Planning in Bromsgrove

Sustainable Communities

BDP12.1 The Council will ensure provision is made for services and facilities to meet the needs of the community. It will also seek to retain existing services and facilities that meet a local need or ensure adequate replacement is provided. New developments that individually or cumulatively add to requirements for infrastructure and services will be expected to contribute to the provision of necessary improvements in accordance with BDP6. BDP12.2 To ensure that new development contributes to the provision of sustainable and inclusive communities to meet long term needs, the Council will seek to ensure community facilities are provided to meet local needs by: a) Supporting the provision of new facilities for which a need is identified in locations accessible to the community served; b) Supporting improvements to existing facilities to enable them to adapt to changing needs; c) Resisting the loss of existing facilities unless it can be demonstrated that; i) There is no realistic prospect of the use continuing for operational and/or viable purposes; ii) The service or facility can be provided effectively in an alternative manner or on a different site; iii) The site has been actively marketed for a period of not less than 12 months or made available for a similar or alternative type of service or facility that would benefit the local community; iv) There are overriding environmental benefits in ceasing the use of the site. BDP12.3 When applying these tests to specific proposals the Council will have full regard to the specific characteristics, needs, service priorities and objectives of the service and/or organisation concerned.

TC5 School Drive

A. A leisure centre with associated parking and complementary uses including possible new public sector facilities will be the predominant use on site; B. Residential development is considered acceptable; C. The new leisure centre should contain, a swimming pool, fitness suite, multifunctional studios, sports hall facilities and ancillary uses such as café/ restaurant will also be acceptable; D. Other small scale retail and commercial development could also be acceptable as part of a comprehensive scheme; E. All buildings must have a frontage onto School Drive and where possible Stratford Road; F. Proposals must be considered in tandem with other major development proposals on Windsor Street, and contribute positively to creating clear functional links between the Town Centre and uses further along School Drive.

Health and Well Being

BDP25.1 Bromsgrove District Council will support proposals and activities that protect, retain or enhance existing sport, recreational and amenity assets, lead to the provision of additional assets, or improve access to facilities, particularly by non-car modes of transport. This will include maintaining greater access to and enjoyment of the countryside. The Council will ensure all new residential developments meet and contribute towards the qualitative, quantitative and accessibility standards set for the open space, sport and recreation facilities in the District (as follows): Typology | Quantity Standard (hectare per 1000 population) | Accessibility Standard (travelling time to the facility) Parks and gardens | 0.26 | Walk: 15 minutes (720m), Drive: 15 minutes Natural and Semi Natural Open Space | 0.44 | Walk: 15 minutes Amenity Green Space | 0.42 | Walk: 10 minutes (480m) Provision for Children | 0.027 | Walk: 10 minutes Provision for Young People | 0.03 | Walk: 15 minutes Outdoor Sports Facilities | 1.67 | Walk: 10 minutes (grass pitches), Drive: 15 minutes (tennis courts/bowling greens), 20 minutes (synthetic pitches, golf courses and athletics tracks) Allotments | 0.19 | Walk: 20 minutes (960m) BDP25.2 It will be impractical and inappropriate to deliver all the open space typologies on every site as the quality of sites varies and enhancement will be based on the conditions of the relevant facilities at the time. Where provision standards are not available, contributions will be negotiated in accordance with the recommendations in the Open Space, Sport and Recreation Assessment Study and the requirements at the time. BDP25.3 The Council will not permit the loss or displacement of existing indoor and outdoor open space, sport and recreation facilities (including both designated and undesignated areas on the Policies Map) to other uses unless it can be demonstrated through up-to-date and robust evidence that: a) There is a proven surplus of provision and the site is no longer needed, or is unlikely to be required in the future; or b) The benefit of the development to the community outweighs the harm caused by the loss of the facility; or c) An alternative facility of an equal quantity and quality or higher standard will be provided in at least an equally convenient and accessible location to serve the same local community. BDP25.4 In such circumstances, the Council will require appropriate compensatory measures for the loss in the form of equivalent or improved facilities and/or financial contributions from developers. BDP25.5 The Council will support opportunities for healthy and active lifestyles through: i) Working with partners of the Worcestershire Health and Well-Being Board to explore new ways to improve opportunities for healthy and active lifestyles; ii) Providing high-quality walking and cycling routes; iii) Providing excellent access to sport, leisure and recreation facilities; iv) Promoting and supporting initiatives for local food-growing, such as allotments, as well as urban agriculture. BDP25.6 Concentrations of A5 hot food takeaway uses in particular can be detrimental to the health of communities in the District. Proposals for hot food takeaways (Class A5) will only be permitted where: a) The proposed use will not result in the proportion of units within the designated centre or retail frontage outside a local centre being hot food takeaways exceeding 5% (updated figures for each local centre will be published annually within the Council's AMR); b) The proposed use will not result in more than two A5 units located adjacent to each other; c) The proposed use will maintain at least two non A5 units between individual and/or groups of hot food takeaways. BDP25.7 With regard to proposals which fall outside the designated town centre or local centres (in line with the boundaries established in BDP17 and BDP18), planning permission for hot food takeaways will be resisted where proposals: i) Fall within 400m of the of the boundary of a first, middle or high school; ii) Fall within 400m of a park or youth centred facility.

TC8 Birmingham Road / Stourbridge Road Junction

A. A perimeter block arrangement will be encouraged to reinstate street frontages; B. High quality distinctive architecture will be required to establish the Parkside Crossroads as a key gateway into the town; C. The scale of the development on Birmingham Road would need to respect development taking place on the Birmingham Road Retail Park; D. The Stourbridge Road frontage would need to have regard to the former Parkside School opposite.

TC10 Worcester Road Employment Area - Development Principles

Any major redevelopment proposals should reflect the linear nature of the Town with active frontages along Worcester Road, although opportunities exist for a wide range and scale of design approaches on other areas of the site. The eastern edge of the site, bounded by the Spadesbourne Brook and Sanders Park must address these features whilst taking the risk of flooding as identified by the strategic flood risk assessment into account and where possible look to use these features as a positive design element. Any development proposals must be made safe without increasing flood risk elsewhere. Opportunities should also be sought through the design and layout for reducing the flood risk in the area.

