19 DECEMBER 2011 PUBLICATION CORE STRATEGY HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Poor health is one of the biggest problems facing Salford, and significantly impacts on the quality of life of its residents. Delivering a healthy city is one of the seven themes of Salford’s Sustainable Community Strategy1, and this includes both improving health and removing health inequalities. Its approach is centred on prevention rather than cure, promoting behavioural change and empowering people to take more responsibility for their own health and wellbeing. 1.2 Although many aspects of health improvement are outside the control of the planning system, it can have a significant role in a number of ways, including by: supporting and enabling the improvement of health facilities, ranging from local GP surgeries to Salford Royal Hospital; promoting healthy lifestyles, such as through improvements in the quality and accessibility of recreation opportunities, and the enhancement of pedestrian and cycling routes; reducing contributors to poor health and mitigating their risks, such as those associated with climate change, flooding, hazardous uses, crime and poor air quality; improving access to employment, and particularly higher value employment, recognising the clear links between income and health; supporting good mental health, for example by helping to reduce deprivation and providing high quality homes within an attractive environment; and supporting healthy eating, for example through increasing opportunities for food growing and controlling the amount and/or location of hot food takeaways. 1.3 Whilst there is no statutory duty to undertake a Health Impact Assessment, it is considered best practice, and provides a useful tool to inform decision making. This Health Impact Assessment (HIA) report explains how the health impacts of the Core Strategy have been assessed during the document’s production, and identifies the prospective health impacts of the policies contained within the Salford Publication Core Strategy, which is the version of the Core Strategy that the city council considers it should adopt. 2. HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCESS TO DATE “Connecting people to opportunities: Salford’s Sustainable Community Strategy 2009-2024” – Partners IN Salford (2009), p.26-29 1 1 19 DECEMBER 2011 2.1 A Health Impact Assessment of the Draft Core Strategy was carried out in August 2010, retrospectively of the document being published for consultation in November 2009. The assessment considered the health impacts of each of the thematic chapters in the Draft Core Strategy against the following key health issues: Mental health Social and cultural isolation Obesity and cardiovascular disease Respiratory disease Diet Impacts of excessive cold and heat Safety, injuries and hazards Healthcare provision Spending on own health 2.2 These issues were considered to reflect the broad range of health factors that planning could potentially influence, and were identified primarily from two key documents.2 2.3 The health impact assessment of the Draft Core Strategy also included some detailed commentary on health inequalities and some of the key health issues in Salford. These have not changed significantly in the interim and so are not repeated in this updated health impact assessment. 2.4 The health impact assessment of the Draft Core Strategy indicated that it had the potential to have a positive effect on the health of people living in Salford. Some of the health inequalities experienced by Salford residents are driven by lifestyle choices and differences in opportunity, which it is considered that the Core Strategy could make a positive contribution to towards changing, although the extent of its influence needs to be acknowledged. Some of the key positive health impacts identified for the Draft Core Strategy are listed below. Planning for a large amount of employment development would significantly increase the number of employment opportunities in the city, improving job security and people’s socio economic position. Planning for sufficient housing to meet identified needs and ensuring that there is a good mix of well-designed dwellings would assist in ensuring residents have a good quality of life and are able to access suitable housing, would help to promote good physical and mental health. Improving the town and local centres and supporting the development of new shops and facilities within them would assist in encouraging their use, creating a focal point for communities and potentially Delivering Healthier Communities in London – NHS London Healthy Urban Development Unit, Land Use Consultants and CREH (July 2007) and A Guide to Health Impact Assessment: A Policy Tool for New Zealand – Public Health Advisory Committee (June 2005). 2 2 19 DECEMBER 2011 improving community cohesion, reducing fear of crime and helping to maximise resident’s ability to walk to shops. Supporting improvements to education facilities across the city would contribute towards increased skill levels, which would increase access to employment opportunities and help to reduce worklessness and some of the health issues that accompany it. Developing an integrated walking and cycling network would provide more opportunities for free active travel and help to tackle issues such as obesity, cardiovascular disease and social exclusion. Minimising the risk and impact of flooding would help to reduce the occurrences of injuries and illnesses associated with flooding and the potential mental health consequences as a result of flooding. Working towards local standards for recreation would have the potential to encourage people to participate in sport and exercise more regularly, improve air quality and provide more opportunities for social interaction. 2.5 Carrying out a health impact assessment at this stage in the process was considered to be particularly valuable, as it provided an opportunity to identify ways in which the emerging Core Strategy policies could potentially be adjusted to maximise their health benefits and minimise any harmful effects on people’s health as far as possible before the document was finalised. The health impact assessment of the Draft Core Strategy included a number of suggestions as to how the Core Strategy could potentially be further improved to maximise its possible health benefits. It was recognised that it may not be appropriate or realistic to take forward all of those recommendations in the Publication Core Strategy, for example due to the fact they may be considered undeliverable, outside of the scope of the Core Strategy, to significantly impact on development viability or inconsistent with national planning policy. In the case of some of the recommendations, it may be more appropriate to take these forward in another planning document, such as a Supplementary Planning Document. Table 1 provides details of all of the recommendations of the health impact assessment of the Draft Core Strategy, and explains where these have been addressed in the Publication Core Strategy, and where it is not considered appropriate to address the issue raised, the reasons for this. 2.6 Table 1 shows that a large number of the recommendations of the health impact assessment of the Draft Core Strategy have been taken forward in producing the Publication Core Strategy. This has been achieved through the introduction of new policies and in some cases amendments to the policy approach. The key changes made between the Draft and Publication stages that it is considered will make the most difference to the overall health benefits of the Core Strategy are: The introduction of a minimum amenity space standards policy for new residential development, which will help to make new dwellings more functional and support a higher quality of life and better health. The green infrastructure policy has been amended to require that in providing green infrastructure, new developments should support and enhance identified priority functions within different areas of the city. So 3 19 DECEMBER 2011 for example, within areas of poor resident health, green infrastructure should provide opportunities for physical activity, and in the Air Quality Management Area, green infrastructure should be designed so that it helps to remove pollutants from the air. This will help to tackle specific health issues and potential health hazards in some areas of the city. A series of detailed design policies have been introduced which it is considered will have a range of health benefits by ensuring that issues such as amenity, crime and the microclimate are given careful consideration in the design of new development. Some of the major development proposals that it was identified could potentially have negative health impacts have not been included in the Publication Core Strategy. These include the proposal to release land in the Green Belt at Barton for industry and warehousing development and the proposal to develop hard surface runways at Barton Aerodrome to support the expansion of business and general aviation activity at the airport. A series of policies have been introduced to control development so that it does not result in unacceptable levels of pollution, and ensure that development is not permitted where it would be subject to unacceptable levels of pollution. Having these controls in place should ensure that the amenity of residents is sufficiently protected. The Publication Core Strategy now includes a policy that protects and strictly controls development that would affect existing recreation facilities. This should encourage people to participate in sport and exercise, and assist in tackling issues such as cardiovascular disease, obesity and respiratory disease. 4 19 DECEMBER 2011 TABLE 1 RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF THE DRAFT CORE STRATEGY AND DETAILS OF THE RESPONSES TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS Possible mitigation (health issue to which it relates) Has this been addressed in the Publication Core Strategy? Employment Programmes to improve skill levels so residents can access jobs are largely outside the scope of the Core Strategy but there may be potential to utilise section 106 agreements to secure training programmes (mental health) Consider whether one or more major new sites for industry and warehousing are required in Central Salford to ensure good new provision across the whole city, accessible to all deprived communities (mental health) Local jobs provide more opportunities to walk and cycle to work, promoting healthy lifestyles. Ensure that loss of employment areas does not reduce overall accessibility of jobs as far as possible (obesity and cardiovascular disease) No. It is not considered appropriate to go into this level of detail in the Core Strategy. The existing Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) requires that new development contributes to the development of construction skills amongst Salford residents and it is considered that any further requirements should be incorporated into a revised SPD. No. There are no large new sites in Central Salford suitable for the development of major new industry and warehousing facilities, and so there will be a reliance on existing employment areas. No. The Publication Core Strategy seeks to protect and enhance the city’s employment areas as far as possible. However, it is recognised that some existing employment areas will find it increasingly difficult to attract and retain businesses. The release of such sites will therefore be appropriate and the Publication Core Strategy seeks to control this process carefully, ensuring that only those employment areas that are unable to secure a long term economic future are redeveloped. There is therefore potential that residents living in some parts of the city will not have access to the same range of local employment 5 19 DECEMBER 2011 Possible mitigation (health issue to which it relates) Consider whether more guidance should be provided on the siting of hazardous substances. Detailed guidance on the siting of hazardous installations is provided by the Health and Safety Executive, and so further advice in the Core Strategy or supporting documents on their location is probably unnecessary (Safety, injuries and hazards) Need to ensure that site allocations in the Allocations Development Plan Document fully take into account risks from hazardous installations (Safety, injuries and hazards) Has this been addressed in the Publication Core Strategy? opportunities in close proximity of their home that they once had. Yes. Policies PH4 and PH5 of the Publication Core Strategy control the location of hazardous uses and development near hazardous installations. No. This was identified as a matter for the Allocations Development Plan Document. Housing Consider whether there is potential for increasing further the proportion of houses compared to apartments (mental health/obesity and cardiovascular disease) Consider whether even stricter size standards for apartments are required (mental health) Consider whether specific outdoor space standards are required (mental health/cardiovascular and obesity) Consider whether specific separation distances should be included to protect privacy and levels of daylight either through Yes. Policy H4 of the Publication Core Strategy anticipates that 38.7% of all new dwellings will be houses. This represents a significant increase compared to the proportion of houses in the Draft Core Strategy (28.15%). Yes. Policy H5 of the Publication Core Strategy includes stricter size standards than those proposed in the Draft Core Strategy, and requires that a greater proportion of the dwellings within a development meets the size standards listed. Yes. Policy H6 of the Publication Core Strategy establishes amenity space standards for new development and requirements for how such amenity space should be designed and provided. Yes. Policy D9 of the Publication Core Strategy requires that new development maintains specific separation distances from 6 19 DECEMBER 2011 Possible mitigation (health issue to which it relates) Has this been addressed in the Publication Core Strategy? the Core Strategy or supplementary planning document (mental health) principal windows of habitable rooms on dwellings. This policy also requires that development provides all users with an acceptable level of amenity in terms of sunlight, space, layout, aspect, privacy, daylight, tranquillity and temperature. No. Although housing demand in this part of the city is high, the opportunities for residential development are relatively limited compared to other parts of the city. The Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) has been reviewed and the anticipated supply of dwellings in this location remains broadly the same. The approach to maximise housing supply in this part of the city by taking a more flexible approach than in other parts of the city to infill housing schemes and the redevelopment of existing properties into a larger number of dwellings is retained in policy SF2A of the Publication Core Strategy. Yes. Policy H7 of the Publication Core Strategy has been introduced to ensure that apartment developments provide well designed, functional communal areas that are subject to appropriate management and maintenance measures. Policy DP7 of the Publication Core Strategy requires more generally that all development should ensure that appropriate management and maintenance provisions are made, which will also assist in addressing this issue. Yes. The overall scale of housing development proposed in the Publication Core Strategy (22,100) is significantly lower than the figure in the Draft Core Strategy (33,750). The Draft Core Strategy proposed a particularly large amount of housing in the Regional Centre (16,850 dwellings) and this has been reduced Seek to identify through the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment additional land for large houses in