Spelthorne Local Plan - Preferred Options Consultation: Policies and Site Allocations
Spelthorne Local Plan Preferred Options: policies
Spatial policies
Policy SP1: Staines-upon-Thames Strategy
Infrastructure
Retail and Leisure
Character
Opportunities
[3] All new development is for non-residential uses of 1000 sqm or greater and is for 10 or more dwellings |
Sustainability Appraisal Indicators
Reasoned Justification
Staines-upon-Thames is the main town centre within Spelthorne and therefore sits top of the centre hierarchy in the Borough. In this role, Staines is required to support a variety of uses, including shops, offices, leisure and entertainment facilities. It is therefore necessary to consider how to ensure Staines continues to perform its function as part of the Masterplan. Through this, Staines has the opportunity to grow and develop into a thriving town that can take advantage of its close proximity to Heathrow Airport, and proposed new public transport schemes are likely to enhance its connectivity further. Identified as a 'Step up Town' by the EM3 Local Enterprise Partnership, Staines is already on the map and its growth is sustainable and meets the needs for residents, businesses and visitors. For this reason, the Staines-upon-Thames Masterplan will deliver an ambitious and viable vision for the transformation and regeneration of the whole town. The Masterplan will be adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document to guide decision-making and allocations, supporting the Local Plan and this policy.
As well as accommodating growth, Staines also has significant character through the Staines Conservation Area and the proximity to and views of the river. There is therefore an expectation that any new development which affects the setting of the Conservation Area or the river will respect the character and enhance this.
The growth of Staines will allow opportunities to improve public realm and pedestrian linkages through the town centre. This will also provide opportunity to take advantage of the river and the footpath network through the Thames Path where possible. Utilising this asset is therefore a key strand of enhancing Staines and justifies its inclusion as part of the policy.
Mixed-use development within Staines town centre will reduce the need to travel and provide homes close to transport hubs. Mixed-use development presents opportunities to make good use of community combined heat and power, as the different types of use spread demand for heat and power over the day, evening and night. The buildings are likely to be in close proximity and reduce the cost of developing the heat network. Leisure and retail facilities can provide a base demand to help the efficiency of the system. Taller buildings will require piling for deep foundations which may provide opportunities for ground source heat.
Monitoring Indicators
Indicator |
Target |
Data Source |
Amount of floorspace for main town centre uses |
N/A |
Planning applications and appeals |
Number of dwellings completed each year within Staines |
N/A |
Planning applications and appeals |
Key Evidence
- Retail and Town Centre Study 2018
- Staines-upon-Thames Masterplan (forthcoming)
- Enterprise M3 LEP - Local Industrial Strategy Towns Study
Sustainability Appraisal Alternative Options
Alternative Option 1: Don't include a policy specific to Staines. Let the market decide the quantity and location of development. |
Reject alternative. This would offer no control over development and could negatively impact character and the settlement hierarchy. |
Alternative Option 2: Include a policy that specifically outlines how development should be accommodated in Staines. Direct growth to the most appropriate areas, prioritising those near employment and transport links. Consider the hierarchy of settlements to inform growth patterns. |
Preferred approach. Having localised policies in the Plan is considered to ensure that each area of the Borough accommodates an appropriate amount of growth and each area can be planned for effectively across the plan period. |
Core Strategy 2009 policies to be replaced
- Policy TC1: Staines Town Centre
Policy SP2: Ashford, Shepperton and Sunbury Cross Strategy
Infrastructure
Retail and main town centre uses
Character
Opportunities
[4] All new development is for non-residential uses of 1000 sqm or greater and is for 10 or more dwellings |
Sustainability Appraisal Indicators
Definitions
Primary Shopping Area is a defined area where retail development is concentrated.
Public Transport interchanges are defined as rail stations and bus stations within the Borough and are shown on the Policies Map (forthcoming). For the district centres, Ashford rail station, Sunbury rail station and Shepperton rail station are relevant. Standalone bus stops are not included within the definition of public transport interchanges.
Reasoned Justification
Ashford, Shepperton and Sunbury Cross are identified in the centre hierarchy as district centres offering retail facilities to their communities but without the range of retail offer provided in Staines. Ensuring vitality in the centres involves bringing unused retail units back into occupation and seeking to provide a diverse range of stores. Encouraging expansion where appropriate within the Primary Shopping Areas of each centre would allow for growth in this sector.