High Quality Design

BDP19.1 The Council will deliver high quality people focused space through: a. Requiring developments to use appropriate tools and follow relevant guidance and procedure to achieve good design; b. Preparing a Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document; c. Encouraging the use of sustainable construction methods and materials; d. Ensuring all non-residential developments meets BREEAM 'very good' standard or other successor guidance; e. Ensuring development enhances the character and distinctiveness of the local area; g. Supporting all major developments that help facilitate interaction between future occupants; h. Promoting developments to include new Public Art; i. Creating and enhancing gateway locations and key approach corridors as well as protecting and enhancing important local and longer-distance visual corridors; j. Ensuring developments are accessible to all users; k. Ensuring permeable, safe and easy to navigate street layouts; l. Avoiding road-dominated layouts by supporting the design of streets to follow the user hierarchy: 1) pedestrian; 2) cyclists; 3) public transport users; 4) specialist service vehicles (e.g. emergency services, waste, etc.); 5) other motor traffic; m. Encouraging residential developments to provide sufficient functional space for everyday activities, meet people's needs and expectations from their homes, and to enable flexibility and adaptability; n. Development of garden land will be resisted unless it fully integrates into the residential area, is in keeping with the character and quality of the local environment; o. Designing out crime and the fear of crime by incorporating measures and principles consistent with those recommended by 'Secured by Design'; p. Ensuring all trees that are appropriate (e.g. in terms of size, species, conditions and predicted climate) are retained and integrated within new development; q. Ensuring development incorporates sufficient, appropriate soft landscaping and measures to reduce the potential impact of pollution (air, noise, vibration, light, water) to occupants, wildlife and the environment; r. Ensuring development is made suitable for the proposed final use, for instance, in terms of land contamination and, where relevant, does not create an unacceptable risk to controlled waters (where relevant). The Council will determine whether reports detailing for example, site history; a preliminary risk assessment and where appropriate; a site investigation and remediation scheme along with long term monitoring and maintenance proposals, will need to be submitted in support of any planning application. Such reports will be prepared in accordance with best practice guidance; s. In relation to air quality all new developments with a floor space greater than 1000sqm or 0.5 hectare or residential developments of 10 or more units should not increase nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter (PM10) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from transport and should be accompanied by an assessment of the likely impact of the development on local air quality and comply with current best practice guidance: i. All planning applications meeting the above criteria should be accompanied by an assessment of the likely impact of the development on local air quality and comply with current best practice guidance. The applicant will also take into account the cumulative impacts of validated developments in the local area. Additionally, the assessment should consider the impact of local air quality on the proposed development; ii. Development with the potential to result in significant impact on air quality, either cumulatively or individually will be resisted unless appropriate measures to mitigate the impact of air pollutants are included. Development will be expected to contribute to the provision of adequate mitigation measures in accordance with BDP6; t. Development proposals should maximise the distance between noise sources (for example motorways) and noise sensitive uses (such as residential), whilst also taking into account the implications of the existing night time use of the locality; u. Ensuring a feasible and viable management plan is available for all the facilities and provisions arising from the development; v. Ensuring development makes the best use of land in accordance with BDP7 Housing Mix and Density. BDP19.2 For large scale developments, developers will need to prepare Design Codes for the area, which would then serve to inform all developments in that area as they come forward.

New Employment Development

BDP13.1 The Council will seek to maintain a balanced portfolio of sites by promoting the following: a. New technology opportunities at Bromsgrove Technology Park and Longbridge; b. Office and mixed use schemes within Bromsgrove Town Centre; c. A range and choice of readily available employment sites to meet the needs of the local economy; d. Economic development opportunities within Bromsgrove Town and Large Settlements including within the Town Expansion Sites and Other Development Sites identified as suitable for employment use in BDP5A and B; e. Sustainable economic development in rural areas through proportionate extensions to existing business or conversion of rural buildings taking into account the potential impact on the openness and the purposes of including the land in Green Belt. Proposals that can demonstrate significant benefits to the local economy and/or community will be considered favourably; f. The accommodation of waste management facilities within designated employment sites in accordance with the Waste Core Strategy for Worcestershire; g. Appropriate skills development, training and the creation of jobs for local residents as part of the promotion of employment sites.

Designated Employment

BDP14.1 The regeneration of the District will continue through maintaining and promoting existing employment provision in sustainable, accessible and appropriate locations (as identified on the Policies Map). BDP14.2 Proposals for the expansion, consolidation or extension to existing commercial and industrial uses in non Green Belt will need to ensure the scale and nature of the activity is appropriate for the area in which it is located. BDP14.3 Bromsgrove District Council will safeguard employment areas that: a) Are well located and linked to the main road and public transport network; and b) Provide, or are physically and viably capable of providing through development, good quality modern accommodation attractive to the market; and c) Are capable of meeting a range of employment uses to support the local economy. BDP14.4 Proposals that result in the loss of employment land for non-employment uses, such as housing, will not be considered favourably unless applicants can adequately demonstrate that: i) The proposal would not have an adverse impact upon the quality and quantity of employment land within the local area; and ii) There would be a net improvement in amenity (e.g. 'non conforming' uses close to residential areas); and iii) The site has been actively marketed for employment uses for a minimum period of 12 months, providing full and detailed evidence or where an informed assessment has been made as to the sustainability of the site and/or premises to contribute to the employment land portfolio within the District (as part of this assessment, consideration should be given to the appropriateness for subdivision of premises); or iv) The new use would result in a significant improvement to the environment, to access and highway arrangements, or sustainable travel patterns which outweighs the loss of employment land; and v) The site/premises are not viable for an employment use or mixed use that includes an appropriate level of employment. A development appraisal should accompany proposals to clearly demonstrate why redevelopment for employment purposes is not commercially viable. BDP14.5 In line with the NPPF, planning policies should avoid the long term protection of sites allocated for employment use where there is no reasonable prospect of a site being used for that purpose. Where the above criteria is justified and there is no reasonable prospect of a site being used for the allocated employment use, applications for alternative uses of land or buildings will be treated on their merits having regard to market signals and the relative need for different land uses to support sustainable local communities.

TC10 Worcester Road Employment Area

This site offers a longer term opportunity for employment based redevelopment to be informed by a future Strategic Flood Risk Assessment. It is envisaged subject to the outcome a flood risk assessment that proposals for new employment uses will be supported within the existing employment allocation. Subject to BDP14 other uses may be acceptable where it can be demonstrated that they support the wider enhancement of the Town Centre and do not compromise the existing retail core of the Town Centre.

Climate Change

BDP 22.1 The Council will deliver viable low carbon climate resilient developments through: a. Encouraging development in existing buildings to achieve consequential energy efficiency improvements; b. Ensuring developments and infrastructure are planned to avoid increased vulnerability to the range of impacts and take advantage of the opportunities arising from climate change, having regard to the intended lifetime of the development. Where developments and infrastructure are brought forward in areas which are vulnerable, care should be taken to ensure that risks can be managed through suitable adaptation measures; c. Ensuring developments are in locations well-served by public/ sustainable transport, existing local facilities and infrastructure; d. Ensuring the construction and design of developments as well as future occupants of the developments will follow the energy, waste management hierarchies and other relevant guidance. Where relevant, developments must comply with the Worcestershire Waste Core Strategy; e. Supporting developments to incorporate zero or low carbon energy generation technologies, especially installations that improve the energy security of developments in the rural areas. Where there is a firm delivery plan of a district heating scheme, developments nearby are expected to provide infrastructure/ to connect to that scheme; f. Supporting zero or low carbon energy generation schemes when adverse impacts are addressed satisfactorily.

TC3 Recreation Ground

A. New hard and soft landscaping which are consistent with public realm proposals for the High Street and the Spadesbourne Brook and which provide clear pedestrian linkages to other areas of the Town Centre; B. The creation of a new distinctive multi-functional public event/performance space; C. New children play facilities constructed with natural materials; D. A fully accessible community garden which incorporates many high sensory elements.

Natural Environment

BDP 21.1 The Council will seek to achieve better management of Bromsgrove's natural environment by expecting developments to: a) i) Protect and enhance core areas of high nature conservation value (including nationally protected sites and irreplaceable nature resources such as sites with geological interest, ancient woodlands and habitats of principle importance); ii) Protect and create corridors and 'stepping stones'; iii) Enhance restoration areas; iv) Protect and create buffer zones- areas that protect core areas, restoration areas and 'stepping stones'; v) Ensure areas of land surrounding development are managed in a sustainable and wildlife friendly manner. b) Take appropriate steps to maintain the favourable conservation status of populations of protected species; c) Protect, restore and enhance other features of natural environmental importance, including locally protected sites, in line with local environmental priorities; d) Design-in wildlife, maximise multi-functionality in line with BDP24 Green Infrastructure and provide appropriate management, ensuring development follows the mitigation hierarchy and achieves net gains in biodiversity; e) Contribute towards the targets set out for priority habitats and species, the environmental priorities of the Local Nature Partnership, participating in the biodiversity offsetting scheme or its replacement, and connect to the Nature Improvement Area(s), the Living Landscape schemes or their equivalents, as appropriate; f) Deliver enhancement and compensation, commensurate with their scale, which contributes towards the achievement of a coherent and resilient ecological network; g) Protect and enhance the distinctive landscape character of Bromsgrove, as identified in the Worcestershire Landscape Character Assessment, and take account of the Worcestershire Landscape Character Assessment Supplementary Guidance; h) Contribute to the conservation and enhancement of geodiversity, in line with the objectives and actions in the Worcestershire Geodiversity Action Plan, where appropriate; i) Adopt good environmental site practices as appropriate, including in the form of a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) where appropriate. BDP21.2 In determining applications affecting sites of wildlife importance, the Council will apply the hierarchy of designated sites set out in the NPPF and appropriate weight will be given to their importance and contribution to wider ecological networks. Due to the national importance of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) proposals likely to have an adverse impact within or outside of a SSSI, either individually or in combination with other developments, will not normally be permitted. An exception will only be made when it can be demonstrated that the benefits of the development clearly outweigh the impact on the site or network of sites.