Broughton Park and Higher Broughton (social and cultural isolation) Consider whether additional guidance on the design, management and maintenance of apartments is required, either through the Core Strategy or a supplementary planning document (mental health) Consider whether less housing could be provided in some locations or the overall scale of housing development reduced across the board to address concerns expressed by existing residents who consider it will significantly reduce their quality of life (mental health) 7 19 DECEMBER 2011 Possible mitigation (health issue to which it relates) Consider whether more than 10% wheelchair housing could be justified (cultural and social isolation) Consider whether relying on the incorporation of the Lifetime Homes standard into the Code for Sustainable Homes is sufficient, or whether something specific is required in the Core Strategy or a Supplementary Planning Document (cultural and social isolation) Consider whether specific design advice is required for housing development within the air quality management area (respiratory disease) Further increase the emphasis on public transport, cycling and walking as modes of travel (respiratory disease) Has this been addressed in the Publication Core Strategy? significantly in the Publication Core Strategy (10,000 dwellings). No. The requirement that 10% of all dwellings should be designed to be wheelchair accessible has been deleted. The approach instead is that all dwellings should be designed to meet the Lifetime Homes standard, which includes some Housing that is designed to the Lifetime Homes Standard should be convenient for most occupants, including some wheelchair users. Whilst applying the Lifetime Homes Standard will not guarantee that housing is immediately suitable for wheelchair users, it should ensure that dwellings are designed in such a way that they can be easily adapted. Yes. Policy H7 of the Publication Core Strategy requires that all dwellings meet the Lifetime Homes standard. Yes. Although not specific to residential development, policy GI2 of the Publication Core Strategy requires that development in the Air Quality Management Area should provide trees and green roofs to help remove pollutants from the air, whilst avoiding species that release high quantities of volatile organic compounds. Yes. The priority to secure a modal shift to more environmentally friendly forms of transport such as walking and cycling is 8 19 DECEMBER 2011 Possible mitigation (health issue to which it relates) Has this been addressed in the Publication Core Strategy? identified as a key priority in the accessibility spatial strategy (policy A1) in the Publication Core Strategy. The Publication Core Strategy includes minimum cycle parking standards and requirements that cycle parking is designed so as to encourage and enable its use. Seek to identify more land for housing outside the Air Quality No. The updated Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment Management Area through a review of the Strategic Housing identifies where sites are located within the Air Quality Land Availability Assessment (respiratory disease) Management Area (AQMA), however it has been assumed that any air quality issue can be dealt with through the design of the development rather than removing sites in the AQMA from the identified housing supply. Publication Core Strategy policy GI2 will help to ensure this by requiring that green infrastructure in new development in the AQMA is designed so that it helps to remove pollutants from the air. Policy PH2 of the Publication Core Strategy will ensure that development is not permitted where it would be subject to unacceptable levels of pollution. Seek to reduce the extent of the Air Quality Management Area by Yes. The Publication Core Strategy includes an Accessibility minimising road traffic, through the location of development and Spatial Strategy, which seeks to reduce the need to travel and encouraging people to use public transport and active modes of secure a modal shift to more sustainable modes of transport. travel by investing in the necessary infrastructure (respiratory This will be in part delivered by the overall development strategy, disease) which places a strong emphasis on high density, mixed use development in the Regional Centre, to enable people to live and work in close proximity. The scale of investment in Salford’s public transport infrastructure will be largely determined by Transport for Greater Manchester and many of the issues relating to Salford’s public transport system can only be addressed at the conurbation wide level. Policy A5 of the 9 19 DECEMBER 2011 Possible mitigation (health issue to which it relates) Consider whether minimum size standards are required for kitchens, to ensure sufficient room for food storage, preparation and cooking. It may be that it is more appropriate to address this in a supplementary planning document (diet) Continue other programmes aimed at tackling fuel poverty, such as the city council’s very successful Warm Front project (impacts of excessive cold and heat) Consider whether specific standards for private amenity space and other green infrastructure to combat the urban heat island effect should be provided, either in the Core Strategy or a supplementary planning document (impacts of excessive cold and heat) Update assumptions regarding housing and flood risk once the new Level 2 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment has been completed and take a precautionary approach (safety, hazards and injuries) Has this been addressed in the Publication Core Strategy? Publication Core Strategy establishes a broad set of principles for improving Salford’s public transport network, to ensure that as funding becomes available, the priorities for investment in Salford are clear. No. It is considered that such requirements are too specific for the Core Strategy and may not provide sufficient flexibility to developers in designing schemes. It is considered that the minimum size standards for dwellings (which are a requirement of Publication Core Strategy policy H5) will assist in ensuring that kitchens are of a reasonable size. No. This is outside of the scope of the Core Strategy. Yes. Policy H6 of the Publication Core Strategy establishes amenity space standards for new development and requirements for how such amenity space should be designed and provided. Policy GI2 in the Publication Core Strategy requires that development in the Regional Centre and other areas of high density provide green infrastructure that offers relief from high temperatures. Yes. The updated Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment has taken into account the Level 2 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment and as a result some housing sites have been removed from the supply of suitable, available and achievable sites, and for other sites the mix of dwellings has been revised, taking into account the flood risk issues. 10 19 DECEMBER 2011 Possible mitigation (health issue to which it relates) Has this been addressed in the Publication Core Strategy? Town Centres and Retailing Consider whether there needs to be a specific emphasis on developing/improving pedestrian and cycling routes between existing residential areas and town/local centres to encourage communities to use these centres more (social and cultural isolation) Consider whether there needs to be greater emphasis on the provision of leisure facilities and open space in the town centres (obesity and cardiovascular disease). Consider whether there needs to be a specific emphasis on enhancing the green infrastructure network in town centres, as parts of all four of the town centres are located in the air quality Yes. Although the Core Strategy does not specifically state that routes between existing residential areas and town centres should be improved, policy A4 of the Publication Core Strategy includes a more general reference to seeking to address identified gaps in the cycling network. The city council’s cycling strategy is due to be reviewed in 2012, and this will identify where the gaps need to be filled, concentrating on developing a core network that connects residential areas with key facilities such as employment opportunities, recreation facilities and local shopping facilities. This issue should therefore be addressed through the review of the cycling strategy, although the general principles are addressed in the Core Strategy. No. The Publication Core Strategy does not make specific reference to encouraging the development of open space and leisure facilities within town centres, and it is considered that it would be more appropriate to identify opportunities for creating open spaces through detailed area based planning guidance documents or masterplans. The Publication Core Strategy does however seek to maximise the amount of green infrastructure as far as possible in new developments and in areas of poor average health, and the provision of green infrastructure that provides opportunities for physical activity is a particular priority. Yes. Policy GI2 of the Publication Core Strategy seeks to ensure that the green infrastructure network is maximised across the city, including town centres. With regards to addressing the air 11 19 DECEMBER 2011 Possible mitigation (health issue to which it relates) Has this been addressed in the Publication Core Strategy? management area (respiratory disease) quality issues in the town centres, policy GI2 requires that within the Air Quality Management Area, the priority for green infrastructure will be the provision of trees and green roofs to help remove pollutants from the air. Yes. The Publication Core Strategy includes an accessibility spatial strategy (policy A1) which prioritises local enhancements to walking, cycling and public transport within a number of key destinations, including the Regional Centre and Salford’s other town centres. No. This issue is considered too detailed for the Core Strategy and any proposals to support improvements to, or the development of,local markets within individual centres should be addressed through area based planning guidance documents or regeneration strategies. No. It is not considered appropriate to restrict the number of hot food takeaways in the Core Strategy. Taking this approach would single out hot food takeaways as the only outlet where unhealthy food choices are available, whereas supermarkets, small convenience stores and cafes equally offer unhealthy food choices. There is potential that taking this approach could have adverse community impacts and disadvantage some ethnic minority groups, whose livelihood is derived from this type of business. Consider whether there are opportunities for further public transport access improvements to the town centres, helping to minimise traffic in and around the centres (respiratory disease) Consider whether improvements to town centres should include reference to supporting and improving local markets to provide a convenient venue for buying fresh and affordable produce (diet). Consider whether it is appropriate to place greater restrictions on the number and location of hot food takeaways. Establishing frontage policies potentially through another development plan document could exercise some control over this type of development (diet). Consider whether the Core Strategy needs to be more explicit about how the night time economy in the relevant centres will be developed whilst supporting health objectives (diet/safety injuries No. This issue is considered too detailed for the Core Strategy and any proposals to support improvements to the evening economy within individual centres should be addressed through 12 19 DECEMBER 2011 Possible mitigation (health issue to which it relates) Has this been addressed in the Publication Core Strategy? and hazards). area based planning guidance documents or regeneration strategies. Education There may be potential to utilise section 106 agreements to secure training programmes associated with new employment development which can provide opportunities for young people to gain skills in for example construction (mental health) Consider whether it is appropriate to require that in delivering major improvements to existing schools and in developing new schools it is appropriate to require that traffic calming measures and parking exclusion zones are established in order to create safer routes and encourage more walking and cycling to school (obesity and cardiovascular disease) The University of Salford is located within the air quality management zone. Consider the need to include reference to No. It is not considered appropriate to go into this level of detail in the Core Strategy. The existing Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) requires that new development contributes to the development of construction skills amongst Salford residents and it is considered that any further requirements should be incorporated into a revised SPD. Yes. Whilst the Publication Core Strategy does not specifically state that traffic calming and parking exclusion zones are required, policy ED1 does require that all schools are located and designed to minimise the impacts of associated traffic and parking on the surrounding area, and are highly accessible to their intended catchments by walking and cycling. Policy A4 of the Publication Core Strategy also requires that where practicable, developments should support the improvement of the walking and cycling network, particularly in terms of enhancing accessibility from development to local facilities such as schools. These policies should help to address the issue raised without placing very specific requirements on all developments when they may not be appropriate in some circumstances. No. Policy GI2 of the Publication Core Strategy requires that developments within the Air Quality Management Area should 13 19 DECEMBER 2011 Possible mitigation (health issue to which it relates) Has this been addressed in the Publication Core Strategy? enhancing the green infrastructure on the University of Salford campus as part of the public realm enhancements (respiratory disease) incorporate green infrastructure that helps to remove pollutants from the air, such as trees and green roofs. This requirement would apply to any development proposals for the university. Health facilities Consider whether priority locations for enhanced/expanded provision should be identified (obesity and cardiovascular disease) Work in partnership with the Primary Care Trust to determine the need for new services in the context of the scale and distribution of housing development proposed in the Core Strategy. Consider setting out in the policy where in the city the need is the greatest and placing a requirement on developers to ensure that land is set aside for community health uses accordingly. This could be picked up in more detail through the Allocations DPD (healthcare provision) In delivering major improvements to hospital and primary care facilities, consider whether the policy should include a criterion to ensure that new development is designed to assist in positive health outcomes, taking into account issues such as views, noise levels, exposure to natural light and privacy (healthcare provision) No. It is not considered appropriate to go into such detail in the Core Strategy. There is significant uncertainty around the delivery of new facilities in light of the proposed abolition of Primary Care Trusts and the transfer of powers to GP consortia and local authorities, which makes it very difficult to determine where improvements to existing facilities or new facilities are likely to be required or delivered. Instead, policy HH1 of the Publication Core Strategy includes a more general reference to supporting improvements to the quality and accessibility of primary healthcare facilities where this would help to deliver more positive health outcomes. Yes. Whilst not picked up specifically in relation to healthcare developments, policy D9 of the Publication Core Strategy requires that all development provides all potential users with an acceptable level of amenity. The policy explains that amenity includes issues such as daylight, sunlight, tranquillity and privacy. These issues would therefore be given consideration in determining any proposals for healthcare facilities. 