Salford City Council
Salford Greenspace Strategy
Supplementary Planning Document
Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report
October 2005
Contents
Background and Introduction
Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report
Salford Greenspace Strategy – Plan Objectives
Key Stage 1
Identifying other Plans, Policies and Relevant
Sustainability Objectives
Key Stage 2
Establishing the Baseline
Key Stage 3
Identifying the Sustainability Issues
Key Stage 4
Developing the Sustainability Appraisal Framework
Key Stage 5
Testing the Salford Greenspace Strategy Against the
SA Framework
Next Stages
Appraisal / Developing Options / Mitigating Residual
Impacts
Consulting on the Scoping Report
Appendix 1
Review of Plans, Policies and Programmes Relevant to
Greenspace Strategy
Appendix 2
Assessment Framework ( Broad Assessment of
Options)
Appendix 3
Detailed Assessment of SPD Policies
1.0
Background
1.1
In 2004, the City Council undertook a review of its Unitary Development Plan. A Public
Inquiry was held between September 2004 and February 2005.
1.2
A number of policies in the UDP Review have specific relevance to Salford’s Open
Spaces and their value for recreational purposes . These policies can be found primarily
in Chapter 12 Recreation , but the following policies are also relevant – A2,H8,DES3,
DES6, EN2,EN6,CH8,CH9.
1.3
The Review UDP makes specific reference to the production of an Urban Open Space
Strategy ( now known as Salford Greenspace Strategy). The purpose of this document
would be :
to identify the substantive open space resource, protected by Policy R1 in the
Review UDP
to identify how the local open space standards identified in Policy R2 will be met and
to establish wider standards in relation to informal leisure
to provide detailed guidance for Development Control purposes on the interpretation
of the policies and by implication, the implementation of the Greenspace Strategy
to provide an Action Plan to identify how and when the proposals will be taken
forward
-
1.4
Under the new system of Local Development Plans, The Salford Greenspace Strategy
has been identified as a Supplementary Planning Document in Salford’s Local
Development Scheme for adoption by August 2006. The Greenspace Strategy will be
prepared for public consultation in early 2006. As with all SPDs, a Sustainability Appraisal
is required to demonstrate that the Plan Document will help to drive sustainability
outcomes for the long term benefit of the city.
1.5
The Greenspace Strategy is built on the Review UDP Policy which it is anticipated will be
statutorily approved in July 2006. There is no scope at this stage, therefore, for altering
the plan policies around which the Strategy is set and which prescribe its scope and
purpose.
Introduction to Sustainability Appraisal
1.6
Sustainability Appraisal is a mandatory element for all Local Development Documents
produced under the new development plan system. The Sustainability Appraisal must
also meet the requirements of The Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive ( SEA)
Directive 2001/42/EC. In July 2004, the Environmental Assessment of Plans and
Programmes Regulations were published which provide the legislative mechanism for
converting the EC Directive into UK legislation
1.7
Strategic Environmental Assessment provides the planning authority with a way of
measuring and predicting the environmental impact of plans, policies and programmes,
thereby ensuring that the environmental benefits are maximised and disbenefits,
minimised, as part of the process for promoting Sustainable Development.
1.8
The Sustainability Appraisal will incorporate the requirements of the Strategic
Environmental Assessment.
2.0
The Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report.
2.1
The Scoping Report sets out the methodological framework and the information upon
which the Sustainability Appraisal of Salford’s Greenspace Strategy will be based. The
approach set out is compliant with the guidance , prepared by ODPM ( Sustainability
Appraisal of Regional Spatial Strategies and Local Development Frameworks) and the
requirements of the SEA Directive (2001/42/EC).
2.2
In the case of the Salford Greenspace Strategy, the SA is a stand alone appraisal
document. The plan making process, through the Review UDP, has already been
undertaken and the parent plan policies which underpin the Greenspace Strategy are
already in place and cannot be changed other than in the detail of their interpretation.
There is no intention, therefore, of allocating land for recreation purposes over and above
the sites which have already been allocated through the Review UDP or those sites
which have an existing use for open space and recreational purposes.
2.3
The Scoping Report comprises the following Key Stages, some of which are iterative :
Stage and Task
Purpose
Output in Report
KS1: Identifying other plans ,
policies and relevant
sustainability objectives
To ensure that the
Greenspace Strategy reflects
appropriately the national,
regional and local policy
objectives and identifies areas
of potential incompatibility.
An appendix outlining the
documents considered in
relation to Greenspace Policy ,
their key objectives and their
relative importance to
Greenspace issues in Salford.