Water Management

BDP23.1 The Council will deliver safe developments with low environmental impact through: a) Supporting developments that take into account of the Severn River Basin Management Plan and contribute to delivering the Water Framework Directive objectives; b) Supporting developments that follow the water conservation hierarchy. Where standards currently exist for a particular non-domestic building types in BREEAM, maximum points should be scored on water and a minimum of 25% water savings for any other development. Any major residential development (as defined in the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2010) schemes within the Bow Brook or Batchley Brook catchments should meet a water efficiency target of 110 litres per person per day; c) Ensuring development addresses flood risk from all sources, follow the flood risk management hierarchy when planning and designing development, and do not increase the risk of flooding elsewhere. Where inappropriate developments in areas at risk of flooding are necessary after the sequential test is applied, appropriate designs, materials and escape routes that minimise the risk(s) and loss should be incorporated; d) Requiring all developments to work with the Lead Local Flood Authority and SuDS Approval Body and pay necessary regard to the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy and its evidence; e) Requiring all major developments to engage with Severn Trent Water at the earliest opportunity to ensure that sufficient capacity of the sewerage system (i.e. wastewater collection and treatment) is available to accommodate the development; f) Supporting developments that protect and enhance water quality. This includes ensuring the phasing of development is in line with the completion of the required infrastructure and non-mains drainage will follow the foul drainage hierarchy with appropriate management plans in place; g) Requiring developments to set aside land for Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and follow the SuDS management train concept. This includes maximising opportunities for restoring watercourses, deculverting, delivering multiple benefits in line with BDC24 Green Infrastructure and ensuring that an appropriate buffer zone is provided between the watercourse and any development.

Green Infrastructure

BDP24.1 The Council will deliver a high quality multi-functional Green Infrastructure network by: a. Ensuring developments adopt a holistic approach to deliver the multiple benefits and vital services of Green Infrastructure, with priorities determined by local circumstances; b. Requiring development to improve connectivity and enhance the quality of Green Infrastructure; c. Requiring development to provide for the appropriate long term management of Green Infrastructure; d. Requiring development to have regard to and contribute towards, the emerging Worcestershire Green Infrastructure Strategy, any local GI Strategy and where available, the GI Concept Plans. For large scale development, developers will need to prepare a Concept Plan for the area, which would then serve to inform all developments in that area as they come forward.

Green Belt

BDP4.1 The Green Belt as indicated on the Policies Map will only be maintained as per BDP 4.2. BDP4.2 A Local Plan Review including a full Review of the Green Belt will be undertaken in accordance with BDP 3 in advance of 2023 to identify: a) Sufficient land in sustainable locations to deliver approximately 2,300 homes in the period up to 2030 to deliver the objectively assessed housing requirement for Bromsgrove District. b) Safeguarded land for the period 2030-40 to meet the development needs of Bromsgrove District and adjacent authorities.

Green Belt Review

A Local Plan Review including a full Review of the Green Belt will be undertaken in accordance with BDP 3 in advance of 2023 to identify: a) Sufficient land in sustainable locations to deliver approximately 2,300 homes in the period up to 2030 to deliver the objectively assessed housing requirement for Bromsgrove District. b) Safeguarded land for the period 2030-40 to meet the development needs of Bromsgrove District and adjacent authorities based on the latest evidence; and c) Land to help deliver the objectively assessed housing requirements of the West Midlands conurbation within the current plan period ie. up to 2030. The timing of the Green Belt Review will be determined by updated evidence such as the GBSLEP Strategic Housing Needs Study and the monitoring of housing delivery against the Council's projected housing trajectory. The outcomes of the Green Belt Review will then be incorporated into the Local Plan Review.

Green Belt Boundary Review

The Green Belt boundary review will follow sustainable development principles and take into account up to date evidence and any proposals in Neighbourhood Plans. Where appropriate, settlement boundaries and village envelopes on the Policies Map will be revised to accommodate development.

Development in the Green Belt

The development of new buildings in the Green Belt is considered to be inappropriate, except in the following circumstances: a) Buildings for agriculture and forestry; b) Appropriate facilities for outdoor sport and outdoor recreation, for cemeteries, which preserve the openness of the Green Belt and do not conflict with the purposes of including land in it; c) Extensions to existing residential dwellings up to a maximum of 40% increase of the original dwelling or increases up to a maximum total floor space of 140m² ('original' dwelling plus extension(s)) provided that this scale of development has no adverse impact on the openness of the Green Belt; d) Proportionate extensions to non-residential buildings taking into account the potential impact on the openness and the purposes of including the land in Green Belt. Proposals that can demonstrate significant benefits to the local economy and/or community will be considered favourably; e) The replacement of a building provided the new building is in the same use and should not be materially larger than the building it replaces; f) Limited infilling in Green Belt settlements and rural exception sites in accordance with BDP 9 Rural Exception Sites; g) Limited infilling or the partial or complete redevelopment of previously developed sites that would not have a greater impact on the openness of the Green Belt and the purpose of including land within it than the existing development.

TC4 Parkside Middle School

A. Change of use to Civic Centre, library and job centre with other associated uses; B. Full regard to the buildings listed status will be essential for all proposals; C. Development will be required to contribute to the reinstatement of the avenue of lime trees on Market Street.

