around 1800 potentially contaminated sites have been identified in Torfaen.

Encourage the removal and prevention of contamination through enabling development or planning gain where possible. The LDP should encourage the remediation of contaminated sites where appropriate. The LDP should where appropriate promote development of previously developed land to cater towards the provision of affordable housing in Torfaen. The Environment Agency has been consulted on proposed development allocations in the Deposit LDP and impacts on watercourses will

Landscape Soil Population

Human Health Biodiversity and Flora and Fauna

6,12,


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Over the period since 2006-2010 TCBC has exceeded the target of 60% of development on previously developed land achieving a high proportion of brownfield development on large and small sites of 82.5%

aimed to be minimised. Over the period 2006-2010 the LDP allocation of 5000 houses, including those sites permitted and built achieves 61.5% development on brownfield land.

Social

Population Population Demographics – Increasing the population The County Borough has a population of approximately 90949, making it the 6th smallest local authority in Wales. Overall population in Torfaen has remained fairly constant over the past decade from 2001-2009 at a level between 90,000 to 91000 people. However there has been some variation in the population within the County Borough with some areas experiencing a population decline during recent decades. This is particularly prevalent in the north where the north of the County Boroughs population (incorporating Abersychan and Blaenavon wards) has fallen by 3.9% during 1991 – 2001. The more populated Cwmbran area in the south has had a population increase of 2.9% over the same time period. Latest 2008 population projections illustrate the population will remain constant up to mid 2019, but will decrease by 1500 by mid 2033

The aim of the LDP will be to focus growth in the key settlements of Cwmbran and Pontypool, ensuring that they are successful and function as service hubs for the surrounding settlements. The key focus will therefore be to ensure a net gain of migration, so the strategy of the LDP will deviate from the latest set of projections by looking to create growth as opposed to population decline. In terms of future population levels this will have a significant affect in relation to the need for new development areas and additional pressures this will bring on infrastructure, services and the environment. The LDP’s policies and proposals are conducive to delivering a growth strategy. The LDP aims to provide more housing which should increase population with an emphasis on the provision of affordable housing.

Population Material Assets

1,2,19,20,23


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The number of people aged 65 plus in Torfaen will rise significantly from 16300 in mid 2008 to 24700 by mid 2033.

The LDP will enable the provision of employment and leisure opportunities to encourage and attract inward migration and retain the existing youth population. The LDP will ensure that the land use strategy supports all sections of the population both through service provision and the promotion of a range and type of housing from new development.

Population - Housing

Provision of affordable housing There is an increasing need for affordable housing in the County Borough and a limited amount of social housing grant available to build the required number of dwellings. Increasing house prices relative to average income has increased the problem of the lack of affordable housing in the County Borough. The Joint Housing Local Market Assessment shows a need for 32% of all new housing over the region to be affordable, equating to a need for 1343 affordable homes in Torfaen by 2021. Torfaen has dealt with a comparable number of homeless households compared to other SE Wales authorities, so whilst homelessness is a problem in Torfaen it is not significantly more of an issue in Torfaen than it is for neighbouring authorities in South East Wales.

The LDP will ensure that affordable housing is sought within new developments where appropriate and without the need to use limited social housing grants. The Local Housing Needs Assessment has informed the identification of affordable housing need in Torfaen. The LDP should promote the supply of a variety of affordable housing of all types, including bungalow accommodation recognising the needs of the elderly population, and should also consider the needs for sites for gypsies, the travelling community, travelling show people and Black and Ethnic Minorities. It will also be important to ensure new housing has adequate accessibility to green space, and as part of the LDP a study on Recreation and Open space in Torfaen has been undertaken.


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Average house prices for Torfaen are generally lower than those for neighbouring authorities and for Wales as a whole. The average house price in Torfaen during September 2010 was £134539 compared to the welsh average of £168331. During recent years, in line with the rest of the UK, average house prices for Torfaen have increased on the whole but decreased more recently due to the recession Ageing housing stock in north and mid areas of the County Borough and areas of Cwmbran

In order to maintain Torfaen’s current share of population in South East Wales and to meet predicted housing need, the LDP will make provision for 5000 new dwellings in Torfaen primarily within the existing settlements and with a preference for brownfield sites. This is split by 625 dwellings in the North Torfaen Housing Market (Blaenavon and Abersychan wards), 1925 dwellings in the Pontypool Housing Market Area and 2400 dwellings in Cwmbran. The LDP has identified Action Areas and strategic housing sites to accommodate the bulk of this housing. The LDP contains a policy to negotiate an element of Affordable Housing against evidence from the latest Local Housing Market Assessment.

Material Assets - Housing

Historic Form and age and type of housing stock This presents deficiencies in housing choice, through high levels of older properties in the North of the Borough which are not energy efficient, and the high levels of house building in Cwmbran as part of the new town development will result in renewing due to simultaneous ageing.

The LDP seeks to deliver a range of new homes to 2021, which will meet current sustainable design standards. It will ensure the allocation of a variety and choice of housing sites to deliver high quality of choice


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Population - Housing

Provision of Gypsy Traveller Accommodation There is a need additional (20-30) permanent pitches in the County Borough and a transit facility in the sub region

The LDP allocates a site for additional gypsy traveller accommodation. The Council may need to identify other permanent sites once the future of the Council owned Sheppard’s Hill site has been clarified.

Population Human Health Material Assets Human Health Material Assets

18,19,20,22,23

Material Assets – Community Facilities

Improving quantity and quality of and access to essential facilities Blaenavon and nearby settlements in the north have access to limited facilities compared to residents in Pontypool and Cwmbran Community Facilities are deficient both in terms of absolute numbers and quality in Torfaen as a whole. There is a need to improve the quality and quantity of community facilities which will be assisted by new development. The key issues in relation to recreation provision are: Football – There is anticipated to be an oversupply of senior pitches but a shortfall in junior/mini pitches in the future. Overall there seems to be a shortfall of 1.5 pitches in the

The LDP safeguards land for the provision of new community facilities including schools and a health centre. It encourages the provision of new facilities and allocates new development to support and enable new facilities. Also the LDP encourages the protection of existing facilities. The LDP promotes policies to ensure that existing pitches/spaces are protected from development and through S106 Agreements are secured for their enhancement. The LDP sets a Torfaen standard for the provision of recreation facilities in the Borough. New pitch provision will be sought as part of new development sites.


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County Borough Cricket – Current provision should be protected and further pitches sought in the future Rugby – There is anticipated to be an oversupply of senior pitches but a shortfall of junior/mini pitches in the future. Overall there seems to be a shortfall of 2.5 pitches across the County Borough

Population - Education

Raising Educational Attainment and provision of modern education premises Education statistics indicate that the County Borough has poor educational attainment when compared to the Welsh average and to other areas within Wales, although Torfaen pupils performed well in GCSE grade performance for 16-19 year olds during 2009 compared to neighbouring authorities and Wales as a whole. Post 16 education is a significant concern due to uncertainty and influence over the differing provision of post 16 education and training in the North and South of the County Borough. Low percentage of pupils (16 year olds) staying on in full time education compared to the Welsh average – 77.8% compared to 82.2% Low capital investment in education from 1996-

The LDP can indirectly assist in improvements through enabling new schools, recreation and leisure opportunities and economic development opportunities The LDP has provided for additional school provision and will be reviewed in light of the outcomes of the 21st Century School programme, which is likely to transform education provision in Torfaen, and will have significant land use implications.


1,2,20,21,22


88




2007, resulting in ageing building stock and huge backlog in maintenance and repair. 21st Century Schools programme will be a significant move in redressing this issue High level of primary school surplus places Torfaen performs poorly in comparison to neighbouring authorities and is below the Welsh average in terms of numeracy and literacy skills; 25% of people in Torfaen are seen as having no basic numeracy and literacy skills compared to 22% for SE Wales and 21% for Wales as a whole.

Population – Human Health

Improving the health and well being of the population Need for improved health service provision in the County Borough. Higher levels of people (31%) with a limiting long term illness compared to the welsh average (27%) Torfaen contains some of the 10% most deprived Lower Super Output Areas in Wales. The most deprived Lower Super Output Areas in Torfaen are located throughout the County Borough in areas such as Blaenavon, Trevethin and Upper Cwmbran. Reducing inequalities in health deprivation is an important objective for Torfaen.

In order to assist in the aim of improving health and well being, including education provision in Torfaen the LDP identifies land for the new 500 bed Gwent Special Critical Care Centre Hospital at Llanfrechfa Grange, Cwmbran, and land is safeguarded at Blaenavon Recreation Centre for the delivery of a Primary Care Resource Centre. The LDP can indirectly assist through the provision of recreational opportunities, encouraging walking and cycling and economic development opportunities. The LDP identifies a network of important urban open space to be protected through out the borough, promotes


20,22,23


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Significant deprivation and economic inactivity amongst adults in some parts of the County Borough, contributing to poverty amongst children and young people in many families in Torfaen Torfaen has low levels of physical activity in Wales which can be linked to increased levels of obesity Mortality rates in Torfaen are relatively high compared to other areas within Wales; however they have decreased over the years in relation certain illnesses but in others (i.e. cancer) they have stayed the same.

the reopening on the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, and safeguards a variety of routes for improvements to the walking and cycling network in Torfaen. The LDP can assist in improving economic deprivation through the provision of quality new employment sites, to improve the employment offer for people in Torfaen. All new residential development will be required to make provision for a % of affordable housing enabling people to afford to buy better quality homes. The provision of new better quality homes can also assist in improving health both from a physical and mental aspect. Also improvements to the existing housing stock in line with the WHQS will assist health improvements.

Population - Crime

Reducing crime, social disorder and fear of crime Actual recorded crime rates in Torfaen as part of the Gwent Police region compared reasonably well to the other local authorities in the region during the period 2009/2010. Figures for violent crime were the second lowest out of the 5 local authority areas. Therefore its not a key issue for the County Borough

The LDP will seek to ensure there is provision of adequate services for communities in order to reduce anti social behaviour. The provision of adequate community facilities will also be assisted through S106 contributions from new development. The LDP through good design in new residential developments can make significant impacts in reducing crime and antisocial behaviour.


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6. Sustainability Appraisal Framework (Task A4) 6.1 The SA Framework is a key component in completing the SA and comprises a series

of individual objectives. The SA Framework is developed by developing the baseline information and key sustainability issues into a tool that allows the assessment of effects arising from the implementation of the LDP. Although the use of indicators and objectives is not a specific requirement of the SEA process they are recognised as a useful way which the economic, environmental and social effects can be evaluated at key stages of the LDP.

6.2 The list of objectives contains a corresponding list of indicators against which

progress in achieving the objectives can be monitored. The SA Framework provides a set of criteria with which the performance of the LDP can be predicted and evaluated.

Amendments to SA Framework 6.3 The SA Framework that was used for the assessment of the LDP Strategic Options

and SA of the Strategic Policies, as presented in the ISAR (2008) can be found in Appendix E. Due to the iterative nature of the SA/SEA process, key elements of the appraisal, including the SA Framework, are periodically reviewed. The aim is to ensure that the objectives can be reasonably expected to be influenced by factors within the control of the planning system; are in line with the very latest policy approaches at all scales; reflect evolving local issues; and can be effectively measured and monitored.

6.4 With this aim in mind, the SA Framework used for the 2010 B3/B4 stage (SA of

Deposit Plan), including the assessment of the Candidate Sites (which has informed the identification of sites within the policies that have been assessed under this framework), has evolved from the version used in the Initial Sustainability Appraisal Report (2008), producing a more streamlined framework overall. The principal changes made are highlighted here, supported by a brief explanation of why the changes have been made. A more detailed explanation of the changes is provided in Appendix E. As far as is practicable, the scope of the framework continues to embrace the matters raised at scoping, including formal consultation events and responses.

Main Changes to SA Framework

• Geodiversity- objective 6 changed from ‘to enhance geodiversity’ to ‘to protect

and manage geodiversity’ as this is considered to better reflect the influence that planning can have on the geological content of the land.

• Deleted objective ‘To conserve soil resources and maintain their quality.’ Indicators encompassed under objective ‘to protect and manage geodiversity’, thus the deletion removes unnecessary repetition.

• Deleted objective ‘To ensure the potential of important mineral reserves are not sterilised through development.’ Indicators encompassed under objective ‘to protect and manage geodiversity’, thus the deletion removes unnecessary repetition.


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• Scope of objective ‘To make most efficient use of land and maximise the use of appropriate previously developed land and existing buildings before Greenfield sites’ widened to read ‘To make most efficient use of land and buildings’. Indicator added to include the sequential test to prioritise brownfield development over Greenfield and other indicators reviewed to ensure that the revised phrasing embraces the intended broadening of the scope of the objective.

• ‘To reduce congestion and achieve a modal shift to more sustainable transport modes’ modified to read ‘To achieve a modal shift to more sustainable transport modes’ as this better reflects the desired emphasis on promoting sustainable travel and the factors that can be directly influenced by land use planning. Achieving a reduction in congestion is retained in the framework, forming an indicator within this objective.

• The objective ‘To promote the use of sustainably sourced products and resources’ has been amalgamated into the new objective ‘To promote sustainable building design’ (Objective 15). It is considered that this better reflects the emphasis of the Welsh Assembly Government on delivering sustainability through the application of BREEAM and Code for Sustainable Homes, both of which focus on the built environment. The indicators supporting the objective have been modified to reflect the latest guidance from the Welsh Assembly Government

• Objective ‘To reduce water consumption’ removed. Following the publication of new guidance by the Welsh Assembly Government, water consumption through the land use planning process will be controlled through sustainable building design, which is incorporated in Objective 15. Water quality objective remains as this will not just be influenced by built development.

• Energy efficiency objective removed as it relates to the new objective ‘sustainable building design’ (Objective 15) and the deletion removes unnecessary repetition. Renewable Energy objective remains as this can be delivered by a range of means, not exclusively linked to building construction.

• Objective ‘To prepare for, and mitigate the effects of climate change and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases’ has been deleted. This deletion was made on the basis that the revisions to the SA framework mean that these matters are embedded throughout the objectives. By incorporating consideration of GHGs within a number of different objectives that address specific topic areas, the SA team considered that the resultant recommendations would be more effective in maximising the sustainability of the policies than adopting a more general approach to the assessment of effects. Consequently, the effects of climate change will be addressed throughout the SA Framework and assessment of the potential of the policies to reduce GHG emissions will be delivered through the following objectives:

- To promote sustainable building design;

- To reduce waste disposal to landfill;

- To contribute to an increase in the use of renewable energy sources across the County Borough; and


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- To achieve a modal shift to more sustainable transport modes.

Climate change adaptation will be addressed in the SA Framework through objectives:

- To protect, manage and enhance biodiversity; specifically through the indicator to enhance the connectivity of habitats; and

- To minimise the risk of flooding.

• ‘To improve accessibility to and protect and improve the quality of local services and facilities' amended to read ‘To improve accessibility to and protect and improve the quantity and quality of local services and facilities.’ This is considered to better reflect the potential effects that can be realised through land use planning.

• Objective ‘To reduce poverty and social exclusion in Torfaen’ removed as the elements of land use planning that would serve to achieve this objective, such as employment and accessibility to facilities, are covered by other objectives. Religious cultural diversity is now reflected within the objective ‘To promote, strengthen and enhance the cultural identity of communities and improve social cohesion and diversity’.

• Objective ‘To contribute to a reduction in crime and social disorder and the fear of crime’ removed on the basis that the key elements of this objective are covered under other objectives:

- Secured by Design principles are included within the Code for Sustainable Homes design guidance.

- Fear of crime is encompassed under the objective to improve health and wellbeing.

- Other than the above, it is felt that the reduction in crime rates is outside the scope of the land use planning system.

• Objective ‘To improve the health and wellbeing of the population through reducing inequalities in health, to improve accessibility to services and facilities which enhance health improvement, and promote healthy lifestyle choices’ modified to read ‘To improve the health and wellbeing of the population’ to widen the scope such that it encompasses deprivation, crime and physical activity. Furthermore, accessibility to facilities is covered under an alternative objective. Indicators ‘Life expectancy standards (standard mortality rates)’ and ‘% of population of working age on invalidity benefits’ removed as land use planning cannot directly influence these.

• ‘To minimise the risk of flooding’ expanded to read ‘To minimise the risk of and from flooding’ to encompass the need to minimise the effects from flooding to people and property through flood resilience measures, in addition to prevention.

• Added indicators to Objective 11 ‘To protect, manage and enhance Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site as a cultural and tourism destination’ to provide further clarity on the intended interpretation of the objective.


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• Indicators re-labelled from numbers to letters to avoid any potential confusion with policy numbering.

• Indicators and targets updated to reflect latest guidance2

Assessment Rationale

6.5 An assessment rationale is an interpretation of the SA Framework utilised to assist

the assessment of policies and proposals contained in the LDP and ensure a level of consistency between assessments. The SA Framework covers Torfaen as a whole, and thus all issues apparent at the time of writing are covered, where considered appropriate to the SA. However, SA is an iterative process, and new or site specific issues that may arise throughout the plan making process will be subsumed into the SA framework for the LDP during its development. Table 1.2 of Appendix J outlines the rationale that was used to enable the assessment of the Deposit LDP components, providing interpretation of the SA Framework. The assessment rationale was developed for each stage at different stages of the LDP development (Stages B2- LDP Objectives Assessment and Strategic Options and Strategic Policies development. These Assessment Rationales are available in the relevant Appendices namely F, G and H.

6.6 The revised SA Framework is contained overleaf in Figure 6.1.

2 Housing Strategy 2004; UK Air Quality Objectives for protection of human health, July 2007; BREEAM 2008; WAG Further Consultation on Planning for Climate Change; TAN 16: Sport and Recreation; Halting Biodiversity Loss by 2010: A Progress Assessment by Wildlife and Countryside Link and Wales Environment Link January 2007


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Figure 6.1 - Sustainability Appraisal Framework Key to Data Availability for Indicators

Bold = Known data for study area Italic = Known data at regional level

Underlined = Data for study area and regional data currently unknown

No SA Objective Indicators Target SEA Topics

Economic

a. % of people of working age who are economically active To increase the % of people of working age who are economically active

b. Job Seekers allowance claimant count Decrease the number of people receiving benefits in Torfaen

c. % of unemployed people claiming benefit who have been out of work for more than 1 year

Decrease the % of unemployed people claiming benefit who have been out of work for more than 1 year

d. Average earnings for full timers by place of work Increase the average earnings for full timers by place of work

e. Average earnings for full timers by place of residence Increase the average earnings for full timers by place of residence

f. % of allocated employment land developed for employment purposes Increase the % of employment land developed for employment purposes

g. % of people living as well as working in the County Borough Increase the % of people living as well as working in the County Borough

1. To enable high and stable levels of local employment in Torfaen

h. Level of Inward Investment in Torfaen Increase the level of inward investment in Torfaen


a. No of Business VAT registrations Increase the number of Business VAT registrations from the previous year

2. To achieve economic growth to contribute to business competitiveness

b. GVA as a % of the UK average To reduce the differential of Torfaen GVA to that of the UK national average by 20% by the end of the plan period



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c. Acreage of serviced employment sites delivered in the LDP Increase the acreage of serviced employment sites annually

d. New floor space constructed by year Increase the amount of new employment floorspace constructed annually

e. Number of vacant retail ground floor units as a % of the total number of ground floor business premises

Decrease the number of vacant ground floor units as a % of the total number of ground floor business premises

f. New employment space created Increase

a. Total number of visitors to attractions in Torfaen Increase the number of visitors to attractions to Torfaen annually

b. Total visitor spend in Torfaen Increase the amount of total visitor spend in Torfaen annually

Revenue by category of visitor c. £m by serviced accommodation d. £m by non serviced accommodation e. £m by staying with friends/relatives (SFR) f. £m by day visitors

Increase the amount of revenue by all categories of visitors annually

g. Number of new tourist related developments in Torfaen Increase the amount of new tourist related developments annually

3. To promote and enhance sustainable tourism in Torfaen

h. Number of Tourist Days Increase the number of tourist days in Torfaen annually

Population Material Assets

a. Accessibility and connectivity to the site by sustainable modes Increase

b. Restoration of important buildings and townscape Increase

c. Management of the relict landscape Improve

d. Increase in tourist facilities

4. To protect, manage and enhance Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site as a cultural and tourism destination

Visitor numbers to: e. Blaenavon Ironworks

Increase

Cultural Heritage Landscape Material Assets Population


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No SA Objective Indicators Target SEA Topics f. Big Pit Mining Museum g. Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway h. Town of Blaenavon i. Relict Landscape j. The Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal

k. No. of planning applications approved contrary to advice from CADW, GGAT or officers, resulting negative impacts upon the setting and character of the Work Heritage Site

Nil

Environmental

a. Area of Local Nature Reserve (LNR) Increase the area of LNR to at least 1ha/1000 population

b. Area and condition of Sites of importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) Maintain

c. Protection of Natural 2000 sites Ensure no negative effects on sites adjacent to plan area

d. Overall loss in biodiversity No net loss in biodiversity (WAG)

e. % change of Torfaen LBAP species Increase the distribution and population of LBAP species by 10%

f. Length and Number of linear habitats created Increase the length and number of linear habitats in Torfaen

g. Habitat connectivity (to enable climate change adaptation) Ensure species are able to migrate as a result of changing habitats

h. Sites of Special Scientific Interest in favourable condition By 2015, 95 per cent of Welsh SSSIs should be in favourable condition

i. Important habitat (brownfield and greenfield) lost to built development Decrease

5. To protect, manage and enhance biodiversity

j. No. of development schemes including mitigation measures or enhancement of biodiversity

Increase the amount of development schemes

Biodiversity, Flora and Fauna Landscape

6. To protect and manage geodiversity a. Area of development approved on land designated as RIGS, geological SSSIs No net loss of area of geological SSSIs or RIGS to development

Air


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b. No. of contaminated land sites Reduction

c. Area of agricultural land by grade No net loss of land in Grades 1, 2 and 3a for development

Landscape Soil Material Assets Climatic Factors

d. Area of agricultural land in catchments and on flood plains Increase

e. Number of applications approved resulting in sterilisation of mineral reserves of local and national interest

Nil

a. Estimated background air pollution data To be better than national targets for pollutants

b. No of exceedences of the 100ug/m3 8 hr mean objective No more than 10 exceedences of the 100ug/m 8 hour mean

7. To reduce air pollution and improve air quality

c. Number of Air Quality Management Areas designated in the County Borough No additional AQMAs declared

Air, Climatic Factors Human Health Population

8. To minimise noise and light pollution a. No. of residential permissions granted in TAN11 category D locations Nil Human Health

a. % development designed to be flood resilient Increase

b. % of highly sensitive development approved in flood risk areas contrary to TAN15

Nil

c. % relevant permissions with SUDS schemes; incorporating reed beds where appropriate

Increase

d. % increase in planting of broadleaved woodland in uplands associated with water courses

Increase

e. Number and severity of flood incidents Decrease

f. Number of new properties at risk of flooding Decrease

9. To minimise the risk of and from flooding

g. % increase in area of floodplains, allowed to return to natural process of holding water during spate conditions

Increase

Population Biodiversity, Flora and Fauna Water Climatic Factors

a. No of planning applications approved contrary to advice from CADW, GGAT or officers with negative impacts upon listed buildings

Nil 10. To conserve and enhance historic resources and their settings

b. No of planning applications approved contrary to advice from CADW, Nil

Cultural Heritage Landscape Material Assets


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No SA Objective Indicators Target SEA Topics GGAT or officers with negative impacts on scheduled monuments

c. No. of Buildings at Risk Decrease

d. Number of conservation area appraisals and reviews undertaken during plan period

Increase

11. a. No. of applications approved in Special Landscape Area contrary to Landscape Officers’ advice

Nil

To protect and enhance the valued landscape character of Torfaen

b. Area of derelict land outside urban boundaries improved Reduction in derelict land area

Cultural Heritage Landscape Soil

a. % development subject to sequential testing, prioritising previously developed land before greenfield

100%

b. % dwellings built on previously developed land 60% previously developed land

c. Meet development density targets 30-50 dph for all new residential development

d. Amount of derelict land To reduce the amount of derelict land

12. To make most efficient use of land and buildings

e. No. of empty properties Reduce

Landscape Biodiversity Flora and Fauna Soil

a. Reduce the need to travel through the co-location of a mix of uses Increase

b. Level of public transport usage Increase

c. % increase/decrease change in accessibility of public transport Increase

d. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions from transport Decrease average emissions

e. Number of trips made by car Decrease

f. No. and value of S106 agreement secured for improvements in public transport, cycling and walking

Increase

g. No. of schools with travel plans Increase to 100%

h. No. of travel plans adopted by businesses in the borough Increase

13. To achieve a modal shift to more sustainable transport modes

i. % people with a footpath or cycle path within a ten-minute walk 95% by 2023

Population Air Climatic Factors Human Health


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j. No. of footpaths open and links delivered Increase

a. % of new buildings meeting BREEAM Excellent standards 100%

b. % of retrofit buildings meeting BREEAM Very Good Standards 100%

c. % of new dwellings meeting the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 100%

d. Use of sustainable sourced materials and resources Increase

14. To promote sustainable building design

e. No. of grey water systems used in new developments Increase

Population Human Health Climatic Factors

f. Litres of water consumed per resident Reduced

g. Energy consumption per capita Decreased

h. Regional and local energy consumption Reduction in growth levels

i. Carbon footprint of each resident (Gha/person) Decrease

a. Total Municipal Waste sent to landfill Reduce – Use landfill direct target

b. % of Municipal Waste recycled and composted Increase

c. % of commercial waste recycling Increase

d. % of commercial waste composted Increase

e. % of Municipal waste used to recover heat or energy Increase

15. To reduce waste generation and disposal to landfill and maximise reuse and recycling

f. GHG emissions from landfill Reduce

Population Water Soil Material Assets

a. Biological river quality Maintain or improve

b. River water nitrate levels Maintain or improve

c. River water phosphate levels Maintain or improve

d. Chemical river quality Maintain or improve

e. Groundwater quality Maintain or improve

16. To maintain and improve water quality

f. Fish stocks within the water environment Increase

Water Climate Factors


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a. Electricity generated from renewable sources Achieve national 10% target by 2010 17. To contribute to an increase in the use of renewable energy sources across the County Borough b. No. of planning permissions for renewable energy schemes Increase

Climate Factors Population

Social

a. No. of new affordable units delivered Increase

b. % of eligible residential planning permissions where affordable housing has been negotiated

100%

18.

