WINGERWORTH PARISH DRAFT NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

Transcription

1 WINGERWORTH PARISH DRAFT NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN February 2016 WINGERWORTH PARISH COUNCIL Page 1 of 18

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION PAGE 1. Introduction What Happens Next How the Plan fits in to the Planning System How the Plan supports Sustainable Development The plan, its purpose and what we want it to achieve About Wingerworth Parish 5. Neighbourhood Plan Policies 7. A Sustainable Wingerworth Parish Meeting Housing Need Community Facilities and Shops Employment and Economic Growth Built Heritage and Design Natural Environment Getting Around Monitoring and Review 18. Page 2 of 18

3 CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION TO WINGERWORTH NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN Welcome to the draft Neighbourhood Plan ( the Plan ) for the Parish of Wingerworth The Localism Act has given communities the right to draw up a Neighbourhood Plan for their area. This right is aimed at giving local communities genuine opportunities to influence how their community develops, now and in the future As the Plain English Guide to the Localism Act 2011 states, Instead of local people being told what to do, the Government thinks that local communities should have genuine opportunities to influence the future of the places where they live. Decisions on planning applications, for example, must take account of Neighbourhood Plans. The Plan has been prepared by the Wingerworth Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group. This comprises members of the local community and parish councillors, under the umbrella of the Parish Council (the accountable body ). The Group has been supported by neighbourhood planning consultants YourLocale. The Plan is underpinned by solid evidence. This evidence has been gathered from a wide of sources, including analysis of relevant national and local planning policies and data from the Census. The findings from community consultation have been paramount to the development of this evidence base; this is key to ensuring that the Plan fully reflects local needs and priorities. The Neighbourhood Plan area covers the whole of the parish of Wingerworth. It covers the fifteen-year period of 2016 to 2031 and sets out a long term plan for how the Parish of Wingerworth will develop. It is important to note that in preparing a Neighbourhood Plan a community is not working from a blank piece of paper. Legislation requires that a Neighbourhood Plan, and the policies it contains, must be prepared in a prescribed manner; in particular, the policies must be in general conformity with relevant national and district wide (i.e. North East Derbyshire) approved planning policies. The Plan is now at the pre-submission stage, and residents, landowners, businesses, North East Derbyshire District Council and Derbyshire County Council and other people are invited to comment on it. CHAPTER 2. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT All comments received will be considered by Wingerworth Parish Council, and the draft Plan will be amended accordingly. The Plan will then be submitted to North East Derbyshire District Council for publication and a further six-week public consultation will take place before it is sent to an Independent Examiner. The Examiner will recommend that the Plan is submitted to a local referendum, is modified to meet the Basic Conditions and then submitted to a referendum, or that the Plan is refused. North East Derbyshire District Council will arrange a referendum and, if the Plan is passed by a simple majority of those eligible to vote in the Parish, the District Council will adopt it. When the Plan is adopted, it will form part of the statutory Development Plan for the area. North East Derbyshire District Council will continue to be responsible for determining most planning applications, but in Wingerworth Parish the policies in the Neighbourhood Plan will be the basis for those decisions. Once approved, the draft Plan will form part of the Statutory Development Plan for North East Derbyshire. This means that it must be taken into account when considering planning decisions Page 3 of 18

4 affecting Wingwerworth Parish. The residents of the Parish will then have a far greater control over where development takes place, and what it looks like. It should be noted, however, it is not at the Made stage when the provisions of the Plan need to be taken into account when considering planning decisions by North East Derbyshire DC and others. It is at the draft stage, whereby whilst decision makers need to bear in mind that it is still draft, legislation requires that the more advanced the preparation of the Plan the greater the weight that may be given to its contents. Indeed, the Plan has added importance in guiding and shaping development in the absence of an up to date district wide Local Plan. CHAPTER 3. HOW THE PLAN FITS IN TO THE PLANNING SYSTEM The right for communities to prepare Neighbourhood Plans was established through the Localism Act 2011, which set out the general rules governing their preparation. A Neighbourhood Plan forms part of the Statutory Development Plan for the area in which it is prepared. This statutory status means that it must be taken into account when considering planning decisions affecting that area. One of the main rules governing the preparation of a Neighbourhood Plan is that it must be in line with European regulations on strategic environmental assessment and habitat regulations. It must also be in general conformity with national, county and district wide (i.e. North East Derbyshire) planning policies. This means that it cannot be prepared in isolation. It will need to take into account, and generally work with, the grain of the district wide and national policies unless there are good reasons for not doing so. At the local level, the key planning document which a Neighbourhood Plan must have regard to is the District Wide Local Plan. In the case of Wingerworth, this is the North East Derbyshire Local Plan. This requirement, however, for the Plan to be in general conformity with the adopted District Wide Local Plan is complicated by the revised timescale for the production of the new North East Derbyshire Local Plan (which will replace the saved policies from the North East Derbyshire Local Plan , and which are now a bit dated). An initial draft of the Local Plan was prepared in This Plan has since been effectively withdrawn, and the revised draft Local Plan is not expected until Nevertheless, the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group considered it expedient to proceed with the Plan based on the best available evidence, including that contained in the draft Local Plan. Also important is the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). This sets out the Government's planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied. CHAPTER 4. HOW THE PLAN SUPPORTS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT One of the main requirements of the planning system is the achievement of sustainable development. The NPPF requires Neighbourhood Plans to contribute to this. In addition, the NPF sets out three dimensions to sustainable development: economic, social and environmental. The achievement of sustainable development is at the heart of this Plan, and sets out how Wingerworth will play its part in its achievement including by, for example: an economic role contributing to a strong and competitive economy, by ensuring that sufficient land of the right type is available in the right places to support economic growth and job creation; identifying and coordinating development requirements, including the provision of infrastructure and supporting existing and new businesses; Page 4 of 18