Managing the Historic Environment

BDP20.1 The District Council advocates a holistic approach to the proactive management of the historic environment which encompasses all Heritage Assets recognised as being of significance for their historic, archaeological, architectural or artistic interest. BDP20.2 The District Council will support development proposals which sustain and enhance the significance of Heritage Assets including their setting. This includes: a. Designated Heritage Assets, including Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas, Scheduled Ancient Monuments, Registered Parks and Gardens; b. Non-designated Heritage Assets including (but not limited to) those identified on the Local List and assets recorded in the Historic Environment Record; c. The historic landscape of the District, including locally distinctive settlement patterns, field systems, woodlands and historic farmsteads; d. Designed landscapes, including parks and gardens, cemeteries, churchyards, public parks and urban open spaces; e. Archaeological remains of all periods from the earliest human habitation to modern times; f. Historic transportation networks and infrastructure including roads, trackways, canals and railways. BDP20.3 Development affecting Heritage Assets, including alterations or additions as well as development within the setting of Heritage Assets, should not have a detrimental impact on the character, appearance or significance of the Heritage Asset or Heritage Assets. BDP20.4 Applications to alter, extend, or change the use of Heritage Assets will be required to provide sufficient information to demonstrate how the proposals would contribute to the asset's conservation whilst preserving or enhancing its significance and setting. BDP20.5 In considering applications regard will be paid to the desirability of securing the retention, restoration, maintenance and continued use of Heritage Assets, for example, the District Council will support the sensitive reuse of redundant historic buildings, and will encourage proposals which provide for a sustainable future for Heritage Assets, particularly those at risk. BDP20.6 Any proposal which will result in substantial harm or loss of a designated Heritage Asset will be resisted unless a clear and convincing justification or a substantial public benefit can be identified in accordance with current legislation and national policy. BDP20.7 Consideration will be given to the designation of new Conservation Areas. In order to define and protect the special character of Conservation Areas, the District Council will produce and regularly review character appraisals and management plans for designated Conservation Areas, and where necessary introduce Article 4 Directions based on an assessment of local identity and uniqueness. BDP20.8 Where a detailed Conservation Area Appraisal Management Plan has been adopted, it will be a material consideration in determining applications for development within that Conservation Area. BDP20.9 Development within or adjacent to a Conservation Area should preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the area. BDP20.10 The demolition of buildings or the removal of trees and other landscape features which make a positive contribution to an area's character or appearance will be resisted. BDP20.11 Outline planning permission will not be granted for development within Conservation Areas unless supported by detailed proposals showing siting, design, external appearance and the relationship with adjacent properties. BDP20.12 The District Council will update the current draft local heritage list and formally adopt it. It would include all Heritage Assets recognised as being of local importance, including those which are locally distinctive such as nailers cottages, assets associated with the scythe industry and assets associated with the use of the Worcester and Birmingham canal which runs the length of the District, to name but a few. BDP20.13 The District Council will support development that: i. Retains Heritage Assets on the Local List; ii. Involves sympathetic alterations and extensions to Heritage Assets on the Local List; iii. Does not have a detrimental impact on the setting or context of Heritage Assets on the Local List. BDP20.14 In considering applications that directly or indirectly affect Heritage Assets, a balanced judgement will be applied having regard to the scale of any harm or loss as a result of proposed development and the significance of the Heritage Asset. BDP20.15 The District Council will encourage opportunities to develop Green Infrastructure networks that can enhance the amenity value of the historic environment (refer to BDP24 Green infrastructure). BDP20.16 The District Council will promote a positive interaction between historic sites and places and high quality modern developments which allows for evolution and positive change whilst preserving and respecting the significance and setting of existing Heritage Assets. BDP20.17 Applications likely to affect the significance of known or potential Heritage Assets or their setting should demonstrate an understanding of their significance in sufficient detail to assess the potential impacts. This should be informed by available evidence and, where appropriate, further information to establish significance of known or potential Heritage Assets. BDP20.18 Where material change to a heritage asset has been agreed, recording and interpretation should be undertaken to document and understand the asset's archaeological, architectural, artistic or historic significance. The scope of the recording should be proportionate to the asset's significance and the impact of the development on the asset. The information and understanding gained should be made publicly available, as a minimum through the relevant Historic Environment Record. BDP20.19 The District Council will continue to undertake studies to inform local decision making and support the future growth of the Worcestershire Historic Environment Record. They will also encourage Neighbourhoods to address issues of character, heritage and design in their Neighbourhood Plans. BDP20.20 The District Council will embrace opportunities to mitigate the effects of climate change by seeking the reuse of historic buildings and where appropriate their modification to reduce carbon emissions and secure sustainable development without harming the significance of the heritage asset or its setting.

Homes for the Elderly

BDP10.1 Bromsgrove District Council will encourage the provision of housing for the elderly and for people with special needs, where appropriate whilst avoiding an undue concentration in any location. BDP10.2 The Council aims to ensure that older people are able to secure and sustain their independence in a home appropriate to their circumstances and to encourage developers to build new homes that can be readily adapted to meet the needs of those with disabilities and the elderly, as well as assisting independent living at home. BDP10.3 The Council will, through the identification of sites and/or granting of planning consents in sustainable locations, provide a wide range of elderly accommodation including the development of residential care homes, close care, 'extra care' and assisted care housing; and in particular Continuing Care Retirement Communities which encompass an integrated range of such provision. Sites should be sustainable by virtue of their location and there will be a preference for sites within defined settlements. Where such sites are not available regard will be paid to the potential for development to be self-contained to reduce travel requirements and the availability and accessibility of public transport.

Accommodation for Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople

BDP11.1 Safeguarding existing authorised sites; Existing authorised sites for Gypsies and Travellers that are suitably located within the District will be safeguarded unless it is proven that they are no longer required to meet identified needs. BDP11.2 Sustainable locations for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation; Proposed sites should be in sustainable locations that provide good access to essential local facilities e.g. health and education. Sites should accord with the sustainable development principles set out in BDP1. BDP11.3 If additional sites are required land will be identified through a Local Plan Review.

TC2 Recreation Road

A. The predominant land use will be independent retirement led residential units (C3) with inclusive optional care and support services, other acceptable uses are ancillary nursing care (C2) and limited general needs housing; B. Development must have an active frontage onto Recreation Road, and respect the scale of the surrounding buildings and the setting of the adjacent Conservation Area; C. Clear, safe pedestrian access must be provided to the recreation ground opposite; D. 40% of all units will be required to be affordable housing.

Settlement Hierarchy

BDP2.1 Initially there will be four main facets to the delivery of housing to meet the needs of Bromsgrove District consisting of the following: a) Development of previously developed land or buildings within existing settlement boundaries which are not in the designated Green Belt; b) Expansion Sites around Bromsgrove Town (as identified in BDP 5A); c) Development Sites in or adjacent to large settlements (as identified in BDP 5B); d) Exceptionally, affordable housing will be allowed in or on the edge of settlements in the Green Belt where a proven local need has been established through a comprehensive and recent survey and where the choice of site meets relevant planning criteria. Where viability is a concern the inclusion of other tenures within a scheme may be acceptable where full justification is provided. Where a proposed site is within the boundaries of a settlement, which is not in the Green Belt, a local need for housing would not need to be justified. Proposals for development for any needs arising outside the District will be fully justified and based on principles of sustainable development and evidence indicating the most appropriate location for such development across the West Midlands area. BDP2.2 Proposals for new development for Bromsgrove's needs should be located in accordance with the District's settlement hierarchy as shown in table 2 within this policy, if up to date evidence supports this. This will ensure that development contributes to the regeneration priorities for the area, preserves the attractiveness of the environment, reduces the need to travel and implications for the local and strategic road network, and promotes sustainable communities based on the services and facilities that are available in each settlement and will assist villages to remain viable and provide for the needs of the catchment population that they serve. BDP2.3 The 'village envelope' i.e. the defined settlement boundary for a village, is identified on the Policies Map and will remain unaltered until a review of the Green Belt is undertaken. Within the village envelope appropriate development will be limited to suitable infill plots. This applies to the following villages; Adams Hill, Belbroughton, Beoley (Holt End), Bournheath, Burcot, Clent, Fairfield, Finstall, Holy Cross, Hopwood, Lower Clent, Romsley and Rowney Green. BDP2.4 Table 2. District's Settlement Hierarchy Settlement type: Main Town (population circa 30,000) - Name: Bromsgrove Large 'Settlement' (population circa 2500-10,000) - Names: Alvechurch, Barnt Green (including Lickey), Catshill, Hagley, Rubery, Wythall (including Drakes Cross, Grimes Hill and Hollywood) Small 'Settlement' (population circa 50-2500) - Names: Adams Hill, Belbroughton, Beoley, Blackwell, Bournheath, Burcot, Clent, Cofton Hackett, Dodford, Fairfield, Finstall, Holy Cross, Hopwood, Lower Clent, Romsley, Rowney Green, Stoke Prior

Development Targets

BDP3.1 A full Green Belt Review will be carried out and further sites will be allocated within a Local Plan Review to contribute approximately 2,300 dwellings towards the 7,000 target. The timing of this review will be determined by updated evidence including the GBSLEP Strategic Housing Needs Study and the monitoring of housing delivery against the Council's projected housing trajectory. The review will be completed by 2023 at the latest. BDP3.2 The immediate release of Bromsgrove Town Expansion Sites and Other Development Sites is promoted in BDP5 with development expected throughout the plan period. BDP3.3 The Council will seek to maintain a 5 year supply of deliverable sites plus an additional buffer of 5% moved forward from later in the plan period. Annual monitoring will be used to identify the required rate of housing delivery for the following five year period, based on the remaining dwellings to meet overall requirements. When a five year supply has been achieved the Council will consider whether granting permission would undermine the objectives of this strategy.

