Planning in Herefordshire, County of

Requirement for open space, sports and recreation facilities

The provision of appropriate open space, sports and recreation facilities will arise in the following proposals for planning applications: 1. all new residential dwellings; or 2. retail and employment proposals where there is need to provide informal areas of amenity greenspace for the use of employees and visitors; and 3. residential institutions, student accommodation, assembly and leisure, hotels or hostels.

Meeting open space, sports and recreation needs

In order to meet the needs of the community, provision for open space, sports and recreation facilities will be sought, where appropriate, taking into account the following principles: 1. any new development must be in accordance with all applicable set standards of quantity, quality and accessibility as defined; and 2. provision of open space, sports and recreation facilities should be located on-site unless an off-site or partial off-site contribution would result in an equally beneficial enhancement to an existing open space, sports and/or recreation facility which is of benefit to the local community.

Loss of open space, sports or recreation facilities

In determining the appropriateness of proposals which results in the loss of an open space, sports or recreation facility, the following principles will be taken into account: 1. clear evidence that the open space, sports or recreation facility is surplus to the applicable quantitative standard; 2. the loss of the open space, sports or recreation facility results in an equally beneficial replacement or enhanced existing facility for the local community; 3. the loss of the open space, sports and recreation facility is for the purpose of providing an ancillary development which improves the functioning, useability or viability of the open space, sport and recreation use, e.g. changing rooms, toilets, grandstand accommodation, assembly and function uses; 4. the loss of the open space, sports or recreation facility will not result in the fragmentation or isolation of a site which is part of a green infrastructure corridor.

Social and community facilities

Development proposals which protect, retain or enhance existing social and community infrastructure or ensure that new facilities are available as locally as possible will be supported. Such proposals should be in or close to settlements, have considered the potential for co-location of facilities and where possible be safely accessible by foot, by cycle and public transport. New development that creates a need for additional social and community facilities that cannot be met through existing social facilities - will be expected to meet the additional requirements through new, or extension of existing, provision or by developer contributions which meet the relevant tests of paragraph 204 of the NPPF. Proposals involving the provision or expansion of social and community facilities will be expected to provide publicly accessible toilets (including facilities for disabled people and baby changing). Existing facilities will be retained, unless it can be demonstrated that an appropriate alternative facility is available, or can be provided to meet the needs of the community affected; or it can be shown that the facility is no longer required, viable or is no longer fit for purpose; and where appropriate, it has been vacant and marketed for community use without success. Viable alternative facilities must be equivalent to those they replace, in terms of size, quality and accessibility. The provision or improvement of higher education facilities and the continuing enhancement of existing, or provision of new, training and skills facilities will be actively promoted.

Sustainable design and energy efficiency

Development proposals should create safe, sustainable, well integrated environments for all members of the community. In conjunction with this, all development proposals should incorporate the following requirements: • ensure that proposals make efficient use of land - taking into account the local context and site characteristics; • new buildings should be designed to maintain local distinctiveness through incorporating local architectural detailing and materials and respecting scale, height, proportions and massing of surrounding development, while making a positive contribution to the architectural diversity and character of the area including, where appropriate, through innovative design; • safeguard residential amenity for existing and proposed residents; • ensure new development does not contribute to, or suffer from, adverse impacts arising from noise, light or air contamination, land instability or cause ground water pollution; • where contaminated land is present, undertake appropriate remediation where it can be demonstrated that this will be effective; • ensure that distinctive features of existing buildings and their setting are safeguarded and where appropriate, restored; • utilise physical sustainability measures that include, in particular, orientation of buildings, the provision of water conservation measures, storage for bicycles and waste including provision for recycling, and enabling renewable energy and energy conservation infrastructure; • where possible, on-site renewable energy generation should also be incorporated; • create safe and accessible environments, and that minimise opportunities for crime and anti-social behaviour by incorporating Secured by Design principles, and consider the incorporation of fire safety measures; • ensuring designs can be easily adapted and accommodate new technologies to meet changing needs throughout the lifetime of the development; and • utilise sustainable construction methods which minimise the use of non-renewable resources and maximise the use of recycled and sustainably sourced materials; All planning applications including material changes of use, will be expected to demonstrate how the above design and energy efficiency considerations have been factored into the proposal from the outset.

