Technical Evidence

Title

This report summarises and reviews the key issues arising from the review of the key representations to the West Midlands Strategic Employment Sites Study 2024 (WMSESS) together with the associated Coventry & Warwickshire HEDNA-WMSESS Alignment Paper 2024. It provides an addendum to these two studies.

This Paper has been prepared to consider the alignment of homes and jobs across the Coventry & Warwickshire HMA to inform emerging Local Plans. It builds on the evidence in the Coventry and Warwickshire HEDNA 2023, which was prepared to provide a joint and aligned evidence for housing and employment across the HMA; and considers and captures the implications of the conclusions on industrial development needs (for both strategic and non-strategic sites) arising from the West Midlands Strategic Employment Sites Study. It thus builds on the HEDNA-WMSESS Alignment Paper which has considered these issues and the Addendum to this, which has been prepared alongside this report.

The Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) is being prepared alongside the Local Plan to help identify future infrastructure requirements, costs and when and how infrastructure will be delivered. It will also help to coordinate planning and investment in new infrastructure by the two districts and other infrastructure providers and key stakeholders. It will also help provide the context for securing developer contributions (including trigger points for the provision of associated infrastructure). The IDP will also help identify the need for external funding to deliver infrastructure.

This document forms Part 1 of the IDP. It draws on existing plans and strategies, the wider evidence base and responses to the consultation on the Local Plan Issues and Options consultation (January 2023) to set out key issues associated with infrastructure.

Preferred Options Sustainability Appraisal (SA)

Appendices

This is an assessment of the significant environmental, social and economic effects of the Local Plan. At this Preferred Options stage, the SA has assessed the draft policies, policy directions, Strategic Growth Locations and potential New Settlements against the sustainability objectives that were established at the Scoping stage.

The Main report is accompanied by a series of Appendices that provide detail summary of the assessment of various elements of the Preferred Options document.

The South Warwickshire Local Plan Emerging Spatial Growth Strategy As at the Preferred Options Consultation

Emerging Spatial Growth Strategy Options Map (Size A0)

Emerging Spatial Growth Strategy Options Map (Size A3)

Spatial Growth Strategy Priority Areas Map (Size A0)

Spatial Growth Strategy Priority Areas Map (Size A3)

This topic paper builds upon the Growth Topic Paper prepared for the Issues & Options consultation version of the Local Plan and the feedback from the consultation exercise. It sets out a narrative for how the Spatial Growth Strategy “Sustainable Travel and Economy" was arrived at, how this can be delivered through identifying defined priority areas, and where strategic development may be best located. Finally, at a broad-brush level the paper summarises how settlement (Place) analysis from stakeholder sessions held during 2024 has been considered to date and will be considered in the next stage of plan preparation.

The Emerging Spatial Growth Strategy Options and Spatial Growth Strategy Priority Areas maps can be downloaded as separate documents, or explored on the interactive map.

The New Settlement Assessment (as at Preferred Options) - South Warwickshire Local Plan

This paper will set out the methodology by which potential new settlement locations have been assessed; and the results of this assessment.

South Warwickshire Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) Methodology and Summary of Results as at the Preferred Options consultation

HELAA Part A and Part B results and summary of outcomes

Sub-regional HELAA methodology

SUPERSEDED South Warwickshire HELAA methodology

This paper sets out the methodology for the assessment of sites using the Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA). It sets out how the previously published HELAA part A methodology has been implemented, and changes to that methodology; as well as the methodology for HELAA part B.

The results of the HELAA assessment are published in a series of documents:

• Site-by-site results and site outcomes (pdf documents presenting all the information about each site in turn);
• HELAA part A results; HELAA part B results (full results in two Excel files, with information arranged by constraint, and all sites in rows);
• HELAA summary of results and site outcomes (an Excel file showing key information for all sites in rows):
  • Whether sifted out in HELAA part A - and not considered further for the SWLP;
  • HELAA part B score for those remaining under consideration for the SWLP;
  • Which sites form part of a Strategic Growth Location;
  • Which sites fall within a potential New Settlement Location.

