Part 1
ITEM NO.
REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF HOUSING AND PLANNING
TO THE LEAD MEMBER FOR PLANNING
ON MONDAY 16th JULY 2007
TITLE: DRAFT SCOPING REPORT FOR THE SUSTAINABILITY APPRAISAL FOR SALFORD’S
CORE STRATEGY
RECOMMENDATIONS: THAT APPROVAL BE GIVEN:
1. TO CONSULT ON THE SCOPING REPORT FOR THE SUSTAINABILITY
APPRAISAL THAT WILL ACCOMPANY THE CORE STRATEGY.
2. TO THE LIST OF BODIES TO BE CONSULTED.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: THE REPORT SEEKS APPROVAL TO CONSULT ON THE SCOPING
REPORT FOR THE SUSTAINABILITY APPRAISAL THAT WILL ACCOMPANY THE CORE
STRATEGY.
BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS: NONE
(Available for public inspection)
ASSESSMENT OF RISK: LOW
SOURCE OF FUNDING: THE COST OF PRODUCING AND DISTRIBUTING THE SCOPING
REPORT WILL BE BORNE BY THE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK BUDGET.
COMMENTS OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF CUSTOMER AND SUPPORT SERVICES
(or his representative):
1. LEGAL IMPLICATIONS: None arising from the report - the Council is obliged to
prepare a Core Strategy including a sustainability appraisal. Provided by:
RICHARD LESTER
2. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: None
Provided by: STEVEN BAYLEY
PROPERTY (if applicable): NOT APPLICABLE
HUMAN RESOURCES (if applicable): NOT APPLICABLE
CONTACT OFFICER : Jimmy McManus 793 2796
WARD(S) TO WHICH REPORT RELATE(S): ALL
1
KEY COUNCIL POLICIES: UNITARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
1.0
Introduction
1.1
The Local Development Scheme (LDS) identifies the production of a Core Strategy
for the city. The Core Strategy will be the central Development Plan Document
(DPD) within the Local Development Framework (LDF) setting a vision for the city to
2026 along with a spatial framework in order to achieve it.
1.2
It is a statutory requirement that all such documents are subject to a Sustainability
Appraisal that fully encompasses the requirements of the Strategic Environmental
Assessment Directive.
1.3
ODPM (now DCLG) guidance1 advocates a five-stage approach to undertaking the
appraisal which is set out below. The Sustainability Appraisal is an integral part of
the process of producing a DPD. As issues and options are developed they are to be
tested against the Sustainability Appraisal Framework and refined in the light of this.
The aim of the Sustainability Appraisal is to ensure that the provisions of the plan are
as sustainable as possible.
Stage A
Setting the Context and Objectives, establishing the
baseline and deciding on the scope.
Stage B
Developing and Refining Options
Stage C
Appraising the effects of the plan/document
Stage D
Consulting on the plan/document and Sustainability
Appraisal report
Stage E
Monitoring Implementation of the plan/document
1.4
At the end of Stage A, it is a requirement that a Scoping Report is produced and that
consultation on this is carried out with the 3 statutory consultees (Natural England
(formerly English Nature and the Countryside Agency), English Heritage, and the
Environment Agency), together with other appropriate stakeholders.
2.0
Salford’s Core Strategy
1
ODPM (November 2005) Sustainability Appraisal of Regional Spatial Strategies and Local
Development Documents.
2
2.1
The Core Strategy is the most important part of the LDF, it provides the broad spatial
strategy for the city, and all other parts of the LDF must be consistent with it. The
Core Strategy must look forward over a long timescale, with this likely to be up to the
year 2026 in order to comply with Government guidance.
2.2
The Core Strategy will:
2.3

Set out the long-term spatial vision for the city (up to 2026), and the overall
strategy for delivering that vision;

Identify the overall level of different types of development (including housing,
employment, retail, and leisure) that is envisaged in the city during that period,
and the general geographical distribution of that development;

Define the city’s hierarchy of town and neighbourhood centres;

Identify the main improvements in infrastructure that are required to support that
scale and distribution of development;

Set out the strategic spatial policies for the city;

Set out the broad vision and strategy for individual parts of the city, identifying
the key issues in each area;

Include a Key Diagram; and

Identify the links with, and support the delivery of, other key strategies and plans,
including the Community Plan.
The production of the Core Strategy will take approximately 3 years. The key stages
are set out in the table below.
Stage
Commencement of Production
Initial Consultation
Public Participation on Preferred Options Document
Date for Submission to SoS
Public Consultation on Submission Document
Pre-Examination Meeting
Examination
Receipt of Binding Report
Dates
November 2006
June - December 2007
June - July 2008
June 2009
June - July 2009
October 2009
January - February 2010
June 2010
3.0
Draft Scoping Report
3.1
The draft SA Scoping Report identifies how the Sustainability Appraisal will be carried
out. It identifies baseline information that should be collected and monitored to
support preparation of the Core Strategy and suggests indicators that will test the
sustainability impacts of the document. It identifies sustainability issues that should
be addressed in the Core Strategy and suggests sustainability objectives.
3.2
The purpose of the consultation on the scoping report is to give consultees the
opportunity to comment on the methodology and content of the SA at an early
opportunity. Any issues raised can then be incorporated in the preparation of the
Core Strategy and supporting SA.
3
3.3
A copy of the draft scoping report is attached. It is considered to be a sound and
robust basis for consultation.
4.0
Consultation
4.1
The Scoping Report is largely a technical document that considers the process of the
Sustainability Appraisal rather than its content. As such it is not considered
appropriate for the draft scoping report to be the subject of widespread consultation.
The production process for the Core Strategy involves 3 main periods of consultation
when members of the public will have the opportunity to influence the contents of the
Core Strategy itself and the Sustainability Appraisal. An additional consultation at
this stage on a technical process document could lead to consultation fatigue and
could divert attention away from later stages of consultation.
4.2
In addition to the three ‘environmental bodies’ identified at paragraph 1.4, it is
proposed that the following environmental bodies and stakeholders with key
economic, social and transport interests are consulted:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Government Office for the North West (GONW)
North West Development Agency (NWDA)
North West Regional Assembly (NWRA)
Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE)
Greater Manchester Ecology Unit (GMEU)
Greater Manchester Geological Unit (GMGU)
Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE)
Central Salford Urban Regeneration Company
Bolton MBC
Bury MBC
Manchester City Council
Oldham MBC
Rochdale MBC
Stockport MBC
Tameside MBC
Trafford MBC
Warrington BC
Wigan MBC
4.3
It is proposed that the consultation period for the SA Scoping report be held between
24th July – 28 August 2007.
5.0
Conclusion
5.1
It is recommended that approval be given to consult with the bodies outlined in
paragraph 4.2 on the attached scoping report for the sustainability appraisal that will
accompany Salford’s Core Strategy.
4