Redevelopment of existing employment land and buildings

Employment land and buildings rated as 'best' and 'good' using the methodology in the Employment Land Study 2012 (or successor document) will be safeguarded from redevelopment to other non-employment uses. Proposals which would result in the loss of employment land rated as 'moderate' will be permitted where: 1. the development of the site for other uses would not result in an overall shortage in the quality and quantity of employment land supply in the area; or 2. there would be a net improvement in amenity through the removal of a non-conforming use from within a residential area, and where an alternative use would offer amenity benefits. For sites in existing employment use, consideration should also be given to the ability to relocate existing occupiers where this is necessary; or 3. the proposal would not result in a piecemeal loss of employment land where there is potential for a more comprehensive scheme; In all cases: - the viability of the development proposal must be confirmed through a comprehensive assessment; and - there must be evidence of appropriate and active marketing of at least 12 months for a change of use of a B Class employment use and it can be shown that this marketing has been unsuccessful. The provision of ancillary and complementary uses which help meet the day-to-day needs of employment sites and their employees and improve the sites' attractiveness to businesses, will be permitted where they are of a scale which does not impact on the overall supply of employment land.

Homeworking

The value of home working will be recognised by allowing some material change of use to part of a dwelling, where the dwelling remains as the principle place of residence for the home worker; and recognising the potential to encourage and expand home working, by allowing small extensions or conversions where the proposed use and operation would be compatible with its location and heritage value, and where it would not adversely affect the amenity of the neighbourhood by any of the following: • changes to the appearance of any building; • noise disturbance from the use or any increased traffic and parking generated; • unsociable hours of operation; and • the storage of hazardous materials or emissions from the site.

Employment provision

The focus for new employment provision in Herefordshire is to provide a range of locations, types and sizes of employment buildings, land and offices to meet the needs of the local economy. Larger employment proposals will be directed to the strategic employment sites of Hereford, the market towns and rural industrial estates where appropriate. Development proposals which enhance employment provision and help diversify the economy of Herefordshire will be encouraged where: • the proposal is appropriate in terms of its connectivity, scale, design and size; • the proposal makes better use of previously developed land or buildings; • the proposal is an appropriate extension to strengthen or diversify an existing business operation; • the proposal provides for opportunities for new office development in appropriate locations. The provision of viable live/work units as part of mixed use developments will also be encouraged.

Hereford Employment Provision

Hereford will continue to provide focus for employment provision in the county. Employment supply at Hereford will be delivered through: • the expansion of the city centre as part of wider city regeneration which will include commercial uses including new office provision and creating a better environment for existing businesses. Proposals for office uses outside of the city centre will be subject to the sequential test, as set out in paragraph 24 of the NPPF; • continuing development of employment land at Hereford Enterprise Zone at Rotherwas to strengthen the enterprise zone, with particular focus on defence and knowledge sectors, creating added benefit for companies who locate in the area; • encouraging small scale environmental and knowledge based employment development opportunities; and • provision of new areas of employment land particularly through the development of strategic urban extensions.

Rural economy

Employment generating proposals which help diversify the rural economy such as knowledge based creative industries, environmental technologies, business diversification projects and home working will be supported. A range of economic activities will be supported, including proposals which: • support and strengthen local food and drink production; • support and/or protect the vitality and viability of commercial facilities of an appropriate type and scale in rural areas, such as village shops, petrol filling stations, garden centres and public houses; • involve the small scale extension of existing businesses; • promote sustainable tourism proposals of an appropriate scale in accordance with Policy E4 - Tourism; • promote the sustainable use of the natural and historic environment as an asset which is valued, conserved and enhanced; • support the retention of existing military sites; • support the retention and/ or diversification of existing agricultural businesses. Planning applications which are submitted in order to diversify the rural economy will be permitted where they: • ensure that the development is of a scale which would be commensurate with its location and setting; • do not cause unacceptable adverse impacts to the amenity of nearby residents by virtue of design and mass, noise, dust, lighting and smell; • do not generate traffic movements that cannot safely be accommodated within the local road network; and • do not undermine the achievement of water quality targets in accordance with Policies SD3 and SD4.

Employment provision

Existing higher quality employment land countywide will be safeguarded from alternative uses. A continuous supply of 37ha of readily available employment land will be made available over a 5 year period, with an overall target of 148ha of employment land over the plan period. New strategic employment land, in tandem with housing growth and smaller scale employment sites, will be delivered through the plan period. New strategic employment land locations are identified at Hereford (15ha); Leominster (up to 10ha), Ledbury (15ha), and Ross-on-Wye (10ha). The Hereford Enterprise Zone at Rotherwas will continue to provide the largest focus for new employment provision in the county. Proposals for employment land provision at Bromyard and Kington will be brought forward through Neighbourhood Development Plans or other Development Plan Documents. The continuing development of the more traditional employment sectors such as farming and food and drink manufacturing will be supported. The diversification of the business base, through the development of knowledge intensive industries, environmental technologies and creative industries as well as business hubs, live-work schemes and the adaptive design of residential development, will be facilitated where they do not have an adverse impact on the community or local environment. The provision of high speed broadband to facilitate diversification will be supported.