To improve the affordability of housing

c. Average property price compared against average earnings Decrease

Material Assets Population Human Health

d. Number of houses meeting Welsh Housing Quality Standards (WHQS) Increase

e. SAP ratings Improve

f. Unfitness rate Reduce to 6% by 2014 (Housing Strategy 2004)

g. Number of empty properties brought forward against the WHQS target 100%

h. Mix of 1, 2, 3. and 4 bed properties Increase mix to meet local needs (2004 – shortfall in 1, 2 and 4 bed dwellings)

19. To improve the variety and quality of housing

i. Mix of private sector and social properties Increase mix to reflect local needs


a. Quality and Quantity of children’s play space and adult sport pitches per 1000 population

To meet NPFA/Fields in Trust Benchmark Standards for Outdoor Sport and play Improve quality

b. Amount of green space per 1000 population 2 hectares of natural greenspace per 1000; No person should live more than 300m walking distance from their nearest area of natural greenspace

c. Level of community infrastructure per ward Maintain levels or increase

20. To improve accessibility to and protect and improve the quantity and quality of local services and facilities

d. Proximity of local services to residential areas In line with EcoHomes Ratings for Transport distances to Local Amenities



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e. Number of S106 agreements secured on new developments for improvements in community facilities

Increase

f. Loss of local community facilities Maintain levels or increase

a. Qualification: % of resident population aged 16-74 Increase

b. % of Adults without basic numeracy and literacy skills Decrease

c. Proportion of 19 year olds with Level 2 qualification (5 GCSE A*-C or NVQ equivalent)

Increase

d. % of population attaining highest qualification – Level 4/5 Increase

21. To improve educational attainment and increase skill levels

e. Provision of adult education centres Increase

Population

a. No. of wards in the 100 most deprived wards according to Index of Multiple deprivation

No increase in no. of wards and improve their ranking

b. Average crime rate in Torfaen per 1000 population To reduce crime rates

c. Fear of crime per Torfaen ward during the day and night To reduce fear of crime

22. To improve the health and wellbeing of the population

d. % increase in physical activity Increase


a. % of welsh speakers in Torfaen No target identified

b. % increase/decrease in the number of community groups registered Increase

c. No. of planning applications approved resulting in the loss of community facilities

Nil

23. To promote, strengthen and enhance the cultural identity of communities and improve social cohesion and diversity

d. No. of planning applications approved delivering new and enhanced community facilities

Increase

Cultural Heritage Landscape


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7. Testing the LDP Objectives against the SA Objectives (Task

B1) 7.1 This exercise was undertaken as part of the development of the Vision and

Objectives for the LDP Preferred Strategy and was documented in the Initial Sustainability Appraisal Report (2008). No significant change to the LDP Objectives was made following consultation on the ISAR and these objectives have therefore informed the Deposit LDP. The results of the compatibility assessment are therefore still up to date.

7.2 The generation of draft LDP Objectives was informed by workshops held with

stakeholders and elected members, with the aim to identify key issues in Torfaen and issues that the LDP should address in its land use strategy. Following the workshops a draft vision statement and set of objectives were produced and consulted on during January 2007. The objectives were then reviewed and changes made as necessary. These objectives were then assessed against the SA Objectives by our consultants Atkins Ltd. The compatibility assessment of the revised LDP Objectives against the SA objectives is provided in Appendix F and a discussion of the results provided below.

7.3 Generally, the LDP Objectives had the greatest degree of compatibility and least

uncertainty with the SA objectives related to the social dimension of sustainability. The compatibility results for the environmental dimension of sustainability was more mixed indicating broad compatibility between the SA Objectives as a whole and those LDP Objectives that pursue environmental protection but with increased levels of uncertainty and a greater dependence on the precise nature of implementation measures, particularly in respect of the LDP Objectives supporting economic growth and transportation development. The compatibility results for the economic dimension of sustainability indicated a significant number of the LDP Objectives generally displayed a considerable degree of compatibility with the SA Objectives; however there was considerable uncertainty in relation to compatibility with LDP Objectives that address primarily environmental concerns, pointing to a need to directly seek to decouple the relationship between environmental degradation and economic growth.

7.4 In terms of analysing the intricacies of the matrix in Appendix F, the following key

observations were considered by Atkins Ltd to be pertinent in indicating aspects of the LDP Objectives that may require further detailing, through the development of the LDP. This is in order to ensure the delivery of the best possible performance in terms of sustainability:

• There is a considerable degree of uncertainty relating to the compatibility of

the LDP objectives against the SA objectives concerned with economic growth and business competitiveness (SA Obj. 2); and protecting, enhancing and managing biodiversity (SA Obj. 4), both of which have 10 instances of the assessment being ‘dependent on the nature of implementation measures’. This could be interpreted as an indication that the LDP must provide greater clarity in defining the policy approaches to these issues as the plan is progressed.

• There is also a considerable degree of uncertainty relating to the compatibility

of five of the LDP objectives against a number of the SA objectives in respect


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of ensuring a sustainable approach in the LDP to the following land use planning issues: the allocation of serviced employment sites (LDP Obj. 1: 18 uncertain assessments); efficient use of land and preference for brownfield development (LDP Obj. 20: 15 uncertain assessments); fostering a competitive and modern economy; provision of housing sites; and developing road and rail networks (LDP Objs. 7, 23 and 26, respectively: 13 uncertain assessments each). In the main, these aspects of the LDP are more directly related to specific spatial land allocations, thus the provision of more detailed information relating to site allocations should assist in addressing the uncertainty as the LDP develops.

7.5 The key outcomes from the compatibility assessment of the revised LDP objectives

against the revised SA Objectives was that a number of the LDP objectives were broadly compatible with the SA objectives; and that there were no identified instances of obvious potential conflict between the two sets of objectives. However it was identified that certain LDP objectives were too narrow or detailed to be overarching LDP objectives and that there were overlaps between objectives. Therefore, the LDP objectives were streamlined and grouped together to form a total of 19, with 6 objectives remaining unchanged. This process and reasons behind the changes to the objectives are contained within Appendix F. This is part of the full report on the Vision and Objectives (May 2007), which is available separately from this document. Amendments to the LDP Vision and objectives following the Preferred Strategy consultation is outlined below in 7.6, which are the Vision and Objectives used for the Deposit LDP:

Main Amendments to the Vision and Objectives for the Deposit LDP

7.6 Following consultation on the LDP Preferred Strategy, the need for a locally specific

element to the Vision statement linking to the aims of the Wales Spatial Plan was developed. This local element alongside the original overarching Vision Statement is outlined below:

7.7 Minor amendments were made to the following objectives as follows:

1. To ensure the provision of an appropriate quantity and range of employment sites and retail opportunities to support high and stable levels of employment in Torfaen and deliver a competitive, modern and sustainable economy and thriving town centres. Amendment due to omission of the promotion of retail opportunities and growth within the objectives, as the development of the retail offer will be a key component of economic growth in Torfaen.

2. To promote health and well being through the provision of development including community facilities, leisure and outdoor recreational opportunities, accessible to all. Amendment to reflect that all development should promote this aim.

At the eastern edge of the South Wales valleys, Torfaen will be part of a networked city region supporting thriving communities and a diverse economy in an outstanding historical, cultural and natural environment.


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11. To minimise climate change impacts through reduced emissions of greenhouse gases in both new and existing development, and to adapt to climate change through considerations of its effects in the design and location of new development. Amendments added to reflect the need to ensure climate change considerations are integral to the location and design of a development site.

17. To ensure that necessary opportunities are available for people to engage and contribute to the planning process. – Objective deleted as this was a process objective rather than a land use objective.

18. Objective now Objective 17 19. Objective now Objective 18


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8. Development of LDP Strategic Options (Task B2) 8.1 This stage of the process involved the generation of Strategic Options. The

development of options was undertaken in 2007 before arriving at a preferred option ‘The Network of Integrated Communities Strategy’ which was consulted on as the LDP Preferred Strategy in 2008. The process of arriving at the preferred option was documented in the Initial Sustainability Appraisal Report (2008) and is outlined below.

8.2 Again this exercise was undertaken in part to fulfil the requirements of the SEA

Directive, which outlines that the Environmental Report should consider:

‘reasonable alternatives taking into account the objectives and the geographical scope of the plan or programme’… and provide ‘an outline of the reasons for selecting the alternatives dealt with and a description of how the assessment was undertaken’ (Article 5.1 and Annex Ih)

8.3 This was informed by stakeholder workshops, as discussed earlier in this report.

Further details of the stakeholder workshops are included in the report entitled Strategic Options Workshops (August 2007). In summary the final 4 strategic options put forward for assessment against the SA objectives emanated from the following processes:

• Consideration of the key sustainability issues facing Torfaen, which were

discussed at SA Scoping workshops and through consultation on the Draft SA Scoping Report,;

• Consideration of the results of the Torfaen LDP Vision and Objectives

workshops;

• Consideration of the results of the Strategic Options Workshops, following the draft Strategic Options prepared by the Forward Planning team for the Workshop, alongside the Local Development Plan background documents including the Strategic Options Briefing Papers;

8.4 As a result of these exercises 4 strategy options for Torfaen were submitted to Atkins

Ltd for assessment against the SA objectives. This assessment was initially undertaken by Atkins, and then reviewed by the LDP team before a final review was undertaken by both parties on the final assessment, which is contained in full in Appendix G.

The Strategic Options 8.5 The following section provides an outline of the 4 strategic options that were

assessed against the SA objectives alongside key developing issues raised for the 4 options as a result of the stakeholder workshops and council officers review. The four strategic options were as follows:

• Urban Containment Strategy • Market led Strategy • Regeneration Focus Strategy • Network of Integrated Communities Strategy


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Urban Containment Strategy 8.6 This would involve ensuring development is accommodated within the existing urban

boundaries, resulting in no expansion of the urban area as defined on the adopted Torfaen Local Plan.

• Exploitation of brownfield opportunities • Increase in density of development • Utilise/improve existing infrastructure • Reduce impact of development on the countryside. • Sustain existing service provision • Growth opportunities restricted • Development to provide necessary infrastructure improvements • It is anticipated that the Urban Containment Strategy could accommodate mid to

high level housing provision between 6600 to 7250 dwellings

Summary of developing issues

• Minimises new ‘greenfield’ land take for development • Sustain and improve existing services and facilities by locating new

developments within existing settlements • Increases urban density, placing pressure on amenity and privacy issues • Major Opportunities for new investment potentially missed • Pressure on competing land uses (maintaining ecological corridors, network of

Public Open Space, protecting employment land) • Increase in congestion and pressure on existing transport networks and drainage

systems Market Led Strategy 8.7 This strategy would focus on market demand being a primary determinant on the

scale and location of development in the County Borough. This strategy would maximise investment and development opportunities, improving overall economic growth levels for the County Borough.

• Large-scale growth in the south, which would reflect previous and ongoing

development pressures and rates of growth. Development in the north would be limited in comparison.

• There will be a focus on improving economic prosperity by capitalising on the M4 corridor opportunities through improving transport links to these areas.

• Pressure for Greenfield development within the south of the County Borough • Places pressure on the ability to secure/retain lower value uses in particular

areas such as employment uses • It is anticipated that the Market led strategy would be based on a mid to high

growth option, capable of accommodating between 6600 – 7250 dwellings • Socially inequitable


• New developments provide opportunities for efficient new buildings • Growth in residential and economic development sectors supports the needs of

existing and future population locally reducing the need for out commuting • Benefits of growth will support new services


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• Increased congestion and pressure on environmental resources in the south • Lack of demand in the north will threaten viability of communities • Inequitable provision of new development and associated services

Regeneration Focused Strategy 8.8 This strategy would focus development growth in areas of greatest need.

Development would be concentrated to address the existing needs of specific settlements, and a dispersed form of growth would be encouraged.

• Increased emphasis on enabling development allowing greenfield and economic

development opportunities where necessary • Removing barriers to investment including focusing on improving transport links

to the settlements to the north, and encouraging development into these areas • Particular focus on Pontypool in providing a greater role in service provision • Focus on the exploitation of refurbishment and redevelopment opportunities • To achieve strategy there would need to be some element of restricting

development in the south to redirect development northwards • It is anticipated that the Regeneration Strategy could accommodate a mid level

housing provision of around 6600 dwellings • Links with Heads of Valleys strategy and investment needed


• Support for existing Communities and local distinctiveness • Focus for development to integrate with and improve the existing built

environment. • Need for support and investment to support less optimal market solutions • Responsive and efficient developments based on local needs. • Potential low level of overall growth restricting new opportunities. • Need for investment in transport infrastructure in the north of the County

Borough. Network of Integrated Communities Strategy 8.9 The strategy would aim to ensure a network of integrated communities spreading

growth and prosperity from the two key settlements of Cwmbran and Pontypool to the rest of the settlements across Torfaen. These settlements must be successful in their own right, with strong retail, commercial and leisure sectors and function as service hubs for surrounding settlements.

• This strategy option would involve the concentration of growth in several key

areas, which could potentially provide benefits of scale in terms of infrastructure improvements and enhance existing communities by the provision of an appropriate mix of uses

• Focusing growth in locations where wider benefits are more likely to occur • Effective transport links to and from jobs and services that cannot be made

available locally. The settlements will grow according to their individual capacity, role and function and through the integration with each other will develop a strategy where each settlement builds upon its distinct opportunities for the benefit of the County Borough as a whole


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• Emphasizing development around key transport routes and development to reflect the role, scale and function of individual settlements. Expanded settlements potentially including greenfield sites to cater for local needs


• Focus of development and services around town and local centres • Complimentary functions for settlements reducing inefficient competition • Local distinctiveness and character of areas promoted • Protection of local centres • Need for investment in transport infrastructure • Restricted opportunities and consequent pressure on public open space network

and often important ecological corridors Overview of Sustainability Assessment Results 8.10 This section outlines the results of the sustainability assessments of each of the

strategy options. This exercise was undertaken by our consultants Atkins Ltd and then reviewed by the Forward Planning team. The complete set of assessment tables is included in the Appendices document. A summary of the results is outlined in Figure 8.1 below followed by an explanation of the assessment.

Figure 8.1 – Overview of Sustainability Assessment of Strategic Options

Options Performance Economic Environmental Social Assessment of the range of options for achieving Core Strategy Theme 1 – Spatial Strategy Development and Growth for Torfaen. Option 1: Urban Containment Strategy

+/- +/- ++/-

Option 2: Market Led Strategy

++/- +/-- +/-

Option 3: Regeneration Focus Strategy

++/- +/- ++

Option 4: Network of Integrated Communities

++ +/- ++

Performance against Economic Objectives 8.11 The Network of Integrated Communities Strategy was considered to have the

potential for the greatest positive effects as in supporting mid-high levels of growth across the County Borough, it enabled the spread of employment opportunities more evenly in spatial terms and seeks to capitalise on new transport corridors. Similarly the Regeneration Focus strategy scored positively as both these strategies also supported increased town centre regeneration and vitality, which is important from a social perspective. The Market Led strategy was also considered to have the potential for positive effects given the economic development opportunities that would be likely to arise from the implementation of this strategy.

8.12 The approach in the Network of Integrated Communities strategy and the

Regeneration Focus Strategy potentially includes Greenfield sites where needed, and the concentration of growth in several key areas has benefits in terms of economies of scale and in removing barriers to investment; allowing economic development opportunities where need is greatest. This is particularly in contrast to the Market Led Strategy, which would result in patterns of development that respond


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to market demands as opposed to community need. Also the Network of Integrated Communities Strategy allowed for a higher level of housing provision than the Regeneration Strategy, potentially allowing for a greater variety of housing.

Performance against Environmental Objectives 8.13 The Urban Containment Strategy was considered to have the potential for the

greatest positive effects (depending on the implementation of these options) due to reliance upon existing settlement boundaries, which, especially in the Urban Containment Strategy, would effectively constrain the expansion of development into Greenfield areas. The Market Led Strategy was considered the most likely to have the potential for the most negative effects, as market led development is likely to increase pressure on Greenfield sites and floodplains, to a greater extent than the other options.

8.14 It is important to note that the assessments indicated that all of the options would

involve adverse effects arising from a combination of transport movements, loss of productive soils to development pressure, increased risk of water and air pollution, likely severance of habitats and negative effects on biodiversity. In all cases, these negative effects would be likely to require avoidance and mitigation.

Performance against Social Objectives 8.15 All four options were assessed as having the potential for moderate positive effects

on the basis that, to differing degrees, they would deliver regeneration benefits to key settlements, support improved accessibility to facilities and services and help to protect local character.

8.16 The Network of Integrated Communities Strategy and the Regeneration Strategy

were considered to have the greatest potential to deliver more positive than negative effects and thus these represented the best of the options. Primarily this was due to the fact that both options sought to spread regeneration benefits more evenly around the County Borough, than the Urban Containment Strategy and the Market Led Strategy, thus providing social benefits to a wider cross-section of the County’s population and seeking to better address spatial disparities, particularly between the north and south of the County Borough.

Conclusion 8.17 In conclusion, considering the balance of the assessments against the three

dimensions of sustainability, the Network of Integrated Communities Strategy was considered to offer the greatest potential for beneficial effects against the full range of social, environmental and economic objectives. Following this appraisal, TCBC considered the results of the sustainability assessment and developed the Network of Integrated Communities Strategy into the Preferred Strategy for the LDP, and subsequently developed further into the development strategy for the Deposit LDP.

8.18 In developing the Network of Integrated Communities Strategy as the Preferred

Strategy for the LDP, a set of initial strategic policies were produced to assist in delivering the strategy. This next stage of the SA/SEA also involved the assessment of the Strategic Policies of the LDP Preferred Strategy against the SA Objectives, to identify their effects in sustainability terms. This process is discussed in the following chapter, alongside mitigation measures identified as a result of the assessment.


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9. Assessment of LDP Preferred Strategy Strategic Policies (Task B3/B4)

9.1 This first stage of the process involved the generation of Strategic Policies and the

subsequent assessment of those against the SA Objectives. This was undertaken during 2007 to inform the LDP Preferred Strategy (2008). The process of arriving at the Preferred Strategic Policies was documented in the Initial Sustainability Appraisal Report (2008) and is outlined below.

9.2 Following confirmation of the strategy direction an initial set of Strategic Policies were

developed in order to deliver on the aims and objectives of the strategy and the vision of the LDP. These policies were subject to assessment against the SA objectives. The purpose of this assessment was to assess the sustainability implications of implementing the policies and to identify areas for improvement that would mitigate predicted negative effects.

9.3 This was undertaken in line with the SEA Directive which states that in the

Environmental Report:

“the likely significant effects on the environment of implementing the plan or programme, and reasonable alternatives… are identified, described and evaluated…and…the ‘environment report shall include the information that may reasonably be required at this stage taking into account current knowledge and methods of assessment, the contents and level of detail in the plan or programme …and..its stage in the decision making process”.

9.4 Also it is a requirement of the SEA Directive to outline measures to “prevent, reduce,

and offset as far as possible significant adverse effects on the environment from implementing the plan or programme” (Annex I (g). Therefore the assessment of policies has satisfied this requirement. This section now outlines the initial set of Strategic Policies that were assessed to inform the LDP Preferred Strategy. A second iteration of assessment was undertaken as part of the development of the Strategic Policies for the Deposit LDP.

Assessment of Significant Effects of Strategic Policies – LDP Preferred Strategy 2008 9.5 The assessment of the prediction of effects is generally qualitative as quantitative

predictions are not always possible. The assessment of significance of effects relies on expert judgement and the draft policies were assessed by Atkins Ltd and reviewed by Torfaen Council. The full results of the assessment of the Strategic Policies are contained in Appendix H, alongside the Assessment Rationale that was used in the assessment of the policies. The final set of 13 strategic policies that informed the LDP Preferred Strategy is presented below. Changes to the policies therefore emerged from this process and this is documented in Appendix I. Each of the strategic policies was assessed against the full range of sustainability objectives (30 in total). These objectives are outlined in Appendix E.

9.6 Following this assessment iteration, the SA objectives were refined and reduced in

number to 23. These revised objectives were then used in the assessment of the Deposit LDP discussed in section 10. The assessment of effects has been undertaken in line with the requirements of the Strategic Environmental Assessment.

Torfaen LDP Preferred Strategy Strategic Policies (2008)


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SP1 Sustainable Development

Sites for development will be allocated within and adjacent to existing urban areas and meet the following: a) Promote sustainable resource use and construction techniques; b) Regeneration of existing communities; c) Transportation and infrastructure considerations, including reducing the reliance on

the private motor car and use of more sustainable modes of transport; d) Protection and enhancement of the natural and built environment; and e) Maximise the efficient use of existing community infrastructure

SP2 Climate Change All development proposals shall be designed to mitigate further climate change and adapt to the effects of climate change, including flood risk. This will be addressed through the following hierarchy:

a) Ensuring that locational decisions are sustainable and promote sustainable transport choices;

b) Sustainable design;

c) Promoting energy efficiency and then;

d) Promoting the use of renewable energy technologies in order to reduce CO2 emissions by a minimum of 10% above Building Regulations.

SP3 Place-making / Good Design Proposals for new development must have full regard to the context of the local natural and built environment and its special features through:

a) Promotion of local distinctiveness through good design, material selection and layout;

b) Incorporation of energy efficiency in layout and building technologies including sustainable construction practises and promotion of water conservation

c) Location and layout that reflects sustainable transport and accessibility principles;

d) Design in accordance with best practise in designing out crime

SP4 Housing Provision will be made for the development of 7000 dwellings in Torfaen during the plan period 2006-2021; broken down to within the following Housing Market Areas: - a) North Torfaen (Blaenavon and Abersychan Wards) – approximately 900

dwellings*; b) Pontypool – approximately 2,800 dwellings* and c) Cwmbran – approximately 3,300 dwellings*.

* - (dwelling numbers subject to site availability and suitability)

SP5 Affordable Housing The Authority will, based upon local needs, seek to negotiate the inclusion of an appropriate element of affordable housing, available in perpetuity, on suitable development sites. SP6 Employment and Economy


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The employment and economic development needs of Torfaen will be met by the identification of 60ha of land for employment and business purposes (use classes B1, B2 and B8) during the plan period 2006-2021. The employment role of important industrial and business areas will be enhanced and protected. A range and choice of accessible employment sites will be provided throughout Torfaen to provide opportunities for business and local employment needs to be provided, including provision to enhance town centre based employment and economic uses and increasing the tourism leisure and retail offer in our town centres.