The sub-regional HELAA methodology presents a standard approach to the assessment of housing and employment sites being applied across Coventry and Warwickshire, within which individual Local Planning Authorities can tailor specific criteria to respond to their local circumstances. A public consultation on the sub-regional HELAA methodology concluded in December 2021. South Warwickshire's HELAA is based upon this sub-regional methodology.

Also published here for reference is the superseded original version of the South Warwickshire HELAA methodology. This version, with amendments, forms the basis of part A of the South Warwickshire HELAA methodology.

The errata updated on 24th January 2025 corrects a mistake in which sites were listed within Strategic Growth Location SG23; and notes the inclusion of an additional site Ref ID 880.

Coventry & Warwickshire HEDNA – WMSESS Alignment Paper

An Alignment Paper has been commissioned by the Coventry and Warwickshire authorities and prepared by Iceni.

This Paper brings together the WMSESS and the C&W HEDNA, addresses the overlaps between them, and provides aligned outputs on employment land needs over a consistent set of timescales. This will assist in deciding on a single employment need figure that the Coventry and Warwickshire authorities (and therefore the South Warwickshire Local Plan) will need to plan for.

New Settlements Note – Employment

SDC and WDC have commissioned Iceni to advise on the suitability of potential New Settlement locations for employment uses This note looks to:

a.) Provide guidance to help inform the potential quantum of employment land provision which might be considered within new settlements, given the potential quantum of housing.

b.) Supplement this with qualitative analysis regarding the suitability and commercial attractiveness of each potential new settlement for employment development, taking into account locational factors such as transport infrastructure and accessibility and labour supply/access to other employment opportunities nearby.

South Warwickshire Employment Land Study

• Appendix 1 - Call for Sites Pro-Forma
• Appendix 2 - Existing Sites Pro-Forma
• South Warwickshire Airfields

The South Warwickshire Employment Land Study, undertaken by Iceni Projects Ltd, was commissioned jointly by Warwick District and Stratford-on-Avon District Councils to form part of the employment evidence base for the SWLP.

The study is an important part of the evidence base for the South Warwickshire Local Plan, as it relates specifically to employment need within the South Warwickshire area. The study will be used, alongside other pieces of evidence, to designate the most suitable locations for growth within the SWLP, along with recommended site allocations and policy recommendations regarding employment.

The South Warwickshire Employment Land Study also has the following appendices available for download:

• Appendix 1 - Call for Sites Pro-Forma
• Appendix 2 - Existing Sites Pro-Forma
• South Warwickshire Airfields

South Warwickshire Green Belt Review Stage 1

The aim and purpose of this Green Belt Review is to provide the Councils with an objective, evidence-based and independent assessment of how the parts of the West Midlands Green Belt that fall within South Warwickshire contribute to the five purposes of Green Belt set out in the NPPF.

This will form an important part of the evidence base, to be considered alongside other pieces of evidence when selecting the most sustainable locations for growth. It is anticipated that there will be a need to undertake more detailed site-specific Green Belt assessment work as the SWLP progresses. This will form part of a Green Belt Review Stage 2.

West Midlands Strategic Employment Sites Study

The West Midlands Strategic Employment Sites Study (WMSESS) 2024 is a study about strategic employment sites, intended to inform local plan making.

The Study looks towards 2045, identifying a need for strategic sites; updates the position on committed sites; provides recommendations on the overall number and type of sites required (road and rail) and advises on the phasing and broad locations or ‘Opportunity Areas' for new strategic sites to meet demand to inform Local Plan preparation. The study takes a policy off approach to assessing need / supply opportunities in terms of Green Belt but does acknowledge this as a delivery and Plan making constraint.

This Gypsy, Traveller, Travelling Showpeople and Boat Dwellers Accommodation Assessment will be used to assist policy development and planning decision making and supersedes any previous GTAA‘s produced for Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick District Council.

