Policy SP1: Staines-upon-Thames

Strategy

1. Recognising its size, location and significant opportunity for further regeneration, Staines-upon-Thames will be a key focus for housing, employment and retail development in the Borough. The guidance for how the town grows sustainably and coherently will be provided within a new Masterplan for Staines to deliver development to meet need.

Infrastructure

2. Growth of the town will be dependent on enhanced infrastructure, particularly to capitalise on the proximity to Heathrow Airport. The Council will support proposals that facilitate new and improved public and sustainable transport links, education facilities, healthcare services, and social and community uses in accessible locations, working with infrastructure providers to identify projects for funding.

Retail and Leisure

3. New development should support the position of Staines at the top of the retail and leisure hierarchy within the Borough. Proposals that contribute to culture, the arts and access to the River Thames will be considered favourably in accordance with the Masterplan.
4. Mixed-use development that has the potential to introduce new community and healthcare uses to the centre will be encouraged which increase foot-fall and contribute to the vitality and viability of the centre.

Character

5. The Staines Conservation Area (shown on the Policies Map) will be preserved and enhanced. New development in Staines is likely to be high density within the town centre to maximise efficient use of land but will be expected to achieve high quality design in accordance with the Masterplan.

Opportunities

6. There are opportunities for attractive riverside development and public realm enhancement. Improved access will be encouraged in order to maximise the asset that is the River Thames-side location.
7. Southern Rail Access to Heathrow that includes a station at Staines, and Southern Light Rail as the Council's preferred solution, is considered essential for the town to maximise benefits of the proposed Heathrow expansion.
8. Tall buildings will be designed to reflect the redefined character of Staines and the design is to be of high standard. There are opportunities to improve existing local leisure facilities.
9. Renewable and low carbon energy solutions will be expected to be incorporated in all new development³, including opportunities for combined heat and power (CHP) and district heat networks.

[3] All new development is for non-residential uses of 1000 sqm or greater and is for 10 or more dwellings

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

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.

Policy SP2: Ashford, Shepperton and Sunbury Cross

Strategy

1. Ashford, Shepperton and Sunbury Cross offer the potential for development opportunities to help meet identified needs. There are opportunities to maximise the efficient use of land by raising densities whilst ensuring high quality design, particularly around public transport interchanges.

Infrastructure

2. The Council will support proposals that seek to improve infrastructure to support the anticipated level of development in the centres. The Council will work with infrastructure providers to identify projects for funding. Improvements will be sought for:

1. public transport and sustainable and active travel opportunities,
2. education facilities and healthcare services,
3. social and community uses including open space provision in accessible locations

Retail and main town centre uses

3. The Council will seek to preserve and enhance the retail offer and other uses in Ashford, Shepperton and Sunbury Cross to strengthen the vitality and viability of each centre. Development proposals are expected to be consistent with the scale and function of each centre and will be directed to the Primary Shopping Areas for each centre as shown on the Policies Map (forthcoming).

Character

4. The Conservation Areas around Shepperton (shown on the Proposals Map) will be preserved and enhanced, along with heritage assets. Proposals will be supported that protect and enhance the local character of the area.

Opportunities

5. Sunbury Cross offers an opportunity to improve the safety and connectivity for active and sustainable modes of travel, whilst improving the public realm and helping to improve air quality, particularly around Sunbury Cross roundabout.
6. Ashford offers the opportunity to enhance the local level retail and leisure offer including health and fitness facilities and children's play spaces.
7. Shepperton would benefit from improved local connectivity, particularly improvements to bus services where there is currently a limited service.
8. Renewable and low carbon energy solutions will be expected to be incorporated in all new development4, including opportunities for combined heat and power (CHP) and district heat networks.

[4] All new development is for non-residential uses of 1000 sqm or greater and is for 10 or more dwellings

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

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.

Policy SP3: Stanwell and Stanwell Moor

Strategy

1. The Council will support the communities of Stanwell and Stanwell Moor and will minimise adverse impacts of the Heathrow expansion whilst seeking to secure economic and environmental benefits locally.

Infrastructure

2. The Council will support the provision of new social facilities including education and healthcare services as well as new leisure facilities to meet identified local needs.
3. The Council will work with infrastructure providers, developers and other key stakeholders to identify long term sources of funding and secure proposals for new infrastructure which offer sustainable transport links including active travel and public transport to improve access into and out of Heathrow Airport and other employment areas.
4. The Council will support proposals which enhance the function and setting of the local watercourses and river corridors and the rights of way network throughout the area.

Retail

5. The Council will protect the role that local retail facilities play in providing for the needs of the communities in Stanwell and Stanwell Moor. Development proposals for A1 (retail) use will be supported, where the scale is considered to complement the existing role and function.

Character

6. The Council will support the preservation and enhancement of the Stanwell Conservation Area and other heritage assets in the locality and will seek to ensure that the areas of current and former mineral working and other open land are fully restored or enhanced to provide an appropriate setting for recreation and nature conservation.

Opportunities

7. The Council will support opportunities for new and enhanced open spaces within Stanwell and Stanwell Moor and will encourage improved linkages as part of the wider green infrastructure network to promote walking and cycling.

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

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.