SP7 Mineral Safeguarding Any economic mineral resource which has been identified, as being required to meet a national or South East Wales regional need will be safeguarded provided the impacts of extraction are potentially acceptable.

SP8 Waste Management Sites for strategic waste management facilities will be identified based on regional and local need and the use of regional search criteria. The sites and type of facilities chosen will promote a hierarchical approach to sustainable waste management.

SP9 Environmental Protection Policy Development proposals shall protect and enhance the following: a) Ecology and biodiversity assets beyond designated sites, including the integrity of the

strategic ecological corridors of the Afon Llwyd, Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal and the National Cycle Route 42;

b) The water environment; c) Important network of public open space and recreation facilities; d) The integrity of the Blaenavon World Heritage Site; e) The character of the built environment. The valuable character of the built

environment includes local distinctiveness and setting of settlements and townscape character;

f) Identified Special Landscape Areas; g) Conservation and heritage assets; and h) Green Wedge areas between Cwmbran & Newport, Ponthir & Caerleon and

Mamhilad & New Inn/Pontypool.

SP10 Community Infrastructure Contributions or appropriate provisions will be sought through Section 106 legal obligations to address the impacts of development on community infrastructure. They will be sought to secure the necessary infrastructure related to new development and may include:

a) Open space, play spaces and recreation facilities

b) Employment and commercial opportunities

c) Investment in educational provision

d) Highways and transport infrastructure improvements (including walking and cycling infrastructure)

e) Enhancement and management of environment and conservation interests

f) Waste management facilities and services


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h) Public realm improvements and public art;

i) Renewable energy and energy efficiency

SP11 Transport Developments that promote a sustainable transport hierarchy by improved accessibility through public transport, walking and cycling provision, more efficient use of the existing highway network and where necessary new road build will be supported. In particular, access improvements to serve North Torfaen will be prioritised including the safeguarding of land at Pontypool / New Inn Railway Station for a new Park and Ride Facility.

SP12 Retailing / Town Centres Major retail and main town centre leisure and culture developments will take place in, or as an extension to the Sub-Regional Shopping Centre of Cwmbran. The District Shopping Centres of Pontypool and Blaenavon will be protected and enhanced to improve vitality and viability and to ensure they meet the needs of local residents and to ensure that they have a range of facilities. Local Shopping Centres will be protected and enhanced to provide services and facilities for the local community. SP13 Health and Education Sites suitable for the potential relocation of Coleg Gwent, Pontypool and the development of a local general hospital to serve Torfaen will be safeguarded as well as potential sites for a new Specialist Critical Care Centre in Cwmbran Summary of Assessment Findings 9.7 The appraisal of the Strategic Policies attempted to predict the effects of the

Preferred Policies in Economic, Environmental and Social terms. A summary of the assessment findings by Atkins Ltd is provided below and in Figure 9.1. Appendix I sets out TCBC’s changes to the policies, for mitigation of adverse effects and for enhancement of benefits taking into account the recommendations made by Atkins Ltd.

SP1: Sustainable Development 9.8 Policy SP1 represented the overarching policy in the LDP Preferred Strategy in terms

of the delivery of sustainable development. The assessment indicated that, in general terms, the direction of change following implementation of the policy, was likely to give rise to benefits in sustainability terms. It was outlined that the policy be enhanced by an extension of the scope of the policy and improved clarity through wording. This was amended in the final version.

9.9 The assessment recommended that the criteria be linked directly to the location of

development, and to include specific reference to sustainable construction practises and reducing water consumption. Again this was referenced in the revised policy. Furthermore it was felt the reference to sustainable resource use didn’t clarify whether it applied to use of materials, sustainable construction techniques and or reuse/recycling of land. This was clarified in the revised policy. It was also recommended that the reference to regeneration should be explained, but it was felt by TCBC this will be explained in the strategy itself and would overcomplicate the strategic nature of the policy. The assessment also outlined that greater clarity was


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required as to how the natural and built environment may be protected and enhanced, in terms of identifying exactly what is valued. Again it was felt by TCBC that this detail would dilute the strategic nature of the policy and this detail would be progressed in the development of the Deposit LDP.

SP2: Climate Change 9.10 Policy SP2 represented the overarching policy for the LDP to mitigate the effects of

further climate change and to enable adaption to the effects of climate change. Overall the assessment indicated that the policy was commendable, but there was room to strengthen the sustainability performance of the policy through a combination of clarification and broadening of scope of applicability.

9.11 Principally the policy appeared to be focused on tackling climate change through

building design and layout only. Therefore reference to the locational decisions and the need to address flood risk were added to the policy. The assessment also indicated that reference to promoting good design and appropriate renewable technologies required clarification. The scope of the revised policy was widened to promote a more holistic approach to tackling climate change through the appropriate hierarchy.

SP3: Place Making/Good Design 9.12 Policy SP3 represented the overarching policy for the promotion of good design and

ensuring effective place making in new development. Generally the assessment outlined that it had the potential to deliver benefits against a number of SA objectives but a ‘tighter’ policy would improve its performance. In this respect the assessment recommended making reference in the policy to the promotion of local distinctiveness, incorporation of energy efficiency, location and layout reflecting sustainable principals and design in accordance with best practice for designing out crime. These proposals were accepted and the policy was revised to improve the policy.

SP4: Housing 9.13 Policy SP4 represented the overarching strategic policy for the delivery of housing

within the borough during the plan period. However it was not surprising that this policy scored poorly in terms of environmental sustainability given the fact it proposed 7000 new dwellings in the County Borough. The assessment indicated that it could be improved by specific references to site location, design and construction. TCBC considered that this was not necessary given the strategic nature of the policy, and the fact that the set of strategic policies should be read as a whole. It was accepted however that more detailed policies would be required for the Deposit LDP and it may be appropriate to cross reference policies in this document. In addition the assessment recommended that the policy be expanded to include an indication of the % of housing requirement by location. Given that detailed site allocations had yet to be developed detailed percentages could not be provided at that point in time; however the policy was expanded to include an approximate housing yield within each of the housing market areas.

SP5: Affordable Housing 9.14 Policy SP5 was the overarching policy for the delivery of affordable housing in the

borough in the LDP Preferred Strategy. The assessment indicated there were few significant effects against the SA objectives but to achieve a more confident


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assessment of sustainability effects reference should be made to a definition of sustainable development sites, the types of housing that may be delivered through the policy, targets for delivery, likely locations for affordable housing and key design considerations. Again due to its strategic nature TCBC did not consider it relevant to add this detail to the policy as a lot of this information was not yet known and would be influenced by the emerging Joint Local Housing Market Assessment. The issues however would be addressed in the Deposit LDP.

SP6: Employment and Economy 9.15 SP6 represented the overarching policy for the delivery of employment land and

meeting economic development needs in the County Borough up to 2021. The assessment indicated a relatively poor performance in terms of environmental sustainability and again identified that cross-reference to specific policies relating to site location; design construction should be referred to. TCBC decided that this was not necessary given the strategic nature of the policy, and the fact that the set of strategic policies should be read as a whole. It was accepted however that more detailed policies would be required for the Deposit LDP and it may be appropriate to cross reference policies in this document.

9.16 To broaden the benefits in terms of social sustainability it was recommended

reference be made to town centres and the need to enhance town centre based employment and the types of business class uses to be supported by the policy. This was accepted and the policy reworded. The policy was also strengthened by reference to promoting a choice of ‘accessible employment sites’, which also improved its performance in sustainability terms.

SP7: Mineral Safeguarding 9.17 SP7 represented the overarching policy in relation to Mineral Safeguarding and

Extraction for the LDP up to 2021. The assessment identified that the policy served to simply safeguard sites for future mineral works. It failed to identify where the sites would be located and additional text should be included to clarify the matters. Due to investigations of mineral need in SE Wales still being undertaken details of site locations could not be provided at that strategic stage of the plan. However additional text to clarify this was included in the Preferred Strategy document.

SP8: Waste Management 9.18 SP8 represented the overarching policy for waste management issues in the LDP

Preferred Strategy. The assessment of the draft policy indicated the main potential for significant effects would be against the SA objectives on climate change and air quality. For the remainder of the objectives the effects were classified as being uncertain as the policy lacked clarity as it could be interpreted as supporting the development of the broadest range of waste management facility. Also there was no indication of likely site locations. It was recommended that the policy should indicate where the sites could potentially be located and particularly what sort of waste management facilities would be supported by the policy.

9.19 Site locations for regional waste facilities were expected to be identified as part of the

SE Wales Regional Waste Plan so this information could not be provided at that time. However it was accepted that policy was vague in terms of the types of facility supported and as such reference to a hierarchical approach to sustainable waste management and the identification of sites to be adopted was added to the policy.


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SP9: Protection Policy 9.20 SP9 represented the overarching Protection Policy for key strategic assets.

Following the assessment it was reworded to Environmental Protection Policy. The assessment indicated that it was the most detailed of all policies assessed as it included site-specific references and set out a Preferred Direction of Change. To broaden the scope of the policy the assessment recommended that a description of the valuable character of the built environment to support point (e) should be referred to; this was accepted and the policy revised.

9.21 The assessment required clarification of the term ‘protect’ and whilst this was not

detailed in the policy it was identified in the supporting text. Also there was a need to ensure protection of biodiversity ‘beyond designated sites’ and this point was accepted and the policy was revised. Reference to the need to protect the water environment was also added in line with the assessment findings. As with the assessment findings on other policies no cross reference to other policies was deemed necessary by TCBC, but the assessment identified that this policy should be renamed environmental protection policy, with point b) relating to employment moved into the employment policy. This was accepted and the policy was revised.

SP10: Community Infrastructure 9.22 SP10 represented the overarching policy for securing an appropriate provision of

community infrastructure. The key assessment finding was although it was likely that significant positive effects would result from the implementation of this policy, the policy lacked detail and the sustainability performance could be enhanced through clarity in wording. The assessment findings suggested that the policy made reference to the range of facilities and services that encompass community infrastructure and this was incorporated. The assessment also suggested clarification of whether development meant ‘new build’ or also conversion. It was considered by TCBC that development meant all form of development and as such there was no need to specifically define this in the policy.

9.23 The assessment outlined that the policy should make reference to possible locational

criteria that would apply to the identification of sites for community infrastructure, and whether opportunities would be sought for high quality architecture. The identification of sites would follow a sustainable approach as advocated by other strategic policies but would be addressed in more detail in the Deposit LDP. Finally the assessment outlined that information should be included on when S106 considerations would apply and it was considered this would be progressed through the future S106 SPG that would be produced to inform the LDP.

SP11: Transport

9.24 Policy SP11 provided the overarching policy in respect of transport considerations in the LDP. The assessment findings identified a range of positive and negative effects. The key finding was that the draft policy supported improved accessibility in its broadest sense including new road build, but did not set a strict precedent for the promotion of sustainable transport modes over road-based modes. This was accepted and the policy was amended to promote a sustainable transport hierarchy and a more efficient use of the existing network before new build. It was not considered to include reference to SUDS for transport infrastructure and the design of infrastructure as these issues were addressed by other strategic policies.


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SP12: Retailing/Town Centres 9.25 SP12 represented the overarching policy for retail issues in the LDP to 2021. The

assessment of the draft policy indicated that it would be likely to result in a range of positive and negative effects. The adverse effects were considered to be a product of the policy support for physical extension to existing centres and the overall scale of development that could ensue as a result of the policy implementation. In order to strengthen the sustainability performance of the policy the assessment recommended reference should be made to the sequential approach to the identification of sites for town centre and retail development. It was considered that reference to this was not essential as this was covered under national planning policy and did not need to be repeated in LDP’s. The assessment outlined that reference should be made to flood risk, transportation, access and other criteria as influencing the location, type and form of retail development. It was decided that this was not necessary given the strategic nature of the policy, and the fact that the set of strategic policies should be read as a whole and as such other policies would cover these issues. Some of the detail would be added in the retail policies for the Deposit LDP. The Deposit LDP would also detail the types of uses that will be supported in town centres.

SP13: Health and Education 9.26 SP13 represented the overarching policy for Health and Education issues within

Torfaen. The assessment findings indicated that the draft policy identified sites for development, but did not actually indicate when the health and education facilities referenced would be developed. As a result the assessment of effects reflects considerable uncertainty. The assessment findings recommended that potential sites for these uses be referenced in the policy and when it is likely they would come forward. This information was not available at that time and the detail was considered likely to come forward to inform the policies for the Deposit LDP. Additional text was provided in the LDP Preferred Strategy to clarify these matters. The assessment also indicated that the policy should reference the likely scale of development it would support and what was proposed for the sites that would be vacated. Again as this detail was not known it was not appropriate to add further detail to the strategic policy.

Mitigation 9.27 Mitigation encompasses approaches that are aimed at preventing, reducing or

offsetting significant adverse sustainability effects which have been identified. It is also important to seek measures aimed at enhancing positive effects. Mitigation measures for each Strategic Policy were identified in the assessments as outlined in Appendix H. Following this assessment TCBC considered the results and amended the policies as outlined in Appendix I. These mitigation measures were considered to help improve the sustainability performance of the policies.

9.28 These policies were consulted on as part of the LDP Preferred Strategy and have informed the development of Strategic, Borough Wide and Detailed Policies of the Deposit LDP as outlined in section 1 of this report. Section 10 of this report covers in detail the full assessment of the Deposit LDP Policies and Proposals.


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Figure 9.1 Summary Assessment of Strategic Policies – LDP Preferred Strategy 2008

SA Objective (See Appendix E) SP1

Sust

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Dev

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SP2-

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mak

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SP4

- Hou

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SP5

- Affo

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SP6

- Em

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SP7

- Min

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Sa

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SP8

- Was

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Man

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SP9

- Pro

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Polic

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SP10

- C

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In

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SP11

- Tr

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SP12

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SP13

- H

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1 To enable high and stable levels of local employment in Torfaen +/- 0 0 0 0 ++ 0 0 ++ + ++ ++ +

2 To achieve economic growth to contribute to business competitiveness + +/- + 0 0 ++ + + -- 0 ++ ++ 0

3 To promote and enhance sustainable tourism in Torfaen. + +/- + 0 0 0 0 0 + 0 + + 0

4 To protect, manage and enhance biodiversity + + 0 - 0 +/- 0 - -- +/- +/- 0 + 5 To enhance geodiversity in the County Borough + + 0 0 0 +/- 0 0 + 0 0 0 0 6 To prepare for, and mitigate against the effects of

climate change and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases

+ ++ +/- -- 0 -- 0 -- + -- - - +/-

7 To reduce air pollution and improve air quality. + ++ +/- -- 0 -- 0 -- ++ - +/- - - 8 To minimise noise and light pollution +/- +/- +/- -- 0 - 0 - ++ +/- -- -- - 9 To minimise the risk of flooding + +/- +/- -- 0 -- 0 +/- + - -- -- -

10 To protect, manage and enhance Blaenavon World Heritage Site as a cultural and tourism destination +/- +/- + +/- 0 - 0 0 ++ 0 +/- 0 0

11 To promote, strengthen and enhance the cultural identity of communities + + 0 0 0 0 0 0 + ++ + ++ 0

12 To conserve and enhance the historic resources and their settings + + + +/- 0 - 0 0 +/- 0 - +/- 0

13 To protect and enhance valued landscape character of Torfaen +/- +/- 0 +/- 0 -- +/- - 0 ++ -- +/- +/-


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14 Make the most efficient use of land and maximise the use of appropriate previously developed land and existing buildings before Greenfield Sites

+/- + +/- +/- 0 -- 0 +/- 0 ++ +/- -- -

15 To reduce congestion and the reliance on the private car and to achieve modal shift to sustainable transport modes

+ +/- 0 -- 0 -- 0 - 0 + -- +/- +/-

16 To promote the use of sustainably sourced products and resources + +/- 0 -- 0 -- +/- +/- +/- +/- 0 - +/-

17 To ensure the potential of important mineral reserves is not sterilised through development +/- 0 0 0 0 - +++ 0 0 0 +/- 0 0

18 To reduce waste generation and disposal to landfill and maximise reuse and recycling +/- +/- 0 -- 0 -- 0 +/- - - 0 -- +/-

19 To maintain and improve water quality + + 0 -- 0 -- 0 - 0 0 -- - +/- 20 To reduce water consumption 0 +/- +/- -- 0 -- 0 0 + - 0 - - 21 To contribute to an increase in the use of renewable

energy sources across the County Borough +/- +++ +/- -- 0 +/- 0 +/- 0 +/- -- - +/-

22 To increase energy efficiency + +++ + - 0 +/- 0 0 0 +/- - +/- +/- 23 To conserve soil resources and maintain their quality

+/- 0 0 - 0 -- 0 - ++ - - - -

24 To improve the affordability of housing + 0 - - + 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 25 To improve the variety and quality of housing + 0 ++ -- + 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 26 To improve accessibility to and protect and improve the

quality of local services and facilities + 0 0 ++ 0 + 0 0 0 ++ ++ + +

27 To improve educational attainment and increase skill levels + 0 0 0 0 + 0 0 + + 0 0 +

28 To contribute to a reduction in crime and social disorder and the fear of crime + 0 ++ 0 0 0 0 0 0 + 0 +/- 0

29 To reduce poverty and social exclusion in Torfaen + + 0 +/- + + 0 0 0 + ++ + + 30 To improve the health and well being of the population

through reducing inequalities in health, to improve accessibility to services and facilities which enhance health improvement, and promote healthy lifestyle choices.

+ + 0 0 0 0 0 +/- 0 ++ ++ + +


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10. Predicting and Evaluating the Effects of the Deposit LDP (Task B3/B4)

10.1 The SAR has been produced in line with the production of the Deposit LDP following

consultation on the LDP Preferred Strategy and ISAR in 2008. In accordance with the ongoing and iterative approach to SA/SEA adopted through the development of the LDP, an SA/SEA assessment of the emerging Deposit LDP was undertaken in October 2010. This was undertaken by our consultants Atkins Ltd, which has been reviewed by TCBC. TCBC have considered the results of the assessment and made amendments to the Deposit LDP. Details of which are contained later in this chapter.

10.2 For the purposes of undertaking the SA/SEA Stage B3 and B4 assessments, LDP

policies were grouped into components that share similar sustainability effects. This reflects the need for the SA/SEA to adopt a strategic and holistic approach to predicting the likely effects of the implementation of the plan as a whole.

10.3 Appendix J outlines the full review of the Deposit LDP. The version of the LDP

assessed was dated October 2010. Table 2.1 and Figure 2.1 of Appendix J provide a description of the components used in the assessment, highlighting the policy content that has been incorporated into each. The component description is an amalgamation of the key elements of each of the policies and associated reasoned justifications that it incorporates. It is for this reason that the phrasing that forms the component descriptions differs from the policy wording presented in the LDP. Documents used in addition to the LDP and national guidance to inform the assessments included:

• Joint Housing Land Availability Study 2010 • Local Housing Market Assessment 2006– Update 2010 • Urban Housing Potential Study 2007 • Candidate Sites Report November 2010 • Regeneration Through Tourism A Tourism Strategy for Torfaen County Borough

Council 2008 • Torfaen Retail Study Update 2009 • Torfaen Retail & Leisure Study – Main Report September 2007 • North Torfaen Highways and Regeneration Study: WelTAG Stage 1

Assessment • Local Biodiversity Action Plan 2006 • Former Gwent Aggregates Safeguarding Study May 2009 • Torfaen Aggregates Study Landscape Review Report April 2010 • Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site Management Plan 1999 • Blaenavon World Heritage Site Draft Design Guide 2010

Assessment Summaries and Recommendations 10.4 A summary of the LDP assessment results is provided in Figure 10.1 at the end of

this section and detailed assessments for each component are provided in Appendix J. A discussion of the assessment results is presented below, together with recommendations for mitigation of predicted negative effects or enhancement of predicted positive effects by assessment component.

10.5 This section of the report highlights the key recommendations made for each of the

policies, arranged by component. The full assessment findings are included within the detailed assessment tables. It should be noted that similar recommendations have emerged for a number of the components through the assessment process and


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to avoid repetition, these are drawn together into a single set of general recommendations included at the end of this section.

Component 1: Urban Boundaries

• S1: Urban Boundaries

Assessment Summary

10.6 Overall Policy S1 has been predicted to lead to 6 significant beneficial effects when assessed against the SA objectives. Significant beneficial effects were predicted against SA Objectives: 3 (sustainable tourism); 4 (Blaenavon World Heritage Site); 10 (historic resources and their settings); 20 (accessibility to and quantity and quality of local services and facilities); 22 (health and wellbeing); and 23 (cultural identity and social cohesion and diversity).

10.7 The LDP strategy seeks to improve accessibility through focusing development in

urban locations that are more likely to have an existing capacity for the provision of local services and facilities. Large scale regeneration schemes that will be enabled through the expansion and definition of the urban boundaries are likely to further this provision over time.

10.8 The urban boundary policy restricts development in the key tourism resource of

BILWHS, namely Blaenavon and Varteg. This should help to protect the historic character of the WHS. Appropriate uses in the north of the County Borough might include some types of sustainable tourism. Alongside the other policies in the LDP, this strategic direction is likely to enhance sustainable tourism in Torfaen in the short and medium term. In the long term, the effect of allowing increased development, particularly where boundaries are flexible, could lead to negative effects on the countryside resource of the County Borough.

10.9 Further, other urban boundaries will enable the protection of landscape character and

the countryside, which could also help to retain tourism resources. The Ponthir urban boundary will help to resist further extension of the urban area into the green wedge and countryside, which would be detrimental to landscape character.

10.10 Improving accessibility through restricting development to urban areas may help to

improve social integration and mixing, as well as improved access to cultural facilities. The historic environment is also likely to be a contributor to cultural identity. These elements could contribute to strengthening cultural identity and social cohesion over time.

10.11 Although no significant negative effects have been predicted a number of

recommendations, which seek to improve the sustainability performance of the policy, are listed below.

Recommendations Policy S1: Urban Boundaries

a) It is suggested that the approach to the northern part of the Borough is included within the policy wording. The policy could state that the boundaries allow for appropriate development where they would contribute to the creation


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of sustainable communities in accordance with the spatial development strategy.

b) Confusion could arise through implementation as two of the strategy areas are defined as 'northern'- Pontypool (Northern Connections Corridor) and Blaenavon and North Torfaen (Heads of the Valleys). This should be rectified.

c) It is suggested that the locations where a more flexible approach to the urban boundary may be taken are shown on the proposals map. It is suggested that the allowance for flexibility within the urban boundary is concentrated in areas where there is the potential for accessibility by public transport, walking and cycling.

d) It is suggested that the BILWHS designation is shown on the Proposals map. Further, the definition of the boundary for the allocation of Varteg should be made clearer.

Component 2: Housing

• S5: Housing • S8: Planning Obligations (part a) • H1: Housing Allocations within the Cwmbran Housing Market Area • H2: Housing Allocations within the Pontypool Housing Market Area • H3: Housing Allocations within the North Torfaen Housing Market Area • H4: Affordable Housing • H6: Conversion, subdivision or re-use of buildings for residential purposes

within the Urban Boundary • H7: Gypsy Traveller Sites • H8: New Gypsy Traveller Sites • H9: Affordable Housing Exception Sites

Assessment Summary

10.12 In general terms, the strategic spatial approach to the location and identification of

sites is sound in relation to the SA Framework. However, a range of significant positive and negative effects have been predicted across the scope of SA objectives. Significant positive effects have been predicted against SA Objectives: 2 (economic growth); 4 (Blaenavon World Heritage Site); 14 (sustainable building design); 17 (renewable energy); 18 (affordability of housing); 19 (variety and quality of housing); 21 (educational attainment and skill levels); 22 (health and wellbeing); and 23 (cultural identity and social cohesion and diversity).

10.13 There may be some beneficial effects arising from an increased choice, range and

quality of housing stock. This could assist in supporting the growth of the local economy through attracting and retaining workers over time. The spatial distribution of housing sites is based on an estimate of indigenous demand and in-migration. Most of the sites have been predicted to contribute positively towards this objective through the Candidates Sites Assessment process.