Ashford, Shepperton and Sunbury Cross each have their own mainline train station to provide connectivity into central London via Richmond and Kingston. This accessibility makes the three district centres attractive places to live. Providing housing around transport interchanges such as rail stations accords with the NPPF in making effective use of land. Whilst this approach would lead to higher densities, it is also important to ensure that the quality of design and standards are maintained.
Each of the three district centres have their opportunities where improvements could be sought and these have been identified within the policy. In addition to these, the three centres have more general infrastructure needs which will increase should growth occur and place greater pressures on existing services. This issue has been highlighted as a key component of delivering growth in the centres. Infrastructure improvements will need to be in an accessible location to cater for all sections of the local community and ensure that this can be fully utilised.
Monitoring Indicators
Indicator |
Target |
Data Source |
Number of ground floor retail (A1) uses lost to other use classes within the Primary Shopping Area |
N/A |
Annual retail surveys |
Permissions granted for retail uses (A1) |
None |
Annual retail surveys, planning applications and appeals |
Permissions granted for change of use from A1 to other uses that would result in a net loss of A1 uses in a Primary Shopping Area |
None |
Planning applications and appeals. |
Number of new dwellings completed in the three district centres |
N/A |
Planning applications and appeals |
Quantity of open space |
No loss of open space, identified deficiencies met by end of plan period |
Planning applications and appeals |
Key Evidence
- Open Space Assessment (Spelthorne BC, 2019)
- Retail and Town Centre Study 2018
- Annual Retail Surveys
- Playing Pitch Strategy
Sustainability Appraisal Alternative Options
Alternative Option 1: Do not include a specific policy for Sunbury, Shepperton and Ashford. Let the market decide the quantity and location of development. |
Reject alternative. This option would provide limited control over development and could negatively impact character and the settlement hierarchy. |
Alternative Option 2: Include a policy that specifically outlines how development should be accommodated in Sunbury, Shepperton and Ashford. Direct growth to the most appropriate areas, prioritising those areas near employment and transport links. Consider the hierarchy of settlements to inform growth patterns. |
Preferred approach. Having localised policies in the Plan will help to ensure that each area of the Borough accommodates an appropriate amount of growth and each area can be planned for effectively across the plan period. |
Core Strategy 2009 policies to be replaced
- Policy TC5: Proposals for Retail Development
- Policy TC3: Development in Ashford, Shepperton and Sunbury Cross
- Policy CO2: Provision of Infrastructure for New Development
Policy SP3: Stanwell and Stanwell Moor Strategy
Infrastructure
Retail
Character
Opportunities
|
Sustainability Appraisal Indicators
Reasoned Justification
Stanwell and Stanwell Moor are communities to the north of the Borough which are less well connected to the rest of Spelthorne. Stanwell is more developed to the south and links with the northern-most part of Ashford, whilst Stanwell Moor has a more distinct, rural character. Both Stanwell and Stanwell Moor are heavily impacted by Heathrow Airport. There is therefore a requirement for these communities to benefit from new and improved facilities and infrastructure where this can be secured.
Clare Road in Stanwell is identified as an important shopping parade which supports its local community. There is therefore a need to ensure that the vitality and viability of this parade is maintained and enhanced where appropriate. Stanwell Moor has a small area of retail provided on Horton Road, the offer for which is limited and further improvements could be sought.
Stanwell and Stanwell Moor would benefit from improved local connectivity with other parts of the Borough and with Heathrow Airport. These improvements would focus around enhanced public transport and opportunities to encourage sustainable and active travel through cycle ways and improved pedestrian linkages.