These are summarised in the
report
KS2: Establishing the Baseline
To present the evidence for
provision and standards of
greenspace in Salford, how
they relate to national and /or
local targets, how they
compare with known
standards and what the
predicted impact of the
Strategy
would be, in relation to
Sustainability Indicators.
A table summarising evidence
( in so far as information is
available) against a range of
Sustainability Indicators.
KS3: Identifying Sustainability
issues
To identify the key
sustainability issues over
which the Greenspace
Strategy will have influence.
These will reflect the Baseline
Analysis and issues based on
local knowledge.
A summary table.
KS4 : Developing the SA
Framework
To establish the Objectives
and Indicators against which
the sustainability impacts of
the SPD can be assessed
A list of Core Sustainability
Objectives and Indicators
KS5 : Testing Plan Objectives
To test the extent to which the
Matrix showing positive /
This will include contextual
information explaining the
social and environmental
background in Salford.
against SA Framework.
KS6: Consulting on Scope of
SA
3.0
draft SPD (Greenspace
Strategy ) Objectives are
compatible with
Sustainability Objectives.
negative or neutral impact of
SPD objectives against
Sustainability Objectives.
To ensure that key relevant
consultees ( statutory and non
statutory) agree with the
method and scope of the SA
Scoping report document
Greenspace Strategy - Plan Objectives for the Supplementary Planning Document
(SPD)
3.1 Based on the Recreation Policies of the Review UDP, the Greenspace Strategy embraces
quite specific spatial objectives, which at the time of their development reflected the principles
of Cleaner Greener Safer, and Draft PPG17, . These can be summarised as follows:
Protection
1
To protect greenspace as a long term local and strategic resource for the health and
enjoyment of residents and as a key component of a good quality of life.
Provision
2
3
4
5
To establish minimum local standards for provision of greenspace / recreational facilities
across the city.
To identify how best to meet minimum local greenspace standards in those parts of the
city which are currently deficient
To create a wide range of opportunities for leisure and active sports to suit all ages.
To prioritise already allocated and non allocated greenspace sites for new and improved
recreation use
Accessibility
6
7
to encourage and improve access between areas of greenspace and urban
neighbourhoods
to meet the accessibility standards for formal outdoor provision based on catchment
walking distances.
Connectivity
8
9
to identify a set of recreation routes linking major greenspaces and connecting them to
urban neighbourhoods
to encourage access between sites for walkers, cyclists and people with limited mobility.
Design and Management
10 to identify priority sites where a high standard of landscape and facility design and
management is required in order to improve amenity and minimise nuisance behaviour..
Urban Open Space Strategy Consultation ( Pre UDP Inquiry)
3.2
During the preparation of the Unitary Development Plan, a considerable amount of
evidence was collected in relation to formal outdoor recreation. A series of consultation
workshops were held in order to test the importance of site protection, evolving local
standards, local accessibility and issues around site design and management.
3.3
Nothing from this Consultation process suggested that there was disagreement with the
overall objectives. Discussion and areas of disagreement were in relation to specific
sites and the extent to which they might be suited to meet local needs and / or address
local deficiencies. There was also considerable concern about the impact that formal
play sites that attract teenagers , could have on the amenity of residents living close by.
3.4
Following the UDP Inquiry, the Inspector has retained all the recreation policies, although
he has recommended modification to the wording in parts. Nevertheless, on the basis
that the proposed Modifications are unchallenged, the spatial policy framework and
spatial objectives to be taken forward through the Salford Greenspace Strategy remain
intact.
Review UDP - Sustainability Appraisal
3.4
The Sustainability Appraisal that was undertaken for the Review UDP was not compliant
with the SEA Regulations . Nevertheless, it acknowledges that the value of recreation to
people is to their health and general quality of life. The SA suggests that there are also
benefits for the character of the City and hence its ability to attract and retain investment
and employment. There is an acknowledgement that protecting as well as adding to the
stock of recreational opportunities is an important aspect of quality of life, particularly
leading to a greater level of accessibility.
4.0
Key Stage 1
Identifying Other Plans Policies and Relevant Sustainability Objectives.
4.1
The purpose of this task is to look at the wider context for the existing SPD ( Greenspace
Strategy) Spatial Objectives by examining them against the objectives of other relevant
plans and policies which provide the international, national, regional and local framework
for greenspace. In effect, the national and regional framework has been evolving during
the last 3 years when the Review UDP was undergoing its statutory processes. and it is
important to identify any gaps in addressing spatial policy objectives and wider
sustainability objectives.
4.2
A review of relevant policy documents is an essential component for setting the baseline.