Bromsgrove Town Expansion Sites

BDP5A.1 The mixed use urban extension is proposed across three sites that will create a sustainable and balanced community that integrates into the existing residential areas of Bromsgrove. The development will fully address the social, economic and environmental aspects of sustainable development and will consist of approximately 2106 dwellings, 5 hectares of employment land, local centre(s), retail and community facilities. BDP5A.2 Of this total allocation BROM1 will include approximately 316 dwellings and associated community infrastructure including public open space with play facilities. BDP5A.3 BROM2 will contain approximately 1300 dwellings, 5 hectares of local employment land (office and/or light industry), a local centre and community facilities. BDP5A.4 A local centre should also be provided on BROM2 that provides a mix of retail and other A class uses. The local centre should be located adjacent to Sidemoor First School, include sufficient parking to cater for its own needs and also the school at busy times and amenity green space should also be provided. BDP5A.5 The community facilities should consist of a community hall, large equipped play areas, sports pitches and an allotment site. There is a specific requirement for adult football pitches adjacent to the King George V playing fields and associated infrastructure including access, parking and changing facilities should also be provided. BDP5A.6 BROM3 will include approximately 490 dwellings and associated community infrastructure that should include public open space with play facilities and small scale local retail. BDP5A.7 It is required that: a) The residential development reflects the local need of a high proportion of 2 and 3 bedroom properties and contains up to 40% affordable housing (which should include an appropriate mix of social rent, affordable rent and intermediate housing); b) To address the housing needs of the elderly BROM2 should contain an 'extra care' type facility of approximately 200 units; c) An overall transport strategy will be developed that maximises opportunities for walking and cycling making full use of the Sustrans route No. 5 (in BROM2) and Monarch's Way (adjacent to BROM3); d) Significant improvements in passenger transport will be required including integrated and regular bus services connecting the new and existing residential areas to the railway station, with the Town Centre as the focal point of the network. In particular, a regular service should be routed through BROM2 and into the residential area of Sidemoor which would provide benefits for the wider community; e) It will be necessary to manage the cumulative traffic impact generated by the new developments following the implementation of measures which maximise the use of walk, cycle and passenger transport modes. All proposals must be subject to appropriate appraisal in consultation with Worcestershire County Council and consistent with LTP3 policies and design standards. Full consideration must be made of the impact on the wider transport network, including that managed by the Highways England; f) Noise and air pollution emanating from the M5 and M42 will need to be addressed ensuring that sensitive land uses and the AQMA at junction 1 of the M42 are not unduly impacted upon; g) All development must be of a high quality and locally distinctive to Bromsgrove, thereby enhancing the existing character and qualities that contribute to the town's identity and create a coherent sense of place. There should be a continuous network of streets creating a permeable layout and the use of continuous building lines to help define streets; h) The development will need to reflect the topography of the sites, with built form avoiding the prominent ridgelines on both BROM1 and BROM3; i) The sites will have an overall strategy for green infrastructure (incorporating SuDS and blue infrastructure) that maximises opportunities for biodiversity and recreation throughout, creating a green corridor around the Battlefield Brook (BROM2) and in the case of BROM3, links to Sanders Park. The Council will expect the Perryfields Green Infrastructure Concept Plan be applied to inform the detailed masterplanning in BROM2; j) Important biodiversity habitats and landscape features should be retained and enhanced with any mitigation provided where necessary. There should be no net loss of hedgerow resource within the sites. Full account should be taken of protected and notable species (e.g badgers, reptiles, water voles and bats); k) An appropriate assessment of the pollution risks to controlled waters will be produced taking account of any previous contaminative uses on the sites (including the historic landfill) and the risks associated with the proposed uses. l) Flood risk from the Battlefield Brook on BROM2 and BROM3 should be managed through measures that work with natural processes to improve the local water environment and enable development appropriate to the flood risk; m) SuDS proposals must provide an appropriate level of treatment to avoid pollution risks to controlled waters, and be designed to achieve the greenfield rate of run-off and support water levels in the Battlefield Brook. In accordance with the objectives of the Water Framework Directive, development should ideally contribute towards the improvement of, but as a minimum not have a deteriorative effect on, the water bodies associated with the site: n) Sewerage capacity issues will be satisfactorily addressed in Bromsgrove Town through engagement with both Severn Trent Water Ltd and the Environment Agency; o) The developments should seek to incorporate zero or low carbon energy generation technologies e.g Combined heat and power, ground source heat pumps and/or solar power; and p) Financial contributions for infrastructure provision will be required as detailed in BDP6 Infrastructure Contributions.

Other Development Sites

Table 3 below highlights development sites which will contribute to housing needs in Bromsgrove District for the period 2011-2030. The table identifies the potential capacities on each site and sites which have already received planning permission. Table 3. Scale of Development Development Sites | Map No. | Area (hectares) | Suitable use | Potential capacity | Received permission Alvechurch Land Adjoining Crown Meadow | 2 | 0.6 | housing | 27 | 27 Birmingham Road/Rectory Lane | 2 | 1.06 | housing | 25 | 25 Barnt Green | 3 | 5 | housing | 88 | 88 Catshill | 4 | 6.04 | housing | 80 | 80 Frankley | 9 | 6.6 | open space/housing | 66 | - Hagley | 5 | 21.9 | mixed use - community leisure/employment/residential | 301 | 283 Ravensbank expansion site (for Redditch's needs) | 8 | 10.3 | employment | - | - Wagon works/St Godwalds Road | 6 | 7.8 | housing | 181 | 181 Wythall, Selsdon Close | 7 | 3.1 | housing | 76 | 76 Bleakhouse Farm | 7 | 6.3 | housing | 178 | 178 TOTALS | | 68.7 | | 1022 | 938

Housing Mix and Density

BDP7.1 Proposals for housing must take account of identified housing needs in terms of the size and type of dwellings. To ensure mixed and vibrant communities are created development proposals need to focus on delivering 2 and 3 bedroom properties. On schemes of 10 or more dwellings it is accepted that a wider mix of dwelling types may be required. BDP7.2 The density of new housing will make the most efficient use of land whilst maintaining character and local distinctiveness and therefore should fully accord with BDP19 High Quality Design.

Affordable Housing

BDP8.1 Contributions will not be sought from developments of 10 units or less, and which have a maximum combined gross floorspace of no more than 1000 sq m. Where there is a net increase of 11 or more dwellings affordable housing provision will be expected on-site and will be calculated against the net number of new dwellings as follows: Up to 40% affordable housing (or a higher % if proposed) on greenfield sites or any site accommodating 200 or more dwellings; Up to 30% affordable housing (or a higher % if proposed) on brownfield sites accommodating less than 200 dwellings BDP8.2 In exceptional circumstances where the applicant can fully demonstrate that the required target cannot be achieved the Council may negotiate a lower provision. BDP8.3 The Council will seek to negotiate the mix of affordable housing tenures on individual schemes taking into account local needs, the housing mix in the local area and the impact on viability. A mix of the following tenures will generally be sought: Social rented; Intermediate housing; and Affordable rent BDP8.4 The affordable housing element of developments should focus primarily on the delivery of smaller units. However, there may be locations or changes in market conditions that warrant a different breakdown to deliver a scheme that best meets local needs in relation to the relevant settlement. The precise mix to be provided should be developed through discussions with the Strategic Housing Team. BDP8.5 To create mixed and balanced communities affordable housing should be distributed throughout new developments and not be visually distinguishable from market housing. BDP8.6 When a development site is brought forward for planning consent on a piecemeal basis i.e. involving a parcel of land for development which is part of a larger site, Bromsgrove District Council will assess 'affordable housing' targets for each part of the site on a pro-rata basis having regard to the overall requirements generated by the whole site.