14 19 DECEMBER 2011 Possible mitigation (health issue to which it relates) Has this been addressed in the Publication Core Strategy? Transport Consider having an overarching transport policy outlining major transport links that need to be improved in the context of current provision/capacity, existing patterns of movement and the scale and distribution of development being planned in the Core Strategy (mental health) No. Investment in the city’s strategic transport infrastructure is generally outside of the control of the city council, and funded by other organisations such as Network Rail, the Highways Agency and Transport for Greater Manchester. The Publication Core Strategy identifies all of the major schemes that are proposed to be delivered by these organisations during the plan period, however it is not the case that there are schemes in place to address all of the existing or forecast capacity issues on Salford’s transport network. Policy A1 of the Publication Core Strategy includes a more general objective to maintain the successful functioning of existing transport infrastructure and services, delivering improvements where possible. Consider whether guidance is required on minimising the negative aspects of transport infrastructure including the impact of major new transport infrastructure such as the Ordsall Chord (mental health) Yes. Policy A6 of the Publication Core Strategy requires that the Ordsall Chord is constructed in such a way that minimises its impact on the ability to successfully develop adjacent sites. Policy DP6 in the Publication Core Strategy requires more generally that developments should provide appropriate mitigation for any impacts that they may have. No. Policy A1 of the Core Strategy identifies those locations where it is considered most important to strengthen public transport connections to i.e. the major employment locations. The accessibility of individual neighbourhoods may change during the plan period if public transport services are reviewed. Identify those neighbourhoods where enhancing transport connections to employment/leisure opportunities is the greatest priority (social and cultural isolation) 15 19 DECEMBER 2011 Possible mitigation (health issue to which it relates) Has this been addressed in the Publication Core Strategy? Requiring that cycle hubs include showers, lockers and clothes drying areas could encourage more people to walk/cycle to work (obesity and cardiovascular disease) No. Cycle centres will be provided in different forms, varying in size and the range of services they provide. It is not considered appropriate to be so prescriptive as to require that all cycle centres provide showers, lockers and clothes drying areas, as this may not be feasible to deliver in practice and may result in fewer cycle centres being provided. Policy A4 of the Publication Core Strategy requires that such facilities are provided where practicable. Yes. Policy A4 of the Publication Core Strategy requires that developments should where practicable support the enhancement of the walking and cycling network, particularly in terms of enhancing access from the development to public transport stops. Yes. Although the Publication Core Strategy does not specifically require that new highways include tree planting, policy GI2 requires that developments within the Air Quality Management Area incorporate green infrastructure that helps to remove pollutants from the air, such as trees or green roofs. It is not considered appropriate to require that all new/improved highways include planting to mitigate air pollution as some of these roads may be located in areas of the city where air quality is not an issue, or it may not be a realistic option. No. It is considered that the more general references to ensuring that the network is safe would address this issue sufficiently in the Core Strategy. Consider whether to place an emphasis in policies T4 and T5 on connecting pedestrian and cycle routes to major public transport facilities (obesity and cardiovascular disease) Consider whether to place a requirement on new/improved highways to include trees and/or planting to contribute to mitigating air pollution from traffic, particularly where there is a forecast increase (respiratory disease) Consider the need to include reference to lighting and visibility of the pedestrian and cycle network (in policies T4, 5 and 6), to maximise the safety and usability of these routes throughout the day and evening, although such detailed design guidance may be more appropriate in a supplementary planning document 16 19 DECEMBER 2011 Possible mitigation (health issue to which it relates) Has this been addressed in the Publication Core Strategy? (safety, hazards and injuries) Consider whether there is more potential for off-road recreational routes (safety, hazards and injuries) Investigate in more detail the airspace safety implications of the expansion of City Airport Manchester and include any necessary measures in the criteria for the policy (safety, hazards and injuries) Consider whether the Core strategy can take a more proactive approach to the development of home zones where streets are ‘reclaimed’ from cars as a way of improving safety and reducing traffic speeds in residential areas (safety hazards and injuries) No. This is considered too detailed an issue for the Core Strategy. The potential to develop more off road cycling routes will be addressed when the city council’s cycling strategy is reviewed in 2012 and the key gaps in the network identified. No. The proposal to expand City Airport Manchester is not included in the Publication Core Strategy and therefore it is not considered necessary to address the issue raised. Policy A14 of the Publication Core Strategy explains that the airport will be retained and protected as a general aviation facility. No. It is considered that this issue is adequately addressed by ensuring that all development is designed so as to maximise the use of modes towards the top of the transport hierarchy (i.e. walking and cycling). Energy Any approach to decentralised energy production will need to be carefully managed to ensure that it has a positive impact by reducing rather than increasing costs, and by improving security of supply (mental health) Consider whether additional guidance should be included on design issues such as insulation and passive solar gain, which could help to minimise the risk of excessive heat and cold in dwellings (impacts of excessive cold and heat). Yes. Policy EG2 explains that in determining the likely benefits of individual renewable and low carbon energy schemes, regard will be had to its potential to improve Salford’s energy security and any direct benefits for the local community such as through reduced energy costs. Yes. Policy D10 of the Publication Core Strategy seeks to ensure that development maintains and enhances the comfort of the local microclimate, and requires that development is designed to help mitigate higher temperatures associated with the heat island 17 19 DECEMBER 2011 Possible mitigation (health issue to which it relates) Has this been addressed in the Publication Core Strategy? effect. Retaining the energy hierarchy in the Publication Core Strategy (policy EG1) should encourage developers to design buildings to that they minimise heat loss as far as possible. Policy D9 requires that all development provides potential users with an acceptable level of amenity, including addressing issues of sunlight and temperature. Water Consider whether there is potential to further reduce the number of new dwellings located within the flood risk area (mental health/safety injuries and hazards) Some of Salford’s most economically important and socially deprived areas are at significant risk of flooding, and therefore enabling regeneration and development in these areas remains an important priority. Policy WA5 of the Publication Core Strategy provides a detailed policy framework for considering proposals in areas at risk of flooding. It should however be noted that the updated Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment has taken into account the Level 2 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment, and as a result some housing sites have been removed from the supply of suitable, available and achievable sites, and for other sites the mix of dwellings has been revised, taking into account the flood risk issues. Consider whether it is necessary to include proposals to further improve the water quality of the Bridgewater Canal, particularly in the context of its tourism/recreation focus (safety, injuries and hazards) Design No. The Bridgewater Canal Corridor Masterplan has not identified that water quality is an issue or a concern in relation to increasing its recreation role. 18 19 DECEMBER 2011 Possible mitigation (health issue to which it relates) Has this been addressed in the Publication Core Strategy? Consider whether more detail is required to expand on some of these general principles, or whether this is best contained in one or more separate supplementary planning documents (mental health) Consider adding a reference to increasing the level of community involvement in the design process, which can help to reduce the stress associated with new developments (mental health) Yes. Policies D1 – D12 of the Publication Core Strategy provide more detailed guidance in relation to a range of issues including amenity, space, layout, views, adaptability and materials. Consider whether the design principles should include a specific reference to supporting the road user hierarchy and/or require that design of new development maximises opportunities for walking and cycling, although these issues are also addressed to some extent in the Transport chapter (obesity and cardiovascular disease) No. This would be unnecessary repetition. The transport hierarchy is retained in policy A2 of the Publication Core Strategy. Reference could be made to green infrastructure, although this issue is covered in a separate chapter (respiratory disease) Yes. However, rather than addressing the design of green infrastructure in the design policies, reference has been made to having regard to the design context in the green infrastructure policy (Policy GI2) in the Publication Core Strategy. Design principles for spaces within new developments are provided in policy D5 of the Publication Core Strategy, which will also be applicable to the design of some green infrastructure. Yes. Policy GI2 of the Publication Core Strategy requires that in the Air Quality Management Zone, green infrastructure within the development should help to remove pollutants from the air. Consider whether there should be a specific reference to ensuring design minimises the impacts of pollution (e.g. air and noise), particularly for new dwellings (respiratory disease) No. Other policies in the Publication Core Strategy (DP4 supporting successful neighbourhoods and DP6 Mitigating the impacts of development) should help to ensure that development benefits the wider community and that any negative impacts are appropriately addressed. 19 19 DECEMBER 2011 Possible mitigation (health issue to which it relates) The design policy could be more specific about making adequate provision for space for food growing (diet) Consider whether additional guidance should be included on issues such as insulation and passive solar gain, which could help to minimise the risk of excessive heat and cold in dwellings (impacts of excessive cold and heat) Consider requiring that public realm and open space is located where opportunities for passive surveillance occur (safety, hazards and injuries) Has this been addressed in the Publication Core Strategy? Where there are already significant levels of pollution, policies PH1 and PH2 of the Publication Core Strategy recognise that it may be necessary to control the type and form of developments and does not permit development where it would be subject to unacceptable levels of pollution. Yes. Whilst there is no specific requirement in the Publication Core Strategy to provide space for food growing, the introduction of the minimum amenity space standards in residential development (policy H6) and the increase in allotments standards from 10 to 20 plots per 1,000 households (policy R2) should help to ensure that the amount of space available for food growing is maximised. Yes. Retaining the energy hierarchy in the Publication Core Strategy (policy EG1) should help to ensure that buildings minimise heat loss as far as possible. Policy D9 requires that all development provides potential users with an acceptable level of amenity, including addressing issues of sunlight and temperature. Yes. Policy D11 of the Publication Core Strategy requires that development is designed so that it allows for the natural surveillance of public spaces. Policy D5 also requires that boundary treatments for public spaces provide visual permeability and that street furniture does not create unnecessary visual obstacles. Heritage Consider how the Core Strategy could recognise the value of and No. It is considered that this should be addressed through the 20 19 DECEMBER 2011 Possible mitigation (health issue to which it relates) Has this been addressed in the Publication Core Strategy? protect wider heritage assets which may be important to the local community and the character of the area, for example it may be appropriate to retain and enhance older housing in some areas rather than redevelop. Any locally important heritage assets are however likely to be identified on the city council’s local list (mental health) Consider whether it is feasible to develop a heritage based walking and cycling route along the Manchester Ship Canal to encourage further opportunities for exercise and link up with the walking routes on the other canals (obesity and cardiovascular disease) development of the ‘local list.’ Policy HE1 of the Publication Core Strategy provides more general principles for the protection of heritage assets, and recognises that the level of protection afforded should reflect the nature, extent and level of its significance. Consider whether there should be more emphasis on linking the Bridgewater Canal into the wider pedestrian and cycle network (obesity and cardiovascular disease) No. This is considered too specific for the Core Strategy. Policy HE1 of the Publication Core Strategy recognises that the Bridgewater Canal Corridor is an important heritage asset and supports the expansion of its tourism and leisure role. Policy D12 also requires that development adjacent to waterways such as the Bridgewater Canal provides a waterside pedestrian and cycling route. No. The Publication Core Strategy does not include this as a proposal, however policy R5 of the Unitary Development Plan is proposed to be retained and should be considered alongside the policies in the Core Strategy once it is adopted. This identifies a proposed recreation route along the Manchester Ship Canal. Green Infrastructure Consider whether to place specific requirements on development in the Regional Centre where the negative health impacts are potentially greater as a result of the scale and density of development and more innovative solutions to providing green infrastructure are likely to be required e.g. street trees, window boxes, green facades and roofs, green security, converting Yes. Policy GI2 notes that the priority function for green infrastructure in the Regional Centre is to provide relief from high temperatures, and recognises that the provision of open spaces may not always be practicable, therefore innovative solutions such as green roofs and walls are encouraged so that overall, the amount of green infrastructure can be maximised as far as 21 19 DECEMBER 2011 Possible mitigation (health issue to which it relates) Has this been addressed in the Publication Core Strategy? selected streets into green ways (mental health) possible without affecting the amount of land available for development. Yes. One of the functions of the green infrastructure network in the Publication Core Strategy is ‘providing space for public events, meeting places and quiet contemplation’ (Policy GI1). Policy SF3F of the Publication Core Strategy recognises that parts of Chat Moss are notable for their tranquillity, and seeks to protect the tranquil character of the area. Yes. The Publication Core Strategy includes policies that require that all elements of development are subject to appropriate maintenance provisions, including the landscaping within any development (Policy DP7). Policies D5 (Spaces) and D11 (Design and crime) require that careful consideration is given to the design, location and means of access to open spaces, to ensure that crime and fear of crime are minimised as far as possible. No. This is considered a detailed design issue that would be most appropriate to consider through a Supplementary Planning Document. However, policy GI2 does require that developments should maximise the interconnectedness of green infrastructure, which may contribute to this. In part. Policy GI2 of the Publication Core Strategy identifies that the green infrastructure network should have priority functions within some parts of the city, to address some of the identified pressures such as poor health, flood risk, air quality etc. Consider whether one of the Green Infrastructure Network functions should be to provide tranquil spaces within the city (mental health) Consider whether there needs to be more emphasis on safety and maintenance of the green infrastructure network (mental health) Consider whether there needs to be more detail in the policy, to ensure that the green infrastructure wraps around development so that all users can easily benefit from it (mental health) The Core Strategy could go further by identifying specific standards, and the priority functions of the Green Infrastructure Network in different parts of the city. This would ensure that in enhancing or adding to the network, health benefits are maximised by tailoring the type of green infrastructure provided to the needs of that part of the city. It is currently anticipated that 22 19 DECEMBER 2011 Possible mitigation (health issue to which it relates) an SPD will provide the more detailed advice in relation to this matter (social/cultural isolation) The policy could potentially identify those parts of the city where mitigating air pollution will be a particular priority function for the Green Infrastructure Network (respiratory disease) Consider whether it is appropriate to make it a more explicit requirement to provide opportunities for local food production in areas around new residential developments (diet) Has this been addressed in the Publication Core Strategy? Yes. This is identified in policy GI2 of the Publication Core Strategy. No. This is not identified as a requirement in the Publication Core Strategy, however it is considered that the requirement for new residential developments to contribute towards the achievement of the allotments standards and the minimum requirements for outdoor amenity space should assist in creating sufficient opportunities for food growing. Consider whether requirements should be placed on the No. This requirement is considered to be too specific for the Core integration of rainwater storage/harvesting facilities to support the Strategy. Policy GI2 of the Publication Core Strategy identifies Green Infrastructure Network, particularly in areas of the city the more general priority functions of the green infrastructure more vulnerable to increased temperatures. Sustainable network relevant to some of the key pressures facing the city, drainage systems (SUDS) could also assist in managing/storing including high temperatures and flood risk. Policy WA6 of the excess water (impacts of excessive cold and heat) Publication Core Strategy also requires that new development minimises the amount of surface water run off and water pollution. Consider whether reference should also be made to using green Yes. Although not specifically addressed through the green infrastructure to minimise wind speeds and turbulence, which can infrastructure policy, policy D10 of the Publication Core Strategy increase the negative impacts of cold weather (impacts of requires that development is designed in such a way that it does excessive cold and heat) not have an unacceptable impact on the local mircoclimate, including for example the tunnelling, speed and direction. Consider whether it is appropriate to place more emphasis on No. Whilst the Publication Core Strategy does not place greater increasing the quantity of green infrastructure in flood risk areas emphasis on increasing the quantity of green infrastructure in the (safety, injuries and hazards) flood risk areas, policy GI2 does specify that within the flood risk 23 19 DECEMBER 2011 Possible mitigation (health issue to which it relates) Has this been addressed in the Publication Core Strategy? zones green infrastructure within new developments should provide capacity for water storage. Green Belt Consider whether there are alternative ways in which the city’s development needs can be met without using part of the Green Belt at Barton (mental health) Consider whether there are additional ways in which the Green Belt can be more effectively integrated within the rest of the city, so that it feels less isolated (social/cultural isolation) Whilst Chat Moss is a major green infrastructure resource, there is a risk that increasing public access will only benefit those living in the communities immediately surrounding it. Consider whether specific reference needs to be made to improving access to Chat Moss, through for example linking into the existing walking and cycling network. Equally this may assist in reducing social isolation for those living in the mosslands (obesity and cardiovascular disease) Consider whether an even stronger approach should be taken to Yes. The proposal to release land in the Green Belt at Barton for employment development has been dropped and is not included as a proposal in the Publication Core Strategy. Yes. Policy GB1 of the Publication Core Strategy provides a spatial strategy for Salford’s Green Belt and supports the positive use of the Green Belt, particularly where this would increase its accessibility to Salford residents. The farm diversification policy (GB4) is also more positively worded in the Publication Core Strategy, and explains that farm diversification projects that support the rural economy will be permitted, particularly where they enhance public access to the Green Belt. The proposal in the Draft Core Strategy to increase public access throughout Chat Moss has been retained in policy SF3F of the Publication Core Strategy. No. The Publication Core Strategy seeks to maintain and enhance the network of walking and cycling routes, but does not identify improving connections into Chat Moss as a priority. The review of the city council’s cycling strategy will identify the gaps in the network and determine the key priorities for investment in the network. Yes. The Publication Core Strategy includes a policy on 24 19 DECEMBER 2011 Possible mitigation (health issue to which it relates) Has this been addressed in the Publication Core Strategy? the retention of high quality agricultural land outside the heartland, including potentially deleting the Green Belt employment proposal (diet) agricultural land (GB5), which seeks to protect high grade agricultural land as far as possible, and identifies the limited circumstances where development that would result in a reduction in high grade agricultural land will be permitted. The proposal in the Draft Core Strategy to release land in the Green Belt at Barton for employment development, which included some high quality agricultural land, is not included in the Publication Core Strategy. Tourism and recreation Consider whether the strategic recreation facilities in the Regional Centre have the potential to provide tranquil spaces (mental health) Improving the quality of greenspaces makes people’s experience of them more enjoyable. Consider whether a set of quality standards for greenspace should be established (considering things such as for example cleanliness, lighting, seating, signage, bins etc). It may be more appropriate to address this through an SPD (social and cultural isolation) Consider whether there are any areas of the city where accessibility to strategic recreation facilities is particularly poor. This may place greater emphasis on enhancing existing resources in the city so that they can perform a strategic No. The Irwell River Park is the main strategic recreation scheme proposed to be delivered within the Regional Centre. It is anticipated that this will provide a range of high quality multifunctional spaces and walking/cycling routes. There is potential that some of the spaces will provide quiet spaces, however this is considered too detailed to include in the Core Strategy. No. This is considered too detailed for the Core Strategy. However, together the various design policies introduced in the Publication Core Strategy should ensure that new green spaces provide users with an acceptable level of amenity (Policy D9 amenity) and that any street furniture incorporated into public spaces is carefully designed and located (Policy D5). No. Strategic recreation facilities play a complementary role to local recreation facilities and the list of strategic recreation schemes in policy R1 of the Publication Core Strategy reflects the location of existing facilities with potential to expand their role 25 19 DECEMBER 2011 Possible mitigation (health issue to which it relates) Has this been addressed in the Publication Core Strategy? recreation function, for example the Chat Moss area (obesity and cardiovascular disease) and key opportunities to develop new facilities. The local recreation standards in policy R2 of the Publication Core Strategy should ensure that all residents have good access to a range of recreation opportunities. No. Consideration was given to including the Woodland Trust Woodland Access Standard, but it was concluded that it would be unrealistic to achieve these standards and seeking to do so could compromise other objectives. It is considered more appropriate to retain the natural greenspace standards instead. Yes. The standard has been increased to 20 plots per 1, 000 households in the Publication Core Strategy (Policy R2). Consider whether a separate standard is required in Policy TO3 on access to woodland, which could help to mitigate air pollution (respiratory disease) Consider whether a more ambitious target for allotment standards is required, given that the recommendation of the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners is 20 rather than 10 plots per 1,000 households (diet) Biodiversity Consider whether there should be more emphasis on enhancing biodiversity in the Regional Centre where the population and densities will be the greatest (mental health) Consider whether there are particular habitats that could be targeted, in addition to lowland raised bog (mental health) No. The Publication Core Strategy seeks to enhance the size, diversity and interconnectedness of the city’s habitats. It is not considered realistic to increase biodiversity more in the Regional Centre than in other areas of the city. Policy GI2 of the Publication Core Strategy recognises the importance of delivering green infrastructure in the Regional Centre and suggests that the efficient use of surfaces will be important in achieving this. This should help to increase biodiversity levels in the Regional Centre. No. The restoration of lowland raised bog is identified as a specific priority in the Core Strategy as Chat Moss provides the most significant opportunity for habitat restoration in Salford, and 26 19 DECEMBER 2011 Possible mitigation (health issue to which it relates) Has this been addressed in the Publication Core Strategy? is therefore a key objective of the Core Strategy. It is not considered appropriate to identify other particular habitats that could be targeted in the Publication Core Strategy. Policy BG2 of the Publication Core Strategy requires that development should not have an adverse impact on other priority habitats identified at the national, Greater Manchester or local level wherever practicable. 27 19 DECEMBER 2011 3. 3.1 HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF THE PUBLICATION CORE STRATEGY The health impact assessment of the Publication Core Strategy assesses each of the thematic chapters against the same set of key health issues considered in the health impact assessment of the Draft Core Strategy. 3.2 The policies in the Spatial Framework chapter mainly pull together proposals contained elsewhere in the Core Strategy, and so these policies have not been subject to a health impact assessment. The Sustainable Development policy (SD1) provides a very broad overarching policy, which sets the context for the rest of the policies in plan, and therefore the health impacts of this policy have not been assessed. 3.3 Chapters 24 (Waste) and 25 (Minerals) of Publication Core Strategy policies explain that the Greater Manchester Joint Waste Development Plan Document and Greater Manchester Joint Minerals Development Plan Document will provide the main development plan framework for minerals and waste related developments. These documents are both due to be adopted in 2012. Given that policies WM1 (Waste Management) and M1 (Minerals) only go as far as to establish some general principles, and provide a signpost as to where these issues are addressed in detail elsewhere in the Local Development Framework, it is not considered necessary to assess the health impacts of these policies. 3.4 Whilst a number of amendments have already been made to the Core Strategy in light of the recommendations of the health impact assessment of the Draft Core Strategy, some opportunities to further maximise the beneficial effects or minimise the harmful effects have been identified. Where opportunities to improve the health impacts of policies have been identified, consideration is given to whether it would be appropriate to amend the Publication Core Strategy further and where it is considered that the recommendation cannot be taken forward in the Publication Core Strategy, the reasons for this are explained. 3.5 Where mitigation measures or opportunities to improve the health benefits of the document were identified in the health impact assessment of the Draft Core Strategy and dismissed (as shown in table 1), these have not been suggested again in the health impact assessment of the Publication Core Strategy. 