It helps to establish the social, economic and environmental context and the role of the
SPD.
4.3
There is no definitive list of plans that must be reviewed, although Guidance suggests
that there are some that should be commonly included. These include National Guidance
eg Sustainable Communities Plan, UK Sustainable Development Plan; National Planning
Policy Guidance / Statement eg PPG17 ; National Advisory Body Guidance; Regional
Policy Guidance eg RSS ; Local Strategies eg Community Plan,
4.4
The list of documents reviewed as part of this Scoping Study is by no means
comprehensive, but is considered to be a reasonable and balanced reflection of
greenspace policy at an international , national, regional and local level. The full review
with relevant extracts from each document can be found in Appendix 1. This identifies the
key relevant objectives and their relative importance for both the SPD and the SA.
4.5
It would be impossible / impractical to provide a detailed analysis of each document. The
Review merely seeks to establish common themes and level of importance for the
Salford Greenspace Strategy..
Summary of Key Objectives Which the Greenspace Strategy Can Help to Meet
4.6
Connecting Places - need to connect greenspaces, through the rights of way network to
promote use and enjoyment by walkers, cyclists, horseriders.
4.7
Reducing Car Journeys – need to use locally connected greenspaces as a means of
reducing the need to travel by car and maximising the ability of people to access
greenspace by more sustainable modes of transport.
4.8
Wildlife Importance of Greenspace - need to maximise the potential of greenspace as a
resource for wildlife reservoirs and habitat creation. Need to identify opportunities for
declining habitats and species, particularly in urban areas where Urban Managed
Greenspace is identified in the Greater Manchester Biodiversity Action Plan as a priority
for habitat improvement.
4.9
Importance of Healthy / Active Lifestyles - Need to promote healthy lifestyles and
attractive places by protecting and managing a diverse, accessible greenspace
resource with opportunities for sport and recreation, outdoor leisure, walking and cycling ,
and quality landscapes.
4.10
Strong Communities - need to recognize the important role of greenspaces as part of an
urban renaissance and particularly for stimulating community involvement through local
pride in protecting and enhancing important neighbourhood facilities, often with strong
historical and cultural links.
4.11
Tackling Inequality – need to recognise and promote a strong role for greenspace as a
catalyst for tackling health, social and environmental inequalities. Particular, need to
promote equal access to good range of quality facilities, promote access for all age
ranges and for people with mobility problems.
4.12
Crime and Community Safety - need to promote importance of good design and strong
management in making open spaces safe and reducing nuisance behaviour. Need to
recognise greenspaces as source of opportunities for sporting and recreational activities
that can provide positive diversions for young people.
4.13
Climate Change – Need to recognise the role for greenspace in adapting to climate
change, particularly in relation to carbon sinks, mitigating flood risk, reducing car journeys
and enabling wildlife to adapt to changing environmental limits and population ranges.
4.14
Air Quality – need to recognise the potential role of open spaces as green lungs and for
woodland planting as potential “clean air filters”.
5.0
Key Stage 2
5.1
This task draws on the survey work and evidence gathering during the preparation of the
parent policies in the Review UDP.
Establishing the Baseline
5.2
It also draws on the available information that links the Greenspace Strategy to the wider
sustainability issues identified through KS1. This information should provide the basis for
predicting and monitoring the effects of the Greenspace Strategy, identify sustainability
problems and alternative ways of dealing with them.
5.3
Clearly, the scope of the Baseline necessarily reflects the information that is available at
this point in time. Where information is not available it has been identified as a Data Gap.
5.4
The monitoring stage of the SA represents an opportunity for adding to the baseline data
and understanding the longer term sustainability impacts. The baseline approach is
consistent with the requirements of Annex 1 of the SEA Directive which lists the following
categories as requiring consideration when considering the likely significant effects of the
SPD.
Biodiversity
Flora and Fauna
Population
Human Health
Soil
Water
Air
Climatic Factors
Material Assets
Cultural Heritage
Landscape
5.5
Nevertheless, given the nature of the SPD, relating to Greenspace, the critical
sustainability implications have been identified as relating to Population, Health,
Biodiversity, Flora and Fauna, Air Quality, Climate Change, Cultural Heritage,
Landscape.
5.6
In addition to the above environmental implications, it is considered that the following
issues are relevant to the wider social and economic issues that are embraced by
Sustainability Appraisal
Crime
Neighbourhood and Community
Accessibility
Focussing the Baseline Stage.
5.7
The issues identified above are considered to be ones for which the Greenspace
Strategy might be expected to impact. The baseline indicators for these issues, for which
information is currently available are summarised below .