5 a social role supporting strong, vibrant and healthy communities, by ensuring the appropriate type and amount of housing, including affordable, required to meet the needs of present and future generations; protecting and enhancing accessible community facilities that meet the community s needs and supporting a high quality built environment; and an environmental role contributing to protecting and enhancing the good quality natural environment; including helping to improve biodiversity, protecting important green spaces and the countryside from inappropriate development and minimising pollution and travel by car. CHAPTER 5. THE PLAN, ITS PURPOSE AND WHAT WE WANT IT TO ACHIEVE The Plan covers the whole of the Parish of Wingerworth and spans the time period up to 2031, a timescale which deliberately mirrors that for the emerging North East Derbyshire Local Plan. The Plan is not intended to duplicate national or district wide (i.e. North East Derbyshire) planning policies, but to sit alongside these, to add additional or more detailed policies specific to Wingerworth Parish. Where there are national and district-wide planning policies that meet the needs and requirements of the Parish they are not repeated here. Instead, the Plan focuses on those planning issues which consultation shows matter most to the community, and to which the Plan can add the greatest additional value. The findings from the consultation has identified a small number of the key issues that the Plan needs to address. These are: To protect Wingerworth s distinct identity and character; To protect the intrinsic role and beauty of Wingerworth s countryside and green spaces; To conserve and enhance Wingerworth s natural and built environment; To meet local housing and other development needs; To retain and enhance community facilities and services; The development of the Avenue regeneration scheme; The impact of vehicular traffic, especially along the A61; and The residents of Wingwerworth having a bigger say in how the Parish develops. These are explored in greater detail in the following chapters. It is important to note that when using the Plan to form a view on a development proposal or a policy issue the whole document and the policies contained in it must be considered together. Also, while every effort has been made to make the main parts of this Plan easy to read and understand, the wording of the actual policies is necessarily more formal, so that it complies with statutory requirements. CHAPTER 6. ABOUT WINGERWORTH PARISH Wingerworth is a medium sized parish in the District of North East Derbyshire. It is situated 3 miles south west of the town of Chesterfield. It comprises the village of Wingerworth surrounded by large areas of generally attractive countryside. One of the Parish s key features is the A61 (Derby Road). This major and well used road cuts across the Parish roughly in a north south direction. The main built up part of the Parish is to the west of the A61 though there is some housing to its east, notably the Adlington Estate, as well as a grouping of employment uses off Mill Lane. Page 5 of 18

6 Also, to the east of the Parish is the Avenue regeneration project. Once the home of the Avenue Coking Plant, the site is to be transformed into a major mixed used development including housing, employment and other uses. A historic settlement, the earliest written records of the Parish date from the Domesday Book in 1086, in which a community of fourteen households of freemen is recorded. At the time of the 2011 Census, the Parish had a population of 6,533. Reflecting the national trend, it has an ageing population. At 26.1% its proportion of people aged 65 is above the equivalent district (21.1%) and national (16.3%) averages. The Parish has a reasonable range of community and services. These include a church, two primary schools, medical centre, pharmacy, pubs, shops and a village hall. Generally, residents look outside the Parish, mainly to the nearby centres of Chesterfield, to meet their day to day retail, community and other needs. A full statistical profile of the Parish is available on the Parish Council website. CHAPTER 7. A SUSTAINABLE WINGERWORTH PARISH 7.1 Directing Development to the most Sustainable Locations One of the key ways in which the planning system can ensure sustainable development is to direct significant development, such as new homes and employment to the most sustainable locations. This is a core principle of the NPPF, which seeks to focus significant development in locations which are or can be made sustainable. It is also at the heart of North East Derbyshire s emerging Local Plan which aims to direct growth to the most sustainable settlements. In support of this North East Derbyshire District Council has developed a settlement hierarchy. This hierarchy categorises settlements based on their size and the level of services and facilities such as shops, schools and employment that they provide. It then seeks to direct development to those settlements with the greatest potential to accommodate sustainable change. The general principle is that the higher a settlement comes in the hierarchy the more suitable it is considered for future development in the most sustainable way. All the fifty-one settlements in North East Derbyshire with more than 20 dwellings (as of 2008) were included as part of this hierarchy. This included the settlement of Wingerworth. This hierarchy grouped similar settlements across North East Derbyshire into five main classifications: Principal towns Secondary towns Large settlements Small settlements Very small settlements and hamlets In terms of Wingerworth this, with 15 other settlements in the District, was categorised as a large settlement in the hierarchy. This means that it offers some opportunities for development, but to a lesser extent than the higher order settlements in the district of Dronfield, Clay Cross, Eckington and Killamarsh. In addition to the 51 settlement considered as part of the settlement hierarchy, the draft Local Plan also identified a number of strategic sites which are to be the focus of mixed use regeneration. Page 6 of 18