Monitoring Indicators
Indicator |
Target |
Data Source |
Permissions granted for new shops (A1) or change of use to shops (A1) |
N/A |
Planning applications and appeals |
Area of land restored or enhanced |
No derelict or degraded land |
Survey and minerals and waste planning applications |
Number of schemes in Conservation Areas providing positive enhancement |
No loss of heritage assets |
Planning applications and appeals Surveys |
Quantity of open space |
No loss of open space, identified deficiencies met by end of plan period |
Planning applications and appeals |
Key Evidence
- Assessment of Leisure Needs
- Local List of Buildings and Structures of Historic Interest
- Register of Heritage Assets
- Listed Buildings (statutory list)
- Open Space Assessment (Spelthorne BC, 2019)
- Playing Pitch Strategy
Sustainability Appraisal Alternative Options
Option 1: Don't include a policy specific to Stanwell and Stanwell Moor. Let the market decide the quantity and location of development. |
Reject alternative. This would offer no control over development and could negatively impact character and the settlement hierarchy. |
Option 2: Include a policy that specifically outlines how development should be accommodated in Stanwell and Stanwell Moor. Seek to minimise the impact from the Heathrow Airport expansion. |
Preferred approach. Having a localised policy in the Plan is considered to ensure that Stanwell and Stanwell Moor are planned for holistically and specific impacts from Heathrow Airport are addressed. |
Core Strategy 2009 policies to be replaced
- Policy TC4: Local Shopping Centres and Parades
Policy SP4: Local Centres, Shopping Parades and Isolated Retail Units Strategy
Opportunities
|
Sustainability Appraisal Indicators
Definitions
Local centres are smaller residential areas with some retail uses which help meet the day-to-day needs of the area. These centres are generally located in more remote locations and are less well connected to either the main town centre or the three district centres.
Shopping parades are rows of shops providing a variety of facilities for their local neighbourhood. These parades can be of varying sizes but generally help to contribute to meeting some or all of their local communities' everyday needs. The list provided in the policy is not exhaustive and all parades will be shown on the forthcoming policies map.
Active and comprehensive marketing requires demonstration of a marketing campaign for a continuous period of at least 12 months as a minimum. Marketing must be undertaken through a recognised commercial agent at a price that genuinely reflects the market value of the current or most recent use of the site. It must be demonstrated to the Council's satisfaction that marketing has been unsuccessful for all relevant floor space proposed to be lost through re-development or change of use.
Reasoned Justification
The Borough has a number of local centres which support a smaller population when compared to the town and district centres. The local centres play an important role in supporting their communities. These centres have a few shops which help to provide for local people's basic day-to-day needs but lack the diversity of more established retailers or uses such as banking facilities, supermarkets etc. However, the role these centres play within their communities is important and maintaining the vitality of these is a key challenge. Therefore the Council is justified in protecting these centres and encouraging the development of additional A1 uses where appropriate.
In addition, the Borough also has a vast number of shopping parades dispersed across residential areas. These parades also play a key role in helping to support their communities where there is an absence of a district or local centre. Many of these parades provide homes for local businesses and are of importance to the communities which they serve. The Council will seek to maintain these parades to help them to continue to fulfil their functions and encourage the re-use of vacant units to ensure vitality within the parades.
Spelthorne also has a small number of isolated shops which provide an important service, such as post offices or local convenience stores. As such, these units often provide for everyday needs. These units could be vulnerable to development pressures and therefore, due to the key role they play within their communities, seeking significant justification for proposals affecting these is considered necessary.
Monitoring Indicators
Indicator |
Target |
Data Source |
Permissions granted for change of use of shops (A1) |
Nil |
Planning applications and appeals |
Key Evidence
- Annual retail survey
Sustainability Appraisal Alternative Options
Option 1: Do not include a policy specific to local centres, shopping parades and isolated retail units in Spelthorne. Let the market dictate the role of these assets. |
Reject alternative. This would offer no control over development and could negatively impact character and the settlement hierarchy. |
Option 2: Include a policy that specifically outlines how development should be accommodated in local centres, shopping parades and isolated retail units and their role. Consider the hierarchy of settlements to inform growth patterns. |
Preferred approach. Having a localised policy in the Plan is considered to ensure that each area of the Borough accommodates an appropriate amount of growth and each area can be planned for effectively across the plan period. |
Core Strategy 2009 policies to be replaced
- Policy TC4: Local Shopping Centres and Parades
- Policy CO1: Providing Community Facilities
Policy SP5: Colne Valley Regional Park
|
Sustainability Appraisal Indicators
Reasoned Justification
The Colne Valley Regional Park covers over 10,000 hectares to the west of London. It forms a narrow corridor of countryside, much of it within the Green Belt, stretching from Rickmansworth in the north to Staines and Wraysbury in the South where the River Colne joins the Thames. It is some 14 miles long and 3 miles wide at its widest point. It straddles a number of local authority boundaries. The area within Spelthorne covers some 1,000 hectares and comprises three major reservoirs, Staines Moor, Hithermoor and the settlement of Stanwell Moor.