28 19 DECEMBER 2011 TABLE 2 HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF THE PUBLICATION CORE STRATEGY Development principles Policy DP1 Encouraging the reuse of previously developed land and buildings Policy DP2 Managing the use of land Policy DP3 Efficient use of land Policy DP4 Supporting successful neighbourhoods Policy DP5 Co-ordinated development Policy DP6 Mitigating the impacts of development Policy DP7 Management and maintenance Issue Potential impact Mental health Requiring that development contributes to the regeneration and enhancement of the area (Policy DP4) will assist in creating successful neighbourhoods, which in turn has the potential to improve mental health in some areas of the city. Ensuring that development provides appropriate mitigation for any negative impacts (Policy DP6) should help to ensure that there is no decline in the city’s neighbourhoods. Requiring that development makes provision for management and maintenance measures (Policy DP7) should assist in ensuring that development remains attractive and is able to function successfully in the longer term, which should help to Potential mitigation measures and further opportunities to maximise the beneficial effects of the policy Policy DP3 sets a minimum density requirement of 30 dwellings per hectare for new development, but indicates that a significantly higher density will be appropriate in the Regional Centre. There is potential to provide more certainty to communities by setting an upper limit for residential densities in the Regional Centre. Whilst this may help to address potential community concerns regarding overdevelopment, it is considered that it would be unnecessarily prescriptive and inflexible for sites coming forward in the 29 19 DECEMBER 2011 maintain community pride and minimise the potential for the environmental quality of neighbourhoods to decline and crime and safety to become significant issues. Social/cultural isolation Ensuring that development promotes community cohesion and equality (Policy DP4) should help to encourage positive relationships between different groups in the community and reduce social exclusion. Requiring that development makes provision for management and maintenance measures (Policy DP7) will mean that development remains attractive and is able to function successfully. This will help to ensure that community pride is maintained. Obesity and cardiovascular disease No issues Regional Centre. Policy DP6 establishes circumstances where development that would have an unacceptable impact on an interest of acknowledged importance. There is potential that the Core Strategy could take a stronger line with regards to such proposals, and not permit development where it would have an unacceptable impact on an interest of acknowledged importance. This approach is unlikely to be considered acceptable in the context of the emerging National Planning Policy Framework, and in particular the presumption n favour of sustainable growth. None. The emphasis is therefore instead on ensuring that the positives of development outweigh the negatives (SD1) and the negatives are minimised and mitigated as far as possible (DP6). None 30 19 DECEMBER 2011 Respiratory disease Diet No issues None No issues None Impacts of excessive cold and heat Safety, hazards and injuries No issues None Requiring that development makes provision for appropriate management and maintenance of external spaces and landscaping (Policy DP7) should ensure that development does not lead to increases in crime and fear of crime. Requiring that development makes provision for any additional infrastructure needs it generates (policy DP6) should help to ensure that there are sufficient health facilities in the city. No issues None Healthcare provision Spending on own health None None Economic development Policy EC1 Economic development spatial strategy Policy EC2 Office development Policy EC3 Industrial and warehousing development Policy EC4 Existing employment areas Policy EC5 Tourism development Issue Potential impact Mental health Unemployment can have a negative impact on mental health. The large scale of employment development proposed (Policies Potential mitigation measures and further opportunities to maximise the beneficial effects of the policy None 31 19 DECEMBER 2011 EC1, EC2 and EC3) should assist in increasing the number of employment opportunities in Salford and maximise the economic success of the city and the prosperity of its residents. It is made clear in the supporting text to policy EC2 that the figures for office development are not intended to act as a constraint on development and that there is scope for even greater levels of new office floorspace if investment conditions are positive. This offers the potential to secure further employment opportunities in the city. Improving transport connections to employment opportunities outside of the city (Policy EC1) will also help to maximise accessibility to jobs. Supporting the development of the city’s tourism economy (Policy EC5) will create further employment opportunities in the city, which should contribute to improving the resident employment rate. Social/cultural isolation There is potential that the loss of some industrial and warehousing floorspace over the plan period (policy EC3) will result in fewer jobs in some areas of the city. However, the circumstances within which existing employment areas will be permitted to be redeveloped will be strictly controlled by policy EC4 of the Publication Core Strategy, to ensure that only those sites and areas that are unable to secure a long term economic future are released. Employment offers regular opportunities for contact and social interaction, and so can help to reduce social isolation. Policies EC2, EC3 and EC5 will help to secure a range of different types of employment opportunities within the city. There is potential that this will increase the number of flexible employment opportunities across the city, which may be suitable for lone parents, carers and people with physical/mental health problems. The Core Strategy could require that new employment development make specific social provision to maximise the range of people who can access jobs e.g. through crèche provision. This approach is considered to be unduly onerous and inflexible. 32 19 DECEMBER 2011 Obesity and cardiovascular disease Respiratory disease Diet Impacts of excessive cold and heat Safety, hazards and injuries 3.6 No issues None There is potential for some employment uses to generate harmful emissions, however the location of such uses will be controlled by policy PH1 (Pollution control). No issues No issues None There is potential for some employment uses to involve the production and/or storage of hazardous uses, however these types of development will be sufficiently controlled by policy PH4 (Control of hazardous uses). No issues None Healthcare provision Spending on own No issues health Housing Policy H1 Housing spatial strategy Policy H2 Scale and distribution of housing development Policy H3 Phasing of new housing development Policy H4 Type of housing Policy H5 Size of dwellings Policy H6 Amenity space in residential development Policy H7 Housing design Policy H8 Affordable housing Policy H9 Conversion of existing houses None None None None 33 19 DECEMBER 2011 Policy H10 Housing for older people Policy H11 Gypsies, travellers and travelling show people Policy H12 Student housing Policy SF2A Broughton Park and Higher Broughton (whilst this policy is not within the housing chapter, it addresses housing issues that are not covered in the housing policies) Issue Potential impact Mental health Living in overcrowded accommodation can adversely affect mental health. Policy H5 establishes minimum size standards for new dwellings, which should help to minimise overcrowding and the impacts of small dwellings on mental health. This is complemented by policy H6, which establishes amenity space standards for residential new development. Potential mitigation measures and further opportunities to maximise the beneficial effects of the policy There is potential that the Core Strategy could make specific provision for housing for those with mental health issues, but this is considered too detailed for the Core Strategy. Ensuring that housing is designed to provide a high level of amenity (Policy H7) should have a positive impact on people’s mental health. Requiring that communal areas in residential developments do not lead to significant disturbance for occupiers will also contribute to this. Requiring that all housing developments are designed to meet the Lifetime Homes standard will enable people to remain in their homes for longer as their needs and circumstances change. A lack of affordable homes may result in households being unable to meet their housing needs, which could lead to increased levels of psychological distress. Increasing the availability of affordable housing (policy H8) will help to reduce 34 19 DECEMBER 2011 this risk. Whilst the Core Strategy is seeking to maximise the overall amount of affordable housing as far as possible, it is necessary to ensure that the requirements placed on developers to provide affordable housing do not make development financially unviable. Social/cultural isolation Requiring that new residential developments meet the Lifetime Homes standard (Policy H7) will mean that dwellings should be adaptable to people’s changing needs, enabling people to stay in their homes for longer. None The Core Strategy recognises that it can be difficult to find suitable accommodation for uses such as nursing homes, children’s homes and hostels and that the conversion of houses that are currently single dwellings may sometimes provide the best opportunity. Carefully controlling the conversion of houses for these uses (Policy H9), enables the occupants to be integrated into rather than separated from communities whilst ensuring that the stability and amenity of existing neighbourhoods is not compromised. Concentrating new student accommodation in the areas immediately around the main campuses (Policy H12) will maximise students’ accessibility to everyday services and facilities, and provide a more supportive and inclusive environment for students. Taking a flexible approach to redevelopment and infill schemes in the Broughton Park and Higher Broughton area (Policy SF2A) will increase the overall supply of housing in an area where housing demand is high and sites for new residential development are limited. This will enable 35 19 DECEMBER 2011 newly forming households within for example, the Orthodox Jewish population, to remain in the same broad area as their families. Requiring that communal areas within residential developments are robust and well designed and maintained (Policy H7) should make an important contribution to the long term success of apartment developments, which will help to reduce turnover and maintain stability within communities. Obesity and cardiovascular disease Establishing minimum amenity space standards for new residential development (Policy H6) should provide more opportunities for children to play and therefore could increase physical activity levels. It could also encourage more physical activity in adults through for example, gardening. None Respiratory disease Large parts of the city are within the Air Quality Management Area, and therefore it will be necessary to locate some of the new housing within this area. This could potentially affect the respiratory health of residents. The potential negative health impacts as a result of this are mitigated through policy GI2 of the Publication Core Strategy, which requires that green infrastructure within new developments helps to remove pollutants from the air. Also policy PH2 controls the location of new development to ensure that it is not permitted where it would be subject to unacceptable levels of pollution. Living in poor housing stock can lead to respiratory diseases. Supporting improvements to the quality of existing housing (Policy H1) should reduce the incidences of this. There is a potential opportunity to further improve the health benefits of policy H7 by requiring that new dwellings in the Air Quality Management Zone provide more outdoor amenity space, to maximise opportunities to remove pollutants from the air by creating more green infrastructure. Much of the Air Quality Management Zone is located within Central Salford and in the Regional Centre, where development densities are higher. The specific characteristics of the area mean that taking this approach is unlikely to be feasible in practice and the emphasis is therefore on maximising the 36 19 DECEMBER 2011 ability of the green infrastructure network that is provided in such areas to mitigate air pollution (Point G of Policy GI2). Another potential opportunity is to seek to increase the number of people living at the heart of the city, in order to increase the number of long distance commutes through the city that contribute to poor air quality. The Core Strategy is already seeking to achieve this by directing a large number of the new dwellings to the Regional Centre. Diet Establishing minimum amenity space standards for new residential development (Policy H6) will mean that regardless of the size of the property, all occupiers should have the opportunity to grow their own fruit and vegetables should they wish to, thereby increasing people’s access to fresh produce. Impacts of excessive cold and Cold homes are linked to increased risk of cardiovascular, respiratory and rheumatoid diseases and depression. Supporting The Draft Core Strategy required that developers of residential schemes provide sufficient topsoil within the gardens of new dwellings to enable people to grow their own vegetables. This has not been taken forward in the Publication Core Strategy on the basis that the amenity standards would enable people to grow their own food should they wish to. Placing specific requirements on developers to provide sufficient topsoil could potentially be unsustainable if residents to not wish to choose grow fruit and vegetables in part or all of their garden. There is potential that the Core Strategy could seek to exceed the minimum 37 19 DECEMBER 2011 heat Safety, hazards and injuries Healthcare provision Spending on own health improvements to the quality of existing housing stock (Policy H1) thermal standards in the building through programmes such as Decent Homes should minimise the regulations, but the Government’s development of such illnesses as a result of housing conditions. proposed timetable for moving to zero carbon homes is already considered to be quite challenging. Housing related hazards including structural defects that increase None risk of an accident (such as poor lighting, lack of handrails) increase the likelihood of people suffering an accident or being injured at home. Supporting improvements to existing housing stock (Policy H1) through programmes such as Decent Homes should help to address potential hazards. The Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment that has informed the proposed distribution of dwellings in policy H2 of the Publication Core Strategy has excluded land where there is a safety risk associated with a hazardous installation. It has also taken into account flood risk issues. Relocating the existing Fairways travelling showpeople site to a location outside of the 1 in 100 year flood risk zone (Policy H10) will address the existing health and safety concerns. No issues None High spending costs on housing can reduce the amount of money that households have to spend on maintaining their own health. Increasing the supply of affordable housing in Salford (Policy H8) should help to address this issue. Town centres and retail development Policy TC1 Town centres spatial strategy Policy TC2 Boundaries of centres Policy TC3 Scale and distribution of new retail and leisure development None 38 19 DECEMBER 2011 Policy TC4 Sequential approach to town centres Policy TC5 Impact of new retail and leisure development Policy TC6 Change of use within town centres Issue Mental health Potential impact Potential mitigation measures and further opportunities to maximise the beneficial effects of the policy A lack of accessible employment opportunities can have a Consideration has been given to whether negative impact on mental health. Policy TC3 proposes the scale it is appropriate to take a more ambitious and distribution of new retail growth that should be delivered approach to retail growth within Salford’s during the plan period, which should assist in creating further centres and support the development of employment opportunities in Salford. Enhancing Salford’s town more retail floorspace than is proposed in and local centres (Policy TC1) and supporting their growth (Policy policy TC3. This could lead to the TC3), should encourage more people to use them, which could development of even more employment improve people’s perceptions of centres and the level of natural opportunities in the city. It is not surveillance within them during the daytime and evening. This considered that it is realistic to increase could assist in reducing fear of crime. the retail floorspace growth figures any further, as these are based on the proposed scale and distribution of housing development in the Core Strategy together with forecast increases in per capita retail expenditure and existing shopping patterns. Supporting the development of retail floorspace beyond this may result in units being built and remaining vacant, which is likely to have an impact on the vitality and viability of centres and may generate negative health impacts. 