7 This included the Avenue Site in the east of Wingerworth. It is proposed to build around 1,100 dwellings on the site, of which 700 is expected to be delivered within the plan period. The site will also provide 4-5 hectare of employment land along with ancillary facilities and infrastructure, and public open space. The Avenue development, and the many other developments in the pipeline will give rise to significant development and changes to the Parish and the wider area for years to come 7.2 Wingerworth Settlement Development Limit A Settlement Development Limit is a commonly used tool in planning documents such as Neighbourhood Plans and Local Plans. They are used to define the extent of a built up part of a settlement. They distinguish between areas where in planning terms sustainable development would be acceptable in principle such as in the main settlements and where it would not be (generally in the least sustainable locations) such as in the open countryside. The Neighbourhood Plan proposes to update the existing Settlement Development Limit for the settlement of Wingerworth introduced by North East Derbyshire District Council in The proposed Settlement Development Limit is shown on the Proposals Map (to be added) and was developed following consultation and best practice. Within the defined Settlement Development Limit sustainable development will be viewed positively. POLICY W 1: WINGERWORTH SETTLEMENT DEVELOPMENT LIMIT The Settlement Development Limit for Wingerworth has been reviewed and the revised boundary is shown on the map below. Within the defined Settlement Development Limit, the Plan will take a positive approach to sustainable development proposals that are in accordance with other policies in this Plan and other relevant national and district planning policies. 7.3 Development in the Countryside The settlement of Wingerworth is set in an attractive landscape, which is highly valued by local people and the varied habitats and species it supports. The Parish lies within the Wooded Farmlands Landscape Character Area as defined by Natural England. It is often referred to as the Gateway to the Peak and contains some of the highest quality and most sensitive landscapes surrounding the Peak District National Park and much of it was considered for inclusion within the National Park boundary when this developed in the 1950 s. Studies have concluded that it is unlikely to be able to accommodate development without having a significant adverse impact on the existing landscape. Much of the countryside between between Chesterfield and Wingerworth is designated as Green Belt. This is a national designation, the main purpose of which locally is to prevent the coalescence of Chesterfield and Wingerworth. Within the Green Belt development is strictly controlled and only allowed in exceptional circumstances. In planning terms, land outside a defined Settlement Development Limit, including any small groups of buildings or small settlements, is treated as countryside. It is national and local planning policy that development in the countryside should be strictly controlled. It should only be allowed in exceptional circumstances, where it is appropriate to a rural location, such as for the purposes of agriculture, forestry, tourism and other developments that require a rural location. This approach is also supported by this Plan, in particular, as it will prevent the sprawl of development into the countryside and to protect the special and attractive rural setting of the Page 7 of 18

