Sustainability Appraisal Report
LP Policy Ref EE2
Policy Title
Existing Employment sites in the Green Belt
Policy Assessment Summary
OBJECTIVE 1
Summary
NA
Summary
NA
Summary
NA
Summary
NA
TO ENSURE QUALITY HOUSING IS AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE
The impact is NA.
OBJECTIVE 2
TO IMPROVE SAFETY AND SECURITY FOR PEOPLE AND PROPERTY
The impact is NA.
OBJECTIVE 3
TO CREATE AND RETAIN HEALTHY VIBRANT AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES
The impact is NA.
OBJECTIVE 4
TO ENCOURAGE INCREASED PARTICIPATION IN CULTURAL, LEISURE, AND RECREATION ACTIVITIES
The impact is NA.
OBJECTIVE 5
Summary
NA
Summary
Uncertain
TO IMPROVE ACCESSIBILITY TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES, FACILITIES AND EMPLOYMENT
The impact is NA.
OBJECTIVE 6
TO RETAIN, PROTECT AND CREATE A QUALITY, LOCALLY DISTINCTIVE BUILT AND HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT
The impact is uncertain, as whilst the policy states that scale, materials and design should be in keeping with the
character of the buildings and therefore is likely to promote the creation of a high quality built environment, it is
uncertain as to whether it will affect the setting of heritage assets. This is largely due to the wording of the policy
which states that 'surroundings' should be considered, which is not an adequate substitute for the term 'setting'.
OBJECTIVE 7
Summary
NA
TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FLOODING AND RESULTING DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS ON PEOPLE AND PROPERTY
The impact is NA.
OBJECTIVE 8
Summary
Negative
TO REDUCE THE EFFECT OF TRAFFIC ON THE ENVIRONMENT
The impact is negative as the policy permits small scale development of employment sites in the Green Belt
which is likely to lead to a minor increase in traffic volumes, particularly as the policy does not refer to
accessibility criteria concerning public transport, cycling or walking.
OBJECTIVE 9
Summary
NA
Summary
NA
Summary
Negative
TO PROTECT AND ENHANCE BIODIVERSITY AND GEODIVERSITY
The impact is NA.
OBJECTIVE 10
TO REDUCE POLLUTION LEVELS AND CO2 EMISSIONS TO TARGET LEVELS
The impact is NA.
OBJECTIVE 11
TO PROTECT AND ENHANCE THE NATURAL, SEMI NATURAL AND MAN MADE LANDSCAPE
The impact is negative as the policy permits development, albeit small scale, within the green belt.
OBJECTIVE 12
Summary
NA
Summary
Positive
TO ENSURE PRUDENT AND EFFICIENT USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY
The impact is NA.
OBJECTIVE 13
TO ENSURE EFFICIENT USE OF LAND
The impact is positive as the policy is likely to lead to the re-use of previously developed sites and is likely to
result in buildings or spaces that allow for extension as the policy states that extensions and alterations to
existing sites will be permitted providing that the criteria is met. However, the policy records a negative impact
in relation to it leading to high-density development as the policy relates to existing employment sites within the
green belt.
OBJECTIVE 14
Summary
NA
Summary
Positive
TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF WASTE PRODUCED
The impact is NA.
OBJECTIVE 15
TO PROVIDE GOOD EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL
The impact is positive as the policy allows existing employment sites to be extended, and therefore offers scope
to increase access to employment opportunities, and notably for local communities located within the green belt.
OBJECTIVE 16
Summary
Positive
TO ACHIEVE BUSINESS SUCCESS, SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH, AND CONTINUED INVESTMENT
The impact is positive as the policy permits existing employment sites within the green belt to be extended,
therefore allowing existing firms to grow; encouraging inward investment; and improving the resilience of
businesses and the economy.
OBJECTIVE 17
ENHANCE THE VIABILITY AND VITALITY OF THE TOWN CENTRES
Impact is NA
Summary
NA
OVERALL SUMMARY
This policy recorded three overall positive impacts against the SA objectives. The first of these relates to SA 13,
which is positive as the policy is likely to lead to the re-use of previously developed sites and is likely to result in
buildings or spaces that allow for extension as the policy states that extensions and alterations to existing sites
will be permitted providing that the criteria is met. However, the policy records a negative impact in relation to it
leading to high-density development as the policy relates to existing employment sites within the green belt. SA
15 also recorded a positive impact because the policy allows existing employment sites to be extended, and
therefore offers scope to increase access to employment opportunities, and notably for local communities
located within the green belt. The remaining positive impact concerns SA 16 as the policy permits existing
employment sites within the green belt to be extended, therefore allowing existing firms to grow; encouraging
inward investment; and improving the resilience of businesses and the economy.
The policy recorded one uncertain impact. This concerns SA 6 as whilst the policy states that scale, materials and
design should be in keeping with the character of the buildings and therefore is likely to promote the creation of
a high quality built environment, it is uncertain as to whether it will affect the setting of heritage assets. This is
largely due to the wording of the policy which states that 'surroundings' should be considered, which is not an
adequate substitute for the term 'setting'.
Two overall negative impacts were recorded. The first of these relates to SA 8 as the policy permits small scale
development of employment sites in the Green Belt which is likely to lead to a minor increase in traffic volumes,
particularly as the policy does not refer to accessibility criteria concerning public transport, cycling or walking.
The remaining negative impact concerns SA 11 as the policy permits development, albeit small scale, within the
green belt.
The remaining impacts were considered NA.
MITIGATION
There may be scope to mitigate against the uncertain impact recorded for SA 6 by altering the wording of the
policy to include a reference to 'setting' rather than 'surroundings'. With regards to the negative impacts, it is
suggested that the policy includes reference to some form of accessibility criteria for sustainable travel.