10.14 The housing policies include some 7 specific sites of varying sizes within the North

Torfaen area, totalling 230 dwellings including sites in Blaenavon. This has the potential to have a significant effect upon the landscape and appearance of the WHS. The Blaenavon Design Guide will help to ensure that the potential for negative effects as a result of new development are minimised. Further, the site selection process, as detailed in the Candidate Sites Report (October 2010), has included an


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assessment of the potential visual impact of the development of sites. The development of sites H3/1, H3/2 and H3/5 are considered in the Candidate Sites Assessment Report to contribute to the character of the WHS resulting in beneficial effects. The consideration of LANDMAP in site allocations will ensure that the allocation of sites for housing has considered the influence of the local landscape on cultural identity.

10.15 Policy S5 seeks to achieve the creation of 5,000 dwellings in Torfaen over the plan

period. The quality of new housing will be determined by national policy guidance. Policy S8 prioritises the achievement of affordable housing through planning contributions. Policy H4 sets a target of 1083 affordable homes over the period 2010-2021. To achieve this, the policy sets a low threshold that residential sites of 3 or more dwellings or 0.1ha are required to provide a proportion of affordable homes. Proportions are specified for each development area in the policy. The figure is lowest in North Torfaen, where development pressure is the lowest. This lower figure could attract development to the northern area of the County Borough. Policy H9 will enable the development of sites of 9 dwellings or less for the provision of affordable housing provision. These policy elements could lead to benefits against this objective in the medium and longer terms, as development proposals are realised. Policy H4 seeks that affordable housing reflects local needs and will normally be designed to the principles of WAG's development quality requirements. Improving the quality of housing provision in the county borough may lead to improvements in health levels through an increase in equalities relating to aspects such as fuel poverty. This could enable the creation of more mixed communities in areas where there is a shortage of affordable housing over the medium to long term.

10.16 The provision of a large number of new dwellings presents an opportunity to create

high quality sustainable buildings. Requirements are set out in other LDP policies and national planning guidance. All of the sites considered in the Candidate Sites Assessments process, with the exception of site H7/1, have been scored as having the potential for measures to be incorporated to improve energy efficiency within development over and above national building standards. Significant effects are likely in the long term, as more buildings are delivered to high standards. Housing is a major source of energy consumption. Dependent upon the precise nature of achieving energy requirements for new housing, the policy has the potential to deliver a range of positive and adverse effects. Requirements for renewable energy generation and sustainable building design are set out in other policies of the plan and national planning policy, which should generate overall beneficial effects. There is potential for significant effects in the long term, as a greater proportion of built development contributes to energy efficient design and the generation of energy from zero and low carbon sources.

10.17 The Planning Obligations policy highlights the facilities and services for which monies

will be sought in association with development, which includes residential development (Component 8). Sites that have been assessed as contributing to the achievement of Objective 21 are H3/4, H2/3, H1/3, H1/5 and H3/5. This includes the provision of educational improvements, ensuring that new development may help to increase skills levels in the County Borough. Focusing developments towards the urban areas could help to improve accessibility to services and facilities, including education. This could increase skill levels in the long term.


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10.18 Significant negative effects were predicted against SA Objectives: 5 (biodiversity); 7 (air pollution and quality); 8 (noise and light pollution); and 15 (waste).

10.19 The addition of 5,000 new dwellings and associated infrastructure has the potential

for adverse effects. Key sources include construction activities, illumination of buildings and transport infrastructure, trip generation and general activity levels.

10.20 The overall strategy has the potential to negatively affect net biodiversity. The

Candidate Sites Assessment Process has led to the prediction of negative effects, through the loss of a designated site or green corridor for sites H3/1, H2/2, H2/3, H1/6, H1/2 and H2/7. One positive effect was predicted, for site H3/5 as it is considered to have the potential for the enhancement of biodiversity. The development of brownfield sites over greenfield sites in the first instance may minimise this effect in the short term, although brownfield sites may also contain biodiversity considerations. No specific reference is made to the consideration and integration of features of biodiversity value into all sites, although this is covered in LDP policies (component 18), which could minimise the overall effect. Irrespective of this, cumulative negative effects are likely in the long term.

10.21 One site (H1/1) has been identified through the Candidate Site Assessment process

as having the potential for a lower level of air pollution than the current use. Two of the sites are regarded to lead to an increase in air pollution, which are sites H1/3 and H7/1. The overall development strategy seeks that the layout of the development sites will encourage increased accessibility by sustainable modes. Further, component 7 and policy S2 include requirements for sustainable transport provision. These elements may contribute to a reduction in the significance of an overall increase in air pollution.

10.22 The site selection methodology has led to prediction of negative effects against

Objective 8 for sites H2/2, H1/3, H1/1 and H1/4. Policy BW1 seeks that new development will not lead to unacceptable effects in terms of noise and light pollution. However, the scale of development is likely to lead to cumulative significant negative effects in the medium and long term.

10.23 The housing strategy involves an oversupply of land using a combination of

redevelopment of existing brownfield land and release of greenfield sites to deliver the target of 6000 homes. This will result in substantial generation of construction and demolition wastes. Irrespective of whether domestic waste generation is reduced, benefits are likely to be offset by the net increase in households. The handling of waste generation is addressed through other policies of the plan.

10.24 The following recommendations seek both to mitigate predicted negative effects of

the policies and improve the sustainability performance of predicted positive effects. This is in addition to mitigation for each site that is provided in the Candidate Sites Assessment Report (November 2010).

Recommendations

a) Plan policies should reference the potential cumulative impact on landscape character arising from the scale of development proposed over the plan period.


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b) Housing density standards could be set out, differentiated by the three housing market areas. This should reflect the potential for density to exert a considerable influence over character, distinctiveness and biodiversity.

Component 3: Employment and Economy

• S6: Employment and Economy • S8: Planning Obligations (part g) • EET1: Employment Allocations in the Cwmbran Area • EET2: Employment Allocations in the Mid Torfaen/Pontypool Area • EET3: Employment Allocations in the North Torfaen Area • EET4: Regional Employment Allocations • EET 5: Protection of Employment Land and Premises • C3: Rural Development and Diversification

Assessment Summary

10.25 In general terms, the strategic spatial approach to the location and identification of sites is sound in relation to the SA Framework. Significant beneficial effects have been predicted against SA Objectives 1 (local employment); 2 (economic growth); 6 (geodiversity); 12 (efficient use of land and buildings); 13 (modal shift to more sustainable transport modes); and 20 (accessibility to and quantity and quality of local services and facilities).

10.26 The strategy focuses on strategic locations in line with the general spatial strategy

and directs new development towards established sites; strategic mixed use development sites and the existing key centres of Cwmbran, Pontypool and Blaenavon. This should assist in securing maximum accessibility to the working population and foster cross-benefits from the development of complementary business clusters. The plan policies allocate 45ha (S9) of land for employment purposes (B1, B2 and B8) and a further 35ha, specifically for strategic regional employment, which is broadly in line with the 70ha referenced in the Employment Strategy included in the LDP. There is a commitment to deliver a range and choice of sites and premises, with policies referencing a combination of prestige sites, high quality sites, local industrial sites, neighbourhood sites and those suitable for waste management. The policies also safeguard existing employment locations. Based on the above, and assuming the implementation of other plan policies linked to sustainable design and accessibility, the LDP has the potential to deliver considerable benefits as it moves through to the long term.

10.27 The employment strategy is likely to result in the remediation of contaminated sites to

facilitate brownfield development. This should assist in securing maximisation of efficient land use and foster cross-benefits from the development of complementary business clusters.

10.28 Provision of additional facilities and services in association with new development is

important in reducing the need to travel. This is addressed in other plan policies including Planning Obligations and S2, S3 and S4.

10.29 Negative effects have been predicted against SA Objectives 8 (noise and light

pollution); 9 (risk of and from flooding); and 10 (historic resources and their settings). 10.30 The addition of 80 ha of new employment land and associated infrastructure,

particularly on sites that result in an expansion of, or significant intensification within


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the existing built development boundaries, has the potential for adverse effects for noise and light pollution. Key sources include construction activities, illumination of buildings and transport infrastructure, trip generation, extended operational hours and general activity levels. The site selection methodology has ensured avoidance of co-locating residential and industrial activities that could reduce effects in part. Policy BW1 seeks that new development will not lead to unacceptable effects in terms of noise and light pollution. However, the scale of development is likely to lead to cumulative significant negative effects in the medium and long terms.

10.31 The site selection methodology has aimed to avoid land at high risk from flooding,

where certain types of commercial development would be inappropriate. However, several of the site specific designations are noted in the candidate sites assessment report as being at risk of flooding - EET1/1, EET1/2, EET1/5, EET2/3, EET2/7, EET2/8. This, alongside the development of large areas of previously undeveloped land, is likely to increase the risk of and from flooding to people and property. This is especially the case over the longer term as increased precipitation arises from the changes in climate and combines with increased levels of built development.

10.32 The policies identify 2 sites totalling 7.2ha of employment land within Blaenavon,

which has the potential to result in effects on the WHS designation. The historic resource of the County Borough already includes substantial designated sites at risk or vulnerable to effects from inappropriate development. The strategy includes substantial brownfield redevelopment, which will frequently involve delivering sites in the context of locally important historic resources and/or designated assets. A precautionary approach indicates that there is the potential for such effects to be adverse.

Recommendations

a) The reference to sites only being considered for 'high value regional

employment uses which require a large accessible site and therefore justify the release of the site for economic and social reasons' in EET4 is considered ambiguous - it is recommended that the wording be clarified to ensure that the policy can be implemented.

b) The employment policies should be supported by an increased level of detail

regarding the types of activities that would be supported on each site/within the town centres. This will improve the clarity of the policy and assist in implementation. The identification of how the local employment strategy will meet the local skills base could be identified.

c) Design requirements and specific land uses that would be appropriate to

specific character areas should be included in a policy that requires the development of design frameworks for each site. Supporting text could outline the special features of each site to provide a context. This could draw on information collated for the Candidate Sites Assessment.

d) Consideration could be given to the establishment of targets for density of

employment development, particularly for strategic sites and mixed use development. Furthermore, density and building design can have a considerable impact on character, distinctiveness and biodiversity and this should be reflected in the policy.


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e) Commercial activities, both through construction and occupation, exert significant influence over waste streams. The importance of this link should be referenced in the LDP and cross-reference should be made to appropriate policies. Emphasis should be placed on the need to ensure design of employment land incorporates sustainable waste management and facilities where appropriate. This will be particularly relevant for larger format business park/industrial park sites where a collaborative approach and communal facilities are likely to result in cumulative benefits.

Component 4: Tourism

• EET6: Leisure / Tourism Proposals

Assessment Summary 10.33 The assessment of the policies within this Component has been predicted to lead to

range of significant effects, both positive and negative. Significant positive effects have been predicted against five of the SA Objectives, which are: 1 (local employment); 2 (economic growth); 4 (Blaenavon World Heritage Site); 10 (historic resources and their settings); 12 (efficient use of land and buildings); 20 (accessibility to and quantity and quality of local services and facilities); and 23 (cultural identity and social cohesion and diversity).

10.34 The policy will favourably consider proposals for the development of tourism. This

could increase the attractiveness of the area to developers in this industry, leading to economic growth and employment opportunities over time. Proposals for tourism are likely to make use of the existing assets within the County Borough, through their protection in the policy, including buildings and land as well as woodland areas. This is considered to be an efficient way of utilising assets to enable the delivery of economic and social benefits.

10.35 Policy EET6 includes the encouragement of the tourism offer of a range of sites

within the BILWHS. This could lead to the protection, management and enhancement of these assets as development will also be in accordance with the WHS Management Plan and Design Guide. This could lead to compounded benefits in terms of economic, social and environmental factors. Cultural benefits could arise through an increased management and sense of importance of local assets. Policy EET6 also includes the encouragement of the tourism offer of a range of sites including those that are important heritage assets, such as the Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway. This could lead to the protection, management and enhancement of these assets. The policy offers the potential for preserving, analysing, interpreting and educating people about the heritage, which could lead to it being conserved and enhanced. This could lead to long term benefits. However, proposals could lead to an increase in significant levels of traffic that could have slight negative effects, although walking and cycling routes (see Component 15) could provide benefits in this respect.

10.36 The development of tourism assets could lead to an increase in available services

and facilities for local communities. The enhancement and development of local tourism assets could help to enhance local distinctiveness. This could aid the development of cultural identity and civic pride in the medium and longer terms. Further benefits might include an increase in the potential for increased community interaction and cohesion through an increase in local leisure and recreation, employment, and walking and cycling as modes of transport.


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10.37 No significant negative effects were predicted to arise as a result of the LDP policies.

However, the recommendations below seek to improve the potential for significant beneficial effects through the implementation of the LDP.

Recommendations

Policy EET6: Leisure / Tourism Proposals

a) It is suggested that the policy reinforces the requirement that all tourism facilities and attractions are accessible by a range of sustainable modes of transport but also recognises the value of developing tourism networks/linked product offers in order to deliver ‘sustainable tourism’. This will be key to securing longer term viability. Consequently, if the Tourism Strategy includes policy actions, such as to encourage the development of a coherent and sustainable tourism offer, these should be included in the LDP.

b) The definition of the appropriate scale for the development of tourism facilities

should be specified. c) The need for the interpretation of the historic environment, including the

BILWHS as well as other assets, could be encouraged through the policy. This will improve the performance of the tourism policy in terms of broader social and educational benefits.

d) Policy EET6 seeks to protect the Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre. However,

the Candidate Sites Assessment Report (November 2010) highlights that site RLT2/1 (Cwmbran Town Centre) will lead to the loss of the 'Llantarnam Arts Grange'. Clarity on this matter should be made within the policy text.

Component 5: Retail

• RLT1: Town Centre Boundary • RLT5: Retail Proposals outside Established Centres • RLT6: Primary Frontages • RLT7: 100% A1 Retail Frontages in Pontypool • RLT8: Secondary Frontages • RLT9: Local Shopping Centres • RLT10: Redevelopment of Local Centres • RLT11: Food and Drink

Assessment Summary

10.38 The assessment of the Component has highlighted the following significant beneficial effects against SA Objectives 10 (historic resources and their settings); 12 (efficient use of land and buildings); 13 (modal shift to more sustainable transport modes); 20 (accessibility to and quantity and quality of local services and facilities); and 23 (cultural identity and social cohesion and diversity).

10.39 The policies within the Component make a strong commitment to supporting and

enhancing the vitality and viability of town and local centres across the Borough, many of which also represent key foci for the historic built environment assets of Torfaen. This is complemented by policy provisions that restrict the potential for retail development outside established centres, conveying considerable benefits in terms of efficient use of urban areas and protection of the landscape setting and


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surrounding countryside throughout the Borough. In addition, the retention of retail within town centres is afforded strong attention, particularly in Pontypool – in retaining a good range of retail uses and supporting the development of additional cultural and leisure activities within the most accessible centre locations The policies are assessed as supporting sustainable transport patterns, community cohesion and potentially contributing to tourism and economic growth.

10.40 The assessment has not predicted any significant adverse effects. Recommendations

10.41 No specific recommendations have been made in respect of this Component. Component 6: Cwmbran Town Centre

• RLT2: Town Centre Development in Cwmbran • RLT3: Edge of Cwmbran Town Centre Sites

Assessment Summary

10.42 The assessment of the Component has highlighted the following significant beneficial effects against SA Objectives 1 (local employment); 2 (economic growth); 12 (efficient use of land and buildings); 13 (modal shift to more sustainable transport modes); 20 (accessibility to and quantity and quality of local services and facilities); and 23 (cultural identity and social cohesion and diversity).


enhancing the vitality and viability of Cwmbran through focusing retail development on the existing centre and the RLT2/1 site, adjacent. This is complemented by policy provisions that restrict the potential for retail development outside established centres of Cwmbran through the application of the sequential approach to site selection, conveying considerable benefits in terms of efficient use of urban areas and protection of the landscape setting and surrounding countryside throughout the Borough. In addition, in retaining a good range of retail uses and supporting the development of additional cultural and leisure activities within the most accessible central location of Cwmbran, the policies are assessed as supporting sustainable transport patterns, community cohesion and potentially contributing to tourism and economic growth.

10.44 The assessment has not predicted any significant adverse effects.

Recommendations

Policy RLT2

a) It is recommended that criterion (a) of Policy RLT1 be amended to read more positively - 'The use would contribute to the enhancement of the shopping character and visual amenity, vitality and viability of the Town Centre'.

b) It is recommended that criterion (e) of Policy RLT2 be amended to provide

clarity on the types of 'linkages' supported. It is suggested that the focus should be in conformity to the sustainable movement hierarchy in terms of prioritisation.


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10.45 As a general comment, it is noted that Policy RLT3 makes cross-reference to the Town Centre SPG. The LDP would benefit from reference to the planning status of this document and it is recommended that key elements needed for the correct interpretation of the Policy be included in the LDP wording to provide clarity. Furthermore, the phrase ‘logical and coherent way’ is considered open to interpretation and thus ambiguous. It is suggested that this be replaced with a phrase that better conveys the intended meaning.

Component 7: Blaenavon Town Centre

• RLT4: Blaenavon Retail Core

Assessment Summary 10.46 The assessment of the Component has highlighted the following significant beneficial

effects against SA Objectives 3 (sustainable tourism); 4 (Blaenavon World Heritage Site); 10 (historic resources and their settings); 20 (accessibility to and quantity and quality of local services and facilities); and 23 (cultural identity and social cohesion and diversity).


enhancing the vitality and viability of Blaenavon through focusing retail development on the existing centre and promoting the development of specialist niche retail. This is complemented by broader policy provisions that restrict the potential for retail development outside established centres of Torfaen, conveying considerable benefits in terms of efficient use of previously developed land and protection of the landscape setting and surrounding countryside throughout the Borough. This is particularly important in Blaenavon given the BILWHS designation. In addition, in retaining a good range of retail uses for local people and supporting the development of additional attractions of specialist services within the most accessible town in North Torfaen, the policies are assessed as supporting sustainable transport patterns, community cohesion and potentially contributing to tourism and economic growth.

10.48 The assessment has not predicted any significant adverse effects.

Recommendations

10.49 No specific recommendations have been made in respect of this Component. Component 8: Eastern Strip Central Action Area and Strategic Opportunity Areas

• SAA1: Eastern Strip Central Action Area • SOA1: Eastern Strip South Strategic Opportunity Area • SOA2: Eastern Strip North Strategic Opportunity Area

Assessment Summary

10.50 The assessment of the policies within the Component has predicted a number of significant beneficial effects against SA Objectives1 (local employment); 2 (economic growth); 6 (geodiversity); 10 (historic resources and their settings); 12 (efficient use of land and buildings); 16 (water quality); 20 (accessibility to and quantity and quality of local services and facilities); 21 (educational attainment and skill levels); 22 (health and wellbeing); and 23 (cultural identity and social cohesion and diversity).

10.51 The proposal is a commercial/employment led development to deliver a range of

employment opportunities of types that could be accessed by local people, offering


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potential for vocational training and upskilling. The development mix also includes a range of leisure facilities that will be accessible to local people, as well as offering limited scope for supporting the wider tourism market. The proximity of the Action Area to Cwmbran Town Centre has been assessed as offering considerable potential to deliver benefits to community facilities, services and accessibility, in turn leading to the sort of conditions that could contribute to community cohesion, vitality and viability. The SOAs, which are included in the LDP in recognition of their potential to expand the Action Area beyond the Plan period, have been assessed as contributing to the longer term benefits predicted for the Component.

10.52 The three sites are all identified in the Candidate Sites Assessment Report as being

potentially contaminated. Consequently, the assessment predicts considerable benefits arising from remediation in terms of geodiversity, public health, the water environment and biodiversity.

10.53 Significant adverse effects have been noted for SA objective 8 (noise and light

pollution). This is primarily due to the wholesale approach to redevelopment that is being promoted, coupled with a lack of coverage of these issues within the Policy. Recommendations are made to address this shortcoming.

Recommendations

a) Additional clarity should be provided on the types of public transport that could be delivered within the Action Area – this could either be provided within the LDP, or a cross reference could be made to the need for development to be undertaken in accordance with a Development Framework, which would then form the appropriate document to set out more detailed transportation expectations.

b) It is recommended that either the LDP or the Development Framework

include a more detailed breakdown of uses, stipulating percentage targets for the delivery of affordable housing as a proportion of residential development. This approach should also be carried forward to the next stage of SOA development, beyond the Plan period.

Component 9: Canalside Action Area

• SAA2: Canalside Action Area

Assessment Summary

10.54 The assessment of the Component has predicted a number of significant beneficial

effects against SA Objectives 10 (historic resources and their settings); 12 (efficient use of land and buildings); 16 (water quality); 19 (variety and quality of housing); 22 (health and wellbeing); and 23 (cultural identity and social cohesion and diversity).

10.55 The proposal is a residential led development to deliver 150 homes and a selection

of ancillary development that takes advantage of the canalised setting as well as offering limited scope for supporting the wider tourism market. The proximity of the Action Area to Cwmbran Town Centre has been assessed as offering considerable potential to deliver benefits to community facilities, services and accessibility, in turn leading to the sort of conditions that could contribute to community cohesion, vitality and viability. In addition, use of the brownfield site for a high density development is predicted to deliver an efficient use of land and buildings, underpinned by national


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policy requirements and other plan policies aimed at securing high quality, sustainable building design.

10.56 The Action Area is identified in the Candidate Sites Assessment Report as being

potentially contaminated. Consequently, the assessment predicts considerable benefits arising from remediation in terms of public health and the water environment.

10.57 Significant adverse effects have been noted for one SA objective – 8 (noise and light

pollution). This is primarily due to the wholesale approach to redevelopment that is being promoted, coupled with a lack of coverage of these issues within the Policy. Recommendations are made to address this shortcoming.

Recommendations

a) Additional clarity could be provided on the types of public transport that

should be delivered within the Action Area – this could either be provided within the LDP, or a cross reference could be made to the need for development to be undertaken in accordance with a Development Framework.

b) It is recommended that the Policy includes a specific target for affordable

housing as a site specific interpretation of Policy H4. Component 10: Llantarnam Action Area

• SAA3: Llantarnam Action Area

Assessment Summary

10.58 Assessment of this Action Area has led to the prediction of a range of positive and

negative effects. Significant beneficial effects have been predicted against SA Objectives: 6 (geodiversity); 16 (water quality); 17 (renewable energy); 18 (affordability of housing); and 20 (accessibility to and quantity and quality of local services and facilities).

10.59 The Candidate Sites Assessment Report includes a list of key mitigation that includes

contamination, as the site comprises a former gasholder site. Long term benefits could be experienced through the development of the site through remediation.

10.60 In accordance with LDP Policy H4, 30% of housing on the site will be affordable.

Long term significant benefits against Objective 18 are therefore predicted. 10.61 The creation of mixed use development could lead to a reduction in the need to travel

and increase accessibility to services and facilities for new residents. Policy SAA3 specified that the Action Area should include a neighbourhood centre and informal recreation provision. These measures could lead to long term benefits against this Objective as facilities are delivered. Supporting text to the policy states that development frameworks will need to incorporate various land use elements that include the incorporation of green infrastructure through provision of open space, formal and informal recreation facilities. This could lead to benefits against SA Objective 20 (accessibility to and quantity and quality of local services and facilities).

10.62 A neutral score against water quality was given for this site in the Candidate Sites

Assessment Report. The justification for this score is not clear; however, it is


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assumed to be linked to the requirement to remediate contaminated land and deliver flood resilience in order to facilitate the development of the Action Area. It is likely that positive effects will result from the development of the site and other LDP policies should lead to a reduction in water pollution overall, thus enhancing the potential significance of effects.

10.63 Insofar as the plan will lead to an increase in development proposals, national

planning policies and other LDP policies will ensure that a proportion of energy from new development is generated from renewable sources. Effects could be significant in the long term, as more development proposals are realised.

10.64 One significant negative effect has been predicted against SA Objective 8 (noise and

light pollution).The potential for an increase in traffic could lead to negative effects against this Objective. Further, the policy doesn't include the types of employment uses that may be appropriate for the site. Potential for negative effects from industrial uses could lead to negative effects from noise and light pollution, particularly for on-site residential uses. In addition, an increase in development could lead to more general increases in light pollution, for example through street lights and general building illumination. Policy BW1 seeks that new development will not lead to unacceptable levels of noise and light pollution, which could minimise the significance of effects although it is likely that effects will be most significant in the long term, as development proposals are realised.