8 Parish and protect the countryside for its own sake as an attractive, accessible and non-renewable natural resource. POLICY W 2: DEVELOPMENT IN THE OPEN COUNTRYSIDE Land outside the Settlement Development Limit will be treated as open countryside, where development will be only allowed in exceptional circumstances and in accordance with other relevant policies in this Plan and with relevant district and national planning policies. CHAPTER 8. MEETING HOUSING NEED 8.1 Housing Growth Wingerworth is an attractive and popular place in which to live. In recent years, the Parish has seen a significant amount of housing growth. A lot of development has already taken place and there are more houses in the pipeline, including the planned development of 1,100 new homes as part of the Avenue development. Nevertheless, there remains a considerable amount of development pressure. The consultation shows that the local community understand the need for housing growth and the benefits it may bring but consider that Wingerworth has, and is expected to, accommodate more than its fair share of housing growth. In particular, they are concerned about the adverse impact recent developments and existing commitments will continue to have on the character of the Parish and its already stretched infrastructure, especially roads (notably the A61) and services such as schools, doctors etc. They also wish to ensure that any housing development that takes place supports its changing needs, and have a greater say over how the Parish develops. Legislation requires that a Neighbourhood Plan must support the district wide i.e. North East Derbyshire housing needs. The District Council has determined that there is a minimum requirement of 6,000 new homes to be built in the District between 2001 and In addition, it has determined to work towards a target of 6,755 (i.e. 12% over provision) to provide some flexibility in the Local Plan should any issues occur in the deliverability of sites in the future The District Council is currently preparing a new Local Plan to determine how this housing requirement should best be met. This is likely to include specific housing targets for individual communities. This Plan is expected in 2017 at the earliest. The District Council did produce a draft Local Plan in This did begin to apportion a housing target to specific settlements in the District, including Wingerworth. However, the draft Local Plan has effectively been withdrawn; in particular, as North East Derbyshire District Council stated The Council received a substantial number of comments in response to the consultation in the Spring. In the light of the views received, and the work we have undertaken so far on site assessments, it is clear that there are significant problems in showing that the proposed strategy can be delivered successfully. In the absence of an agreed district wide methodology for proportioning the overall 6,755 new dwellings target across the District, and recognising the need to progress the Plan during the period of uncertainty whilst the draft Local Plan was being developed, it was determined that the Plan should set its own appropriate level of minimum housing growth for the Parish. This was determined to be 14%. This was deliberately set at the district average for housing growth. In setting this level of growth the Plan has had regard to a number of important factors such as the emerging Local Plan and the requirement for Neighbourhood Plans to plan positively. Any housing growth should also take account of recent development and existing commitments, and the level of service provision and infrastructure capacity were also significant factors. Page 8 of 18

9 It is recognised that this level of housing growth is less than that envisaged in the draft Local Plan for North East Derbyshire. The draft Local Plan suggested that the settlement of Wingerworth should have a minimum growth target of 17% (based on the number of dwellings in 2011); in addition to the 700 plus homes planned for the Avenue. This proposal was, however, part of a draft document, which was itself the subject of consultation, and has since been effectively withdrawn. It is considered that a 14% housing growth target for the Parish is an appropriate and sustainable target that makes provision for the needs of its residents and contributes appropriately to the overall housing target for North East Derbyshire. Also, by basing this growth on the district wide target of a minimum 6,755 new homes (thus including 12% over-provision) rather than the lower figure of 6,000, it provides some flexibility and future-proofing should deliverability issues arise on individual sites in the Parish. Having looked at the level of services and infrastructure, market conditions and housing need, and taking into account the findings from consultation, there is no evidence to suggest that a higher level of housing development should take place in Wingerworth. Indeed, it could be argued that it should be lower. This 14% minimum housing growth equates to a target of 384 new homes to be built in the Parish between 2011 and The high levels of housing planning approvals (approx. 230) in the Parish between 2011 and 2014 mean that much of this target has already met. This leaves a residual requirement of about 154 homes, which will be met by the housing proposed (700 over the lifetime of the Plan) Avenue Development and windfall sites (see section 8.2). It also noted that planning applications have been submitted to North East Derbyshire District Council for the construction of 105 homes on Cottagehill Farm and a further 136 dwellings on Land of Mill Lane and East of Derby Road. These decisions are outside the control of the Parish Council, but if one or more of these planning applications were approved it would have a massive impact on housing provision in the Parish. POLICY W 3: HOUSING GROWTH: Having regard to the high number dwellings already constructed or with planning permission since 2011, the remaining housing provision for Wingerworth will be a minimum target of 154 new dwellings between 2014 and 2031 which will be met land allocated for housing development as part of the Avenue mixed use development schemes and windfall sites in accordance with Policy W Windfall Development Windfall development is small infill or redevelopment/conversion sites that come forward unexpectedly, and which have not been specifically identified for new housing in a planning document. These sites often comprise redundant or underutilised buildings, including former farm buildings, or a small gap within an existing frontage of buildings. These are normally small sites suitable for only a single dwelling but can be a site with a capacity for several houses but less than five. Normally windfall development is for new housing, though, in principle, could comprise other forms of development such as new shops, employment or community facilities. Windfall development has made a regular contribution towards housing supply in the Parish. The Plan is supportive of such suitable designed and located development, where it helps meet a local need and is in keeping with the overall character of the area. POLICY W 4: WINDFALL DEVELOPMENT - Within the Settlement Development Limit for Wingerworth as defined on the proposals map, small scale development proposals which help to meet the development needs of the Parish and secure the sustainability of the Parish will be viewed positively where the proposal: Page 9 of 18