Topic: Population
% changes in citywide and
local area populations.
Source
Office of Nat.
Stats. Mid
Year
Estimates
Current Position
Over the past 15 years, the population of
Salford has fallen by 6.2%. The rate of decline
has slowed down since 2000 and between
2002 –2004, citywide pop’n is estimated to
have increased by 0.05%. At a local level, the
decline in inner city wards ( Langworthy,
Broughton and Ordsall ) has declined by 32%,
28% and 16% respectively. This has been
counterbalanced by an increase in Worsley
and Walkden South of 20% and 17%
respectively.
Topic: Accessibility
Source
Current Position
% h/hs within easy reach of
greenspace
Spatial Pl’ng
Greenspace
Database
2005
Provision against NPFA
Standard
( formal outdoor recreation )
Spatial PL’ng
Greenspace
Database
99% of h’/hs are within 1000m of greenspace
at least 2 ha in size, but this is not all publicly
accessible. 14% of h/hs do not have access to
the greenspace that is within 1000m of their
homes.
In 2005, Salford provides 2.05 ha of formal
outdoor space against a national standard of
2.43. Broken in to its component parts, Salford
performs adequately in relation to Playing
Pitches, but particularly badly in relation to
Equipped Childrens Playspace and Facilities
for Other Youth and Adult
The NPFA standard is based purely on quanity
, rather then quality and accessibility.
Only 34% of h/h are within 400m walking
distance of outdoor play facilities.
% h/hs within easy reach of
formal play facilities ( Local
Catchment Distances)
Playing Pitches ( Local
Standrd)
Spatial Pl’ng
Greenspace
Database
Spatial Pl’ng
Greenspace
Database
% h/hs within walking distance
of Neighbourhood Park
Spatial Pl’ng
Greenspace
Database
% h/hs within walking
distance of District Park
Spatial PL’ng
Greenspace
Database
Currently, % of h/hs are within walking
catchment of a District Park, but only % for a
District Park that reaches the appropriate
quality standard .
Topic: Biodiversity
% of greenspace thought to be
of semi natural value
Source
Spatial Pl’ng
Greenspace
Database
Current Position
63 % ( 1234 ha) of Salfords greenspace is
more diverse than amenity grassland, but at
this stage its potential to contribute to
biodiversity targets or to the improvement of
wildlife corridors is unknown.
Topic: Human Health
Standard Mortality Ratio
Source
Office of Nat.
Statistics
Current Position
Salford’s SMR is 136, compared with a
National Index Value of 100. This suggests a
very high level of premature deaths for the city
Salford is meeting 103% of its Minimum Local
Playing Pitch Standard ( but this includes Dual
Use of school pitches for which there is no long
term guarantee). To exclude dual use of
school pitches would reduce the Local Playing
Pitch Standard to 93% of the expected
minimum.
Currently, 75% of H/Hs are within a walking
catchment of Neighbourhood Parks.( 1200m)
as a whole. In parts of Central Salford the SMR
is as high as 200. Tackling health and health
inequalities is a key issue for Salford.
Topic: Air Quality
Air Quality Management Area
and National Objectives
Source
Env. Services
Air Quality
Monitoring
data
Current Position
The whole of Salford has been designated as
an Air Quality Management Area.
Concentrations of air pollutants have
decreased , but excedences of NO2 and PM10
still occur, particularly along major road
corridors.
Topic: Cultural Heritage
Designated Sites, Listed
Buildings and locally listed
features in Formal Open
Spaces
Source
Listed
Buildings and
Local List of
Buildings
Structures
and Features
in Salford.
Current Position
Salford has 2 sites designated in the Parks and
Gardens Register ( Buile Hill Park and Weaste
Cemetry) and another of historic value ( Peel
Park). There are also 59 statutorily listed
buildings / features and a further 26 locally
listed, which are found in Salford’s grenspaces.
These represent 27 % of the Statutory List and
5 % of the Local List.
Topic: Crime
Level of key crimes and
juvenile nuisance crimes.
Source
Salford Crime
Reduction
Partnership
Current Position
The total number of Key Crimes has fallen by
21% between 2001/02 and 2004/05.
The number of juvenile nuisance crimes is
considered high at 40.4 / 1000 pop’n, but this
has fallen from 47.01/1000 pop’n in 2001/02. A
substantial proportion of nuisance behaviour
occurs in Greenspaces.
Topic: N’hoods & Community
Importance of greenspaces
within communities
Source
Salford
Quality of Life
Survey 2003.