Rural Exception Sites

BDP9.1 Exceptionally, affordable housing will be allowed in or on the edge of settlements in the Green Belt where a proven local need has been identified. In accordance with the Settlement Hierarchy (BDP2) Bromsgrove Town and the large settlements are not acceptable locations for rural exception housing. BDP9.2 Every application for affordable housing under this policy must contain a Local Housing Needs Survey. This survey should be completed prior to the submission of any planning application and identify the following: a. A genuine need to live within the village - A local connection will be required for this e.g. employed/live within the village or need to give or receive support from a close family member who lives in the village; b. A financial need for affordable housing - The survey should identify individuals who are unlikely to be able to get a sufficient mortgage to purchase a property on the open market that meets the basic needs of their family; and c. The type and tenure of affordable housing - The survey should gather information ascertaining the size of the property required and whether social rented, intermediate or affordable rent accommodation is needed. BDP9.3 The following sequential test will be applied to sites: i. In the first instance sites should be located within existing settlement boundaries; ii. Where this is not possible sites should be adjacent to the village boundary. BDP9.4 Under no circumstances will housing be considered on sites that are detached from settlements that appear as isolated housing developments in the open countryside. BDP9.5 Any proposals should be proportionate to the size of the settlement in question and therefore it is considered that schemes should not generally be larger than 15 units. Under no circumstances will schemes be permitted where the number of units exceeds the need identified in the Housing Needs Survey. BDP9.6 Whilst the Council has a preference for 100% affordable housing schemes, where it can be robustly justified through a viability appraisal the inclusion of other tenures within a scheme may be acceptable. The majority of any scheme should always consist of affordable housing and viability appraisals should highlight that the amount of any market housing included is minimised so that only sufficient finance is raised to provide the required cross-subsidy without leaving a residual profit.

Redditch Cross Boundary Development

I. The residential development will reflect the local requirements as detailed in the most up-to-date Housing Market Assessment and comprise of up to 40% affordable housing with a flexible mix of house types and tenures; II. An overall Transport Assessment will be produced taking account of the prevailing traffic conditions and the individual and cumulative effects of development on transport infrastructure. This will define the mitigation necessary to protect the safety and operation of the road network, including sustainable travel measures and any new and improved access arrangements; III. Significant improvements in passenger transport will be required resulting in integrated and regular bus services connecting both sites to key local facilities. In particular, services should be routed through both Site 1 Foxlydiate and Site 2 Brockhill, with all dwellings to be located accessible to the bus network; IV. Walking and cycling routes should be well integrated with the Green Infrastructure Network. Site 1 Foxlydiate should make full use of existing walking and cycling routes, such as Sustrans Route No. 5 and Monarch's Way and Site 2 Brockhill should create routes; V. Both sites will have an overall Strategy and Management Plan for Green Infrastructure which maximises opportunities for biodiversity and recreation, whilst protecting existing biodiversity habitats and landscape geodiversity. Green Corridors should be created around Spring Brook in Site 1 Foxlydiate and the Red Ditch in Site 2 Brockhill. Both sites should be sensitively designed to integrate with the surrounding existing environment and landscape. In particular, development should be respectful and sympathetic to the topography of the sites, with no development on prominent ridge lines and where appropriate retain tree lined boundaries; VI. Flood risk from the Spring Brook on Site 1 Foxlydiate and the Red Ditch on Site 2 Brockhill East should be managed through measures that work with natural processes to improve the local water environment. A detailed, site specific, Flood Risk Assessment will be required. This must provide a model of the nearby ordinary watercourses to ascertain the design flood extents, including the 1% plus climate change allowances, and determine the developable area of the site. This will inform the sequential approach and the need to include any necessary avoidance or mitigation measures such as the incorporation of open space and green infrastructure within the floodplain regime. Surface water runoff must be managed to prevent flooding on, around and downstream of both sites through the use of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS); VII. Water efficiency measures will meet the tighter Building Regulations optional requirement of 110 litres per person per day; VIII. SuDS proposals on Site 1 must provide an appropriate level of treatment to avoid pollution risks to controlled waters, and be designed to achieve the greenfield rate of run-off, maximise recharge to the underlying aquifer and support water levels in the Bow Brook. In accordance with the objectives of the Water Framework Directive, development should ideally contribute towards the improvement of, but as a minimum not have a deteriorative effect on, the water bodies associated with the site; IX. An appropriate assessment of the pollution risks to controlled waters on Site 1 Foxlydiate will be produced taking account of any previous contaminative uses on the site including the historic landfill, and the risks associated with the proposed uses; X. Proposals for development will need to ensure that sufficient capacity of the sewerage systems for both wastewater collection and treatment is provided through engagement with Severn Trent Water Ltd and the Environment Agency and delivered at the appropriate stage; XI. Supporting developments that follow the water conservation hierarchy. Where standards currently exist for a particular non-domestic building type in BREEAM, maximum points should be scored on water and a minimum of 25% water savings for any other development; XII. All development must be of a high quality design and locally distinctive to its surrounding rural and urban character; contribute to the areas' identity and create a coherent sense of place; and respect and enhance the setting of any heritage asset. There should be a continuous network of streets and spaces, including the provision of public open spaces, creating a permeable layout with well-defined streets; XIII. Development proposals should incorporate provision for any necessary infrastructure to be delivered in parallel with the implementation of new development; XIV. Any proposals for development on either site must not individually or cumulatively jeopardise the future use of any other part of the site (s) or impede the delivery of the two sustainable communities; XV. To ensure the protection of Heritage Assets, future proposals including development boundaries should be in conformity with Policy BDP20 and informed by an understanding of the Setting of Heritage Assets set out in the most recent Setting Assessment(s) produced, or formally endorsed, by the Council in accordance with current Historic England guidance. Specifically, built development should not take place in the 'no development' areas identified in the Hewell Grange and Lanehouse Farm Setting of Heritage Assets Assessments (both dated December 2015).

Infrastructure Contributions

BDP 6.1 Financial contributions towards development and infrastructure provision will be coordinated to ensure that growth in the District is supported by the provision of infrastructure, (including Green Infrastructure) services and facilities needed to maintain and improve quality of life and respond to the needs of the local economy. This will be documented in the Infrastructure Delivery Plan. BDP6.2 Irrespective of size, development will provide, or contribute towards the provision of: Measures to directly mitigate its impact, either geographically or functionally, which will be secured through the use of planning obligations; Infrastructure, facilities and services required to support growth which will be secured through a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). BDP6.3 Contributions through CIL will be required once the charging schedule has been through an independent public examination and has been formally adopted by the Council. Prior to this, contributions will be sought on a case by case basis in line with relevant policy and guidance. This does not mean that planning obligations will cease to be used as there will, in certain circumstances, be site specific issues that can only be mitigated through a S106 agreement. The IDP will be used as part of the evidence base to support the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) charging schedule. The IDP will be a 'live' document that will be updated through the Plan Period to reflect new information and/or requirements.