10 a) helps to meet an identified local need; b) respects the shape and form of the relevant area in order to maintain its distinctive character and enhance it where possible; c) is of an appropriate scale which reflects the size, character and level of service provision within the Parish; d) retains existing important natural boundaries such as trees, hedges, walls and streams, which either contribute to visual amenity or are protected for their ecological value; e) respects important views; f) does not adversely affect neighbouring properties by way of privacy, daylight, visual intrusion or amenity; g) is sensitive to the landscape setting of the Parish; h) preserves and where possible, enhances the setting of any important heritage asset, where the setting of that heritage asset would be affected by the proposal; i) does not reduce garden space to an extent where it adversely impacts on the character of the area, or the amenity of neighbours and the existing and future occupiers of the dwelling; j) contributes to reducing crime and anti-social behaviour; and where k) any traffic generation and parking impact created does not result in an unacceptable direct or cumulative impact on congestion or road and pedestrian safety. It is recognised that some windfall development proposals may come forward outside of the Wingerworth Settlement Development Limit, for example, the conversion of a disused agricultural building into a dwelling. In such circumstances these will be considered in accordance with Policies W2 and W New Housing Mix It is important that any housing growth meets the needs of people living locally both now and in the future. Data from the 2011 Census shows that when compared to North East Derbyshire and England as a whole, Wingerworth has a significantly smaller proportion of young people (under 30), but significantly more people aged over 65. This also shows that it has a far higher proportion of dwellings that are detached (nearly three times the national average). Between 1995 and 2007 over half (57%) of the properties built in the Parish were detached. This strongly suggests there is a need for smaller properties in the Parish less than three bedrooms, and an over provision of larger properties more than 4 bedrooms. The consultation also shows support for smaller homes in particular two or three bedroomed houses that meet needs of its ageing population (including those that wish to downsize to remain in the Parish) and would be suitable for young families and young people. POLICY W 5: HOUSING MIX Housing development proposals should provide a mixture of housing types and sizes specifically to meet identified local needs in Wingerworth. Priority should be given to smaller homes (e.g. 3 bedrooms or less), especially those suitable for young families and young people and older peoples (who wish to downsize). 8.4 Affordable Housing Page 10 of 18

11 Affordable housing is social rented, affordable rented and intermediate housing, provided to eligible households whose needs are not met by the market. Eligibility is determined with regard to local incomes and local house prices. The provision of affordable housing within the Parish is an issue. In 2014, the average price for a new dwelling sold on the open market in the Parish was 202,000 a figure well above the district average and beyond the means of many people who wish to live in the Parish include some who have been brought up in the Parish and wish to remain there. Consultation shows strong support for the provision of affordable housing, especially for people with a strong local connection and that homes for young people, young families and older people should be prioritised in accordance with Policy W5. The District wide planning policy requires that all new housing developments involving ten or more dwellings, should provide at least 40% affordable homes in Wingerworth. This Plan supports the provision of affordable housing, that clearly reflects and meets local housing need. POLICY W 6: AFFORDABLE HOUSING Development proposals for new housing comprising a site of 10 or more homes should provide at least 40% high quality affordable housing to meet clearly identified local need and in accordance with district wide planning policies. Priority should be given to the provision of smaller homes (e.g. 3 bedrooms or less), especially those suitable for young families and older peoples' (who wish to downsize) to meet an identified need. All affordable housing will be subject to conditions, or a planning obligation will be sought, to ensure that when homes are allocated, priority is given wherever possible to people with a local connection to Wingerworth Parish (i.e. including living, working or with close family ties in the Parish). In exceptional circumstances, where it can be demonstrated to North East Derbyshire District Council and Wingerworth Parish Council that is not possible or appropriate to build affordable homes on site, in which case the development will provide a financial contribution towards the future provision of affordable housing in the Parish of equivalent value to that which would have been provided on site. CHAPTER 9. COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SHOPS 9.1 Community Facilities and Shops Wingerworth has a reasonable range of basic services and facilities that provide for the day to day needs of its residents. They also provide a focal point for community life and activity, and reduce the need to travel by car. There are two primary schools, three pubs, two shops and shop/post office, a church ( All Saints ), two takeaways and a doctor s surgery and pharmacy. In addition, there is a Parish Hall, with advanced plans to develop a larger more modern Parish Hall. It is anticipated that to enable the level of housing development anticipated at the Avenue development this will require improvements in the provision of community facilities including capacity at the local primary schools, shopping and other facilities Consultation shows that the retention of key local services and community facilities is a top priority for local people. Any further reductions in shopping and community provision should be resisted as there is a limited range of choice and provision and any further loss would adversely affect the vitality and sustainability of the Parish and inevitably result in more car journeys. Page 11 of 18