The Colne Valley Regional Park was conceived in the 1960's with the broad aim of providing for informal recreation in a countryside setting. The original objectives remain just as valid today, although they have been updated, modified and extended over the last 50 years:
- To conserve the biodiversity resources of the Park through the protection and management of its diverse plant and animal species, habitats and geological features.
- To resist urbanisation of the Colne Valley Park and to safeguard existing areas of countryside from inappropriate development.
- To provide opportunities for countryside recreation including appropriate accessible facilities.
- To maintain and enhance the landscape, historic environment and waterscape of the Park in terms of their scenic and conservation value and their overall amenity.
- To achieve a vibrant and sustainable rural economy, including farming and forestry, underpinning the value of the countryside.
The Council supports the objectives of the Park and will seek to ensure that land within it is kept open and available for informal recreation where possible and that any proposals for development make a positive contribution to the setting of the Park, its landscape and recreational potential.
Monitoring Indicators
Indicator |
Target |
Data Source |
Land lost to inappropriate development in the Green Belt within the boundaries of the Park |
No loss of Green Belt to inappropriate development |
Planning applications and appeals |
Provision of recreational facilities within the Park |
Net gain of recreational facilities |
Survey and planning application records |
Changes to biodiversity |
Net gain of biodiversity areas and/or designations |
Survey and published data |
Landscape enhancement/restoration schemes completed |
Net gain of land under active management for agriculture, recreation and leisure |
Survey and planning application records |
Key Evidence
- Current facilities
- Area of land in agricultural use
- Area of land in recreational use
- Area of land subject to restoration schemes
- Rights of Way and Permissive paths
- SSSIs and SNCIs
Sustainability Appraisal Alternative Options
Alternative Option 1: Do not have a local policy on the Colne Valley Park. Rely on other policies to protect and enhance the Park and its role. |
Reject alternative. This will not allow the Council to positively respond to impacts on the Colne Valley Park. This has negative environmental impacts. |
Alternative Option 2: Have a localised policy on the Colne Valley Park. |
Preferred approach. This will enable the Colne Valley Park to be effectively maintained and enhanced with regard for local circumstances. This has positive environmental impacts. |
Core Strategy 2009 policies to be replaced
- No relevant policies.
Policy ST6: River Thames and it's Tributaries
New Mooring Facilities
River Thames Scheme
|
Sustainability Appraisal Indicators
Reasoned Justification
The River Thames forms a large part of the southern boundary of the Borough between the neighbouring boroughs of Runnymede and Elmbridge. It is a significant local and regional amenity. The Thames is the longest river in England measuring 215 miles; it begins in the Cotswold Hills (Gloucestershire), meandering eastwards through Spelthorne before passing through the city of London and ending in the North Sea. The River Thames is regarded as a key asset of the Borough, and the Council is keen to maximise its potential. The river brings great benefits from tourism, leisure, recreation and ecological perspectives, and is also beautiful.
Policy SP6 aims to ensure that the setting of the river and its tributaries is protected and where possible enhanced. This involves protecting landscape features that contribute to the setting, and protecting and enhancing views of the river.
Particular care will be needed in assessing the visual impact of development proposals in locations that form part of the setting of the river to ensure that the setting is not damaged and that new development makes a positive contribution to the riverside environment.
There is public access to much of the Thames riverside in Spelthorne, although access to the River Ash, Colne and the River Thames downstream of Shepperton Lock is more limited. Existing riverside access will be maintained and opportunities will be sought to improve access in conjunction with developments in riverside locations.