10.65 The recommendations below include measures seeking to mitigate predicted

negative effects as well as improve the significance of predicted beneficial effects. Recommendations

a) It is suggested that the need for remediation of the site is included in the

Policy wording. The proportion of each type of land use should be outlined in the Candidate Sites Assessment Report.

Component 11: Mamhilad Action Area

• SAA4: Mamhilad Action Area

Assessment Summary

10.66 The assessment of the Action Area has led to the prediction of a range of both positive and negative sustainability effects. Significant beneficial effects were predicted against the following SA Objectives: 1 (local employment); 2 (economic growth); 14 (sustainable building design); 18 (affordability of housing); 20 (accessibility to and quantity and quality of local services and facilities); 21 (educational attainment and skill levels); 22 (health and wellbeing); and 23 (cultural identity and social cohesion and diversity).

10.67 The site is seen as a key site to assist in delivering regeneration opportunities in

Pontypool. Policy SAA4 allocates land for a mix of uses, including employment. This could lead to economic growth and employment opportunities locally in the long term. However, the type of economic growth is not specified in the policy wording, which could lead to the development of unsustainable industries. Also, the type of employment opportunities is not specified. Therefore, effects are uncertain in terms of whether the employment created would match the employment needs and skills of the local community.


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10.68 Policy SAA4 allocates the delivery of 1,700 dwellings in the Mamhilad Action Area,

690 of which are to be delivered during the Plan period. In accordance with LDP Policy H4, 25% of housing on the site will be affordable. Long term significant benefits are therefore predicted against Objective 18.

10.69 New development on site will need to accord with the latest national government

guidance and therefore contribute to sustainable building design. Long term effects could be significant due to the volume of development supported.

10.70 Policy SAA4 allocates land for the delivery of a range of services and facilities, co-

located with residential and employment uses. The policy wording specifically cites the delivery of a neighbourhood centre, primary school and open space and recreation facilities. This is reiterated in the supporting text, which adds to the requirements through stating that open space and recreational facilities must meet Fields in Trust standards. Benefits are likely to continue to be realised beyond the plan period, as the delivery of housing on the site is also expected to extend beyond this period.

10.71 Four significant negative effects have also been predicted through the SA against SA Objectives 5 (biodiversity); 8 (noise and light pollution); 11 (landscape character); and 16 (water quality).

10.72 A negative score was given for this site against Objective 5 in the Candidate Sites

Assessment Report. The 'impact on biodiversity and need to retain the watercourses running through the site which are SINCs' is identified in the report as a key constraint. The constraint is reiterated in the supporting text of the policy. The report goes on to state that the key constraints are being addressed through a development framework. This could reduce the potential significance of effects, although requirements are not included within the policy wording. Further, mature trees are present on site that will need to be taken into account in the planning of future development proposals. It is likely that the development of the site will lead to an overall loss in biodiversity, particularly in the short term.

10.73 Supporting text for the policy indicates that all of the watercourses throughout the site

are designated as SINCs. It is likely that negative effects will result from the development of the site, although other LDP policies should lead to a reduction in water pollution overall, thus reducing the potential significance of effects in the short term particularly. Cumulative effects may be significant, as these effects may not be easily controllable through LDP policies, particularly as the site is expected to continue to be developed beyond the plan period.

10.74 A key constraint identified in the Candidate Sites Assessment Report is the need for

a Noise Assessment. However, it is unclear as to what sources the noise assessment might be derived from, which could potentially include both industrial and traffic sources. These sources could also lead to an increase in light pollution. A noise assessment could potential reduce the significance of effects, although a transition of the site from rural to urban is likely to have significant negative effects throughout the plan period and beyond.

10.75 The site is highly visible from the canal and the visual impact of the settlement from

the Canal, along with the impact of the change of character from rural to urban, is identified as a key constraint. It is likely that significant negative effects are likely to result from this development, although effects may be reduced slightly as some of the site is already developed.


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10.76 The recommendations below include measures seeking to mitigate predicted negative effects as well as improve the significance of predicted beneficial effects.

Recommendations

a) The policy could include a requirement that development densities are of a

level that makes the best use of the site, whilst enabling a reduced visual impact. The brownfield part of the site should be prioritised for development ahead of the greenfield portion.

b) The LDP could include a requirement that affordable housing is directed towards the neighbourhood centre to improve the potential for accessibility.

Component 12: The British Action Area

• SAA5: The British Action Area

Assessment Summary

10.77 The assessment of the Component has predicted a considerable number of

significant beneficial effects against SA Objectives 1 (local employment); 9 (risk of and from flooding); 10 (historic resources and their settings); 11 (landscape character); 12 (efficient use of land and buildings); 16 (water quality); 19 (variety and quality of housing); 20 (accessibility to and quantity and quality of local services and facilities); 21 (educational attainment and skill levels); 22 (health and wellbeing); and 23 (cultural identity and social cohesion and diversity).

10.78 The proposal is a comprehensive regeneration scheme of a brownfield site

comprising some 200 homes and an as yet undisclosed amount of employment development, extending across 62 hectares of land in North Torfaen. The main land uses will also be supported by a neighbourhood centre, formal and informal recreation and the provision of new strategic highways infrastructure, which should combine to deliver the basic ingredients to establish a vibrant new community. Existing heritage assets on the site include a number of Listed Buildings and Scheduled Ancient monuments. The policy seeks their retention and positive integration into design proposals, all of which will be governed by a Development Framework for the site. Design policies in the plan, together with the intention to produce a Development Framework, have been assessed as likely to ensure that the redevelopment delivers a significant enhancement to what the policy describes as ‘unsightly dereliction’.


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10.79 The location of the Action Area within the Borough has been assessed as offering considerable potential to deliver benefits to existing communities in terms of extending the range and accessibility of community facilities and services and potentially reducing levels of out-commuting. In addition, use of the brownfield site for a high density development is predicted to deliver an efficient use of land and buildings, underpinned by national policy requirements and other plan policies aimed at securing high quality, sustainable building design.

10.80 The Action Area is identified in the Candidate Sites Assessment Report as being

potentially contaminated. Consequently, the assessment predicts considerable benefits arising from remediation in terms of public health and the water environment. Furthermore, the flood risk associated with the site is linked to the underground works and the remediation works should resolve this, thus delivering benefits.

10.81 Significant adverse effects have been noted for two SA objectives – 8 (noise and light

pollution); and 13 (modal shift to more sustainable modes). This is primarily due to the wholesale approach to redevelopment that is being promoted, coupled with a lack of coverage of these issues within the Policy. Recommendations are made to address these shortcomings.

Recommendations

a) The CSAR references a need for biodiversity enhancement and the LDP identifies a number of heritage features within The British that could be retained within the development proposals. It is recommended that text be added to recognise and seek to realise the tourism potential of incorporating specific features within the regeneration proposals that can both add distinctiveness to the development, as well as offering an additional feature for visitors to the area to appreciate the biodiversity and heritage of this Site.

b) Additional clarity could be provided on the types of public transport that

should be delivered within the Action Area - this could either be provided within the LDP, or a cross reference could be made to the intention for specific requirements to be included within the Development Framework. Emphasis should be placed on ensuring that internal circulation within the site is governed by the principles of the sustainable movement hierarchy.

c) The CSAR includes a recommendation that a Development Framework be

produced for the Action Area - it is recommended that either the LDP or the Development Framework include a more detailed breakdown of uses, stipulating percentage targets for the delivery of affordable housing as a proportion of residential development as an amplification of Policy H4.


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10.82 As a general point, it is noted that the Policy contains some repetition that would

benefit from removal. In addition, the current supporting text could benefit from review to better explain the interrelationship and planning status of the LDP Policy SAA5 until such time as the Development Framework is produced, as well as clarifying the processes and timescale involved in adoption of the document as Supplementary Planning Guidance. In particular, the statement that ‘the Council intends to adopt the Development Framework as SPG in advance of the determination of any planning applications’ needs clarification to allow prospective developers to understand how this will work in practice.

Component 13: South Sebastopol Action Area

• SAA6: South Sebastopol Action Area

Assessment Summary

10.83 The assessment of the Component has identified a range of significant beneficial and adverse effects against the SA objectives. The significant beneficial effects have been predicted against the SA Objectives 19 (variety and quality of housing); 21 (educational attainment and skill levels); and 23 (cultural identity and social cohesion and diversity.

10.84 The proposal is for the development of a substantial residential community of 1200

homes to be delivered within and beyond the Plan period. The LDP envisages that it will become an urban village, filling the existing fields that extend between Sebastopol and Panteg. The site is subject to an adopted Development Framework and includes provision for a neighbourhood centre, primary school, community facilities, commercial development, recreational facilities and space all set within a landscape structure that retains and enhances the existing mature tree-lined hedgerow and the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal. Much of the detail of the framework has been defined but is not reflected in the LDP. Recommendations are made to address this shortcoming and thus strengthen the policy commitments.

10.85 The significant adverse effects have been predicted against SA objectives 7 (air

pollution and quality); 8 (noise and light pollution); 11 (landscape character); 12 (efficient use of land and buildings); and 13 (modal shift to more sustainable transport modes). This is primarily as a consequence of the site being such a large scale (102.4 ha), highly visible and greenfield. Furthermore, in respect of transport the main issue is that there is no policy reference made. Recommendations are made to improve the performance of the component against these SA Objectives.

Recommendations

a) The LDP should be amended to include additional details on policy expectations in respect of the treatment of historic and landscape features within the site. There would be benefit in drawing details across from the adopted Development Framework and highlighting the matters raised in the CSAR.

b) Emphasis should be placed on the importance of the use of topography and

screening in reducing the visual impact that will arise from settlement coalescence as the South Sebastopol site is developed. Retention of the


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existing landscape features should be given higher priority through inclusion in the Policy.

c) The CSAR confirms that the Development Framework for the site has been

adopted and it is recommended that the LDP include additional details from the Development Framework to present them as policy requirements. This should include stipulation of percentage targets and distribution approach for the delivery of affordable housing as a proportion of residential development, amplifying Policy H4.

10.86 As a general point, it is noted in the CSAR that the Development Framework for

South Sebastopol is already adopted. This status should be referenced within the LDP and, in order to add clarity and greater certainty to the policies, it is suggested that the key requirements be brought into the LDP, for example, the desired development mix, strategic transportation and proposed phasing. Furthermore, the references to the key landscape features within the site are provided in very general terms in the LDP. The addition of a diagram highlighting the landscape structure and basic transport infrastructure from the adopted Development Framework would be extremely useful in aiding reader interpretation of the intended policy approach. This would also add context to the designation of a neighbourhood centre and commercial centre within the Action Area site on the Proposals Map.

Component 14: Llanfrechfa Grange Action Area

• SAA7: Llanfrechfa Grange Action Area

Assessment Summary

10.87 The assessment of the Component has resulted in the identification of a number of

significant beneficial effects against SA Objectives 1 (local employment); 2 (economic growth); 12 (efficient use of land and buildings); 19 (variety and quality of housing); 22 (health and wellbeing); and 23 (cultural identity and social cohesion and diversity).

10.88 The proposal is a comprehensive regeneration scheme of a brownfield site

comprising a niche Specialist Critical Care Centre Hospital (SCCC), some 300 homes, 4.8 ha of employment land, community facilities, playing pitch provision and informal recreation. The main land uses will also be supported by the provision of new strategic highways infrastructure and connections to the established communities to the west. Existing heritage assets on the site include Llanfrechfa Grange and the remains of White Hall. These features are to be incorporated into the design proposals, in accordance with the Development Framework for the site. Design policies in the plan, together with the Development Framework, have been assessed as likely to ensure that the redevelopment delivers an efficient use of the site, high quality housing and supports community cohesion.

10.89 The central location of the Action Area within the Borough has been assessed as

offering considerable potential to deliver health benefits to existing communities. In addition, use of the brownfield site for a high density development is predicted to deliver an efficient use of land and buildings, underpinned by national policy requirements and other plan policies aimed at securing high quality, sustainable building design.


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10.90 Significant adverse effects have been noted for SA objectives 7 (air pollution and quality); 8 (noise and light pollution); 11 (landscape character); and 13 (modal shift to more sustainable modes). This is primarily due to the wholesale approach to redevelopment that is being promoted, the prominence of the site and its location adjacent to a Special Landscape Area and a lack of coverage of public transport promotion and noise/light pollution within the Policy. Recommendations are made to address these shortcomings.

Recommendations

a) Beyond the SCCC, the employment elements proposed for Llanfrechfa Grange are not well defined in the LDP. It is recommended that additional details be incorporated into the LDP from the adopted Development Framework, clarifying the nature of the community, commercial and employment allocations.

b) The CSAR clearly identifies the importance of delivering green infrastructure

as a key mitigating element in the design. This needs to be given appropriate weight through inclusion in the policy and/or supporting text as a key element for the site.

c) The LDP should be amended to include additional details on policy

expectations in respect of the treatment of historic and landscape features within the site. There would be benefit in drawing details across from the adopted Development Framework and highlighting the matters raised in the CSAR.

d) Emphasis should be placed on the importance of the use of topography and

screening in reducing the visual impact of the scheme, particularly on longer distance views into and from the special landscape area to the east. Retention of the existing landscape features should be given higher priority through inclusion in the Policy.

e) Additional clarity could be provided on the types of public transport that

should be delivered within the Action Area. This could either be provided within the LDP, or a cross reference could be made to the specific requirements to be included within the Development Framework. Emphasis should be placed on ensuring that internal circulation within the site is governed by the principles of the sustainable movement hierarchy.

f) The CSAR confirms that the Development Framework for the site has been

adopted and it is recommended that the LDP include additional details from the Development Framework to present them as policy requirements. This should include stipulation of percentage targets and distribution approaches for the delivery of affordable housing as a proportion of residential development, amplifying Policy H4.

10.91 As a general point, it is noted in the LDP that the Development Framework for

Llanfrechfa Grange is already adopted, but that the document is under review. This could lead to confusion regarding the planning status of the Development Framework, which could potentially undermine its value as a guidance document. It is recommended, therefore, that pertinent requirements should be referenced within the LDP policy, for example, the desired development mix, strategic transportation and specific site characteristics that must be retained and/or delivered through proposals. Furthermore, the references to the key historic features within the site are


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provided in very general terms in the LDP and no reference is made to the role of the site in delivering a transition to the special landscape area to the east. The addition of a diagram highlighting the landscape structure, key features and basic transport infrastructure from the adopted Development Framework would be extremely useful in aiding reader interpretation of the intended policy approach.

Component 15: Strategic Transport Approach

• S8: Planning Obligations (parts d and h) • T1: Transport Improvements • T2: Safeguarding Former Transport Routes • T3: Walking and Cycling Routes

Assessment Summary

10.92 Overall, the sustainable transport strategy is likely to have positive sustainability effects. 5 significant positive effects have been predicted when assessed against SA Objectives: 1 (local employment); 2 (economic growth); 3 (sustainable tourism); 4 (Blaenavon World Heritage Site); 20 (accessibility to and quantity and quality of local services and facilities); and 23 (cultural identity and social cohesion and diversity).

10.93 The transport strategy and policies in the LDP seek to improve accessibility within the

plan area as well as to areas outside of the plan area. An improvement to walking and cycling routes as well as public transport infrastructure may improve the community’s ability to access local services and facilities as well as increase community cohesion through increased interaction. This effect is likely to increase over time, as more routes are established. Supporting text for Policy T3 specifies that off road routes could be developed to assist people with disabilities, although this is not included in the policy wording.

10.94 The transport hierarchy establishes a hierarchy of roads in Torfaen, seeking to

ensure that development does not restrict the increased movement of vehicles throughout the Borough. This could help to improve access by this mode to different parts of the County Borough, which could improve its attractiveness to investors. Policy T1 reinforces this approach through specifying schemes and areas where improvements are to be made. This includes both highway and public transport measures. Improvements in transportation, be it by sustainable or non-sustainable modes, are likely to enable higher levels of employment throughout Torfaen, as more people will be able to access more opportunities. Sustainable transport modes are likely to have a greater benefit in terms of this effect than road building or parking provision. This effect is likely to improve over time, as more of the proposals, such as public transport improvements in North Torfaen through Policy T1, are realised.

10.95 Sustainable tourism may be encouraged through an improvement in accessibility

across the County Borough. Connections to areas outside Torfaen, through the National Cycle Network, are likely to be important. Specified routes through Policy T3 include route 492 to Blaenavon Ironworks. This effect is likely to increase over time as routes are improved.

10.96 No negative effects have been predicted against the SA Objectives. The

recommendations below seek to improve the significance of predicted positive effects.


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Recommendations

a) The transport policies should be reflective of the requirement ‘sustainable transportation and infrastructure priorities and promotion of a sustainable transport hierarchy, including reducing the reliance on the private motor car and the use of more sustainable modes of transport’ in Policy S2. It is suggested that public transport routes are prioritised over highways improvements in the LDP.

Policy T3: Walking and Cycling Routes

b) The network of routes should be demonstrated clearly on the proposals map, to show how the routes will integrate with the allocations in the LDP for other types of development, enabling their access by sustainable modes.

c) Policy T3 should incorporate a requirement that, where possible, walking and

cycling routes are inclusive in terms of accessibility by all user groups.

Policy S8: Planning Obligations

d) It is suggested that public transport provision is included in the list of high priority contributions from planning applications.

Component 16: Community Facilities and Services

• BW2: Protection of Recreation and Amenity Open Space • S8: Planning Obligations (parts b, c, f and j) • H5: Provision for Open Space, Recreation and Leisure Facilities • CU1: New Healthcare Facilities • CU2: New Primary Schools • CU3: Community Facilities • CU4: Telecommunications Apparatus • CU5: Protection of Important Urban Open Space

Assessment Summary

10.97 The SA of the policies within this Component has been predicted to lead to significant beneficial effects against 13 of the SA Objectives. These are: 2 (economic growth); 4 (Blaenavon World Heritage Site); 5 (biodiversity); 6 (geodiversity); 7 (air pollution and quality); 11 (landscape character); 12 (efficient use of land and buildings); 13 (modal shift to more sustainable transport modes); 15 (waste); 20 (accessibility to and quantity and quality of local services and facilities); 21 (educational attainment and skill levels); 22 (health and wellbeing); and 23 (cultural identity and social cohesion and diversity).

10.98 The policies could lead to an increase in the potential for the creation of pedestrian

focussed and more sustainable communities, which could be more attractive to in migrants and investors alike, leading to potential benefits in the long term. The provision of community facilities and services could bring an increase in employment opportunities directly through the provision of facilities themselves or through increased investment, attracted by the creation of a more attractive settlement.

10.99 Policy CU1 seeks to utilise an existing building for the provision of an alternative

community facility in Blaenavon. The reuse of existing buildings could help to


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maintain the integrity of the WHS. Further, cumulative benefits from the retention of areas of open space could help to protect the setting of the WHS. Policy CU5 seeks the protection of Important Urban Open Space, unless there is an overriding community or regeneration need. This could lead to potentially negative effects on the WHS, although it is likely that the Management Plan would restrict such losses.

10.100 Policy BW2 seeks to prevent development on areas of open space, with the aim of

protecting open space that has value for conservation and environmental value, as well as recreation and amenity value. However, the detail provided in the supporting text doesn't reiterate this assertion. Policy H5 seeks the provision of accessible natural green space, in line with CCW requirements. This could lead to the creation of additional areas of open space within or close to new developments over time.

10.101 The policy approach seeks the reuse of existing buildings to provide community

facilities. This could reduce the need for new build, which could have a beneficial effect on landscape quality. Policy CU4 seeks that telecommunications apparatus is designed to minimise the visual appearance on the landscape, which could protect landscape quality. The policies also seek to protect and enhance the established pattern of open spaces across the County Borough, which could lead to significant positive effects.

10.102 Policy BW2 seeks to prevent development on areas of formal and informal recreation

space, children's play areas and amenity open space, unless it meets the criteria set out in the policy. This should enable the retention of areas of local value for recreation providing short term benefits in particular. Policy S8 requires the provision of recreational facilities including open space, children's play spaces and formal recreation facilities as part of planning obligations. Provision for recreation, open space and leisure facilities will be required through Policy H5, based on the Fields in Trust standards. Policies CU1, CU2 and CU3 seek to safeguard land and facilities for health, education and other community facilities. This could lead to direct short term benefits against Objectives 20-23.

10.103 For objective 22 (health) and 23 (social cohesion) in particular, the policies could

create beneficial effects through increased mental wellbeing through social mixing as well as a potential for an increase in physical activity, both for adults and children. The policy favourably considers proposals which result in improvements to the quality and accessibility of community facilities. Supporting text also indicates that the greater utilisation of school buildings by the wider community will be encouraged. In particular, the requirement for the provision of allotments could have significant cumulative benefits for strengthening health and wellbeing through an increase in informal physical activity as well as local food production, which could have benefits not only for the creation of healthy sources of food, but could also reduce the reliance on food imports from elsewhere, which could reduce air pollution from traffic over time. Policy CU1 safeguards land for the provision of a Primary Care Resource Centre to include a doctor's surgery, pharmacy, dentist and other medical services. This provision could have direct benefits for health in the north of the County Borough. Further cumulative benefits could be realised through the implementation of Policy CU3. The policy favourably considers proposals which result in improvements to the quality and accessibility of community facilities, including health centres. Criteria include the need for accessibility by walking and cycling, which could have further benefits for health.

10.104 Air quality could be protected through the implementation of the policies as they are

likely to lead to the protection and enhancement of areas of open space. These could


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create vegetated areas that could provide the sequestration of pollutants. Further, policy CU3 seeks that facilities are accessible by walking and cycling. Policy H5 includes standards by which provision will be made on-site or within accessible distances according to national guidelines. This could reduce the reliance on the private car to access recreation, which could have benefits for air quality over time.

10.105 Supporting text for Policy CU3 states that the Council will support the re-use of

existing buildings in preference to new build. Policy CU1 reiterates this approach through seeking the safeguarding of land at the former Blaenavon Leisure Centre for the creation of new healthcare facilities. Policy CU2 seeks the reuse of part of a former steelworks site for a primary school. This approach could lead to the more efficient use of land and buildings. Effects will be most significant in the short term whilst appropriate sites for redevelopment are available.

10.106 No significant negative effects have been predicted as a result of the assessment of

the policies in this Component. 10.107 Although no significant negative effects have been predicted against the SA

Objectives, a number of recommendations are made below that seek to improve the sustainability performance of the policies in the Component.

Recommendations

Policy CU5: Protection of Important Urban Open Spaces

a) Policy CU5: The 'overriding community or regeneration need' should be made clearer in the supporting text. The value of important urban open space should be given due consideration against the potential 'value' allocated to an 'overriding' community or regeneration need.

Policy CU3: Community Facilities

b) It is recommended that the approach to favourably consider the re-use of existing buildings; as well as encourage the greater utilisation of school buildings for use by the wider community, is included in policy wording.

Component 17: Climate Change and Sustainable Development

• S2: Sustainable Development • S3: Climate Change • S8: Planning Obligations (part k, m and n)


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Assessment Summary

10.108 Overall, the sustainable development strategy for the LDP is considered to have

positive effects against the LDP objectives. Significant beneficial effects are predicted against 17 of the SA Objectives including: 1 (local employment); 2 (economic growth); 3 (sustainable tourism); 6 (geodiversity); 7 (air pollution and quality); 9 (risk of and from flooding); 11 (landscape character); 12 (efficient use of land and buildings); 13 (modal shift to more sustainable transport modes); 14 (sustainable building design); 15 (waste); 16 (water quality); 17 (renewable energy); 19 (variety and quality of housing); 20 (accessibility to and quantity and quality of local services and facilities); 22 (health and wellbeing); and 23 (cultural identity and social cohesion and diversity).

10.109 Policy S2 seeks that development proposals are focused within the urban boundary

and promote sustainable transport choices. This may improve the local economy and employment opportunities through an improvement in accessibility. Additionally, ensuring sustainable development may improve the local environment and employment locations/buildings, which could improve its attractiveness to inward investors. Policy S2 seeks that sites demonstrate the 'regeneration of existing communities' which could infer that development should include benefits for the local economy. Further, ensuring that development is not located within areas of increased flood risk could help to reduce the risk from flooding to assets, which could help to reduce economic risk.