12 POLICY W 7: PROTECTION AND ENHANCEMENT OF IMPORTANT SHOPS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES - Development proposals that result in the loss, or have a significant adverse effect on, an existing shopping use or important community facilities will not be permitted unless it can be demonstrated to the District Council and the Parish Council that it is no longer required by the community and/or continued use is no longer viable and the site has been actively marketed for over a year. Development proposals to enhance the provision of community buildings to meet an identified local need will be viewed positively. 9.2 Assets of Community Value The designation of a community facility as an Asset of Community Value provides the opportunity to give it added protection from inappropriate development. The Localism Act 2011 defines an Asset of Community Value as a building or other land is an asset of community value if its main use has recently been or is presently used to further the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community and could do so in the future. The Localism Act states that social interests include cultural, recreational and sporting interests. Where an asset is Listed the Parish Council or other community organisations will be given the opportunity to bid to purchase the asset on behalf of the local community, if it comes up for sale on the open market. The inclusion of a specific policy in a Neighbourhood Plan in respect to Assets of Community Value provides the opportunity to give any registered Asset added protection from inappropriate development. It ensures that the Listing of an Asset of Community Value is a material consideration (i.e. it must be taken into account) when a planning application is being considered that may affect the Listed Asset. To date, no buildings or facilities have been formally designated as Assets of Community Value in the Parish. However, through the consultation process, a number of community assets have been identified which are considered important for community life. The Parish Council therefore intends to use the mechanism of designating them as Assets of Community Value to further ensure that they are retained. POLICY W 8: ASSETS OF COMMUNITY VALUE - Development proposals that will result in the loss of, or has a significant adverse effect on, a designated Asset of Community Value will not be permitted unless in special circumstances, such as the Asset is replaced by an equivalent or better provision in terms of quantity and quality in an equally suitable location or it can be clearly demonstrated that is not viable or no longer required by the community. CHAPTER 10. EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH The Parish is home to a number of significant employers. This includes the main offices of North East Derbyshire District Council, and Rykneld Homes which manages the District Council s housing stock. These are concentrated in a purpose built industrial estate off Mill Lane. The Avenue development will provide a major boost to employment provision in the Parish and the wider area especially as it includes five hectares of land specifically earmarked for employment purposes. Beyond employment provision is based around the two primary schools and a number of small businesses scattered across the Parish. There is also a relatively high, and growing number of people who work from home. Page 12 of 18

13 With limited employment opportunities in Wingerworth, many residents commute to work in Chesterfield and other nearby centres, primarily by car. POLICY W 9: EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH Development proposals that result in the loss of, or have a significant adverse effect on, an existing employment use or commitment will not normally be permitted unless it can be demonstrated that the site or building is not viable or no longer suitable for employment use, and has been marketed for over a year. CHAPTER 11. BUILT HERITAGE AND DESIGN Wingerworth generally has an attractive built environment. This is highly prized by the local community. This includes a mix of different architectural styles, which reflect the incremental development of the Parish over many hundreds of years. Much of the development that has taken place dates from the late 20 th Century. There are, however, some older buildings, including some from the 16 th and 17 th Century, clustered in the historic core of Wingerworth, and around former farm buildings and stately homes Listed Buildings There are over 20 structures in the Parish Listed nationally for their special architectural or historic interest. These are: 1, Hockley Lane; 238 & 240, Longedge Lane; 35, New Road; 37, New Road; Birdholme Farmhouse; Church of All Saints; Entrance Gatepiers and Attached Walls Adjacent to Nos 35 and 37; Estate House and Cedar End; Milepost, Derby Road; Milepost at Sk , Derby Road; Pair of Gate Piers to the East of Harper Hill House; Pair of Gatepiers and Linking Wall Approximately 10 Metres North West of the Yews, the Hollies; Range of Outbuildings to the North of Birdholme Farmhouse Road bridge and Associated Enclosure Walls Comprising the Sheepwash at Sk369671; Stone Edge Farmhouse and Attached Boundary Wall; Stubbing Court; The Hunloke Arms Inn The Yews, the Hollies, and East View Wingerworth Methodist Church; and Woodthorpe Grange Cottage Page 13 of 18