Housing & Economic Development Needs Assessment (HEDNA) – Covering Coventry and Warwickshire

• Executive Summary
• Main Report
• Further Advice on HEDNA

To outline (independently) what the need for housing and economic growth requirements across South Warwickshire are, based on robust evidence. This takes into account a wealth of evidence such as population, household and economic growth projections in order to assess the need for housing and employment up to 2050. The HEDNA has taken account of the data from the census in 2021.

An updated version of the HEDNA correcting arithmetic errors in relation to Strategic B8, and updating paragraphs regarding student housing has subsequently been published.

Further advice on the HEDNA has also now been published 2024.

November 2022

Further advice - February 2024

Retail and Town Centre Uses Study vol. 1

Retail and Town Centre Uses Study vol. 2

An assessment that looks at the vitality and viability of town centres, their role within South Warwickshire, the existing supply and future needs, the capacity of the centres to accommodate these need and advice on future approaches. The body of the report can be found in volume 1, and appendices in volume 2.

January 2024

The Green Belt in South Warwickshire

A topic paper providing an introduction to the purposes of Green Belt, and choosing sustainable locations for growth.

October 2023

Critique of Coventry and Warwickshire Green Belt Review methodology

A critique of the methodology used in the 2015 and 2016 Green Belt Review carried out in the Coventry and Warwickshire sub-region.

September 2023

Issues and Options Sustainability Appraisal (SA)

• Main Report
• Non-technical Study
• Appendices
• Scoping Report

This is an assessment of the significant environmental, social and economic effects of the Local Plan. At this stage, it looks specifically at the emerging options. Sustainability Appraisal work will be ongoing throughout the plan making process.

The Scoping Report represents the first stage of the SA process. It sets the context and objectives, establishes the baseline and decides on the scope of the main SA report.

Urban Capacity Study

This topic paper describes the process by which the spatial growth options evolved between the Scoping and Issues and Options consultations.

Renewables and Decentralised Energy Opportunities

This report provides an analysis and recommendations on the applicability of renewable and decentralised energy systems in South Warwickshire, with a focus on wind and solar energy.

Assessment of Carbon Sequestration and Habitat baseline and opportunities

This paper assesses the potential for climate change resilience measures through the form of Nature-based Solutions (NbS). NbS is an umbrella term for interventions that create new climate change resilience assets – features that are designed with nature to restore ecosystems, reverse biodiversity loss, manage water, and tackle the negative effects of climate change.

In this paper NbS have been assessed in the context of carbon sequestration, habitat potential, and the potential for reducing flood risk.

Climate Change Emissions Assessment

Climate Change Emissions Assessment - Erratum 6/2/23

This work will be ongoing throughout the plan-making process. At this stage it undertakes a high-level assessment of the emerging 5 spatial strategy options, and the policy options in the Issues and Options.

An erratum to this report has been published, dated 6th February 2023.

Assessment to determine the impact of development on climate change.

Playing Pitch Strategy

Playing Pitch Strategy Stage B Document

Playing Pitch Strategy Stage C Document (Stratford)

Playing Pitch Strategy Stage C Document (Warwick)

Playing Pitch Strategy Stage D Document (Stratford)

- Action Plan

Playing Pitch Strategy Stage D Document (Warwick)

- Action Plan

The Playing Pitch Strategy documents provide a detailed assessment of current sports pitch provision, and considers future needs based on projected population growth and housing development. Whilst the work was undertaken at the same time for the purposes of the South Warwickshire Plan, certain documents have been separated enabling each Local Authority to use beyond the South Warwickshire Local Plan

Stage B - The Spreadsheet provided identifies (as far as possible) all of the outdoor sports facilities, and clubs within the Districts for the assessed sports.

Stage C - The Stage C reports assess the current quantity and quality of pitch provision for each sport along with an assessment of ancillary facility quality and details from clubs outlining their views and plans for growth. Stage C also includes an assessment of current demand within the area, and predictions on future demand based on ONS projections.

Stage D - The stage D assessments take information from previous stages and tie together and test against a range of growth scenarios to help determine expected future need, across the areas for each sport.