Sustainable Development Principles

BDP1.1 When considering development proposals, the Council will take a positive approach that reflects the presumption in favour of sustainable development contained in the National Planning Policy Framework. It will always work proactively with applicants jointly to find solutions which mean that proposals can be approved wherever possible, and to secure development that improves the economic, social and environmental conditions in the area. BDP1.2 Planning applications that accord with the policies in this District Plan and where relevant, with policies in neighbourhood plans will be approved without delay, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. BDP1.3 Where there are no policies relevant to the application or relevant policies are out of date at the time of making the decision then the Council will grant permission unless material considerations indicate otherwise - taking into account whether: a) Any adverse impacts of granting permission would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when assessed against the policies in the National Planning Policy Framework taken as a whole; or b) Specific policies in that Framework indicate that development should be restricted as stated in footnote 9 of paragraph 14 of the NPPF. For example, those policies relating to sites designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest; land designated as Green Belt, Local Green Space, designated Heritage Assets and locations at risk of flooding. BDP1.4 In considering all proposals for development in Bromsgrove District regard will be had to the following: a) Accessibility to public transport options and the ability of the local and strategic road networks to accommodate additional traffic; b) Any implications for air quality in the District and proposed mitigation measures; c) The cumulative impacts on infrastructure provision; d) The quality of the natural environment including any potential impact on biodiversity, water quality, geodiversity, landscape and the provision of/and links to green infrastructure (GI) networks; e) Compatibility with adjoining uses and the impact on residential amenity; f) The impact on visual amenity; g) The causes and impacts of climate change i.e. the energy, waste and water hierarchies, flood risk and future proofing; h) The provision of communication technology infrastructure to allow for future technological enhancements e.g. fibre optic ducting; i) The impact on the historic environment and the significance of Heritage Assets and their setting; j) Financial viability and the economic benefits for the District, such as new homes and jobs.

Rural Renaissance

BDP15.1 The Council will support proposals that satisfy the social and economic needs of rural communities by encouraging: a) Development that contributes to diverse and sustainable rural enterprises within the District; b) New agricultural dwellings of an appropriate scale for the use of people in agricultural activities where a genuine need exists (occupancy conditions will apply). The District Council will not remove an agricultural occupancy condition unless it is satisfied that the property is no longer required for the holding or the agricultural needs of the area; c) The conversion of suitably located/constructed buildings (For example timber stables and steel portal frame buildings are not suitable for conversion); d) Affordable housing on rural exception sites in line with BDP9; e) Appropriate development of infill sites and previously developed land within existing settlements that enhance the vitality of rural communities; f) Limited extension(s), alteration or replacement of existing buildings where the extension(s) or alterations are not disproportionate to the size of the original building, and in the case of a replacement building the new building is not materially larger than the building it replaces (in line with BDP4); g) Rural diversification schemes, as well as the provision of live-work units and the principle of home working; h) Re-use of historic farmsteads to promote them as assets in the landscape; i) Sport, recreation and/or tourism related initiatives appropriate to a countryside location. For example in relation to Avoncroft Museum on the Hanbury Road, the Council will support activities and operations where these are clearly relevant to the primary function of the site; j) Proposals for new buildings in association with equine development, such as stables and field shelters where new buildings are kept to a minimum necessary and consist only of essential facilities (for example small stables) genuinely required on a parcel of land, which preserves the openness of the Green Belt. Unless exceptional circumstances are demonstrated, these developments are to be sited within close proximity to existing rural buildings; k) Small scale renewable energy projects, excluding wind energy developments, and business to serve the industry; l) Improvement of public transport links to service centres and employment areas, as well as development that reduces the need to commute. BDP15.2 The Council intends to prepare Supplementary Planning Documents to provide detailed guidance on the conversion of rural buildings, occupancy conditions as well as the design of agricultural buildings. BDP15.3 In all cases development should be designed to be sustainable, consistent with requirements of Policy BDP12 and BDP19; should not conflict with the environmental protection and nature conservation policies of the District Plan but should seek to enhance the environment; and should provide any necessary mitigating or compensatory measures to address harmful implications. Within the Green Belt, inappropriate development which is otherwise acceptable within the terms of this policy will still need to be justified by very special circumstances.

Town Centre Regeneration

BDP17.1 The Town Centre, as shown on the Policies Map, represents an area where significant change and conservation is needed along with a planning framework to guide and promote future development. All new development is required to be appropriate, in terms of scale, quantity and use, to the character and function of the Town Centre. BDP17.2 Bromsgrove Town Retail Capacity BDP17.2.1 Bromsgrove District has a likely need for additional comparison floorspace of about 16,300m² and limited need for further convenience floorspace up to 2030. Although where positive effects on the viability of regeneration schemes can be demonstrated, further convenience floorspace may be allowed in such circumstances. BDP17.2.2 Bromsgrove Town Centre will continue to be the main retail centre of the District with extended Primary and Secondary Shopping Zones being the focus. As such: a) A1 Uses will remain the predominant use for ground floor premises in the Primary Shopping Zone in order to maintain the retail vitality and viability of the Primary Shopping Zone and wider Town Centre; b) Other A class uses will be supported throughout the Secondary Shopping Zone. Development outside A Class Uses in Secondary Shopping Zones and will be considered where there is no adverse impact to the retail viability of the Town Centre; c) Retail development will be generally resisted in other areas of the designated Town Centre unless it can be demonstrated that proposals will not have an adverse impact on the viability and vitality of the primary or secondary shopping zones; d) A wide range of appropriate Town Centre uses would be supported at first floor level in the Town Centre such as office, retail and residential; The Council will: e) Continue to support markets in the Town Centre and provide for specific facilities within the public realm to ensure that a range of different markets can contribute to the overall vitality of the Town Centre; f) Support proposals to deliver high quality housing which provides a mix of unit sizes and tenure, contributing to the districts overall affordable housing provision. This includes retirement living accommodation on Recreation Road; development of vacant premises above shops on and surrounding the High Street; residential development within mixed use schemes; g) Continue to support small specialist shops, whilst creating opportunities for new retailers to enter the Town; and seek to offer new opportunities for people to work in the Town by providing an enhanced Town Centre which provides flexible business spaces available to accommodate a wide range of employment uses, as well as dedicated B1 office developments. Existing employment sites will be the focus of new employment developments; h) Protect and enhance all existing public open spaces within the Town Centre with specific proposals for enhancements on The High Street, The Spadesboune Brook and The Recreation Ground; i) Seek to improve the range of the evening economy uses within the Town Centre, to include a mix of entertainment uses for all groups, including sport, leisure and culture, a choice of bars, cafes and restaurants. There will a focus on achieving a safe, balanced and socially responsible evening economy and therefore no proposal will be permitted where, either on its own or cumulatively with other uses, creates an unacceptable impact on neighbouring uses by reason of noise pollution, light pollution or disturbance; j) New opportunities for community events will be explored including community focused leisure and cultural development and potential for a new Civic Centre whether stand alone or part of a mixed use scheme. BDP17.3 Movement a) Sustainable travel will be promoted by improving pedestrian priority, linkages and mobility within and across the Town Centre; improving pedestrian and cycle linkages in particular between Bromsgrove Railway Station and the Town Centre, and improving key junctions including Birmingham Road/Stourbridge Road; b) Significant improvements in public transport, will be encouraged particularly to bus services in order to provide an integrated and regular bus service which will connect new and existing residential areas to the Railway Station, with the Town Centre acting as the focal transport hub; c) Town Centre Car Parking will be restructured to offer a network of fewer, more efficient car parks at key locations, opportunities for developing smaller more evenly distributed car parks will be considered; d) The proposals will contribute towards ensuring accessibility for all. BDP17.4 Public Realm Measures to ensure an attractive and safe Town Centre is created will be encouraged by implementing a new public realm scheme and complementary design and conservation policies. The High Street will be the focus of public realm improvements. BDP17.5 Urban Design and Conservation The design of new development should be of the highest quality and respect the historic environment within which it sits. New proposals should encourage more sympathetic and high quality infilling schemes. All development proposals should meet the following principles: a) Include high standards of architecture and design, using high quality sustainable materials and building methods; b) The sensitive redevelopment of sites which currently detract from the character and appearance of the Town Centre, with new buildings that add to the evolution of the area whilst respecting the scale, height, massing, alignment and materials of adjacent historic buildings; c) New developments should respect the historic Town Centre street pattern, the established building line, historic spaces between buildings and the overall sense of place; d) New buildings are to frame streets and public spaces providing natural surveillance, and preserving and exploiting important views into, within and out of the Town Centre; e) Design proposals at gateway locations such as the Historic Market Site, Parkside Cross roads and the Stratford Road/ Windsor Street/Strand area to reflect their prominence and importance to the character of the Town Centre; f) On specified opportunity sites perimeter blocks are to be used that positively address roads, walkways and public spaces and all ground floors should contain active frontages; g) When redeveloping shopfronts particular regard should be had to retaining surviving historic details, respecting established fascia lines, reducing illumination levels wherever possible, avoiding the use of external security measures. BDP17.6 Natural Environment Opportunities will also be encouraged in new schemes to mitigate against and adapt to the effects of climate change, for example, renewable energy and recycling. This will include the naturalisation of parts of the Spadesbourne Brook and improved open spaces like the Recreation Ground and Crown Close to improving the quality and value of open spaces in the Town Centre. BDP17.7 Bromsgrove Town Centre Development Sites Ten development sites have been identified in Bromsgrove Town Centre. The sites provide an opportunity to stimulate development and secure a long term future for Bromsgrove.