14 Their designation as a Listed Building gives them special legal protection beyond that which can be provided through a Neighbourhood Plan. It is important, however, that the Plan highlights them, especially to ensure that all interested parties are aware of their local importance, and the need to conserve and enhance this. POLICY W 10: LISTED BUILDINGS Development proposals that affect a Listed Building or its setting will be required to conserve and enhance its site and setting in accordance with other relevant policies in this Plan and approved district and national planning policies Locally Important buildings and structures In addition to these Listed Buildings there are a number of other local buildings and structures that make an important contribution to the local character and sense of place. National and local planning policy enable a Neighbourhood Plan to offer them some level of protection by the identifying them as non-designated local important heritage assets. Such assets are typically buildings, but can be monuments and archaeological remains, for example. Through consultation a number of structures have been identified as being important to the character and history of the Parish and potentially should be identified as non-designated locally important heritage assets. Other similar structures may also come forward over the lifetime of the Plan. POLICY W 11: BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES OF LOCAL HERITAGE INTEREST Wingerworth Parish Council in consultation with North East Derbyshire District Council and other bodies will develop a schedule of non-nationally designated buildings and structures of local heritage interest. Development proposals that affect a building, structure or its setting identified on this list will be required to conserve and enhance the character and the setting of that building or structure Good Design Ensuring good design is important to Wingerworth. The Plan expects all development to contribute positively to the creation of well-designed buildings and spaces that work well for users, and sit comfortably into the existing local character and pattern of development. This is particularly important where development proposals are located within or in close proximity to a building of heritage interest, or on the edge of the settlement or in the open countryside. The Plan does not seek to dictate a particular style or design to be used across the Parish reflecting the diversity of design to be found across the Parish. Instead, it aims to ensure that new designs through density, height, landscape, layout, materials and access of new development should be sensitive to, and generally reflect the character of the local area and the surrounding area in which it is proposed to be located. POLICY W 12: DESIGN - Development proposals should be designed well and sensitively to ensure that the high quality built environment of the Parish is maintained and enhanced. They should respect and be sensitive to the existing settlement pattern and respond positively to their surroundings. Development proposals, including extensions, should satisfy the following design principles: a) Should enhance and reinforce the local distinctiveness of an area; proposals should show clearly how the general character, design and layout and landscaping of the site, building or extension fits in with the grain of the surrounding area and Page 14 of 18

15 contributes to reducing crime and anti-social behaviour using Design and Access Statements, where required; b) Should be of a scale and design which responds positively to the characteristics of the site and its surroundings; c) Should avoid generic scheme features, styles or designs, and demonstrate how they have taken account of the locally distinctive character of the area in which they are to be sited using a Design and Access Statement, where required; and d) Buildings and extensions to existing buildings should follow a consistent design approach in the use of materials, design and the roofline. Materials should be chosen to complement the design of a development and add to the quality or character of the surrounding environment. CHAPTER 12. NATURAL ENVIRONMENT The Parish is set within, and interspersed with, green spaces and large areas of open countryside The consultation shows that the underdeveloped and unspoilt nature of much of the Parish is highly prized and appreciated by residents and visitors, and considered to be its most significant asset. The policies in this Plan are based on an overwhelming desire that any development should preserve, and wherever possible enhance, the rural nature of Wingerworth and prevent inappropriate development that adversely affect this Ecology Although there are no nationally designated ecology sites, the Parish contains a number of sites that provide important habitats for wildlife and wildflowers, including rare and declining species. This includes the Avenue Washlands, a local nature reserve, as well as other well known or studies sites. Some of the best examples of typical Derbyshire habitats are to be found in the Parish. Some of the protected and notable species that may be found in the Wingerworth area include birds such as the kingfisher and grey partridges, bats, grass snakes, water voles, butterflies and great crested newts. The Derbyshire Wildlife Trust holds a biodiversity alert map, which shows Local Wildlife Sites (non-statutory designated sites), as well as other important species and habitats. The Plan will seek to protect and enhance these sites, species and habitats. POLICY W 13: ECOLOGY: Development proposals should not harm the network of local ecological features and habitats. New development proposals will be expected to maintain and enhance existing ecological corridors and landscape features (such as watercourses, hedgerows and tree-lines) Important Trees and Hedges The Parish has a rich variety of trees and hedges, which add greatly to its special character and its ecology. This includes large stretches of woodlands mainly to the north and west of the Parish, including Bradbury Wood; Clayton Nether Wood; Hardwick Wood; Longedge Plantation; Near Tupton Wood and Wail Close Wood. Page 15 of 18

16 In addition, there are many hedgerows, and individual trees, which are to be found across the Parish. These trees and hedges are a striking characteristic of many of the main roads in the Parish such as along the Avenue, and often create a strong sense setting as you enter and travel through the Parish. Many of the individual important specimens are protected through Tree Preservation Orders but many important trees and hedges are not specifically protected. POLICY W 14: IMPORTANT TREES AND HEDGEROWS - Development proposals that may damage or result in the loss of trees and hedges that make a significant contribution to the appearance of Wingerworth, the local street-scene or local amenity will not be supported. Developments which have inadequate or inappropriate landscape proposals will not be supported. Trees to be retained on development sites must be appropriately protected during construction works. Where trees are to be felled, replacement tree planting will be required Important Views and Vistas There are a number of important views and vistas from, into and within the Parish. These provide a strong link and relationship with its rural landscape setting and opportunities for a variety of pleasant and important middle and distant views. The consultation has identified a number of different views from and across Wingerworth which the community considers are especially important and make a positive contribution to the quality of local life. POLICY W 15: IMPORTANT VIEWS AND VISTAS - Development proposals that affect the identified important views and vistas will be required to respect and enhance this by ensuring that the visual impact of development on these views is carefully controlled. The following have been identified as being especially important. Views south west of Swathwick Lane; Views north of Chartwell Avenue; Views north and west of Longedge Lane; and Views south of Nethermoor Road across Nethermoor 14.4 Local Green Spaces Green spaces are a vital part of a vibrant and healthy community and are of great importance to the character and identity of the Parish. They are valued for a wide range of reasons, including visual amenity, recreational value, tranquillity or richness of wildlife. National and local planning policy enable a Neighbourhood Plan to designate areas of Local Green Space for special protection where, for example, the land is demonstrably special to a local community and is not an extensive tract of land. Where land is designated as a local green space, its designation will protect it from inappropriate development other than in very special circumstances. The consultation process has identified a small number of local green spaces which the community considers are especially important and meet the criteria for designation. POLICY W 16: IMPORTANT LOCAL GREEN SPACES - Development proposals that would result in the loss of, or have an adverse effect on, an identified Local Green Space (as shown on the proposals map and identified below) will not be supported unless in Page 16 of 18