Stage D Action Plans

Stratford-upon-Avon Longer Term Highway Capacity Study

Stratford-upon-Avon Longer Term Highway Capacity Study - Executive Summary

Stratford-upon-Avon Longer Term Highway Capacity Study - Technical Note

This Vision for Long Marston Airfield Garden Village (LMA) sets out an ambitious package of interconnected placemaking and mobility components to foster a thriving local community which is centred around accessibility, liveability and minimising carbon emissions.

It comprises a report which explores a wide range of measures for consideration by key decision makers which can help maximise local amenities, education and employment, encourage local living and offer new mobility services to residents and visitors.

The Vision for Long Marson Airfield (LMA) as presented in the Vision Document, sets out an ambitious package of interconnected placemaking and mobility components to foster a thriving local community which is centred around accessibility, liveability and minimising carbon emissions.

This report provides the technical justification and detail that supports the Vision for LMA and contains an analysis of the realistic trip generation potential for LMA, an optioneering assessment of traditional mass transit options and innovative micromobility solutions, as well as an appraisal of a viable size for a truly self-sustaining settlement. The intention is that the findings presented in this report will allow decision makers to make an informed judgement on how LMA can be delivered in a policy compliant sustainable manner, utilising solutions that may offer alternatives to the Southwestern Relief Road.

This report encompasses:

• An independent review of the LMA transport Vision, comparing how the aspirational Vision compares to established transport principles in terms of trip making and the trip making characteristics of the site;

• An initial sifting exercise resulting in a refined list of transport options for LMA to be taken forward for further assessment utilising the principles of transport analysis guidance;

• A high-level assessment identifying any other sustainable transport or highway options which could be considered as additional or alternative options to minimise the traffic impacts on the existing road network associated with the LMA development; and,

• An assessment of the measures/ options has been undertaken identifying indicative capital costs, feasibility and viability considerations for each option.

To demonstrate the areas of South Warwickshire best served by bus routes to different types of destinations. Conversely to examine ‘gaps' in bus services. This is primarily aimed at examining the ‘Main Bus Route' growth option identified in the Scoping Consultation.

Water Cycle Study

Appendix 10 - Water Quality Maps

Appendix 11 - A3 Mapping Pack

A Water Cycle Study is one of several strategic studies used by Local Planning Authorities as part of the evidence base for the South Warwickshire Local Plan. The overall objective of the Water Cycle Study is to understand the environmental and physical demands of the development and identify opportunities for more sustainable planning and improvements that may be required so that proposals don't exceed the existing water cycle capacity.

This is assessed by considering the following issues:

• Water resources and water supply
• Water supply infrastructure
• Wastewater collection and treatment
• Water quality and the environment
• Environmental opportunities and constraints

The Water Cycle Study and its appendices are available as separate files to download.

Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) – Part 1

Stratford-on-Avon District SFRA

• Final Report
• Appendix A - Geo PDF Key Map
• Appendix A - Geo PDF downloads
• Appendix B - Data Sources
• Appendix C - User Guide
• Appendix D - Flood Alert & Flood Warnings
• Appendix E - Flood Risk Summary
• Appendix F - Cumulative Impact Assessment

Warwick District SFRA

• Final Report
• Appendix A - Geo PDF Key Map
• Appendix A - Geo PDF downloads
• Appendix B- Data Sources
• Appendix C - User Guide
• Appendix D Flood Alert & Flood Warnings
• Appendix E - Flood Risk Summary
• Appendix F - Cumulative Impact Assessment

Housing, Employment and Town Centres

Affordable Housing

- An assessment on what 'net zero carbon' means and looks like for new developments in South Warwickshire

- Consideration of how the Plan can address retrofitting existing buildings to minimise carbon emissions and enable buildings to adapt to climate changes

- Climate change impact assessment of policies within the plan

- Viability implications of both the preferred growth strategy and specific policies within the plan related to climate change mitigation and adaptation

- Assessment into the extent to which the Local Plan can assist with carbon sequestration

- Offsetting evidence to inform Local Plan policies

An assessment to look at the air quality impacts of the proposals in the Plan on Air Quality Management Areas in South Warwickshire