10.110 Accessibility criteria in the supporting text seek that new development should be

within 800m, but preferably 400m, of a public transport stop that has an hourly service that operates between 7am and 7pm. Supporting text also specifies that each settlement should have sustainable access to community services and facilities in order to reduce social exclusion. This may enable a modal shift to more sustainable modes of transport. This is likely to lead to a reduction in transport emissions, which could improve local air quality.

10.111 Policy S3 seeks the use of sustainable design to reduce contributions to climate

change and help mitigate its effects. Supporting text reinforces national planning guidance that requires adherence to the Code for Sustainable Homes and BREEAM standards. Further, supporting text states that developments are expected to explore the opportunities for achieving higher sustainable buildings standards as part of the development of strategic sites, to be achieved as part of the Design and Access Statement and through Development Frameworks. This could lead to significant benefits against this Objective. Adherence to sustainable building standards is likely to ensure that buildings are of a high quality and include features such as sound insulation, which may minimise potential locational effects. Added to elements that may reduce traffic pollution, beneficial effects against Objective 8 are likely. Sustainable design standards are also likely to lead to benefits against SA Objectives 15 (waste) and 16 (water). The policies also seek to enhance the natural environment, and require SUDS and grey water recycling to reduce surface water runoff and water consumption. There is no specific reference to improving or maintaining water quality, although these methods may lead to benefits to this effect.

10.112 The promotion of sustainable development is likely to increase the attractiveness of

the local environment and cultural heritage features/settings in the plan area. This will enable the promotion of tourism.


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10.113 Policy S2 seeks to promote the efficient use of land as well as sustainable resource use and construction techniques. Supporting text specifies that a net density of 30 dwellings per hectare will be required on residential sites where appropriate to local character and topography. Sites for development will be focused within and adjacent to existing urban areas, and thus will reduce pressure on areas of valued landscape character.

10.114 Policy S3 seeks to reduce surface water run-off and flood risk through the promotion

of SUDS, as well as ensuring that locational decisions avoid areas susceptible to flooding. Flood defence measures and SUDS are required as part of planning obligations. This should improve implementation and help to minimise flood risk in line with national planning policy.

10.115 Ensuring sustainable design principles in development will ensure that the quality of

housing is high. Cumulative effects of requirements to improve layouts and other measures included in policy BW1 such as the need to design out crime, should lead to significant benefits in the medium and long term as development proposals are realised. Improved design quality as well as reduced risks from flooding and other climatic effects should lead to improvements in health in the long term. Further, the promotion of sustainable travel choices could improve health through increased accessibility to health facilities, a reduction in pollution from traffic, and increased community mixing and cohesion, leading to a greater sense of wellbeing.

10.116 Policy S3 promotes the use of renewable energy technologies. However, the policy

details CHP and district heating networks, which are not renewable technologies, but low carbon technologies. The deliverability of the requirement could be enhanced through requirements for provision through Policy S8. All strategic sites will require a feasibility assessment for suitable technologies that could be incorporated into development proposals, as part of TAN 8 requirements. Developments will be required to achieve BREEAM and Code for Sustainable Homes requirements that may increase the use of renewable energy generation over time.

Recommendations

Policy S2: Sustainable Development

a) The meaning of 'regeneration' in the context of Policy S2 could be given greater clarity in the supporting text.

b) It is suggested that the requirements for water efficiency should be included

under point b and not point c, with the specific requirement for greywater recycling removed as this is only one example of measures that could be employed.

Policy S3: Climate Change

c) It is recommended that Policy S3 includes the need for development to implement the energy hierarchy, which will ensure that residual energy requirements are minimised. It is recommended that 'renewable' is replaced with 'low or zero carbon' energy sources, to expand the scope of potential technologies that could be utilised.


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Component 18: Ecology and Biodiversity

• S7: Conservation of the Natural and Built Heritage (parts a and b) • S8: Planning Obligations (parts e and l) • NE1: Protection and Enhancement of Sites of Importance for Nature

Conservation (SINCs) and other Locally Designated Sites

Assessment Summary

10.117 The assessment of the Component against the SA Objectives has led to the prediction of significant beneficial effects against 8 of the SA Objectives. These are: 2 (economic growth); 3 (sustainable tourism); 5 (biodiversity); 6 (geodiversity); 7 (air pollution and quality); 8 (noise and light pollution); 9 (risk of and from flooding); 11 (landscape character); 12 (efficient use of land and buildings); and 16 (water quality).

10.118 Policies S7 and NE1 both seek to promote the protection and enhancement of the

biodiversity assets of the County Borough. This includes designated sites, habitats and species of importance and the integrity of ecological corridors.

10.119 The protection of the natural environment is likely to contribute to an increase in the

attractiveness of the area. Strategic ecological corridors, which include the canal and national cycle route, may improve the accessibility and environmental amenity of employment areas, which could encourage inward investment. This effect is likely to be greater in the medium to longer term, as corridors become more established. The protection and enhancement of biodiversity assets including the ecological corridors specified, such as the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal and National Cycle Route 49/492, may contribute to the development of sustainable tourism.

10.120 The protection and enhancement of biodiversity is likely to also protect land and soils

from inappropriate development. Further, Policy NE1 includes the need to protect locally designated sites, which includes RIGS.

10.121 The development of ecological corridors may encourage an increase in walking and

cycling as modes of transport, which could reduce overall traffic levels and reduce noise, light, water and air pollution. However, the significance of potential benefits could be reduced as the policy does not include the need to balance issues such as the lighting of walking and cycling routes for public safety. This could lead to disturbance for some species such as bats. Enhancing biodiversity may also increase pollution sequestration potential. Vegetation could also create screening from potential sources of noise and light pollution. The enhancement of biodiversity resources in the plan area could minimise the risk of flooding through an increase in vegetation, which may decrease surface run off rates.

10.122 No significant negative effects have been predicted against the SA Objectives.

However, recommendations are made below that could improve the potential for improved performance against the SA Objectives.

Recommendations NE1: Protection and Enhancement of Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) and other Locally Designated Sites


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a) It is suggested that geological is added to the wording of Policy NE1, to demonstrate that the local designations cover both ecological and geological protected areas.

Component 19: Landscape and Countryside

• S7: Conservation of Natural and Built Heritage (part c ) • C1: Green Wedges • C2: Special Landscape Areas

Assessment Summary 10.123 The assessment of the Component against the SA Objectives has led to the

prediction of significant beneficial effects against 8 of the SA Objectives. These are: 4 (Blaenavon World Heritage Site); 5 (biodiversity); 9 (risk of and from flooding); 10 (historic resources and their settings); 11 (landscape character); 20 (accessibility to and quantity and quality of local services and facilities); and 22 (health and wellbeing).

10.124 The requirement for development in SLAs to adhere to LANDMAP character

designations should help to ensure the protection of landscape character. The landscape assets of the County Borough form a significant part of the historic environment. To this end, the policies in the Component will have direct and significant beneficial effects against Objectives 4 and 10. The policies are also likely to lead to the enhancement and protection of the setting of heritage assets, particularly through the designation of Important Urban Open Spaces.

10.125 Integrated landscape conservation will provide opportunities for the protection,

management and enhancement of biodiversity. In particular, the creation of Green Wedges and Important Urban Open Spaces could help to protect features that may enable the migration of species.

10.126 The policies seek to allocate areas of open space, which could help to protect their

quality and quantity. This could increase opportunities for health in the long term through the maintenance of air quality as well as increased opportunities for informal recreation and exercise.

10.127 Protected areas could provide valuable flood risk mitigation and so their protection

within both the urban and rural areas is likely to be important. 10.128 No significant negative effects have been predicted against the SA Objectives.

Recommendations 10.129 No specific recommendations have been made in respect of this Component. Component 20: Historic and Built Environment

• S7: Conservation of Natural and Built Heritage (parts d and e) • HB1: Protection of Buildings of Local Importance • HB2: Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site


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prediction of significant beneficial effects against 8 of the SA Objectives. These are: 3 (sustainable tourism); 4 (Blaenavon World Heritage Site); 10 (historic resources and their settings); 11 (landscape character); 14 (sustainable building design); 17 (renewable energy); and 23 (cultural identity and social cohesion and diversity).

10.131 Policy HB2 specifically seeks to guide development within the BILWHS. Criteria include various visual and design measures which should lead to beneficial effects in terms of preserving the integrity of the WHS. However, the policy doesn't include any measures for the management of the WHS as a tourism resource. This will be considered in the WHS Management Plan. However, where measures may need a wider approach, this is not considered in the Policy. National planning policy for sustainable buildings does not extend to the refurbishment of existing buildings (TAN 22); however, the Blaenavon Design Guide includes measures to improve the sustainability of buildings within the context of the WHS. The Blaenavon Design Guide states that: "The incorporation of renewable energy producers such as solar panels can also be considered and need not adversely affect a building’s character, particularly on out buildings and / or rear roofs where they are less visually prominent. However, caution should be exercised because reflective structures are likely to be visible within the wider landscape, particularly if installed in the roofscape of the urban area. Wind turbines are less easy to disguise and will not normally be acceptable if visible within the wider landscape." This guidance document is specifically referenced in Policy HB2, which could help to deliver positive effects for sustainable design and the generation of energy from renewable sources.

10.132 The protection and enhancement of heritage assets could lead to the enhancement

of cultural identity through the protection of the character and integrity of locally, nationally and internationally important features that form the basis of local identity and distinctiveness. These are also likely to be important assets for the promotion of tourism to Torfaen. Policy S7 seeks to protect and enhance the distinctive natural heritage of Torfaen, which includes the landscape assets, as assessed under Component 19.



Recommendations

a) The Blaenavon Design Guide includes measures to improve the sustainability

of buildings within the context of the BILWHS. Similar principles for heritage assets in other areas of the County Borough could be developed to ensure sustainable design can be incorporated into all developments.

Component 21: Minerals

• M1: Minerals Safeguarding • M2: Minerals Applications • M3: Aggregates – Tir Pentwys Preferred Areas of Search • M4: Minerals Buffer Zones


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Assessment Summary

10.134 The assessment has highlighted a number of minor beneficial and adverse effects arising from the policies within the Component. No significant effects have been identified. Where appropriate, recommendations have been made to strengthen the performance of the policies against the SA Objectives.

Recommendations

a) It is recommended that the LDP encourage the use of recycled aggregates, wherever possible, to meet the potential demand for minerals and to minimise the need for new mineral extraction.

Policy M2

b) Reference should be included to controlling the impact of minerals working in terms of light pollution through an additional reference in Policy M2.

10.135 As a general comment, it is considered that the supporting text for the policies reads

as a method statement as opposed to amplification of the rationale for the policies. This does not assist the reader in interpreting what the policies are actually seeking to deliver and why. Where cross reference has been made to supporting Background Papers it is recommended that the text be revised. The LDP should be capable of being read as a standalone document that has been developed in the context of the background work, thus it is suggested that pertinent explanatory text be incorporated into the supporting text.

Component 22: Waste

• W1: Strategic Waste Management / Resource Recovery Sites • W2: Waste Management / Resource Recovery Proposals • S8: Planning Obligations (part i)

Assessment Summary

10.136 The assessment of the policies within the Component has resulted in the identification of a range of beneficial and adverse effects. None of the beneficial effects were significant. Recommendations have been made to enhance beneficial effects where feasible. In the main, these relate to the provision of additional criteria to ensure that the siting of waste sites pays closer consideration to the potential environmental effects of development, under Policy W2.

10.137 Significant adverse effects have been predicted against SA Objectives 7 (air

pollution); and 8 (noise and light pollution). These have primarily arisen as a consequence of insufficient detail within the policy wording to control the potential impacts of waste facilities on these aspects of the environment. Recommendations are made to address these shortcomings, as appropriate.

Recommendations

Policy W2


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a) Policy W2 should be expanded to include reference to the range of environmental considerations that should also influence the decision to use a B2 employment site for waste management and resource recovery.

b) Energy from waste could be encouraged through the LDP. c) Waste management policy should refer to environmental health guidance,

and restrict the development of waste management facilities close to residential areas. Require HIA in policy wording.

Policy S8(i)

d) "S8(i) should be re-worded to require ‘sustainable waste management facilities and services’ wherever possible, alongside other waste management facilities and services.

10.138 As a general comment, the waste strategy expressed through the policies within the

Component places reliance on other plan policies and indicates that ‘facilities for the handling, treatment or transfer of waste will be directed generally towards B2 industrial land or existing/previous waste facilities’. It is noted that the LDP does not currently distinguish between the B-use classes amongst the employment allocations. Sites are divided by location without an indication of which sites fall into the B2 Use Class, it may prove complicated to implement the waste strategy. There may be a need to provide clarification within Policy W2 as to which employment sites would potentially be appropriate, tightening up the more general reference currently provided.

Component 23: Place Making

• S4: Place Making/ Good Design • BW3: Conversion/ Rehabilitation of Buildings in the Countryside • BW4: Replacement Buildings in the Countryside


prediction of significant beneficial effects against 12 of the SA Objectives. These are: 1 (local employment); 2 (economic growth); 4 (Blaenavon World Heritage Site); 7 (air pollution and quality); 8 (noise and light pollution); 10 (historic resources and their settings); 11 (landscape character); 12 (efficient use of land and buildings); 13 (modal shift to more sustainable transport modes); 20 (accessibility to and quantity and quality of local services and facilities); 22 (health and wellbeing); and 23 (cultural identity and social cohesion and diversity).

10.140 Policy S4 encourages a mix of uses within developments. Supporting text indicates

that developments should create attractive and desirable places to live and work. This could lead to increased provision of employment within accessible locations, which could support local businesses. The design policy could encourage the increased attractiveness of developments in the County Borough. This could improve the attractiveness of Torfaen to inward investment. Policy BW3 encourages the reuse of buildings for a suitable business use before permission for residential conversion may be allowed. Residential development may be allowed, however, where it supports an existing business. This could have benefits for employment and the economy.


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10.141 Policy S4 requires the promotion of local distinctiveness through sympathetic design,

material selection and layout including public art. Supporting text to Policy S4 includes criteria that places should respect existing living patterns and local character. Policy BW3 will enable the conversion or rehabilitation of a building or complex of buildings in the countryside, provided that the result is visually acceptable and compatible with its rural location. This should lead to benefits for historic resources and their settings including the WHS as well as landscape character.

10.142 Policy S4 seeks that the location and layout of proposals contribute to local

accessibility. Further, the mix of uses should complement existing facilities and address local deficiencies. Supporting text indicates that attractive and desirable places to live and work should be created. This could lead to benefits for accessibility, air quality, noise and light pollution, through reducing the need to travel by car and promoting a modal shift through the co-location of uses and therefore reducing pollutants from traffic.

10.143 Insofar as the Policy S4 seeks to improve local accessibility, it could encourage the

development of a walkable community. This could improve physical health over time through an increase in activity levels. Mental wellbeing could be improved through an increase in community interaction. A sense of community cohesion could also be realised through an increase in local distinctiveness including measures such as public art.

10.144 Policy BW3 will enable the conversion or rehabilitation of a building or complex of

buildings in the countryside. However, Policy BW4 could lead to the replacement of existing buildings in the countryside. Supporting text states that in general, the reuse or adaptation of existing buildings will normally be favoured in preference to replacement, which could provide some benefits. This is not included within the policy wording.



Recommendations

Policy BW3: Conversion/ Rehabilitation of Buildings in the Countryside

a) It is suggested that the phrasing in the policy is modified, to ensure that the creation of sustainable building design using modern but high performance materials, which may be more sustainable that traditional building materials, are able to be used in the countryside in the future.

Component 24: General Development Principles

• BW1: General Policy Development Proposals

Assessment Summary

10.146 The assessment of the policy included within this Component has led to the

prediction of significant beneficial effects against 7 of the SA Objectives. These are: 4 (Blaenavon World Heritage Site); 5 (biodiversity); 10 (historic resources and their


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settings); 11 (landscape character); 14 (sustainable building design); 22 (health and wellbeing); and 23 (cultural identity and social cohesion and diversity).

10.147 Policy BW1 seeks that proposals will not result in significant adverse effects on the

integrity of a European site, the species or its habitat; not result in a significant adverse effect on a nationally designated site, or does not result in an unacceptable impact on a locally designated site. Further, the policy seeks to retain features of landscape importance that could also be important biodiversity assets. The policy also seeks to reduce the effect of pollution from development. This could help to protect biodiversity.

10.148 The policy includes requirements under 'amenity and design' that encompass

measures that should ensure that development does not negatively affect the WHS. Section C requires that proposals protect and wherever possible enhance the historic built environment (including heritage assets and their settings) and the character and appearance of Conservation Areas. The proposal should also not detrimentally affect the character and immediate and surrounding built environment to an unacceptable degree. The Amenity and Design principles will ensure that development is sympathetic with local character.

10.149 Amenity and Design requirements may ensure that proposals do not have

unacceptable impacts on residential amenity, as well as designing out the opportunity for crime and anti-social behaviour. This may have long term beneficial effects for the health and wellbeing of the community as well as community cohesion. Added to this, prioritising pedestrian users within communities could encourage community mixing within developments through increased interaction, which could have minor beneficial cumulative effects.

10.150 Criteria A iv) requires a landscaping and planting scheme to enhance the site and

wider context. Biii) requires that the proposal does not result in unacceptable effects to features of landscape importance. This could lead to significant positive effects on landscape character across the plan period.

10.151 Significant negative effects have been predicted against 2 of the SA Objectives,

which are: 7 (air pollution and quality); and 8 (noise and light pollution). 10.152 The policy seeks that development is not affected by or pollutes the air to an

‘unacceptable’ level, inferring that some pollution may be accepted, which is not likely to contribute to an overall reduction. An increase in development could therefore have a significant negative effect in the long term, as development levels increase cumulatively over time. Sub category E requires the use of 'Green Travel Plans' where appropriate, which could help to reduce emissions from new development. UK Air Quality standards are required to be adhered to through national policy.

10.153 The policy seeks that development is not affected by or causes noise or light

pollution to an ‘unacceptable’ level, inferring that some pollution may be accepted, which is not likely to contribute to an overall reduction. However, no standards are included. An increase in development could therefore have a significant negative effect in the long term, as development levels increase cumulatively over time.

Recommendations

Policy BW1: General Policy Development Proposals


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a) Supporting text could include a requirement that proposals consider the potential for mitigation of noise and light pollution through impact assessments at the design stage, to ensure unnecessary adverse effects are avoided. It is recommended that noise and light pollution standards and targets are referred to, to give developers an indication as to the effects of development that will not be permitted. This should include reference to exceptional site sensitivities e.g. in the Zone of Visual Influence of the Special Landscape Area and Blaenavon Industrial Landscape WHS, amongst others.

b) It is recommended that an additional criterion is added to sub category E, to

require that sites are accessible by a range of modes of sustainable transport, prioritising this accessibility over the private car. Alternatively, further detail could be added to point ii to read "The proposal ensures that new access roads within and connecting the new development to a range of services and facilities.... are designed to promote the interests of pedestrians...." It is suggested that point E ii is rephrased to increase its clarity as it seems to be encompassing a number of potentially separate criteria.

c) It is recommended that the need to avoid pollution to water resources is only

included within the policy once to avoid repetition. It is recommended that reference to the protection of the water environment (vii) is removed, as this is included within policy S7.

d) It is suggested that point A iv could be added to, to read "… that enhances the site and the wider context and allows it to adapt to climate change."

e) The policy could include a requirement that developments are designed to

promote inclusive design, both for built development and access within, to and from development.

General Recommendations

10.154 The following recommendations are applicable to a number of LDP policies, or the

LDP strategy in its entirety:

a) It is recommended that the Council requires developers to explore the potential for the generation of low and zero carbon energy in producing proposals for strategic sites (e.g. Action Areas, housing and employment sites over stated thresholds). This should form a key element of the site design, promoted as part of a masterplan approach to the design of development and/or development frameworks. The Council could recommend the use of WAG guidance in completing this task (Planning for Renewable and Low Carbon Energy- A Toolkit for Planners, July 2010).

b) Mitigation for each site and Action Area, including the need for the production

of Development Frameworks, is provided in the Candidate Sites Assessment Report (November 2010). It is recommended that details identified as important in delivering acceptable forms of development on the sites are carried across into the supporting text of the relevant policies within the LDP. As a guide to relevance, policies should include mitigation that is not addressed in other LDP policies, for instance, site specific factors.

c) Employment Sites: The types of employment suitable for development for

each site should be set out explicitly in the policy wording to ensure that the opportunities will meet the needs of the local community and avoid industries that will increase the potential for incidences of pollution.


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d) It is unclear why there is no policy relating to Pontypool Town Centre, whilst

Cwmbran and Blaenavon Town Centres are subject to specific policies. The reasoning should be clarified, or a specific policy to implement the strategy for Pontypool should be produced and included in the LDP.

e) There is a need to ensure that sustainable transport behaviours are fostered

from the outset of new development. This requires sustainable transport infrastructure to be sequenced in advance of occupation and this should be set out in policy.

f) It is recommended that the LDP includes a requirement for green

infrastructure. PPW (July 2010) states that "Ways in which the adaptation needs of biodiversity could be considered include identifying the scope for minimising or reversing the fragmentation of habitats and improving habitat connectivity through the promotion of wildlife corridors." Design for sustainable development/climate change policies should incorporate or cross-reference the need for habitat connectivity, to ensure that species are able to migrate as a result of changing habitats. In addition, there is significant potential in creating mutual benefits for biodiversity and reducing flood risk through SUDS schemes. For example, ponds/wetlands can provide important flood alleviation and important wildlife habitats. This should be outlined in the LDP. It is recommended that the Policies include criteria that cross-reference back to the overall strategy policy relating to ecological networks/green infrastructure (as recommended) and that this is demonstrated on the proposals map. The LDP should also recognise the potential for walking and cycling routes and the canal to form part of the overall GI network.

10.155 Table 10.1 overleaf provides a tabulated summary of the assessment results with full

assessment results in Appendix J. The numbered objectives are as follows: SA Objectives

1 To enable high and stable levels of local employment in Torfaen 2 To achieve economic growth to contribute to business competitiveness 3 To promote and enhance sustainable tourism in Torfaen 4 To protect, manage and enhance Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World

Heritage Site as a cultural and tourism destination 5 To protect, manage and enhance biodiversity 6 To protect and manage geodiversity 7 To reduce air pollution and improve air quality 8 To minimise noise and light pollution 9 To minimise the risk of and from flooding 10 To conserve and enhance historic resources and their settings 11 To protect and enhance the valued landscape character of Torfaen 12 To make most efficient use of land and buildings 13 To achieve a modal shift to more sustainable transport modes 14 To promote sustainable building design 15 To reduce waste generation and disposal to landfill and maximise reuse and

recycling 16 To maintain and improve water quality 17 To contribute to an increase in the use of renewable energy sources across

the County Borough 18 To improve the affordability of housing 19 To improve the variety and quality of housing


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20 To improve accessibility to and protect and improve the quantity and quality of local services and facilities

21 To improve educational attainment and increase skill levels 22 To improve the health and wellbeing of the population 23 To promote, strengthen and enhance the cultural identity of communities and

improve social cohesion and diversity


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11. Amendments to LDP Policies following B3/B4 Assessment

11.1 The prediction and evaluation of effects assessment outlined the significant

economic, environmental and social effects likely to occur as a result of the implementation of the Deposit LDP. The 24 assessment components of the Deposit Plan outlined in the previous section on balance, have an overall positive effect against the range of SA Objectives. The LDP policies and proposals offer potentially significant positive effects against the economic and social objectives therefore addressing issues associated with increasing employment, investment and business competitiveness and tourism, improving the variety, quality and affordability of housing, access to services and facilities, improvement in education, improvement in health and wellbeing and reducing poverty and social exclusion. However a range of both significant positive and negative effects have been identified with regard to the environmental objectives.

11.2 The predicted negative effects on the environment are associated with the policies

proposing the overall level of growth including the Strategic Action Areas, housing policies concerned with the provision of 5000 new dwellings, employment policies concerned with the provision of 80 hectares of employment land and the resulting infrastructure required to service this development. The assessment has identified negative effects of varying scale and significance on biodiversity, air pollution, noise and light pollution, flood risk, historic resources, landscape, sustainable transport, waste and water resources.