Current Position
89% of Salford residents think that Parks and
Open Spaces are an important part of their
quality of life.
Topic: Reducing Journeys by
Car
Level of Car ownership
Source
Current Position
Census Data
The % of car ownership has increased from
52% in 1991 to 84% in 2001.
Proportion of local journeys
under 2km made by car.
Data gap
Whilst there is no firm data, it is anticipated that
in common with the national picture, there is a
very high proortion of short journeys made by
car which could be made by walking or cycling.
5.8
The above baseline data is largely contextual and provides the background against
which to assess he potential impact of the Greenspace Strategy. Each Topic is
expressed by a single indicator.
5.9
Nevertheless, the importance of measuring the Greenspace Strategy against a more
comprehensive suite of Sustainability Objectives is recognised so that if any unforeseen
negative impacts are identified, appropriate mitigation proposals can be made. This
wider approach is outlined in Key Stage 4 Developing the SA Framework.
6.0
KS3 Identifying the Sustainability Issues
6.1
The baseline data coupled with local knowledge suggests that the scope of the role that
the Greenspace Strategy could potentially play in relation to a range of environmental
and social issues that are an important part of the quality of life for residents.
6.2
A summary of key issues that have arisen from an interpretation of baseline data and
SEA/SA Topics is presented below, which identifies to what extent Salford’s Greenspace
Strategy could influence long term sustainability outcomes. Clearly there are some issues
( eg accessibility) for which there is hard evidence and strong conclusions can be drawn.
There are other issues ( eg Reducing Short Journeys by Car) which at this stage are
much less quantifiable and for which assumptions have had to be made.
Key Issues to be Addressed
Accessibility
The proportion of
households within easy
walking distance of good
quality play and other formal
facilities is low.
The proportion of
households within walking
distance of open space
greater than 2ha in size is
high, but access to the public
is not always possible due to
private ownership.
We are only just meeting our
Minimum Local Standard for
Playing Pitches and the
overall quality of them is
poor.
Role of Salford Greenspace Strategy in Addressing Key
Sustainability Issue
The SGS should identify Priority Play sites to be brought forward for
investment. This will increase the proportion of H/Hs within easy
walking distance of local play facilities.
The SGS should identify those parts of the city where public access
to large greenspace sites is low and where access agreements or
better connections between greenspace sites and local communities
can be made.
The SGS should contain a Sports Pitch Strategy which identify the
pitches that are required to be protected, identify those parts of the
City where there is a shortage and where quality and quantity needs
to be improved. This will be linked to the Planning Obligations SPD
and the specific requirements for Open Space / Recreation and new
Housing.
Health
The overall standard of
health in Salford is poor . A
third of Salford’s population is
likely to die prematurely by
comparison with national
trends. The picture is
significantly worse than this
in Central Salford. A common
cause of premature death is
coronary heart disease (
caused in part by lack of
exercise /obesity / circulatory
problems )
Stress levels caused by
urban living are high and can
manifest themselves in a
wide range of anti social
behaviour and depression.
Crime / Fear of Crime
A large number of parks and
formal play areas suffer from
anti social behaviour which
results in poor quality
facilities , deters their use
and alienates nearby
residents.
Air Quality
Poor air quality exists across
the whole City all of which is
within an Air Quality
Management Area. Most
excedences occur on main
road corridors , where high
levels of traffic and
congestion are a major cause
of high levels of dust and
particulates which
exacerbate respiratory illness
and poor health.
The SGS should increase the level of good quality connected
greenspaces available for use by people of all ages. This will
encourage participation in sports and leisure activities, within walking
and cycling distance of where people live.
Greenspaces are considered an important aspect of relieving urban
stress and the SGS should seek to improve neighbourhood
environments by securing a wide range of accessible greenspaces
which are attractive, safe and well managed .
The SGS should prioritise those sites that are a priority in terms of
meeting local standards and where design improvements, security
measures and additional resources, including on site presence, are
essential in order to protect amenity , meet expectations and
encourage facilities to be used to capacity.
The SGS should provide a network of large greenspace sites which
are connected by a network of off highway routes. These routes will
encourage people not to use their cars and in many cases will take
people away from the most congested road corridors.
Many of the large areas of greenspace are already wooded or have
the potential to be planted as community woodlands. Tree plantings
play an important role in filtering out dust and particulate matter, thus
helping to improve air quality locally and strategically. There is a
need to recognise the tension that may exist between greater levels
of woodland planting and fear of crime.
Neighbourhoods and
Community
Local people value their
greenspaces,and need to be
empowered so as to feel able
to influence the way in which
they are improved or
managed.