39 19 DECEMBER 2011 Social/cultural isolation Town and local centres provide focal points for communities and None opportunities for social interaction. Protecting and enhancing the network of centres within Salford (Policy TC1) could therefore encourage greater use of the centres, increase pride of place and community cohesion. Policies TC4, TC5 and TC6 will also help to maintain the vitality and viability of these centres by carefully controlling the development of town centre uses. The provision of new centres in areas where there is a significant scale of new housing proposed (Policies TC1 and TC3) will ensure that all local communities should have good access to shopping facilities. These hubs of activity within new communities will help to encourage community cohesion. Obesity and cardiovascular disease Policy TC3 identifies the scale and distribution of convenience goods (i.e. every day items including food) floorspace over the plan period. This should provide communities with more opportunities to purchase healthy food. Respiratory disease Some parts of the town centres are located within the Air Quality None Management Zone, which could potentially affect the health of the people working and living in the centres. This will be mitigated to some extent by policy GI2 of the Core Strategy which requires that green infrastructure within the Air Quality Management Zone should help to remove pollutants from the air. Policy TC3 identifies the scale and distribution of convenience None goods (i.e. every day items including food) floorspace over the plan period. This should provide communities with more opportunities to purchase healthy food. Diet None 40 19 DECEMBER 2011 Impacts of excessive cold and heat Safety, hazards and injuries No issues None Enhancing Salford’s town and local centres (Policy TC1) and supporting their growth (Policy TC3), should encourage more people to use them, which could improve people’s perceptions of centres and the level of natural surveillance within them during the daytime and evening. This could assist in reducing crime and fear of crime. None Healthcare No issues provision Spending on own No issues health Education Policy ED1 Schools and further education facilities Policy ED2 University of Salford None Issue Potential impact Mental health Improving the quality of schools and further education facilities (Policy ED1) will assist in improving the skills and qualifications of Salford residents, which will in turn increase access to employment opportunities and reduce worklessness. Potential mitigation measures and further opportunities to maximise the beneficial effects of the policy None Social/cultural isolation Encouraging the community use of playing fields and other school facilities (Policy ED1) will provide further opportunities for communities to come together and enable schools to develop as None None 41 19 DECEMBER 2011 focal points for communities. Ensuring that development proposals for the Peel Park and Frederick Road campus form part of a comprehensive development strategy (Policy ED2) should help to minimise any adverse impacts on surrounding communities and promote good relationships between the University of Salford and the surrounding community. Improving the integration of the university campus with its surroundings (policy ED2) should also assist in improving community cohesion in this part of the city. Obesity and cardiovascular disease Respiratory disease Encouraging the community use of playing fields and other school facilities (Policy ED1) has the potential to provide more opportunities for people to partake in sport and recreation. Requiring that new school sites are highly accessible to their intended catchments, particularly by walking, cycling and public transport (Policy ED1) should assist in encouraging more active travel. Enhancing pedestrian and cycling routes through the University of Salford campus (policy ED2) should encourage active travel within the student population. Policy H12 of the Core Strategy should also encourage more active travel among the student population as it requires that new student accommodation should be located in the areas immediately around the campuses. The main University of Salford Campus is located within the Air Quality Management Zone. There is also potential that new schools may need to be located within it. However, this should be mitigated by policy GI2 to some extent, which requires that green infrastructure in these locations should help to remove pollutants from the air. Policy PH2 should also assist, by controlling the None None 42 19 DECEMBER 2011 Diet Impacts of excessive cold and heat Safety, hazards and injuries Healthcare provision Spending on own health location of development, so that it is not permitted in locations where it would be subject to unacceptable levels of pollution. No issues None New education buildings will be encouraged to move as far up the energy hierarchy as possible (policy EG1) and therefore the occupants of the building should be subject to comfortable conditions. Improvements to the public realm and pedestrian and cycling connections within the Peel Park and Frederick Road campus (Policy ED2) may assist in reducing crime and fear of crime. No issues. None Improving skills will increase the opportunity for people to secure employment (Policy ED1) and will enable people to spend more on their own health. None None None Health Policy HH1 Provision of primary care facilities Policy HH2 Salford Royal Hospital Issue Potential impact Mental health Potential mitigation measures and further opportunities to maximise the beneficial effects of the policy Delivering improvements in the quality and accessibility of The Core Strategy could require that primary health care facilities (Policy HH1) should improve access developers submit a health impact to treatment and preventative services. Supporting the ongoing assessment alongside major planning redevelopment of the Salford Royal Hospital (Policy HH2) and applications. It is not considered future enhancement of the hospital will improve the delivery of necessary to require this, as careful healthcare services and should maximise residents’ access to the consideration has been given to ensuring highest possible quality of healthcare facilities, including that the policies in Core Strategy promote 43 19 DECEMBER 2011 neurology and rehabilitation services. Social/cultural isolation Obesity and cardiovascular disease Encouraging the co-location of new primary care facilities with other public facilities such as libraries (Policy HH1), could result in the creation of community ‘hubs’, which could assist in promoting community cohesion. Delivering improvements in the quality and accessibility of primary health care facilities (Policy HH1) should improve access to treatment and preventative services. Supporting the ongoing redevelopment of the Salford Royal Hospital and future enhancement of the hospital (Policy HH2) will improve the delivery of healthcare services and should maximise residents’ access to the highest possible quality of healthcare facilities, including cardiology services. good health and require that any adverse impacts on human health are minimised as far as possible. None None Respiratory disease Delivering improvements in the quality and accessibility of primary health care facilities (Policy HH1) should improve access to treatment and preventative services. Supporting the ongoing redevelopment of the Salford Royal Hospital and future enhancement of the hospital (Policy HH2) will improve the delivery of healthcare services and should maximise residents’ access to the highest possible quality of healthcare facilities, including respiratory medicine. None Diet The co-location of GP practices (Policy HH1) offers the potential for GPs to provide a wider range of healthcare services such as nutritional advice. None 44 19 DECEMBER 2011 Impacts of excessive cold and heat Safety, hazards and injuries No issues None Supporting the ongoing redevelopment of the Salford Royal Hospital and future enhancement of the hospital (Policy HH2) will improve the delivery of healthcare services and should maximise residents access to the highest possible quality of healthcare facilities, including accident and emergency services. None Healthcare provision Supporting improvements in the quality and accessibility of primary health care facilities (Policy HH1) and the ongoing redevelopment of the Salford Royal Hospital (Policy HH2) should result in better healthcare facilities for residents of Salford. None Spending on own No issues health Accessibility Policy A1 Accessibility Spatial Strategy Policy A2 Transport Hierarchy Policy A3 Transport Assessments, travel plans and personal travel planning Policy A4 Walking and cycling Policy A5 Public transport Policy A6 Rail infrastructure Policy A7 Water transport Policy A8 Highway infrastructure Policy A9 Impact of development on the highway network Policy A10 Parking provision and drop-off facilities in new developments None 45 19 DECEMBER 2011 Policy A11 City centre car parking Policy A12 Park and ride facilities Policy A13 Electric vehicle charging points Policy A14 Barton Aerodrome Issue Potential impact Mental health Improving people’s ability to move round the city in a quick and efficient way (Policy A1) will reduce the risk of delay and stress associated with travel and help to ensure that people are able to access employment opportunities. The construction of major new transport infrastructure can have a negative impact on people’s mental health and raise concerns about noise, traffic and safety. Whilst there are some major transport infrastructure proposals in the Core Strategy (policies A6 and A8), where these require planning permission, appropriate mitigation measures should be secured through policy DP6 (mitigating the impacts of development). The development of Port Salford and the increased use of the Manchester Ship Canal for freight movement (Policy A7) should generate a significant number of new employment opportunities in the city and contribute towards reducing worklessness and the stresses associated with this. Deleting the proposal to develop hard surface runways at Barton Aerodrome should minimise noise and air pollution impacts associated with the airport (Policy A14) and any associated mental health issues. Social/cultural Reducing the need to travel and encouraging a modal shift to Potential mitigation measures and further opportunities to maximise the beneficial effects of the policy None None 46 19 DECEMBER 2011 isolation more sustainable modes of travel (Policy A1), should maximise the number of people that are able to access employment and leisure opportunities easily, regardless of their income and without having to rely on a private car. Prioritising local enhancements to walking, cycling and public transport in the areas where the concentration of jobs is the greatest (Policy A1) will also help to maximise general accessibility. The transport hierarchy promotes the use of more sustainable and socially inclusive modes of transport in new development and highway design (Policy A2). Improving the speed, capacity, reliability and coverage of the public transport network (Policy A5) will help to ensure that all residents are able to access employment and leisure opportunities. Obesity and cardiovascular disease Encouraging a modal shift to more sustainable modes of travel (Policy A1) and promoting a transport hierarchy that prioritises pedestrians and cyclists above other road users should encourage more active travel. Enhancing the network of walking and cycling routes, and requiring that development complies with minimum cycle parking standards (Policy A4) has the potential to increase the number of journeys made on foot and by cycle and improve people’s general health and fitness. None Respiratory disease Salford’s highways fulfil a number of different roles. The motorways running through Salford are used by people travelling The policy could go further by requiring that all new developments provide electric 47 19 DECEMBER 2011 Diet between Manchester City Centre, Warrington, Liverpool, Lancashire and the Trafford Centre. The amount of traffic travelling through the city on the motorways has a significant impact on the level of pollution in Salford. The implementation of the various highways schemes (Policy A8) to increase the capacity and journey time reliability of the motorways should assist in reducing air pollution overall. The pilot hard shoulder running scheme on the M42 reported that vehicle emissions were reduced by 10% as a result of the proposal. However, there could potentially be a worsening of the situation in particular locations. The increased use of the Manchester Ship Canal for freight movement (Policy A7) should help to reduce heavy goods vehicle movements on the roads and associated air pollution. However, there could be some worsening of air quality around the proposed new wharves where freight is transferred from water to road. Encouraging a modal shift to more sustainable modes of travel (Policy A1) could reduce car usage and therefore help to improve air quality. This will be subject to delivering major improvements to the public transport system within Salford and the wider Greater Manchester area. The development of park and ride schemes (Policy A12) has the potential to support the increased use of public transport and reduce vehicular traffic levels, which could assist in improving air quality within Salford. Encouraging a shift to low-emission vehicles through the development of a network of electric vehicle charging points (Policy A13) could help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and associated respiratory diseases. vehicle charging infrastructure. This is not considered to be appropriate as there is potential that it could undermine viability and it is difficult to establish a generic requirement for non residential development as demand is likely to vary depending on the nature of the development and its occupier and the further rapid development of electric vehicle technology. No issues None 48 19 DECEMBER 2011 Impacts of excessive cold and heat Safety, hazards and injuries Healthcare provision Spending on own health No issues None The implementation of a road user hierarchy (Policy A2) which None prioritises the needs of pedestrians and cyclists in the first instance should assist in improving road safety for these users. The proposed hard shoulder running scheme on the motorways (Policy A8) should help to improve safety on busy stretches of motorway, as there would be an associated reduction in the speed limit. Not permitting development where it would have an unacceptable impact on the safe operation of the highway network (Policy A9) and requiring that development proposals are accompanied by a transport assessment/statement (Policy A3) will ensure that highway safety is not compromised as a result of development. Development is required to provide sufficient off street parking so that it does not have an unacceptable impact on the safe and efficient operation of the highway network (Policy A10). This