11.3 The review has identified opportunities to enhance the positive effects of the LDP

and to mitigate the negative effects and resulted in a number of recommendations. TCBC has used the recommendations to develop the LDP and improve its performance against the SA objectives.

11.4 The table below provides a summary of the changes TCBC have made to the plan in

line with the assessment recommendations which are outlined in section 10 of this report. The full assessment is included in Appendix J. The table provides an overview of the changes undertaken. Full details of those changes and other minor recommendations resulting from the SA assessment, including non significant amendments which have occurred subsequent to the SA are outlined in Appendix K.

Table 11.1 Summary of amendments to LDP Policies following B3/B4 Assessment SA Assessment Recommendation

TCBC Response and LDP Revision

Component 1: Urban Boundaries S1 Urban Boundaries Recommendation = Clarify approach to northern part of the borough, policy should promote sustainable communities, areas of proposed flexibility in the urban boundary should be shown on the Proposals Map and the BILWHS designation should be shown on the Proposals Map.

Policy amended to outline urban boundary strategy in the north of the borough, and criteria added to reflect the promotion of sustainable communities. Reference to flexibility in the Urban Boundary made in error. Areas of flexibility in the Urban Boundary not proposed due to sufficient development land available within the Urban Boundary and the need to protect the


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countryside. Flexibility in respect of affordable housing need only will be assessed in accordance with Policy H9. The BILWHS designation is not a policy of the plan, therefore will be shown on the Constraints Map.

Component 2: Housing S5 Housing H1 Housing Allocations within the Cwmbran HMA H2 Housing Allocations within the Pontypool HMA H3 Housing Allocations within the North Torfaen HMA H7 Gypsy Traveller Sites Recommendation = Plan policies should reference potential cumulative impact on landscape character, and housing density standards could be set out, in terms of the three Housing Market Areas, which should reflect potential for density to exert an influence over character, distinctiveness and biodiversity.

Sites have been subject to Landscape assessments which have informed the allocation of sites. It is recognised that new development will have a cumulative impact on the landscape character especially where urban areas are extended. The strategy has sought to keep this to a minimum. Landscape and layout considerations to reduce visual impacts of new developments should inform development proposals. Key mitigation measures to reduce landscape impacts will be incorporated as part of Development Proposals. The LDP has sought to balance the need for development, with the need to protect and enhance the landscape. Designation of Special Landscape Areas, Green Wedges and a network of Important Open Spaces facilitate this aim. Reasoned justification to Policy S7 amended to reflect above. Supporting Appendices to the plan detail potential density figures for individual sites, taking into account local characteristics. In this respect a broad brush density standard applied to the whole of a Housing Sub Market Area not considered viable.

Component 3: Employment and Economy S6 Employment and Economy S8 Planning Obligations EET1 Employment Allocations in the Cwmbran Area EET2 Employment Allocations in the Mid Torfaen/Pontypool Area EET3 Employment Allocations in the North Torfaen Area EET4 Regional Employment Allocations EET5 Protection of Employment Land and Premises Recommendation = Wording of the High Value Regional Employment Policy to

Policy Justification amended to justify and explain the need for a policy concerning high value regional employment uses, and employment allocations updated to provide details of the uses to be incorporated on sites and further detail of the sites. Wording added to the Employment section to require that Development Frameworks/Briefs should inform development proposals addressing issues identified in the Candidate Sites Assessment Report. Background Employment topic paper provides further detail on character and density issues


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be clarified, employment sites to be supported by an increased level of detail regarding the types of activities supported on each site/within the town centre, design requirements and specific land uses that would be appropriate to specific character areas to be included in a policy, consideration to the establishment of density targets for strategic sites, and the important link between commercial activities and implications for waste streams should be referenced.

for Employment Sites to inform development proposals. No further detail added to policy. The importance of the link between commercial activities and waste streams and the need to promote sustainable waste management has been added to front end of the employment chapter, to be addressed as part of design considerations. Site allocation EET1/5 Caldicot Way removed due to no evidence being provided to overcome flooding constraints to the site.

Component 4: Tourism EET6: Leisure / Tourism Proposals Recommendation = Policy should reinforce the requirement that all facilities are accessed in a sustainable way, definition of appropriate scale for tourism development should be defined, the need for interpretation of the historic environment and other assets could be promoted through the policies, and the impact of RLT2/1 on Llantarnam Arts Grange which would lead to its loss needs to be clarified as this policy promotes its protection.

Policy amended to reflect the promotion of sustainable tourism and accessible facilities. Further clarification provided on ‘appropriate scale’ for the development of tourist facilities. Interpretation of the historic environment added to the policy and the scope of the policy widened to include facilities that have broader social and educational benefits. Clarification on Llanfrechfa Arts Grange provided in RLT2, as Policy deals directly with that site. EET6 is a promotional policy for tourist facilities in general.

Component 5: Retail RLT1 Town Centre Boundary RLT5 Retail Proposals outside Established Centres RLT6 Primary Frontages RLT7 100% A1 Retail Frontages in Pontypool RLT8 Secondary Frontages RLT9 Local Shopping Centres RLT10 Redevelopment of Local Centres RLT11 Food and Drink Recommendation = No specific recommendations for change

No specific recommendations for change as a result of SA Assessment. Further amendments undertaken following SA to improve policies: RLT1 – Further clarification on uses acceptable in town centre RLT5 (Now RLT3) – Clarification to policy criteria and size of proposals for new retail development. Policy amended due to overly restrictive criteria which would harm the development of local retail offer in the form of small shops/stores. Policy amended to a more positive approach for small scale retail proposals. RLT7 (Now RLT6) – Policy restructured for greater clarity RLT8 (Now RLT 7) – Policy restructured for greater clarity to support the protection of A1 Retail frontages RLT9 (Now RLT8) – Further clarification on policy terminology and incorporation of neighbourhood centres to widen the scope of the policy


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RLT10 (Now RLT8) – Further policy criteria to promote the retention of local shopping facilities and RLT 10 incorporated to avoid proposals which undermine the local or neighbourhood centre. RLT11 (Now RLT9) – Further clarification provided on policy aims and assessing criteria New RLT4 Provision of Small Scale Retail uses - Policy will allow the development of small scale retail stores (where needed and justified) which could assist in the improvement to local shopping provision, providing key needed retail services for the local community. RLT4 would provide a range of economic and social benefits through local employment, access to services and reducing social exclusion, and also environmental benefits by assisting in reducing the need to travel by car for shopping purposes. New S9 Retailing / Town Centres – Previous LDP Preferred Strategy Retail policy reintroduced to provide clarity on the retail strategy for the LDP.

Component 6: Cwmbran Town Centre RLT2 Town Centre Development in Cwmbran RLT3 Edge of Cwmbran Town Centre Recommendation = Amending RLT2 criteria to read more positively, clarification on types of linkages supported in the policy with priority given to sustainable linkages, and to provide clarification on status of SPG referred to in the Policy

RLT2 – Further clarification on requirement for a Development Framework for site. Criteria added for consideration of effect of development on Llantarnam Arts Grange (as per SA recommendation for EET6). Criterion a worded more positively seeking enhancement to shopping character, visual amenity and vitality and viability of town centre. Further clarification provided on types of linkages supported with a focus on sustainable linkages. Clarification on the area of the allocation, and objectives for integration with other town centre sites. Updated Policy Justification with new retail calculations to provide further evidence and clarity for the policy. RLT3 – Policy deleted as incorporated in other retail policies of the plan, so reduces unnecessary repetition.

Component 7: Blaenavon Town Centre RLT4 Blaenavon Retail Core Recommendation = No Specific recommendations for change

No specific recommendations for change as a result of SA Assessment. Further amendments undertaken following SA to improve policies: RLT4 – Whilst the aims of the policy supported the protection of the retail core, it would actually be detrimental to the regeneration of the wider town centre by restricting further


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retail uses on the edge of the retail core. In terms of enhancing the retail offer and the tourism potential of Blaenavon, restricting retail uses to the small core area would in effect stifle regeneration through for example preventing the conversion of buildings to retail uses outside the retail core. A retail core is not now proposed and RLT4 is now a different policy focusing on the provision of small scale retail uses which will be applied throughout the borough as described in the retail component above, which will deliver social and economic benefits.

Component 8: Eastern Strip Central Action Area and Strategic Opportunity Areas SAA1 Eastern Strip Central Action Area SOA1 Eastern Strip South Strategic Opportunity Area SOA2 Eastern Strip North Strategic Opportunity Area Recommendation = Additional clarity to be provided on the types of public transport to be provided in the Action Area and a more detailed description of uses and percentage targets for affordable housing

Additional clarification on public transport linkages to be provided as part of the Development Framework. No reference to affordable housing targets within policy as housing removed as part of the overall scheme. Further detail provided to the policy following completion of commercial appraisal of this site, so the policy specifies required land uses and areas for development, and further detail is provided on the sites opportunities and constraints to deliver regeneration. Updated Policy Justification with new retail calculations to provide further evidence and clarity for the policy. The policy further refers to the need for a comprehensive approach to development, to ensure the range of economic, environmental and social objectives are achieved.

Component 9: Canalside Action Area SAA2 Canalside Action Area Recommendation = Additional clarity to be provided on the types of public transport to be provided in the area Specific affordable housing target to be provided as part of H4.

Additional clarification on public transport linkages to be provided as part of the Development Framework. No reference to affordable housing targets within policy as affordable housing contributions will be dealt with in accordance with H4. Potential affordable housing numbers included in the Appendices. Further clarification provided on site area within the Policy.

Component 10: Llantarnam Action Area SAA3 Llantarnam Action Area Recommendation = Suggested that the

Reference to necessary remediation of the site was in fact an error in Candidate Sites Report.


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need for remediation of the site is included in the policy wording

Site is not contaminated so no further work required. Further clarification provided in the Reasoned Justification on aims and vision for the site.

Component 11: Mamhilad Action Area SAA4 Mamhilad Action Area Recommendation = Policy should promote densities that are applied to make best use of the site, and Brownfield part to be prioritised for development ahead of Greenfield portion. The LDP could include a requirement for affordable housing to be directed to the neighbourhood centre

Development Framework prepared for site, which has assessed densities to be applied to different parts of the site. Draft Development Framework prioritises the brownfield area before the greenfield elements in the phasing plan. Affordable Housing should be allocated throughout the site, but elements of provision should be located near to key facilities. This can be worked through further refinement of the Development Framework.

Component 12: The British Action Area SAA5 The British Action Area Recommendation = Further explanation required of the benefit of the biodiversity / heritage features that can add to the tourism offer, further clarification on the types of public transport that can be provided, and it is recommended that the development framework to be produced includes a more detailed breakdown of uses and affordable housing targets. Clarification required in policy text on status of Development Framework.

Policy Justification updated so that any future Development Framework addresses the benefits of biodiversity and heritage resources in the regeneration of the site, emphasis placed on the internal movement circulation being governed by a sustainable movement hierarchy. Development Framework to provide more details of land uses to be provided on site although given the complexity of this scheme and the significant costs of reclaiming the site, specific affordable housing percentages couldn’t be applied at this point. Policy H4 has flexibility to allow for increases in affordable housing percentages in respect of the housing market areas should economic conditions improve in the future. This can be applied to the British and other sites if relevant at that time. Further clarification of policy wording in relation to reclamation options provided.

Component 13: South Sebastopol Action Area SAA6 South Sebastopol Action Area Recommendation = Policy to include additional details on treatment of historic and landscape issues on site, emphasis on use of topography and screening to reduce the visual impact that will arise from settlement coalescence, and additional details on policy requirements from the Development Framework to be included

Further clarification provided in the policy justification in respect of comments but cross reference provided to Adopted Development Framework which has considered all these issues. Development Framework to be updated with affordable housing provision. The use of diagrams for the Action Areas to be worked up in greater detail to support the site at


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in the policy. Use of diagrammatic masterplan to explain proposals from the site to improve clarity on the proposed land uses and issues of importance to the site recommended.

examination of the plan. Current Development Frameworks diagrams will be available on consultation to explain proposals and uses for the site.

Component 14: Llanfrechfa Grange Action Area SAA7 Llanfrechfa Grange Action Area Recommendation = Additional information to be provided on details of the employment uses for the site, policy should be updated to reflect importance of delivering green infrastructure as a mitigating element in design, further details in policy on treatment of historic and landscape required, emphasis on use of topography and screening in reducing visual impact should be given greater priority in the policy, details on types of public transport to be provided, and affordable housing targets to be specified.

Policy updated to clarify employment uses for the site, and the promotion of green infrastructure, linked to the Development Framework is promoted in the policy. Landscape issues and importance of screening now added to the policy. This was assessed as part of the Development Framework and accompanying SEA which recognises mitigating the impacts on landscape and the consideration of key views in the siting and design of development to reduce the visual impact is a key issue. Further details on public transport covered as part of the Development Framework and its associated SEA and cross reference made in the policy. Affordable housing to be assessed against Policy H4 but complexity of scheme requires such details to be identified at a later stage. No reference to affordable housing targets within policy but potential affordable housing numbers included in the Deposit LDP Appendices.

Component 15: Strategic Transport Approach S8 Planning Obligations (d and h) T1 Transport Improvements T2 Safeguarding Former Transport Routes T3 Walking and Cycling Routes Recommendation = The transport policies should be more reflective of the requirement for sustainable transportation and infrastructure priorities, the network of routes in Policy T3 should be defined on the LDP Proposals Map, and Policy T3 should incorporate a requirement that routes are inclusive by all user groups. Public Transport provision should be given higher priority in the Planning Obligations policy.

Policy amended to reflect the promotion of a sustainable approach to new highways infrastructure as advocated through policy S2, recognising the need for new road build as part of maintaining a sustainable and efficient network. As part of the above schemes for highways improvements sustainable transport considerations and particularly the promotion of public transport and other sustainable modes as part of the design of such schemes, should be key considerations. Walking and Cycling Routes that are agreed schemes will be included on the Proposals Maps and Policy updated to promote inclusive access.


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Policy on Planning Obligations amended to give public transport provision a higher priority.

Component 16: Community Facilities and Services BW2: Protection of Recreation and Amenity Open Space S8 Planning Obligations H5 Provision for Open Space, Recreation and Leisure Facilities CU1 New Healthcare Facilities CU2 New Primary Schools CU3 Community Facilities CU4 Telecommunications Apparatus CU5 Protection of Important Urban Open Space Recommendation = The overriding community or regeneration need should be clarified against the value of retaining an open space, and community facilities policy to favourably consider the reuse of existing buildings as well as encourage the greater utilisation of school buildings for alternative uses.

BW2 - Further clarification provided on defining the function of an open space, and further clarification on the policy stance on overriding community or regeneration need. Consideration of Allotments added to the policy to widen its scope, as this was an omission from the previous version of the policy. (This policy now renumbered CF5 as is better suited to the Community Facilities Section) Community Facilities polices now termed CF, as deletion of Policy CU4 due to repetition of national policy means the utilities aspect is no longer relevant. CU1 reworded to CF1 and termed Healthcare Facility Safeguarding, and CU2 reworded to CF2 and termed Primary School Safeguarding as more accurately reflects the policy wording. CU3 (Now CF3) - Policy updated to promote the reuse of existing buildings unless where circumstances warrant demolition. Promotion of wider use of school buildings for community uses added to the policy. CU5 now CF4

Component 17: Climate Change and Sustainable Development S2 Sustainable Development S3 Climate Change S8 Planning Obligations (k, m and n) Recommendation = The meaning of regeneration in Policy S2 to be given greater clarity in the text, and policy S3 includes the need for development to implement the energy hierarchy, its recommended that reference to ‘renewable’ be replaced by low or zero carbon energy sources’ to expand the scope of potential technologies. Water efficiency should be included under point b, not point c and specific reference to grey water recycling should be removed as this is only one way of promoting water efficiency.

Policy amended to provide further clarification on the regeneration of existing communities and further clarification provided in relation to policy criteria. Policy strengthened through focus of development within existing urban boundaries. Policy S3 amended to reflect the promotion of low and zero carbon energy sources and promotion of the energy hierarchy which will ensure residual energy requirements are minimised. Criteria separated to improve clarity. Specific reference to grey water recycling amended so the scope of the policy is widened to include other water efficiency measures.

Component 18: Ecology and Biodiversity S7 Conservation of the Natural and

Policy NE1 amended to reflect the need to


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Built Heritage (part c) S8 Planning Obligations NE1 Protection and Enhancement of Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC’s) and other Locally Designated Sites Recommendation = Geological should be added to the wording of Policy NE1 to demonstrate that the local designations cover both ecological and geological protected areas.

protect geological resources. Further amendments added to policy to provide additional clarification and explanation. S7 restructured to avoid duplication with national policy with greater clarification provided on the distinction between statutory and non statutory sites. Further clarification of policy criteria with cross links to other policies to reduce duplication. Natural Environment section reworded to Biodiversity/Geodiversity as more accurately reflects the Policy area. NE1 now BG1. Further amendment to policy wording to widen its scope to reflect the biodiversity network rather than specific sites of value only, and further clarification on the approach to mitigating biodiversity loss added to the policy justification.

Component 19: Landscape and Countryside S7 Conservation of Natural and Built Heritage C1 Green Wedges C2 Special Landscape Areas Recommendation = No specific recommendations made

S7 restructured and further text added to consider the cumulative effect on landscape character as per response detailed in Component 2 above. Policies BW3 and BW4 now added to the Countryside section as better suited to this section and numbered C4 and C5 respectively.

Component 20: Historic and Built Environment S7 Conservation of Natural and Built Heritage HB1 Protection of Buildings of Local Importance HB2 Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site Recommendation = The Blaenavon Design Guide includes measures to improve the sustainability of buildings within the context of BILWHS. Similar principles for other heritage assets could be developed.

S7 restructured to avoid duplication with national policy with greater clarification provided on the distinction between statutory and non statutory sites. Policy made more succinct by withdrawing reference to specified heritage assets covered under national policy, with link provided to outline which heritage assets will be dealt with under national policy, and links provided to other Heritage Policies in the plan. Further clarification of policy criteria with cross links to other policies to reduce duplication. Historic and Built Environment reworded to Historic Environment. Policy numbering reworded to HE1 and HE2. Cross references added to policy BW1 relating to Pontypool Design Guide in respect of proposals affecting the built environment.


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Component 21: Minerals M1 Minerals Safeguarding M2 Minerals Applications M3 Aggregates – Tir Pentwys Preferred Areas of Search M4: Minerals Buffer Zones Recommendation = The LDP should encourage the use of recycled aggregates, to meet the potential demand for minerals and to minimise new mineral extraction. Reference should be included to control the impact of mineral working in terms of light pollution through additional criteria in M2.

Overall Sustainable Development Policy S2 amended to outline development proposals are encouraged to promote sustainable construction techniques. The use of recycled materials in construction will be encouraged, especially on demolition sites or where aggregate is excavated as part of site construction. M2 now amended as all criteria covered under national policy in MPPW. M2 reworded to Minerals Applications and Coal Working Exclusion Areas as Coal Working Exclusion Areas have been identified in the LDP. Further minor amendments to policies M3 and M4.

Component 22: Waste W1 Strategic Waste Management / Resource Recovery Sites W2 Waste Management / Resource Recovery Proposals S8 Planning Obligations Recommendation = Policy W2 should be expanded to include the range of environmental criteria that would influence the decision to use a B2 employment site for waste, Energy from waste could be encouraged through the LDP, waste management policy should refer to environmental health guidance and restrict the development of waste management facilities close to residential areas. Waste policy outlines that sites should be geared to B2 employment land but the employment allocations are divided by location with no indication of use class. Policy W2 should clarify which employment sites are appropriate. Planning Obligations policy should be updated to promote sustainable waste management facilities and services.

Policy W2 has been amended to outline that national policy is sufficiently clear with which to assess the environmental considerations that should inform a waste facility planning application, alongside other relevant policies of the plan. The waste hierarchy is promoted within the policy which includes energy from waste. Policy updated to provide a focus on sustainable waste management facilities. Reference to Environmental Health legislation added to policy. Employment allocations have been updated with specific Use Classes so potentially suitable B2 sites can be identified. Policy S8 updated to promote sustainable waste management facilities.

Component 23: Place Making S4 Place Making/Good Design BW3 Conversion/Rehabilitation of Buildings in the Countryside BW4 Replacement Buildings in the Countryside

Wording of Policy BW3 amended to not restrict sustainable building design in the conversion of traditional buildings, through for example the use of high performance materials that may be more energy efficient than traditional materials,


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Recommendation = The phrasing of policy BW3 should be amended to ensure the creation of sustainable building design which may be more sustainable than traditional building materials is able to be used in the countryside

noting that due regard has to be paid to the character of the building being converted. Further amendments to Policy BW4 to refine the policy as it was only intended to apply to dwellings, as this is considered more of an issue in Torfaen. Replacement agricultural buildings will be dealt with under the Agricultural notification guidance. Policies BW3 and BW4 now added to the Countryside section as better suited to this section and numbered C4 and C5 respectively.

Component 24: General Development Principles BW1 General Policy Development Proposals Recommendation = Supporting text should consider the potential for mitigation of light and noise pollution at the design stage to give developers an indication as to the effects of development that would not be permitted. Additional criteria to be added to criteria E to require that sites are accessible by a range of modes of transport. Recommend the ‘need to avoid water pollution’ is only included in one policy to avoid duplication. Criteria A iv to be reworded so the design of development can adapt to climate change. The policy could include a requirement that developments are designed to promote inclusive access

Policy updated to provide clarification for the potential to mitigate noise and light pollution at the design stage. Criteria E reworded to read the proposal ensures that new access roads within the development layout connect the development to a range of services and facilities. Criteria on Water environment to remain in this detailed policy, due to detailed considerations. Overarching principle to protect the water environment still to remain in policy S7. Criteria A reworded to promote adaption to climate change as part of detailed design proposals. Criteria A reworded to promote inclusive design both for built development and access within to and from development. Further policy clarification on supporting green infrastructure as part of design added to policy justification Criteria B iv amended to consider impact on ecological corridor. Criteria B widened to include reference to the strategic biodiversity network of Torfaen covering a wider scope of ecological resources, and further clarification in the policy justification on the approach to biodiversity mitigation. Criteria D amended to provide further clarification on development proposals served by the public foul sewer Criteria E – Further clarification added to criteria in respect of the road network being capable of accommodating the proposed level of development. Further clarification provided on specific areas of Policy Justification.


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General Recommendations Other Recommendations = The Council require developers to explore the potential for low and zero carbon energy for strategic sites Key mitigation issues for certain sites to be detailed in the policies Unclear why there is no specific retail policy for Pontypool Town Centre Sustainable transport behaviours should be fostered from the outset and require sustainable transport infrastructure to be sequenced in advance of occupation and this set out in policy. The plan should include requirements for developments to promote green infrastructure as part of design, which can also include the walking and cycling network.

Plan policies for housing already require developers of strategic sites undertake a feasibility assessment of suitable technologies. Key issues now identified in the policies and further details will be developed through Development Frameworks/Briefs. Policies for Pontypool are included in respect of Town Centre Boundary, and protection of important retail frontages. No retail allocations are made in Pontypool in line with the strategy. However new Policy SOA3 identifies a key area of land which offers future regeneration potential (Clarence Corner) but is not an allocation of the plan due to the need for flooding constraints to be overcome. This site can be reviewed as part of the review of the LDP if deliverability is proved. Policy S2 and BW1 promote sustainable transport considerations in new development. Promotion of green infrastructure identified in S3, S7 and BW1 and T1


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12. Monitoring 12.1 In accordance with the requirements of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act

2004 and the SEA Directive, a monitoring strategy should be prepared to monitor the significant effects of the LDP. The SEA Directive states that:

“member states shall monitor the significant environmental effects of the implementation of plans and programmes…in order, inter alia, to identify at an early stage unforeseen adverse effects, and to be able to undertake appropriate remedial action” (Article 10).

12.2 In addition, the Environmental Report should provide information on a “description of the measures envisaged concerning monitoring” (Annex I (i)) (Stage E)

12.3 SA monitoring will cover significant social and economic effects as well as significant

environmental effects; and it involves measuring indicators which will enable the establishment of a causal link between the implementation of the plan and the likely significant sustainability effects (both beneficial or adverse) being monitored. This will allow the identification of any unforeseen adverse effects and enable appropriate remedial action to be taken.