The SGS should identify those parks and informal greenspaces
where their will be a commitment to long term improvements. This
will be reflected in the improvement / spending strategies of
Environmental Services . These Strategies will seek to empower
local groups to put parks at the heart of the community and help to
deliver improvements.
Local pride and community involvement should have a beneficial
impact in securing better use and reducing nuisance behaviour.
Declining Population
The City’s population has
been declining since 1992.
The rate of decline appears
to be slowing but there is still
evidence of rapid decline in
inner city areas, where it is
hoped that large scale
regeneration will encourage
inward migration.
Reducing Dependence on
the Car
A substantial number of short
journeys to key local facilities
are made by car, probably as
a result of poor connections
between large areas of
greenspace. Play areas and
recreation facilities are
regarded as key local
facilities which should be
accessible by means other
than the car.
The SGS should be an important tool in ensuring that there is a high
quality green infrastructure within which regeneration takes place.
Although unquantifiable there is evidence that high quality green
environments attract investment, lead to higher house prices, create
community interest and are an essential component of places where
people want to live. It is hoped that the Greenspace Strategy will
help to create confidence and attract people to Central Salford in
increasing numbers.
The connectivity of large greenspaces and their easy accessibility for
walkers and cyclists should ensure that the SGS plays an important
role in reducing use of cars for short recreational journeys.
7.0
KS4 Developing the SA Framework
7.1
The purpose of the Appraisal Framework is to identify the contribution that the
Greenspace Strategy might make towards long term sustainability outcomes , using a
prepared list of citywide Sustainability Objectives and Indicators. Essentially, the purpose
is to see the extent to which the impacts of the Greenspace Strategy on the Sustainability
Objectives will be Positive, Negative or Neutral and more importantly, how the positives
can be accentuated and the negatives mitigated.
Sustainability Topics
7.2
These have been drawn from Annex 1 of Directive 2001/42/EC and from the ODPM
Publication
“ Sustainability Appraisal of Regional Spatial Strategies and Local Development
Frameworks”
Sustainability Objectives
7.3
For each identified Topic, a core Sustainability Objective ( SO) has been drafted which
represents the high level aspiration linked to that Topic. The SOs chosen are necessarily
broad and aspirational in nature. They will be used for a variety of appraisal documents
required of the Local Development Framework. The SOs have not therefore been tailored
to identify the impact of the Greenspace Strategy, but certainly represent long term
outcomes, a number of which the Greenspace Strategy might be expected to contribute
towards.
7.4
The SOs have been primarily drawn from two key sources. These are “ The Integrated
Appraisal Toolkit for the North West 2003” ( derived from the NW Regional Assembly
Action for Sustainability Framework ); and ODPM Draft Guidance “ Sustainability
Appraisal of Regional Spatial Strategies and Local Development Frameworks”
SA Objectives
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Population
To secure a sustainable increase in the city’s population
Health
To improve physical and mental health
Biodiversity Flora and Fauna
To protect and enhance biodiversity
Soil and Land
To protect and improve soil and land resources
Water
To protect and enhance water resources
Air
To improve air quality
Climatic Factors
To reduce contributions to climate change
To minimise the impacts fo climate change
Material Assets
To ensure the prudent use of natural resources
Cultural Heritage
To protect and enable the appreciation of the city’s heritage
Landscape and Townscape
To maintain and enhance the quality and character of landscape and townscape
Light
To protect residential amenity from light pollution
Noise
To minimise noise pollution
Crime
To reduce crime and fear of crime
Economic health:
To maximise sustainable economic growth
To enhance economic inclusion
Prosperity:
To increase prosperity
Education:
To improve the city’s knowledge base
Housing:
To ensure that everyone has access to a good home that meets their needs
18
19
20
21
Accessibility:
To improve accessibility to key facilities
To reduce the need to travel
To reduce traffic volumes
Community cohesion:
To improve community cohesion
Decision making:
To increase involvement in decision-making
Image:
To improve perceptions of the city
Some impacts will be hard to measure eg population. Whilst population may increase
over time, it will not be possible to say to what extent greenspace might have contributed;
similarly economic health. However, as mentioned in para 5.5, there are some objectives
over which the Greenspace SPD will have considerable influence, in particular,
accessibility, health, biodiversity and crime reduction. The sub-objectives below,
represent these most tangible areas of sustainability impact.