Policy SP4: Local Centres, Shopping Parades and Isolated Retail Units

Strategy

1. Spelthorne has a number of local centres and a series of shopping parades which are defined on the Policies Map.
2. Local Centres:

• Lower Sunbury
• Charlton
• Laleham
• Upper Halliford

3. Shopping Parades:

• Victoria Parade, Kingston Road, Staines
• Staines Road West, Ashford
• Stainash Parade and The Broadway, Kingston Road, Staines
• Groveley Road, Sunbury
• Green Lane, Shepperton
• Edinburgh Drive, Staines
• Clare Road, Stanwell
• Convent Road and Feltham Hill Road junction, Ashford
• Feltham Road, Ashford
• Green Street, Sunbury
• Laleham Road, Shepperton
• The Avenue, Lower Sunbury
• Vicarage Road, Sunbury Common
• Woodlands Parade, Ashford Common

4. The Council seeks to protect the role that these Local Centres and shopping parades play in providing for local shopping and service needs of the community. Development proposals for A1 (retail) will be supported, where their scale is appropriate to the centre and will complement its existing role and function.
5. Development proposals (new and change of use) for other town centre uses will also be supported provided they maintain:

1. an active frontage,
2. the overall role of the centre in meeting day-to-day retail needs,
3. customer choice,
4. the vitality and viability of the centre or parade, and
5. the scale and function of the centre.

6. The loss of a retail unit (within use class A1) that provides for everyday needs, will only be acceptable if evidence is provided of active and comprehensive marketing of the site for its current use for a minimum of 12 months, prior to submission of a planning application.
7. Proposals for residential development on the upper floors, which will enhance the local vitality, will be considered positively.

Opportunities

8. The Council will support opportunities to improve the relationship between the shopping area and the wider environment including public realm and landscaping.
9. There are opportunities to improve connectivity, particularly for active and sustainable modes of travel and the infrastructure to support these.

Indicator

Target

Data Source

Permissions granted for change of use of shops (A1)

Nil

Planning applications and appeals

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.

Policy SP5: Colne Valley Regional Park

1. The extent of the Colne Valley Regional Park within the Borough is defined on the Policies Map (forthcoming).
2. The Council will expect proposals for development within the Colne Valley Park to make a positive and sustainable contribution towards implementing the objectives of the Park. The Council will support in principle development within the park where it can be demonstrated that it will:

1. maintain and enhance the landscape and historic environment of the Park and its overall amenity value;
2. contribute to the objectives of the Park;
3. conserve and enhance biodiversity within the Park through the protection and management of its species, habitats and geological features;
4. provide opportunities for countryside recreation and ensure that facilities are accessible to all;
5. contribute to a vibrant and sustainable rural economy within the Park; and
6. encourage community participation, including volunteering and environmental education, and promote the health and social well-being through high quality green space.

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

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.

Policy ST6: River Thames and it's Tributaries

1. The River Thames is a strategically important and iconic feature of Spelthorne. It is an important natural and cultural asset providing leisure, ecological, environmental, landscape and economic benefits. This role will be protected and promoted. The special character and setting of the River Thames as defined on the Policies Map (forthcoming) will be conserved and enhanced, and appropriate development proposals associated with river related activities and employment will be supported.
2. The Council supports opportunities to increase the use of the river for tourism and improving river-based and riverside recreation and leisure activities. All development proposals should protect and enhance the river and its setting as a valuable resource for biodiversity, wildlife and as an SNCI. Where possible and where there will be no adverse effect on the SNCI, development proposals should support infrastructure such as boatyards, moorings, jetties and safety equipment etc.
3. Proposals for riverside development and improved facilities will need to demonstrate that there will be no unacceptable impact upon navigation, biodiversity, flood risk and landscape setting.
4. Development proposals on the riverside should preserve or enhance the waterside character, heritage value and setting, and provide physical and visual links with the surrounding areas (including views along the river).
5. The Council is supportive of river-related business uses (for example boat yards) and supports their continued presence in a river-side location.
6. The Council will support and promote new links across the river which support active and sustainable travel and leisure uses of the river.

New Mooring Facilities

7. A mooring or other floating structure will be supported if it complies with the following criteria:

1. it does not harm the character, openness and views of the river, by virtue of its design and height;
2. the visitor mooring allows use for a period of less than 24 hours;
3. there is no interference with the recreational use of the river, riverside and navigation; and
4. the proposal is of wider benefit to the community.

River Thames Scheme

8. The Council supports proposals for the wider River Thames Scheme and welcomes the proposed new footpath connection in Laleham as part of the recreational benefits the scheme will bring. The proposed route is shown on the Policies Map (forthcoming).

Indicator

Target

Data Source

Number of new visitor moorings

No specific target

In house Council Monitoring

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.

Policy SP7: Heathrow Airport

The Council will support in principle the sustainable expansion of Heathrow Airport by:

1. working strategically with local authorities around Heathrow Airport.
2. permitting development proposals outside the airport or Development Consent Order (DCO) Limits boundary5 in the Borough for Airport Supporting Development (ASD)6 particularly those that support economic development provided that they:

1. ensure safeguards are in place to mitigate air, noise, light and other pollution in the Borough; and
2. protect and enhance designated areas of existing environmental character including Sites of Nature Conservation Importance, areas of landscape value, the Borough's historic and cultural heritage (including historic buildings and Conservation Areas), habitats particularly within Biodiversity Opportunity Areas and open space of amenity and recreation value;
3. demonstrate ecological offsetting and mitigation measures;
4. offer the highest quality design of buildings and structures.

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:

1. promoting sustainable transport choices which reduce the need to travel;
2. improving surface access to minimise airport related traffic (congestion) in the Borough as a whole;
3. promoting initiatives such as car sharing/clubs, the use of electric vehicles, low emission cars and colleague shuttle buses from the surrounding areas; and
4. supporting southern rail access including the promotion of the Southern Light Rail (SLR) where there is benefit to communities in the Borough and the wider strategic network.

[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).

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

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.