should ensure that road safety is not compromised as a result of a lack of parking. Policy A14 is clear that development at Barton Aerodrome will only be permitted where it would not have an unacceptable impact on the operational safety of the facility and therefore there should be no risk to public safety as a result of the proposals. The proposed improvements to walking and cycling routes None (Policy A4) and public transport services and facilities (Policy A5) should assist in improving access to health facilities. No issues None 49 19 DECEMBER 2011 Energy Policy EG1 Energy strategy Policy EG2 Renewable and low carbon energy Policy EG3 Coal bed methane Policy EG4 Electricity supply infrastructure Issue Potential impact Potential mitigation measures and further opportunities to maximise the beneficial effects of the policy None Mental health Some of the renewable and low carbon energy opportunities identified (Policy EG2), could, if implemented, have a negative impact on mental health through stress associated with the anticipated impact of the development, and concerns about noise, sleep disturbance, traffic associated with the development etc. However, the policy requires that development proposals for such schemes should be located and designed so as to minimise their adverse impacts. Establishing an energy hierarchy (Policy EG1) could help to promote energy security and reduce stress associated with fuel poverty and sudden increases in fuel prices, as people would be less reliant on global energy prices. Social/cultural isolation Obesity and cardiovascular disease Respiratory disease No issues None No issues None Only permitting proposals involving the combustion of biomass or other materials (Policy EG2) or the extraction of coal bed methane (Policy EG3) where there would be no unacceptable The Core Strategy Pre-Publication Changes Report included maximum emissions standards for new biomass 50 19 DECEMBER 2011 adverse impact on local air quality, will ensure that incidences of respiratory disease are not increased as a result of such proposals. fired energy facilities, but these have been deleted as it was considered that they were too inflexible. Diet The sustainable energy opportunities map identifies potential areas for growing energy crops (Policy EG2). This area excludes high grade agricultural land and so opportunities for local food production should not be compromised by this policy. None Impacts of excessive cold and heat Establishing an energy hierarchy (Policy EG1) could help to promote energy security and reduce fuel poverty, which should help to minimise the risk of excessive cold in dwellings. Safety, hazards and injuries The Core Strategy supports the sensitive exploitation of coal bed methane resources (policies EG1 and EG3). However, this is subject to there being no risk of groundwater contamination or methane leakage as a result of the proposals (Policy EG3). The risks to human health as a result of such proposals should therefore be minimised. No issues There is potential that the Core Strategy could seek to exceed the thermal requirements of the building regulations, but the Government’s proposed timetable for moving to zero carbon homes is already considered to be quite challenging. None Healthcare provision Spending on own health Establishing an energy hierarchy (Policy EG1) could help to promote energy security and reduce fuel poverty, which could leave people with more money to spend on their own health. None None. Water 51 19 DECEMBER 2011 Policy WA1 Water spatial strategy Policy WA2 Water supply and water efficiency Policy WA3 Water quality Policy WA4 Flood related infrastructure Policy WA5 Development and flood risk Policy WA6 Surface water Issue Potential impact Mental health Protecting and enhancing the water supply network (Policies WA1 and WA2) should further improve water security and reduce the very limited threat to mental health associated with inadequate water supply for drinking, bathing, cooking, cleaning and sanitation. Minimising the risk and impact of flooding and ensuring that flood risk is appropriately managed through a combination of measures (Policies WA4, WA5 and WA6) should prevent mental health consequences as a result of flooding, such as stress related to extensive damage, the threat of repeated floods and the withdrawal of insurance cover impacting on the saleability of properties. Potential mitigation measures and further opportunities to maximise the beneficial effects of the policy The Core Strategy could go further by restricting development completely in those areas which are significantly at risk of flooding. This would effectively be a no risk approach in flooding/health impact terms. However, it is considered unrealistic to adopt a development strategy based on significantly restricting development and investment in these areas, as this would constrain the future development and regeneration of some of Salford’s most deprived areas and the Regional Centre, which is central to the success of Greater Manchester. The approach of ensuring that development is appropriately designed and adequate flood response plans are in place is therefore considered appropriate. 52 19 DECEMBER 2011 New development is essential to the regeneration of these areas in Salford and new development should have mental health benefits. In addition, some of the new development will replace existing development that would be impacted on more in the event of a flood. None Social/cultural isolation Minimising the risk and impact of flooding and ensuring that flood risk is appropriately managed through a combination of measures (Policies WA4, WA5 and WA6) should help to avoid temporary isolation for individuals and communities as a result of flooding. Obesity and cardiovascular disease Respiratory disease Diet No issues None No issues None The city is already well served by water supply infrastructure and protecting this and further augmenting it (Policies WA1 and WA2) will ensure that there is sufficient water for drinking and cooking. No issues None Impacts of excessive cold and heat Safety, hazards and injuries None Regulating activities within the Ground Water Source Protection None Zone (Policy WA3) will ensure that groundwater sources used for public drinking water are not adversely affected by contamination. Controlling developments that will result in water pollution and securing investment in the city’s wastewater treatment works (Policy WA3) will also minimise risks to public health as a result 53 19 DECEMBER 2011 of development. Minimising the risk and impact of flooding and ensuring that flood risk is appropriately managed through a combination of measures (Policies WA4, WA5 and WA6) should reduce speed and depth of flood waters, and the occurrences of injury and serious medical conditions as a result of flooding. These can occur when for example flood waters carry pollutants or are mixed with contaminated water. Improving the resilience of existing homes within areas of significant risk of flooding, enhancing the scope and coordination of emergency planning procedures and relocating critical infrastructure and highly vulnerable uses from areas at significant risk of flooding (Policy WA1) will help to minimise the impact of flooding and therefore offer greater protection to public safety in the event of a flood. Not permitting the development of highly vulnerable uses (including ambulance stations, police stations, fire stations, command centres and telecommunications required to be operational during flooding) should help to ensure that the necessary emergency services can continue to operate efficiently in the event of a flood. Measures to improve the water quality at Salford Quays and along the Manchester Ship Canal (Policy WA3) will reduce the risk of those undertaking watersports catching an infection or illness. Healthcare provision Ambulance stations are defined as highly vulnerable uses. Seeking opportunities to relocate highly vulnerable uses from None 54 19 DECEMBER 2011 areas at significant risk of flooding (Policy WA1) and not permitting the development of such uses in the 1 in 100 year flood risk area (Policy WA3) should ensure that emergency medical services are able to continue to operate in the event of a flood. No issues Spending on own health Design Policy D1 Design principles Policy D2 Local character and distinctiveness Policy D3 Layout Policy D4 Views Policy D5 Spaces Policy D6 Architectural design Policy D7 Alterations and extensions Policy D8 Materials Policy D9 Amenity Policy D10 Microclimate Policy D11 Design and crime Policy D12 Waterside development None Issue Potential impact Mental health Ensuring that development protects, enhances and responds to the character of the area and contributes to its local identity and distinctiveness (Policy D2) should help to maintain a recognisable environment that offers familiar surroundings to communities. Protecting views of important buildings, townscapes, landscapes, Potential mitigation measures and further opportunities to maximise the beneficial effects of the policy None 55 19 DECEMBER 2011 waterways and other features (Policy D4) will also contribute to this. Requiring that the boundary treatments of public spaces provide visual permeability and that street furniture is positioned so that it does create visual obstacles (Policy D5) could assist in reducing fear of crime and incidences of crime within public spaces, which could have a positive impact on mental health. Requiring that alterations and extensions to properties respect the scale, character, rhythm etc of the original building (Policy D8) and ensuring that development does not have an unacceptable impact on the amenity of the users of other buildings and spaces should help to avoid neighbour conflict with regards to house extensions, and the stress associated with it. The separation distances (Policy D9) provide clarity as to what is considered to be acceptable. Social/cultural isolation Requiring that the layout of spaces and buildings is designed to None ensure that it is easy to physically move through and easy to navigate (Policy D3) should help to ensure that all people can access and use a development, regardless of any physical disability they may have. Ensuring that public spaces are designed so that they have a clear purpose and role and encourage a variety of uses (Policy D5) could help to support community interaction and add to an area’s local identify, therefore helping to promote community pride. Requiring that developments are designed so that they can be adapted to different user requirements (Policy D7) should help people stay in their home and community if their circumstances change, for example as a result of age or a disability. 56 19 DECEMBER 2011 Obesity and cardiovascular disease Respiratory disease Diet Impacts of excessive cold and heat Safety, hazards and injuries Healthcare provision Spending on own Requiring that public spaces are designed so that they encourage a variety of uses (Policy D5) may create more opportunities for people to exercise outdoors. Ensuring that development adjacent to waterways provides a pedestrian and cycling route (Policy D12) should help to encourage more active travel and provide opportunities for people to exercise outdoors. No issues None Requiring that public spaces are designed so that they encourage a variety of uses (Policy D5) may create more opportunities for local food growing. Requiring that development is designed so that it helps to mitigate the higher temperatures associated with the heat island effect, provides shelter and does not have an unacceptable impact on the microclimate through for example wind tunnelling (Policy D10) should ensure that users of buildings are not subject to extreme heat/cold/other conditions, which could result in ill health. Requiring that the boundary treatments of public spaces provide visual permeability and that street furniture is positioned so that it does not create visual obstacles (Policy D5) could assist in reducing fear and incidences of reduce fear of crime within public spaces. Requiring that development is designed to minimise opportunities for crime and antisocial behaviour and the threat of terrorism (Policy D11) should improve safety. None No issues None No issues None None None None 57 19 DECEMBER 2011 3.7 health Heritage Policy HE1 Heritage spatial strategy Policy HE2 A positive future for heritage assets Policy HE3 Works to heritage assets Policy HE4 Archaeological investigations Issue Potential impact Mental health Protecting and enhancing the city’s heritage assets (Policy HE1) will assist in maintaining local identity and character, promoting civic pride and providing a recognisable environment that offers familiar surroundings for local residents. Securing investment in the city’s heritage assets in Greengate/Chapel Street/The Crescent and Worsley Village/The Bridgewater Canal (Policy HE1) should help to increase the visitor appeal of these areas, and potentially increase the number of employment opportunities in the tourism industry in the city. This should make a contribution to reducing worklessness in Salford. Social/cultural isolation Enhancing the city’s heritage assets (Policy HE1) offers opportunities for members of the community with a common interest to come together, influence changes, meet for social events and develop social networks through the establishment of local interest groups and civic trusts. Maximising opportunities for public engagement in archaeological investigations (Policy HE4) could assist in developing a sense of place and identity, and also offers opportunities for communities to come together to carry out Potential mitigation measures and further opportunities to maximise the beneficial effects of the policy None None 58 19 DECEMBER 2011 archaeological digs and attend open days. Protecting and enhancing the city’s heritage assets (Policy HE1) should help to retain important aspects of cultural identity. Requiring that development proposals take appropriate measures to record and preserve assets of archaeological importance (Policy HE4) will also ensure that evidence about how the city has evolved is protected. Obesity and cardiovascular disease Respiratory disease Diet Impacts of excessive cold and heat Safety, hazards Securing investment in the heritage assets along the Bridgewater None Canal Corridor (Policy HE1) will assist in the development of its leisure role. This should provide new and improved opportunities for walking and cycling in the area and should therefore provide more opportunities for exercise. Securing a positive use for heritage assets and appropriate works None to them (Policy HE2) should help to ensure that buildings are subject to a proper maintenance regime. This should reduce the potential for damp, mould and other conditions to contribute to respiratory disease. No issues None Enhancing the city’s heritage assets (Policy HE1) and securing a None positive use for them (Policy HE2) should encourage investment in historic buildings, which may involve improvements to the energy efficiency and heating systems within the building, addressing problems of excessive cold. Any works will need to be carried out in accordance with policy HE3, which requires that works should maintain the physical and historic integrity of the building. Enhancing the city’s heritage assets (Policy HE1) and securing a None 59 19 DECEMBER 2011 and injuries positive use for them (Policy HE2) should encourage investment in the city’s historic buildings and potentially address issues of structural instability. No issues Healthcare provision Spending on own No issues health Green infrastructure Policy GI1 Green infrastructure spatial strategy Policy GI2 Green infrastructure requirements for development None Issue Potential impact Mental health Developing a green infrastructure network (Policy GI1) and requiring that developments maximise the amount of green infrastructure they provide on