17 exceptional circumstances, where in accordance with district wide and national planning policies. Adlington Recreation Ground; Avenue Washlands Wildlife Site; Chartwell Avenue Playing Fields; Deer Park Primary School Playing Fields; Deer Park Recreation Ground; and Hunloke Park Playing Fields CHAPTER 15. GETTING AROUND Transport is a major issue in the Parish. A significant amount of traffic passes through Wingerworth and at times its road are very congested not just at peak times, but often at all times through the day. This is seen as one of the main negative aspects of living and working in Wingerworth. Residents are concerned about the volume of existing traffic, including lorry movements, as well as the impact the additional traffic and pollution generated by new development planned for the Parish and the wider area will have Highway Safety This is particularly an issue along the A61 ( Derby Road ). This is the major road in the Parish, which bisects the Parish roughly in a north south direction. A significant amount of traffic passes along it. It has been consistently recognised in studies such as the Derbyshire Local Transport Plan as one of the worst congestion points in the County. Whilst the County Council and other relevant bodies have indicated the urgent need to address traffic issues along the A61 it is evident that congestion continues to be a major issue and is likely to increase. There are also issues with many of the other roads in the Parish. Its road network has developed over many centuries and much is not designed for modern, especially vehicular, traffic. The main hazards are perceived to be the speed of traffic through the Parish endangering people wishing to walk or cycle or cross the road. Furthermore, in many locations the footpaths running along the roads are very narrow, making it hazardous when walking, especially for the elderly and for parents with young children. There is also as inconsiderate and dangerous parking, especially outside the two primary schools at peak child collection times. POLICY W 17: HIGHWAY SAFETY - Development proposals must demonstrate that the traffic generation and parking impact created by the proposal does not result in an unacceptable direct or cumulative impact on congestion or road and pedestrian safety. POLICY W 18: HIGHWAY SAFETY - The Parish Council will encourage and work together with the Highway Authority, District Council, developers and other relevant bodies to bring forward traffic management measures to improve vehicular and pedestrian safety and movement, especially along the A61 and other known hot spots and safe routes to schools schemes, including through developer contributions Walking, Horse-riding and Cycling Footpaths and bridleways, both within the settlement itself and those providing access to the surrounding open countryside, are an important feature of Wingerworth. Page 17 of 18

18 The Parish is crisscrossed with footpaths and bridleways. These are important for health and the environment as well as for getting around, and are enjoyed by its residents as well as the many visitors to the Parish. Walking, cycling and horse riding are popular pastimes in the Parish. Increased opportunity to walk or cycle to work, school or to access town centre and other facilities can lead to decreased car use, reduced congestion, reduction of pollution, and improving public and individual health Consultations shows that these are highly prized and cherished by residents, who wish to see them protected and, wherever possible, enhanced POLICY W 19: FOOTPATHS, CYCLEWAYS AND BRIDLEWAYS - Development proposals that result in the loss of, or have a significant adverse effect on, the existing network of footpaths, bridleways and cycle ways will not be supported. POLICY W 20: FOOTPATHS, CYCLEWAYS AND BRIDLEWAYS - The Parish Council will actively seek to work with the County Council, District Council and other relevant agencies to encourage opportunities to secure improvements in the present network of footpaths, cycleways and bridleways, including through developer contributions. CHAPTER 16. MONITORING AND REVIEW It is anticipated that the Neighbourhood Plan will last for a period of 15 years. During this time, it may be that the circumstances which the Plan seeks to address will change. The Neighbourhood Plan will be regularly monitored. This will be led by the Parish Council with the support of North East Derbyshire District Council as the local planning authority on at least on an annual basis. The policies and measures contained in the Plan will form the core of the monitoring activity, but other data collected and reported at the Parish level relevant to the delivery of the Neighbourhood Plan will also be included. The Parish Council proposes to formally review the Neighbourhood Plan on a five-year cycle or to coincide with the review of the North East Derbyshire Local Plan if this cycle is different. Page 18 of 18