Sub-objectives :
Increase the area of greenspace known to be of natural/semi-natural value (links to biodiversity,
flora and fauna)
Increase the area of Local Nature Reserve per 1,000 residents (links to biodiversity, flora, fauna,
and human health)
Increase the area of woodland per 1,000 residents (links to biodiversity, flora, fauna, air, and
climatic factors)
Increase the proportion of h/hs within 1,000 metres of greenspace that is at least 2 hectares in
size (links to human health, accessibility and air)
Increase proportion of h/hs within 400 metres of a play area for young children (links to human
health and accessibility)
Increase proportion of h/hs within 1,200 metres of a neighbourhood park (links to human health
and accessibility)
Increase proportion of local sports pitch standards met (links to human health and accessibility)
Increase proportion of households within 500 metres of a greenspace connecting route (links to
human health and accessibility)
Increase the proportion of residents who feel safe in parks and formally managed open
spaces/play areas (links to crime)
Reduce the number of recorded incidents of crime in parks and formally managed open
spaces/play areas (links to crime)
Reduce the Standard Mortality Ratio for Salford ( links to health)
Reduce health inequalities across the city ( links to health)
To encourage healthy lifestyles ( links to health)
Sustainability Indicators
7.5
The extent to which progress towards any SO can be achieved is measured by a series
of Indicators. The chosen Indicators are considered to be the ones on which the
Greenspace Strategy is likely to have a particularly significant impact. They are therefore
valuable not only as a representation of what constitutes Sustainable Development but
also for monitoring the long term impact of the Salford Greenspace Strategy.
A summary of the key Indicators are included below . These are reflective of the ub
Objectives described above.
Indicators:
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)
vi)
vii)
viii)
ix)
x)
xi)
Total area of greenspace known to be of natural/semi-natural value
Total area of Local Nature Reserve per 1,000 residents
Total area of woodland per 1,000 residents
% of households within 1,000 metres of greenspace that is at least 2 hectares in size
% of households within 400 metres of a play area for young children
% of households within 1,200 metres of a neighbourhood park
% of local sports pitch standards met
% of households within 500 metres of a greenspace connecting route
% of residents who feel safe in parks and formally managed open spaces/play areas
Total number of recorded incidents of crime in parks and formally managed open
spaces/play areas
Standard mortality rates for the city and for wards
8.0
Key Stage 5 Testing the Salford Greenspace Strategy Against the SA Framework.
8.1
This process seeks to identify at an early stage, the extent to which the Plan Objectives
of the Salford Greenspace Strategy ( as outlined previously in Para 3.1 ) are consistent
with the principles of sustainable development by examining their compatibility with
Sustainability Objectives.
8.2
The framework identifies where :
The Objectives ( of both Greenspace Strategy and the Sustainability Framework) will be
consistent with one another, through quantifiable evidence ( +)
The Objectives will have little or no impact on each other ( )
The Objectives could be inconsistent
(?)
The Objectives are considered to be incompatible.
(-)
To secure a sustainable increase in city’s
pop’n
To improve physical and mental health
To protect and enhance Biodiversity.
To protect and improve soil and land
resources.
To protect and enhance water resources.
To improve air quality
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions
To reduce contributions to climate change
To minimise the impacts of climate change
To ensure prudent use of natural resources
Maximise the efficient use of land and
buildings
To protect and enable the appreciation of
the city’s heritage.
To maintain and enhance the quality of
landscape and townscape character
To maximise sustainable economic growth
To enhance economic inclusion
To increase prosperity
1
+
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
?
?
?
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
To ensure that everyone has access to a
good home that meets their needs
To improve the city’s knowledge base
To reduce crime and fear of crime
To minimise noise pollution
To create positive and harmonious n’hood
relations
To improve community cohesion
To improve accessibility to key facilities
To reduce volumes of traffic
To increase involvement in decision making
To improve perceptions of the city
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
?
?
?
?
?
?
+
+
+
+
+
?
+
?
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Conclusions:
8.3
Overall, the Draft Objectives for Salford Greenspace Strategy are considered to be
largely compatible with the Sustainability Appraisal Objectives.
8.4
In particular, the Salford Greenspace Strategy SPD would be expected to contribute to
long term health benefits, improving accessibility to key facilities and creating
neighbourhoods where people want to live. The latter could have a beneficial impact on
the perception of Salford with more people likely to live in the city, thus reversing
population decline and enhancing economic vitality.
8.5
Issues around Air Quality, Climate Change and Reducing Car Journeys are less certain
but the impact of a Greenspace Strategy might be expected to help, albeit hard to
quantify.