Monitoring Indicators
Indicator |
Target |
Data Source |
Number of new visitor moorings |
No specific target |
In house Council Monitoring |
Sustainability Appraisal Alternative Options
Alternative Option 1: Rely on national policy relating to flooding. Do not have a policy on the River Thames. Rely on other policies to protect and enhance the River Thames and its role in Spelthorne. |
Reject alternative. This approach would have little regard for local circumstance and would fail to recognise the integral nature of the River to the Borough's character. It is uncertain if other policies on leisure and recreation would sufficiently safeguard the River Thames. |
Alternative Option 2: Include a policy on the River Thames covering mooring, navigation, character, recreation and design factors. Recognise the setting of the River Thames and its significance to the Borough. Recognise the River Thames Scheme within the policy. Safeguard and promote economic uses associated with the River Thames. |
Preferred approach. This will enable the Council to consider impacts on the wider River Thames when making decisions and recognise the positive impacts it has on the environment, economic opportunities it presents and social benefits. |
Alternative Option 3: Include a policy on the River Thames covering navigation and recreation only. |
Reject alternative. This approach recognises the active role of the River Thames in terms of boating and leisure/recreation but fails to take account of the specific character and design of the area. |
Core Strategy 2009 policies to be replaced
- Policy EN9: River Thames and its Tributaries
- Policy EN10: Recreational Use of the River Thames
Policy SP7: Heathrow Airport The Council will support in principle the sustainable expansion of Heathrow Airport by:
c. resisting inappropriate development in the Green Belt unless the harm is outweighed by very special circumstances. d. supporting initiatives that encourage modal shift towards more sustainable forms of transport such as:
[5] Development Consent Order (DCO) Limits boundary is the overall boundary of the Heathrow Expansion project which includes land Heathrow intends to construct buildings, infrastructure and much of the extensive landscape mitigation areas, and land where Heathrow may potentially require property and other rights for landscape mitigation areas (Heathrow, 2019). [6] Airport Supporting Development (ASD) describes a range of development that is related to the airport’s operation, and includes uses such as airport operations, cargo, maintenance, industrial, freight forwarding, hotels and offices (Heathrow, 2019). |
Sustainability Appraisal Indicators
Reasoned Justification
The policy sets out the Council's position on Heathrow's expansion and reinforces the local importance the airport has on the Borough's economy. The Council supports the proposed expansion (future expansion) in principle and recognises the potential economic benefits and opportunities that the expanded airport (future expansion) could bring to Spelthorne, the wider South East and the UK as a whole. However, its support is entirely dependent on Heathrow Airport Limited (HAL) making sure that the proposed scheme comprehensively and effectively mitigates the impacts it will have on our communities, businesses, services and environment.
The main objective of this policy is for the Council to ensure that the expanded Heathrow Airport (future expansion at Heathrow Airport) secures and provides the best possible outcomes for its residents and businesses, and in particular those most directly affected in the Stanwell Moor and Stanwell communities.
Heathrow Airport, the UK's main and busiest airport lies immediately north of the Borough. Currently the proposed expansion plans, which entail major changes to the layout of the airport and the infrastructure surrounding it, will encroach into Spelthorne.
Heathrow Airport is an important contributor to the local economy as 7% of Spelthorne's population works at the airport which is around 3,525 people7. There is also a concentration of airport supporting facilities (related developments and activities), including freight forwarding services to the north of the Borough.
Due to the Borough's close proximity to the airport, it experiences air and noise pollution and other environmental impacts. Over 92% of Heathrow employees who live in the Borough reach the airport by car rather than public transport which highlights poor connectivity. Undoubtedly the Borough is also affected by activities related to the operation of the airport and its associated businesses, such as logistics and distribution, which impact on air quality, noise, the efficiency of the local and strategic road network.
Given the economic benefits and opportunities Heathrow Airport brings to Spelthorne, the Council will work in partnership with HAL and other service providers to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the airport and seek to avoid and mitigate any potential adverse environmental impacts on the Borough and its surrounding areas.
[7] Source: Heathrow - Community Investment Programme 2018 - Spelthorne
Monitoring Indicators
Indicator |
Target |
Data Source |
Extent of the 66 Leq noise contour |
Reduction in areas affected by the 66 Leq noise contour |
BAA, DfT, The Borough Council |
Key evidence
Sustainability Appraisal Alternative Options
Alternative Option 1: Do not include a policy on Heathrow Airport. The airport is outside of the Borough boundary therefore the Local Plan should not address it. |
Reject alternative. This approach would limit the Council's ability to have an input on airport expansion-related matters. This option would not address airport related development within Spelthorne. Due to uncertainty the DCO boundaries could alter and change the impacts on the Borough. |
Alternative Option 2: Include a policy on Heathrow Airport. Recognise the potential impacts of expansion and plan to accommodate change through appropriate mitigation measures. Consider the impacts of expansion on the area outside of the Development Consent Order boundary. |
Preferred approach. This will allow the Council to effectively manage the potential impacts of Airport growth on the Borough. At present an airport expansion is likely therefore the Local Plan is recognising the potential impacts. |
Core Strategy Policies to be replaced
- No relevant policies.
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