site (Policy GI2) will assist in providing relief from high density development. This will be particularly important in areas such as the Regional Centre where a significant scale of development is planned and development densities are higher. Green Infrastructure will have an important role in providing an ‘escape’ from city life, which can help to encourage relaxation and reduce depression. Requiring that developments provide opportunities for the provision of habitats in areas where access to natural greenspace is poor (Policy GI2) should maximise the biodiversity value of the city. Environments rich in wildlife will help to improve people’s satisfaction with where they live and may have the potential to encourage people to have a more positive outlook on life. Potential mitigation measures and further opportunities to maximise the beneficial effects of the policy None None 60 19 DECEMBER 2011 Social/cultural isolation Developing a green infrastructure network (Policy GI1) and requiring that developments maximise the amount of green infrastructure they provide on site (Policy GI2) will provide a range of different opportunities for social interaction, from smaller meeting places and seating areas, to neighbourhood food growing spaces and large spaces for events. Expanding the green infrastructure network will be vital to enhancing the enhancing quality of life for residents and supporting health improvements in Salford (Policy GI1). It will create many more opportunities for enjoying outdoor recreation and should assist in encouraging more people to partake in physical activity. Requiring that in creating green infrastructure in areas of poor average resident health, developments provide opportunities for physical activity where practicable (Policy GI2) should help to encourage exercise. None Respiratory disease Expanding the green infrastructure network will be vital to enhancing the enhancing quality of life for residents and supporting health improvements in Salford (Policy GI1). It will create many more opportunities for enjoying outdoor recreation and should assist in encouraging more people to partake in physical activity. Requiring that in creating green infrastructure within the Air Quality Management Area, developments help to remove pollutants from the air where practicable (Policy GI2) will make an important contribution to mitigating air pollution and reducing the incidences of respiratory disease as a result of it. None Diet Enhancing and expanding the green infrastructure network will None Obesity and cardiovascular disease None 61 19 DECEMBER 2011 Impacts of excessive cold and heat Safety, hazards and injuries create additional opportunities for food production (Policy GI1). Requiring that in creating green infrastructure within areas of high grade agricultural land developments provide opportunities for food production where practicable (Policy GI2) should increase opportunities for local food growing, and therefore access to fresh fruit and vegetables. Enhancing and expanding the green infrastructure network will None increase the number of green spaces in the city that can provide relief from high temperatures (Policy GI1). Requiring that in creating new green infrastructure within the Regional Centre and other areas of high density development, developments provide relief from high temperatures where practicable (Policy GI2), should assist in combating the urban heat island effect. Enhancing and expanding the green infrastructure network will increase the number of green spaces that can potentially mitigate the risk and impacts of flooding (Policy GI1). Requiring that in creating green infrastructure within the areas at greatest risk of flooding, developments provide capacity for water storage where practicable (Policy GI2), should help to minimise the risk and impact of flooding. No issues None Healthcare None provision Spending on own No issues None health Green Belt Policy GB1 Green Belt spatial strategy Policy GB2 Extension, alteration and replacement of dwellings within the Green Belt. Policy GB3 Occupancy conditions 62 19 DECEMBER 2011 Policy GB5 Farm diversification Policy GB5 Agricultural land Issue Potential impact Mental health Maintaining the extent of the Green Belt (Policy GB1) should protect the character of the city. This should provide reassurance to communities that this part of the countryside will be safeguarded from encroachment. Supporting farm diversification projects that support the rural economy (Policy GB4) could create more employment opportunities in this part of the city and reduce levels of worklessness. Protecting the highest grade agricultural land (Policy GB5) will also help to support the long term success of the rural economy. Supporting the positive use of the Green Belt (Policy GB1) particularly where this would increase its accessibility to Salford residents for recreation purposes may result in the creation of more opportunities for communities living in this part of the city to get together and enjoy their leisure time. Supporting the positive use of the Green Belt (Policy GB1) may create more opportunities for people to exercise outdoors, for example through the creation of recreational routes. The addition of around 40 hectares of land to the Green Belt in Little Hulton (Policy GB1) will help to protect the long term recreation use of this land. Social/cultural isolation Obesity and cardiovascular disease Respiratory disease No issues Potential mitigation measures and further opportunities to maximise the beneficial effects of the policy None None The Core Strategy could potentially take a more positive approach to the use of the Green Belt for recreation, but it is considered important to balance the other functions such as biodiversity and agriculture, which also have health benefits. None 63 19 DECEMBER 2011 Diet Protecting high grade agricultural land (Policy GB5) will help to maintain food security and provide opportunities for local commercial food growing. This should help to provide an accessible supply of fresh produce to Salford residents, however, there is no guarantee that this produce would be sold in Salford. No issues None Impacts of excessive cold and heat Safety, hazards No issues and injuries Healthcare No issues provision Spending on own No issues health Biological and geological diversity Policy BG1 Biodiversity spatial strategy Policy BG2 Development and biodiversity Policy BG3 Geological biodiversity None Issue Potential impact Mental health Protecting and enhancing the city’s habitats will help to achieve a considerable increase in the city’s overall nature conservation value (Policies BG1 and BG2). Time spent in inspiring, wildliferich environments will help to improve people’s satisfaction with where they live and can promote a positive outlook on life. Increasing the nature conservation value of the city (Policy BG1) may raise people’s awareness of and interest in their local Potential mitigation measures and further opportunities to maximise the beneficial effects of the policy None Social/cultural isolation None None None None 64 19 DECEMBER 2011 Obesity and cardiovascular disease Respiratory disease Diet Impacts of excessive cold and heat environment, potentially resulting in the development of local conservation and interest groups. Increasing the nature conservation value of the city (Policy BG1) may encourage more people to exercise outdoors. The city’s biodiversity assets can provide a social, simple and unstructured opportunity to exercise, in contrast to playing team sports or visiting the gym. No issues The development of a biodiversity heartland (Policy BG1) is likely to remove some of the high grade agricultural land from agricultural production, but this could be returned to agricultural use at some point in the future if there were an urgent need. Establishing a biodiversity heartland in Chat Moss, with a particular emphasis on restoring lowland raised bog (Policy BG1) should help to ‘lock in’ additional carbon and could make a small contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and potentially health issues associated with heat waves. No issues Safety, hazards and injuries Healthcare No issues provision Spending on own No issues health Recreation Policy R1 Recreation spatial strategy Policy R2 Recreation standards Policy R3 Recreation facilities and residential amenity Policy R4 Protection of recreation land and facilities None None None None None None None 65 19 DECEMBER 2011 Issue Potential impact Mental health The creation of strategic recreation facilities in the Regional Centre (Policy R1) such as Irwell City Park and Crescent Meadows, will provide a retreat for people living and working in high density urban areas, which could help to reduce stress and depression. Potential mitigation measures and further opportunities to maximise the beneficial effects of the policy None Requiring that new residential developments contribute towards the achievement of natural greenspace standards (Policy R2), and protecting existing facilities (Policy R4) should provide opportunities for people to enjoy wildlife, which can help to improve people’s satisfaction with where they live and alleviate a range of mental health problems. Ensuring that a distance of at least 30 metres is maintained between the curtilage of residential properties and recreation facilities (Policy R3) should ensure that the amenity of surrounding residents is not adversely affected by noise and activity associated with the recreation facilities. Without these controls in place there is potential that resident’s amenity could be compromised which could potentially lead to conflicts and stress. Social/cultural isolation Increasing the range of local and strategic recreation facilities (Policies R1 and R2) and protecting existing facilities (Policy R4) will provide different opportunities for social interaction, from None 66 19 DECEMBER 2011 Obesity and cardiovascular disease Respiratory disease Diet Impacts of excessive cold and heat Safety, hazards and injuries Healthcare smaller meeting places and seating areas, to neighbourhood food growing schemes and large spaces for public events. Increasing the range of local and strategic recreation facilities None (Policies R1 and R2) and protecting existing facilities (Policy R4) has the potential to encourage people to participate in sport and exercise more regularly. People’s accessibility to these facilities should be maximised by requiring that new residential development contributes towards the achievement of the local recreation standards (Policy R2). Working towards achieving the identified local recreation None standards (Policy R2) should assist in creating more ‘green lungs’ which could contribute towards improving air quality and reducing the incidences of respiratory diseases. Establishing a local standard for allotments (Policy R2) should create more opportunities for local food growing. The allotments standard in the Publication Core Strategy is greater than that proposed in the Draft Core Strategy. Increasing the number of natural greenspaces, parks, amenity spaces and local nature reserves (Policies R1 and R2) will assist in moderating temperatures in extreme heat conditions by providing shade and evaporative cooling. This will be particularly important in high density areas. Increasing the number of natural greenspaces, parks, amenity spaces and local nature reserves (Policies R1 and R2) will assist in reducing surface water run off in periods of increased winter precipitation expected as a result of climate change, thereby helping to minimise flood risk. No issues None None None None 67 19 DECEMBER 2011 provision Spending on own No issues health Pollution and hazards Policy PH1 Pollution control Policy PH2 Development that could be affected by pollution Policy PH3 Land instability Policy PH4 Control of hazardous uses Policy PH5 Development near hazardous installations Issue Mental health Social/cultural isolation Obesity and cardiovascular disease Respiratory disease None Potential impact Potential mitigation measures and further opportunities to maximise the beneficial effects of the policy Controlling development so that it does not result in unacceptable None levels of pollution (Policy PH1) should provide residents with confidence they will not be adversely affected by pollution as a result of development. Without these controls in place, residents may potentially experience stress and anxiety. Not permitting development where it would be subject to unacceptable levels of pollution (Policy PH2) will also ensure that resident’s amenity is protected. No issues None No issues None Controlling development so that it does not result in unacceptable levels of air pollution (Policy PH1) should ensure that the 68 19 DECEMBER 2011 Diet Impacts of excessive cold and heat Safety, hazards and injuries Healthcare provision Spending on own health incidences of respiratory disease are not increased as a result of development. Not permitting development where it would be subject to unacceptable levels of pollution (Policy PH2) will also assist in ensuring this. Controlling development so that it does not result in unacceptable None levels of water and soil pollution (Policy PH1) should ensure that opportunities for local food growing are not compromised as a result of pollution. Not permitting development where it would be subject to unacceptable levels of pollution (Policy PH2) will also assist in ensuring this. No issues None Land instability and hazardous uses present potentially significant None risks to public health. Not permitting development where it would be subject to an unacceptable risk of land instability (Policy PH3) and carefully controlling the location of hazardous uses (Policy PH4) and development nearby them (Policy PH5) should reduce the potential for these issues to cause any significant harm to the public. No issues None No issues None 69 19 DECEMBER 2011 4. CONCLUSIONS ON THE HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF THE PUBLICATION CORE STRATEGY 4.1 The health impact assessment of the Publication Core Strategy demonstrates that the Publication Core Strategy is likely to have a range of positive effects on people’s health in Salford. A large number of the recommendations of the health impact assessment of the Draft Core Strategy have been taken forward in the Publication Core Strategy, which it is considered has significantly increased the document’s potential health benefits. 4.2 In carrying out the health impact assessment of the Publication Core Strategy, some further opportunities to improve the health benefits of the document could be amended to further improve the health benefits of the document, it is important to recognise that in the interests of producing a sustainable long term vision and strategy, health benefits need to be carefully considered and balanced alongside key issues such as development viability. Furthermore, improving some health benefits could negatively impact on another. 4.3 It is essential that the Publication Core Strategy is consistent with the emerging National Planning Policy Framework, which is explicit that plans and strategies should adopt a presumption in favour of sustainable development, and is clear that plans should have sufficiently flexible policies to deal with changing circumstances. These issues have been taken into account in carrying out the health impact assessment of the Publication Core Strategy, and on this basis it is not considered that any further changes should be made to the document. 4.4 Ultimately, maximising the positive health outcomes will depend on how the Core Strategy policies are implemented and the extent to which the proposals within the document are delivered. It will therefore be essential to ensure that health issues are properly considered in determining planning applications and producing other local development documents. 70
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