12.4 The SA guidance recommends SA monitoring is incorporated into each Council’s

existing monitoring arrangements. The Council has to prepare an Annual Monitoring Framework to assess the implementation of the Local Development Plan and the extent to which policies are being achieved and to identify any changes if a policy is not effective or if the targets are not met. The Council will integrate the monitoring of the LDP’s significant sustainability effects in the wider monitoring arrangements of the LDP policies in the Annual Monitoring Framework.

12.5 Following adoption of the LDP, in accordance with the Planning and Compulsory Act

2004, TCBC will finalise the Annual Monitoring Report which will set out how the policies and proposals and objectives of the LDP are being achieved. The SA/SEA monitoring arrangements will be integrated with the LDP Annual Monitoring Framework.

12.6 The LDP will be reviewed every 4 years and alongside this the SA baseline

information and objectives will take place to feed into this revision. Any amendments will follow the same stages of LDP preparation.

Links to Associated Documents 12.7 Aside from the LDP, the SA process is relevant to any subsequent policy document

that forms SPG. An SPG programme has been produced which will be assessed as to whether they will require SA when they come forward. Where SA is not formally required, all SPG will be expected to broadly comply with the SA objectives set out in the SA Framework. SPG will be linked to policies in the LDP.

Proposed Monitoring Framework 12.8 The following significant effects against all the SA objectives (including direct and

cumulative, synergistic and indirect effects) have been identified by the assessment of the Deposit Plan (October 2010) and form the basis of the monitoring programme.


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SA objectives with identified significant effects:

1. To enable high and stable levels of local employment in Torfaen (positive effects)

2. To achieve economic growth to contribute to business competitiveness (positive effects)

3. To promote and enhance sustainable tourism in Torfaen (positive effects)

4. To protect, manage and enhance Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site as a cultural and tourism destination (positive effects)

5. To protect, manage and enhance biodiversity (both positive and negative effects)

6. To protect and manage geodiversity (positive effects)

7. To reduce air pollution and improve air quality (both positive and negative effects)

8. To minimise noise and light pollution (both positive and negative effects)

9. To minimise the risk of and from flooding (both positive and negative effects)

10. To conserve and enhance historic resources and their settings (both positive and negative effects)

11. To protect and enhance the valued landscape character of Torfaen (both positive and negative effects)

12. To make most efficient use of land and buildings (both positive and negative effects)

13. To achieve a modal shift to more sustainable transport modes (both positive and negative effects)

14. To promote sustainable building design (positive effects)

15. To reduce waste generation and disposal to landfill and maximise reuse and recycling (both positive and negative effects)

16. To maintain and improve water quality (both positive and negative effects)

17. To contribute to an increase in the use of renewable energy sources across the County Borough (positive effects)

18. To improve the affordability of housing (positive effects)

19. To improve the variety and quality of housing (positive effects)

20. To improve accessibility to and protect and improve the quantity and quality of local services and facilities (positive effects)

21. To improve educational attainment and increase skill levels (positive effects)

22. To improve the health and wellbeing of the population (positive effects)

23. To promote, strengthen and enhance the cultural identity of communities and improve social cohesion and diversity (positive effects)

12.9 The monitoring programme outlined in Table 12.1 below is preliminary and will be

confirmed at the time of the adoption of the LDP. Monitoring of the direct and cumulative, synergistic and indirect effects is combined where these overlap and where the suggested set of indicators can be used to monitor two or more effects. The programme may still evolve based on the results of public consultation, dialogue


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with environmental and other consultees and the identification of additional data sources, as in many cases information will be provided by outside bodies. It should be noted, however, that there will be a need for careful consideration of the practicalities of monitoring to be taken into account in shaping the final monitoring strategy, especially in the context of limited resources at the County Borough level. The emphasis must be on creating a balanced, effective, yet achievable set of monitoring criteria.


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Table 12.1 - Monitoring Framework Effect to be monitored

Indicators to be used Target Suggested Frequency of Review

Responsibility

% of people of working age who are economically active To increase the % of people of working age who are economically active

Annual TCBC

% of allocated employment land developed for employment purposes in the key centres of Cwmbran, Pontypool and Blaenavon

Increase the % of employment land developed for employment purposes in the centres

Annual TCBC

Loss of employment land allocations to other types of development

Nil, where sites are considered to be viable Annual TCBC

% of people living as well as working in the County Borough Increase Annual TCBC

No of Business VAT registrations Increase annually Annual TCBC

Transport linkages connecting Torfaen to economic centres outside of the plan area Increase Annual TCBC/ SEWTA3

New employment developments by size, location and type Increase in the diversity of business types and sizes Annual TCBC

1. Effects on encouraging economic growth and enabling high and stable levels of local employment in Torfaen

Number of vacant retail ground floor units as a % of the total number of ground floor business premises Decrease Annual TCBC

New development that supports the growth of sustainable tourism in Torfaen Increase Annual TCBC

Number of people employed in the tourism industry Increase Annual TCBC/ SEWEF4

2. Effects on promoting and enhancing sustainable tourism in Torfaen

Total number of visitors to attractions in Torfaen that travel by sustainable modes (public transport, walking or cycling) to tourism attractions for at least part of the journey as a

Increase Annual TCBC

3 South East Wales Transport Alliance 4 South East Wales Economic Forum


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Effect to be monitored


Responsibility

proportion of all visitors

New tourism development that leads to benefits for the wider community (including jobs or facilities) 100% Annual TCBC

Number of development projects that include the restoration of features that contribute to the integrity of the BILWHS Increase Annual TCBC

Proportion of developments in the BILWHS that fully reflect the requirements of the Blaenavon Design Guide 100% Annual TCBC

Implementation of the actions from the Forgotten Landscapes Action Plan5 Increase Annual TCBC

Visitor numbers to: e. Blaenavon Ironworks f. Big Pit Mining Museum g. Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway h. Town of Blaenavon i. Relict Landscape j. The Brecknock and Abergavenny Canal


3. Effects on protecting, managing and enhancing Blaenavon Industrial Landscape World Heritage Site as a cultural and tourism destination

No. of planning applications approved contrary to advice from CADW, GGAT or officers, resulting in potentially negative effects upon the setting and character of the BILWHS

Nil Annual TCBC

Area of Local Nature Reserve (LNR) Increase the area of LNR to at least 1ha/1000 population Annual TCBC

Important habitat (brownfield and greenfield) lost to built development Nil Annual TCBC

4. Effects on protecting, managing and enhancing biodiversity and maintaining Area of important green corridors or designated sites for Nil Annual TCBC

5 http://www.visitblaenavon.co.uk/en/WorldHeritageSite/WorldHeritageSite/Publications/Sec4AimsObservations.pdf


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Responsibility

biodiversity lost to development

Condition of national cycle route 49/492 for biodiversity Improve Annual TCBC

Condition of the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal for biodiversity and water quality Improve Annual TCBC

Provision and connectivity of ecological corridors Ensure species are able to migrate as a result of changing habitats

Annual TCBC

Area and condition of Sites of importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) Maintain Annual TCBC

Protection of Natural 2000 sites Ensure no negative effects on sites adjacent to plan area Annual TCBC/WAG

Overall loss in biodiversity No net loss in biodiversity (WAG6) Annual TCBC/WAG

% change of Torfaen LBAP species Increase the distribution and population of LBAP species by 10%

Annual TCBC

Sites of Special Scientific Interest in favourable condition By 2015, 95 per cent of Welsh SSSIs should be in favourable condition

Annual TCBC/WAG

and improving water quality

No. of development schemes including mitigation measures or enhancement of biodiversity

Increase the amount of development schemes Annual TCBC

No. of contaminated land sites remediated through new development Increase Annual TCBC 5. Effects on

protecting and managing geodiversity Area of agricultural land by grade No net loss of land in Grades

1, 2 and 3a for development Annual TCBC

6 http://www.assemblywales.org/cr-ld8384-e.pdf


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Responsibility

Estimated background air pollution data To be better than national air quality standards7 for pollutants

Annual TCBC 6. Effects on

reducing air pollution and improving air quality Number of Air Quality Management Areas designated in the

County Borough No additional AQMAs declared Annual TCBC

No. of residential permissions granted in TAN11 category D locations8 Nil Annual TCBC

Increase in light pollution in the Zone of Visual Influence of protected areas Nil Annual TCBC

Proportion of development that leads to unacceptable levels of light pollution Nil Annual TCBC

7. Effects on minimising noise and light pollution

Proportion of development that leads to unacceptable levels of noise pollution Nil Annual TCBC

% development designed to be flood resilient 100% in areas of current or predicted flood risk Annual TCBC

% of highly sensitive development approved in flood risk areas contrary to TAN159 Nil Annual TCBC

% relevant permissions with SUDS schemes; incorporating reed beds where appropriate Increase Annual TCBC

% increase in planting of broadleaved woodland in uplands associated with watercourses Increase Annual TCBC

8. Effects on minimising the risk of and from flooding

Number of new properties at risk of flooding Decrease Annual TCBC

7 http://www.welshairquality.co.uk/moreinfo.php?n_action=standards&t=5 8 http://wales.gov.uk/topics/planning/policy/tans/tan11/?lang=en 9 http://wales.gov.uk/docs/desh/publications/040701tan15en.pdf


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Responsibility

No of planning applications approved contrary to advice from CADW, GGAT or officers with negative impacts upon listed buildings

Nil Annual TCBC

No of planning applications approved contrary to advice from CADW, GGAT or officers with negative impacts on scheduled monuments

Nil Annual TCBC

9. Effects on conserving and enhancing historic resources and their settings

Number of conservation area appraisals and reviews undertaken during plan period Increase Annual TCBC

No. of applications approved in Special Landscape Area contrary to Landscape Officers’ advice Nil Annual TCBC

Proportion of telecommunications apparatus that is designed to minimise landscape effects10 100% Annual TCBC

Proportion of developments that include landscaping and planting schemes 100% Annual TCBC

Change in area of Important Urban Open Space and Green Wedges Increase Annual TCBC

10. Effects on preserving and enhancing the valued landscape character of Torfaen

Area of derelict land outside urban boundaries improved Increase Annual TCBC

% new development that reuses vacant buildings Increase Annual TCBC

% dwellings built on previously developed land See LDP for local appropriateness Annual TCBC

Meet development density targets See LDP for local appropriateness Annual TCBC

11. Effects on making the most efficient use of land and buildings

Amount of derelict land To reduce the amount of derelict land Annual TCBC

10 http://cymru.gov.uk/desh/publications/planning/technicaladvicenotes/tan19/tan19e.pdf?lang=en


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Responsibility

No. of empty properties Reduce Annual TCBC

Proportion of development that includes a mix of uses to reduce the need to travel Increase Annual TCBC

Proportion of new retail, services, leisure and cultural developments that are co-located

Increase in the clustering of uses to reduce trip generation Annual TCBC

Provision of green corridors for walking and cycling that also include vegetation for pollution sequestration Increase Annual TCBC/SEWTA11

Number of schools that are in the process of implementing Travel Plans Increase to 100% Annual TCBC/SEWTA12

Number of businesses that are in the process of implementing Travel Plans Increase to 100% Annual TCBC/SEWTA13

Number of trips made by public transport to work Increase Annual TCBC/SEWTA14

Number of trips made by public transport to school Increase Annual TCBC/SEWTA15

Percentage of adults in Wales whose main mode of travel to work is walking

Increase number of people who walk to work to 20%16 Annual

TCBC/ Labour Force Survey, Office of National Statistics

12. Effects on achieving a modal shift to more sustainable transport modes

Percentage of adults in Wales whose main mode of travel to work is cycling

To triple the percentage of adults whose main mode of travel to work is cycling17

Annual

TCBC/ Labour Force Survey, Office of National Statistics

11 http://www.sewta.gov.uk/PDF/RTPExecutiveSummary.pdf 12 http://www.sewta.gov.uk/PDF/RTPExecutiveSummary.pdf 13 http://www.sewta.gov.uk/PDF/RTPExecutiveSummary.pdf 14 http://www.sewta.gov.uk/PDF/RTPExecutiveSummary.pdf 15 http://www.sewta.gov.uk/PDF/RTPExecutiveSummary.pdf 16 http://wales.gov.uk/docs/desh/publications/090223walkingactionplanen.pdf 17 http://wales.gov.uk/docs/desh/publications/090223walkingactionplanen.pdf


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Responsibility

Percentage of children in Wales aged 5 to 16 whose main mode of travel to school is walking

Increase the percentage of children who walk to school to match the UK National Average18

Annual

TCBC/ National Travel Survey (NTS), Department for Transport

Percentage of children who cycle to school To triple the percentage of children cycling to school19 Annual

TCBC/ Sport Council for Wales Children and Young People Survey

Number of trips made by car to work Decrease Annual TCBC/SEWTA20

Number of trips made by car to school Decrease Annual TCBC/SEWTA21

No. and value of S106 agreement secured for improvements in public transport, cycling and walking Increase Annual TCBC

% people with a footpath or cycle path within a ten-minute walk 95% by 2023 Annual TCBC/SEWTA22

% of new buildings meeting BREEAM Very Good Standards and achieve the mandatory credits for ‘excellent’ under issue Ene1- Reduction of CO2 emissions

100% of non-residential development with a floorspace of 1,000m2 or more or site area of 1ha or more23

Annual TCBC/WAG

Total value of materials used that are recycled and reused 10% (source: WAG) Annual TCBC/WAG

13. Effects on promoting sustainable building design

% of new dwellings meeting the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 and obtain 6 credits under issue Ene1- Dwelling

100% Annual TCBC/WAG

18 http://wales.gov.uk/docs/desh/publications/090223walkingactionplanen.pdf 19 http://wales.gov.uk/docs/desh/publications/090223walkingactionplanen.pdf 20 http://www.sewta.gov.uk/PDF/RTPExecutiveSummary.pdf 21 http://www.sewta.gov.uk/PDF/RTPExecutiveSummary.pdf 22 http://www.sewta.gov.uk/PDF/RTPExecutiveSummary.pdf 23 http://wales.gov.uk/docs/desh/publications/100720planningpolicywalesen.pdf


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Responsibility

Emission Rates

Proportion of large developments that are designed to encourage sustainable waste management 100% Annual TCBC

% of municipal and household waste recycled and composted 70% by 2025 (source: WAG24) Annual TCBC/WAG

14. Effects on reducing waste generation and disposal to landfill and maximise reuse and recycling

% non-hazardous waste from construction recycled, recovered or reused 90% by 2025 (source: WAG25) Annual TCBC/WAG

15. Effects on contributing to an increase in the use of renewable energy sources across the County Borough

Electricity generated from renewable sources 15% by 2020 (source: WAG26) Annual TCBC/WAG

No. of new affordable units delivered Increase provision in accordance with LMHA and JHLA

Annual TCBC 16. Effects on

improving the affordability of housing

Proportion of affordable housing provided, by plan area Increase provision in accordance with LMHA and JHLA27

Annual TCBC

24 http://wales.gov.uk/topics/sustainabledevelopment/design/standards/?lang=en 25 http://wales.gov.uk/topics/sustainabledevelopment/design/standards/?lang=en 26 http://wales.gov.uk/topics/sustainabledevelopment/design/standards/?lang=en 27 Newport, Torfaen and Monmouthshire Local Housing Market Assessment 2006 – Update 2010 and JOINT HOUSING LAND AVAILABILITY STUDY TORFAEN COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL CO-ORDINATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ECONOMY AND TRANSPORT (DE&T) OF THE WELSH ASSEMBLY GOVERNMENT 1ST APRIL 2010


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Responsibility

% of eligible residential planning permissions where affordable housing has been negotiated 100% Annual TCBC

Number of houses meeting Welsh Housing Quality Standards (WHQS)

100% of social housing by 2012 Annual TCBC

Unfitness rate Reduce to 6% by 2014 (Housing Strategy 2004) Annual TCBC

Mix of 1, 2, 3. and 4 bed properties Increase mix to meet local needs (2004 – shortfall in 1, 2 and 4 bed dwellings)

Annual TCBC

17. Effects on improving the variety and quality of housing

Mix of private sector and social properties Increase mix to reflect local needs Annual TCBC

Quality and Quantity of children’s play space and adult sport pitches per 1000 population

To meet NPFA/Fields in Trust Benchmark Standards for Outdoor Sport and play Improve quality

Annual TCBC

Proportion of off-road routes that are accessible to all Increase Annual TCBC

Amount of accessible natural green space per 1000 population

2 hectares of natural greenspace per 1000; No person should live more than 300m walking distance from their nearest area of natural greenspace (source: CCW)

Annual TCBC/ CCW

Level of community infrastructure per ward Maintain levels or increase Annual TCBC

18. Effects on improving accessibility to and protecting and improving the quantity and quality of local services and facilities

Number of S106 agreements secured for new developments for improvements in community facilities Increase Annual TCBC

19. Effects on improving

Number of new developments that lead to the creation of new or improved educational facilities Increase Annual TCBC


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Responsibility

% of Adults without basic numeracy and literacy skills Decrease Annual TCBC

Proportion of 19 year olds with Level 2 qualification (5 GCSE A*-C or NVQ equivalent) Increase Annual TCBC

educational attainment and increased skill levels

% of population attaining highest qualification – Level 4/5 Increase Annual TCBC

No. of wards in the 100 most deprived wards according to Index of Multiple deprivation Improve ranking Annual WAG

Number of new developments that lead to the creation of new or improved health facilities Increase Annual TCBC

Percentage of adults in Wales to walk over 2 miles in the past 4 weeks

Increase number of people undertaking walking for recreation to 50%

Annual SCW Adult Sports Participation Survey

Percentage of adults in Wales undertaking any cycling in the past 4 weeks

To double to percentage of adults cycling for recreation Annual

SCW Adult Sports Participation Survey

Allotments per 1000 population Increase Annual TCBC

20. Effects on improving the health and wellbeing of the population

Proportion of developments that are designed to reduce fear of crime Increase Annual TCBC

Proportion of developments designed to enhance local distinctiveness through sympathetic design, material selection and layout including public art


Proportion of community buildings that have a range of uses Increase in the use of community buildings to benefit a wider range of people

Annual TCBC

21. Effects on promoting, strengthening and enhancing the cultural identity of communities and improve social cohesion and

New development in North Torfaen Decrease in imbalance in levels of investment in north and south areas

Annual TCBC


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Responsibility

Niche retail development in local centres that contributes to local distinctiveness Increase Annual TCBC

No. of planning applications approved resulting in the loss of community facilities Nil Annual TCBC

diversity

No. of planning applications approved delivering new and enhanced community facilities Increase Annual TCBC


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13. Conclusions 13.1 The policies within the Deposit Plan are considered, overall, to meet the range of

economic, environmental and social objectives identified in the SA Framework, achieving on balance positive significant effects.

13.2 The SA process has resulted in recommendations to improve the performance of the

plan in sustainability terms or to reduce negative effects. Many of these recommendations have informed the development of the LDP policies through an iterative process. Following the latest assessment, a number of recommendations were made for the October 2010 Draft Deposit Plan. TCBC considered these recommendations and have updated the policies in the LDP. Those recommendations that were not taken on board are shown in Figure 11.1 along with the reason for non inclusion. Additions and changes to the policies are also outlined in figure 11.1. Further details of the SA recommendations are included in Appendix J with all policy amendments documented in Appendix K. In summary, the key changes as a result of the SA recommendations are:

• S1 Urban Boundaries: clarification added and additional detail to encourage

the creation of sustainable communities. • The importance of the link between commercial activities and waste streams

and the need to promote sustainable waste management has been added to front end of the employment chapter, to be addressed as part of design considerations.

• EET6: Leisure / Tourism Proposals:

o Policy amended to reflect the promotion of sustainable tourism and accessible facilities; and

o Further clarification provided on ‘appropriate scale’ for the development of tourist facilities.

• RLT2 Town Centre Development in Cwmbran:

o Further clarification included regarding the requirement for a development framework for the site;

o Criteria added for consideration of effect of development on Llantarnam Arts Grange (as per SA recommendation for EET6);

o Criterion a worded more positively seeking enhancement to shopping character, visual amenity and vitality and viability of town centre.

o Further clarification provided on types of linkages supported with a focus on sustainable linkages.

o Clarification on the area of the allocation, and objectives for integration with other town centre sites.

o Updated Policy Justification with new retail calculations to provide further evidence and clarity for the policy.

• Eastern Strip Central Action Area and Strategic Opportunity Areas; Canalside

Action Area: Additional clarification on public transport linkages to be provided as part of the Development Frameworks.

• SAA5 The British Action Area: Policy Justification updated so that any future

Development Framework addresses the benefits of biodiversity and heritage resources in the regeneration of the site, emphasis placed on the internal movement circulation being governed by a sustainable movement hierarchy.


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• SAA7 Llanfrechfa Grange Action Area: Policy updated to clarify employment

uses for the site, and the promotion of green infrastructure, linked to the Development Framework is promoted in the policy.

• Component 15: Strategic Transport Approach

o Policy T1 amended to reflect the promotion of a sustainable approach to new highways infrastructure as advocated through policy S2

o Walking and Cycling Routes that are agreed schemes will be included on the Proposals Maps and Policy updated to promote inclusive access.

o Policy on Planning Obligations amended to give public transport provision a higher priority.

• BW2: Protection of Recreation and Amenity Open Space: Further clarification

provided on defining the function of an open space, and further clarification on the policy stance on overriding community or regeneration need. Consideration of Allotments added to the policy to widen its scope.

• CU3 Community Facilities: (Now CF3) - Policy updated to promote the reuse

of existing buildings unless where circumstances warrant demolition. Promotion of wider use of school buildings for community uses added to the policy.

• S2 Sustainable Development: Policy amended to provide further clarification

on the regeneration of existing communities and further clarification provided in relation to policy criteria. Policy strengthened through focus of development within existing urban boundaries.

• Policy S3 (Climate Change) amended to reflect the promotion of low and zero

carbon energy sources and promotion of the energy hierarchy which will ensure residual energy requirements are minimised.

• Policy NE1 (Protection and Enhancement of Sites of Importance for Nature

Conservation (SINC’s) and other Locally Designated Sites) amended to reflect the need to protect geological resources.

• S7 (Conservation of Natural and Built Heritage) restructured and further text

added to consider the cumulative effect on landscape character. • Overall Sustainable Development Policy S2 amended to outline development

proposals are encouraged to promote sustainable construction techniques. • W2 Waste Management / Resource Recovery Proposals: Policy updated to

provide a focus on sustainable waste management facilities. Employment allocations have been updated with specific Use Classes so potentially suitable B2 sites can be identified. Policy S8 updated to promote sustainable waste management facilities.

• BW3 Conversion/Rehabilitation of Buildings in the Countryside: Wording of

Policy BW3 amended to not restrict sustainable building design in the conversion of traditional buildings.

• BW1 General Policy Development Proposals:


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o Policy updated to provide clarification for the potential to mitigate noise and light pollution at the design stage;

o Criteria A reworded to promote adaption to climate change as part of detailed design proposals;

o Criteria A reworded to promote inclusive design both for built development and access within to and from development;

o Further policy clarification on supporting green infrastructure as part of design added to policy justification;

o Criteria B iv amended to consider impact on ecological corridor; o Criteria D amended to provide further clarification on development

proposals served by the public foul sewer; o Criteria E – Further clarification added to criteria in respect of the road

network being capable of accommodating the proposed development; 13.3 These additions and changes result in further enhancement of the sustainability

performance of the LDP. Any remaining negative effects from development can be further minimised through the detailed planning application process or through mitigation measures adopted through Development Frameworks for sites.


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14. Summary and Next Steps Stages Completed Stage A – Setting the Context and SA Objectives, Establishing The Baseline And Deciding on the Scope • Identifying other relevant plans and programmes • Collation of baseline data • Identification of key sustainability issues • Developing the SA Framework • Consulting on the scope of the Sustainability Appraisal Stage B – Developing and Refining Options and Assessing Effects • Testing the LDP objectives against the Sustainability Appraisal Objectives • Developing and appraising LDP options and Preferred Strategic Policies • Predicting the effects • Evaluation of Effects • Considering ways of mitigating adverse effects and maximising beneficial effects Stage C – Preparing the Sustainability Report

Stages Remaining Stage D – Consultation on the Draft LDP and the Sustainability Appraisal Report • Public participation on the draft plan and the Sustainability Appraisal Report • Appraising Significant Changes • Making decisions and providing information Stage E – Monitoring the Significant Effects of the Plan