South West ‘Regional Spatial Strategy’ Implications for Boyd Valley ward

1. South West ‘Regional Spatial Strategy’Implications for Boyd Valley ward

2. 1. The Story So Far • June 2006: Draft Strategy for the South West region from 2006-2026 prepared by South West Regional Assembly & published for consultation • April – July 2007: Draft RSS subject to ‘Examination in Public’ by independent panel • January 2008: Panel changes published • July 2008: Secretary of State’s proposed changes published • October 2008: Deadline for responses

3. 2. The overall story • Government seeks 3 million new homes in GB between 2006-2026 • Latest RSS proposes 592,000 in South West, of which approx. 200,000 would be ‘affordable’ • Key drivers of South West figures are: • A) ageing population & smaller households • B) economic growth at 3.2% pa drawing in people from elsewhere in UK

4. 3. The South Glos. figures South Glos estimate Draft RSS Panel Report SoS changes 0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 Additional houses 2006-2026

5. The historical perspective • Extra houses in South Glos 1986-2006 • 27,000 • This includes all of Bradley Stoke and most of Emersons Green • Extra houses now proposed 2006-2026 • 32,800 • Equivalent of nearly 4 more Bradley Stokes

6. 4. Where would the 32,800 go? • Within existing urban area: 17,500 (was 15,500) • ‘Urban Extensions’ (or ‘green fields’) • Area of Search 1C (to East of Urban Bristol) 8,000 (was 8,000 for C+D) • Area of Search 1D (area around M32) 2,000 (was 8,000 for C+D) • Area of Search 1E (Yate/Sodbury) 3,000 (was 5,000) • Remainder of District: 2,300 (unchanged)

7. 5. What about the Green Belt? “The general extent of the Bristol and Bath Green Belt will be maintained subject to the following alterations: • Removal of the green belt to accommodate urban extensions at Areas of Search 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1F and 1G” (Latest draft RSS p75)

8. Area of Search (1C) Area of Search (1C) 8000 Dwellings

9. Emerson’s GreenEast Pucklechurch Area of Search (1C) Area 1C

10. Siston Common • 8000 dwellings • 30 dwellings/hectare • area = 267 ha. (659 acres)

11. Before

12. After – Building on Siston Common

13. After – Preserving Siston Common area

14. How to have your say • Consultation on the “Secretary of State’s Proposed Changes” to the draft RSS opened on 22nd July and closes on 24th October • Steve Webb MP to lead only Parliamentary scrutiny of document in Westminster debate on 7th October • Online petition at www.stevewebb.org.uk

15. Responding to the consultation 1. Must be on the official form and submitted to ‘Government Office of the South West’ (GOSW) – can be done on paper or online 2. Must refer to specific elements of the proposals – separate form for each policy you are commenting on 3. Must be about latest changes 4. If possible, tell them something they don’t already know – local knowledge v. important

16. Key areas for comment • ‘West of England’ (ie former Avon area) is known as Housing Market Area 1. So comments should be about “Policy HMA1”. • We need to oppose the planned increase from 8,000 to 10,000 houses for urban extensions in areas of search 1C + 1D;

17. Suggested issues to raise • Impact on: • Transport / traffic esp. re Ring Road • Environment (eg pollution, loss of green space, landscape issues) • Infrastructure (eg public services – Frenchay?) • Climate change impacts • Flooding / drainage issues • Village/community identity • Agricultural land

18. Comments from ‘Sustainability Appraisal’ • ‘There are aspects [of the Proposed Changes RSS] that cause us significant concern. The most obvious change is the significant increase in the housing numbers planned for the region’ (p5) • ‘Indirect impacts [on]..natural and historic landscapes..biodiversity...from noise, light and air pollution associated with increased population, new development and traffic’ (p6) • ‘..the high level of economic growth upon which the Proposed Changes RSS is based is now unlikely…’ (p7)