TC6 Windsor Street

A. The northern end of the Windsor Street will be developed as a retail led mixed use scheme; B. All development must respect the function, scale and massing of buildings on the High Street in order to complement rather than dominate the Town Centre's retail focus; C. All development at ground level will contain active retail frontages onto Windsor Street and Stratford Road. D. Individual Retail floorspace footprints will need to be a minimum of 1000m² to compensate for the lack of larger foot print buildings on the High Street; E. Other uses such as office and residential will be encouraged on upper floors; F. Proposals must be considered in tandem with other major development proposals on School Drive.

TC7 Birmingham Road Retail Park

A. The site will be reconfirmed as a retail site within the Town Centre, which will become part of an extended Primary Shopping Zone; B. Development must be brought forward onto Birmingham Road to reinstate the active street frontage to this important gateway into the Town Centre; C. The listed buildings on Birmingham Road must be retained in their current form and any development proposals must respect the scale of these buildings; D. Improved pedestrian and landscaping links with the core of the Town Centre must form part of any comprehensive development proposals; E. Open space to the rear of the existing store will be retained and form part of the enhanced Spadesbourne Brook; F. Improvements will also be required to the road infrastructure at the junction of Stourbridge Road, Birmingham Road, Market Street and the Strand.

TC9 Mill Lane

A. At ground floor level A1 retail uses are to be the predominant use. Upper floors suitable for office and residential uses may be considered subject to the provision of safe flood free pedestrian access and egress; B. The scale of retail development is to be determined although the scope to include larger retail spaces must be considered; C. Proposals must include details of public realm improvement on Mill Lane and the creation of an enhanced public space and would require a development which reflects the role of this space as a 'town square'; D. Spaces to the rear of the current buildings which are adjacent to the Brook must have full regard to the enhanced environment created by the naturalised Spadesbourne Brook; E. Development must be made safe without increasing flood risk elsewhere. Opportunities should also be sought through the design and layout for reducing flood risk in the area; F. The current pedestrian thoroughfare along Mill Lane will be protected in any development proposals.

TC1 Historic Market Site

A. Retail led mixed use development scheme will be the primary land use; B. Leisure uses such as cafés and restaurants may also be acceptable on the ground floor. Residential and office uses may be acceptable on upper floors; C. Scale of development to preserve or enhance the surrounding Conservation Area with protection of notable views including the view to St Johns Church; D. Where possible perimeter blocks should be used in line with policy BDP17.5F; E. Design proposals for the north eastern portion of the site (George House/ Blockbuster) must reflect both its prominence as the termination of the High Street and also as the gateway into the historic market site; F. A flood risk assessment will be required to address flood risk from the Spadesbourne Brook and appropriate mitigation implemented where necessary. The watercourse must be considered as part of the public realm element of any proposals, including provision for enhanced walking and cycling opportunities; G. All proposals will be required to contribute to public realm improvement to ensure this site is linked into the wider Town Centre; H. All revised car parking proposals must be consistent with the wider car parking strategy for the Town Centre; I. An appropriate assessment of flood risk must be carried out including the hydraulic modelling of the Spadesbourne Brook through the site.

Local Centres

18.1 Within the areas defined on the Policies Map the District Council will allow proposals for retail development (Class A Uses) at ground floor level and retail, office, residential use or any other appropriate Town Centre use at upper floor level. These areas are defined as Local Centres for shopping purposes in accordance with the provisions of 'large settlements' identified in Policy BDP2. 18.2 The District Council will only allow retail proposals which are capable of being integrated with the existing shopping frontages and which do not extend the shopping area. Planning permission for new local shops will be granted provided they are of an appropriate scale and it can be demonstrated that they will not undermine the vitality or viability of existing village facilities or those in Local centres and that there are no adverse impacts on residential amenity and road safety. 18.3 Throughout the District, the loss of a shop or service falling within Class A Use will be resisted unless it is demonstrated to be unviable or not required by the community. It may be considered appropriate for a non-retail related facility or service, where there is a proven need and where the development has overwhelming benefits for the local centre and the community. Applications for alternative uses of land or buildings will be treated on their merits having regard to market signals and the relative need for different land uses to support sustainable Local centres and their communities.

Sustainable Transport

BDP16.1 Development should comply with the Worcestershire County Council's Transport policies, design guide and car parking standards, incorporate safe and convenient access and be well related to the wider transport network. BDP16.2 Financial contributions from developers will be sought for new development in respect of investment in public transport, pedestrian, cycle and highways infrastructure as detailed by the draft Bromsgrove Infrastructure Delivery Plan in conjunction with policy BDP6 Infrastructure Contributions. BDP16.3 The Council will support the use of low emission vehicles including electric cars through encouraging the provision of charging points in new developments. BDP16.4 The Council will continue to work with key stakeholders to support significant improvements in, and increase usage of, passenger transport, for example, ensuring an integrated and regular bus service is provided which will connect residential areas to the railway station, with the Town Centre acting as the focal hub and supporting the enhancement of railway infrastructure and the relocation and improvement of facilities at Bromsgrove Railway Station. BDP16.5 The improvement of car parking and cycling provision at stations will be supported where appropriate and in accordance with other policies contained within this Plan. BDP16.6 Infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists, for example access routes and cycle parking, will be provided in a safe and sustainable environment within the context of green infrastructure, as an integral feature of proposed development. Developments which would worsen walking and cycling access and exacerbate motor vehicle dependence should not be permitted. BDP16.7 Retail and employment development should make proper provision for freight delivery and collections and should consider using sustainable methods of freight transport. BDP16.8 The Council will encourage the use of travel plans where applicable to secure the provision of sustainable travel choices, both to new developments and to extensions of existing sites, regardless of use. BDP16.9 Developments which generate significant travel demands must include a transport statement or transport assessment, being fully informed by guidance, and have easy access to existing or proposed public transport links.