8.6
An area of tension has been identified around the impact that the Greenspace Strategy
might have in relation to Crime and Fear of Crime. Greenspaces and particularly formal
play areas and sports facilities can attract nuisance behaviour. The impact on the
amenity of adjoining residents can be severe and this in turn could lead to negative
perceptions at a local level. Therefore issues around the design and management of
open space and the way in which adjoining development relates to open space may be
very important and the subject for important mitigation measures to address any possible
adverse consequences in terms of local amenity considerations.
9.0
Next Stages - Appraisal / Developing Options / Mitigating Residual Impacts
9.1
The objectives in the sustainability appraisal framework ( KS4) are broad ranging . They
will ensure that the potential impacts of the Greenspace Strategy SPD on all aspects of
sustainability are identified and, most importantly , the potential to improve the
performance in relation to all those aspects are considered. In addition to these general
objectives, a number of sub objectives are also identified, providing more detailed
consideration on the issues on which it is considered the Greenspace Strategy is likely to
have a significant impact. In most cases these cut across the most relevant sustainability
topic areas, particularly human health and accessibility.
Next Stages
9.2
The next stage in the appraisal process will be to identify the broad plan options, taking
into account all the Plan Objectives. These will be tested against the sustainability
objectives and the potential mitigation measures that may be required. Four broad
options have been identified, two of which ( Options 3 and 4), reflect the tensions
identified in the Key Stage 5 Matrix.
Option 1 ( Do Nothing). This would be a rounded assessment of each of the
Sustainability Objectives if there was was no Greenspace Strategy .
Option 2 ( Balanced Approach). This would be a rounded assessment of the
Sustainability Objectives if a balanced mix of Greenspace objectives / policies was
implemented.
Option 3 ( Maximise Accessibility). This would be an assessment of the Sustainability
Objectives if the Greenspace Objective / policies maximizing Accessibility for all
categories of outdoor recreation was achieved ( potentially at the expense of local
amenity)
Option 4 ( Maximise Amenity). This would be an assessment of the Sustainability
Objectives if the Greenspace Objective / policies to minimize nuisance behaviour was
achieved ( potentially at the expense of access to formal play facilities for the maximum
number of households).
9.3
It is intended to use the matrix in Appendix 2 for this part of the appraisal process.
9.4
A preferred option will be identified, after which each of the Greenspace SPD Policies will
be tested in more detail against the sustainability appraisal objectives and sub objectives.
It is intended to use the matrix in Appendix 3 for this part of the appraisal process, and if
any other plan options emerge at this later stage, these will also be similarly tested.
9.5
This approach will help to inform the selection of the most appropriate plan option, (
although the sustainability appraisal may not be the only factor informing the decision as
to which option to proceed with ). It will also help to ensure that the sustainability of the
chosen option is maximised as far as practicable. It may be necessary to have more than
one iteration of either of the above stages, as the options and policies are refined.
9.6
A Sustainability Report will be produced, providing details of the appraisal process and its
conclusions. This will be subject to public consultation at the same time as the Draft SPD.
9.7
On adoption of the final SPD, a statement will be produced setting out:

A summary of how sustainability considerations have been integrated into the
SPD;

How the Sustainability Report has been taken into account;

How the consultation responses have been taken into account;

The reasons for choosing the SPD as adopted, in the light of other reasonable
alternatives; and

The measures decided concerning monitoring.
9.8
The result of this Appraisal will, in effect be to identify the Added Value that the Salford
Greenspace Strategy provides in achieving the long term Sustainability Objectives.
There may of course be tensions that cannot be addressed without compromising the
core objectives of the Greenspace Strategy. It should be acknowledged that
Sustainability Appraisal is not necessarily about removing the possibility of any resulting
tensions……this might result in a particularly bland strategy which failed to achieve its
underlying objectives…….., it is more about identifying the best form of mitigation, where
necessary . Such mitigation may be achieved through policies and strategies
implemented by other agencies.
10.0
Consulting on the Scoping Report
10.1
In line with the requirements of the SEA Regulations, it is proposed that this scoping
report is
subjected to consultation and involvement of the following statutory consultees:
Environment Agency
Countryside Agency
English Nature
English Heritage
In addition , it is considered that the following bodies should be consulted:
Government Office North West
North West Regional Assembly
CabeSpace
Sport England
Red Rose Community Forest
Comments are now invited on :
-
The overall methodology.
-
Whether there are any key documents that have not been addressed in the
Review of Plans, Polcies and Programmes .
-
The information contained in the Baseline Report and the Key Findings
The proposed Appraisal Framework against which to evaluate the sustainability
implications of the Salford Greenspace Strategy SPD