Renewable and low carbon energy generation

Development proposals that seek to deliver renewable and low carbon energy will be supported where they meet the following criteria: 1. the proposal does not adversely impact upon international or national designated natural and heritage assets; 2. the proposal does not adversely affect residential amenity; 3. the proposal does not result in any significant detrimental impact upon the character of the landscape and the built or historic environment and 4. the proposal can be connected efficiently to existing national grid infrastructure unless it can be demonstrated that energy generation would be used on-site to meet the needs of a specific end user. In the case of energy generation through wind power developments, permission will only be granted for such proposals where: • the proposed site is identified in a Neighbourhood Development Plan or other Development Plan Document as a suitable site for wind energy generation; and • following consultation with local residents, it can be demonstrated that the planning impacts identified can be fully addressed, and therefore the proposal has the backing of the local community.

Addressing climate change

Development proposals will be required to include measures which will mitigate their impact on climate change. At a strategic level, this will include: • focusing development to the most sustainable locations; • delivering development that seeks to reduce the need to travel by private car and which encourages sustainable travel options including walking, cycling and public transport; • designing developments to reduce carbon emissions and use resources more efficiently; • promoting the use of decentralised and renewable or low carbon energy where appropriate; • supporting affordable, local food production, processing and farming to reduce the county's contribution to food miles*; • protecting the best agricultural land where possible; Key considerations in terms of responses to climate change include: • taking into account the known physical and environmental constraints when identifying locations for development; • ensuring design approaches are resilient to climate change impacts, including the use of passive solar design for heating and cooling and tree planting for shading; • minimising the risk of flooding and making use of sustainable drainage methods; • reducing heat island effects (for example through the provision of open space and water, planting and green roofs); • reduction, re-use and recycling of waste with particular emphasis on waste minimisation on development sites; and • developments must demonstrate water efficiency measures to reduce demand on water resources. Adaptation through design approaches will be considered in more locally specific detail in a Design Code Supplementary Planning Document.

Biodiversity and geodiversity

Development proposals should conserve, restore and enhance the biodiversity and geodiversity assets of Herefordshire, through the: 1. retention and protection of nature conservation sites and habitats, and important species in accordance with their status as follows: a) Development that is likely to harm sites and species of European Importance will not be permitted; b) Development that would be liable to harm Sites of Special Scientific Interest or nationally protected species will only be permitted if the conservation status of their habitat or important physical features can be protected by conditions or other material considerations are sufficient to outweigh nature conservation considerations; c) Development that would be liable to harm the nature conservation value of a site or species of local nature conservation interest will only be permitted if the importance of the development outweighs the local value of the site, habitat or physical feature that supports important species. d) Development that will potentially reduce the coherence and effectiveness of the ecological network of sites will only be permitted where adequate compensatory measures are brought forward. 2. restoration and enhancement of existing biodiversity and geodiversity features on site and connectivity to wider ecological networks; and 3. creation of new biodiversity features and wildlife habitats. Where appropriate the council will work with developers to agree a management strategy to ensure the protection of, and prevention of adverse impacts on, biodiversity and geodiversity features.

Green infrastructure

Development proposals should protect, manage and plan for the preservation of existing and delivery of new green infrastructure, and should achieve the following objectives: 1. identification and retention of existing green infrastructure corridors and linkages; including the protection of valued landscapes, trees, hedgerows, woodlands, water courses and adjoining flood plain; 2. provision of on-site green infrastructure; in particular proposals will be supported where this enhances the network; and 3. integration with, and connection to, the surrounding green infrastructure network.

Landscape and townscape

Development proposals should: • demonstrate that character of the landscape and townscape has positively influenced the design, scale, nature and site selection, protection and enhancement of the setting of settlements and designated areas; • conserve and enhance the natural, historic and scenic beauty of important landscapes and features, including Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, nationally and locally designated parks and gardens and conservation areas; through the protection of the area's character and by enabling appropriate uses, design and management; • incorporate new landscape schemes and their management to ensure development integrates appropriately into its surroundings; and • maintain and extend tree cover where important to amenity, through the retention of important trees, appropriate replacement of trees lost through development and new planting to support green infrastructure.

Biodiversity and geodiversity

Development proposals should conserve, restore and enhance the biodiversity and geodiversity assets of Herefordshire, through the: 1. retention and protection of nature conservation sites and habitats, and important species in accordance with their status as follows: a) Development that is likely to harm sites and species of European Importance will not be permitted; b) Development that would be liable to harm Sites of Special Scientific Interest or nationally protected species will only be permitted if the conservation status of their habitat or important physical features can be protected by conditions or other material consider

Re-use of rural buildings

The sustainable re-use of individual and groups of redundant or disused buildings, including farmsteads in rural areas, which will make a positive contribution to rural businesses and enterprise and support the local economy (including live work units) or which otherwise contributes to residential development, or is essential to the social well-being of the countryside, will be permitted where: 1. design proposals respect the character and significance of any redundant or disused building and demonstrate that it represents the most viable option for the long term conservation and enhancement of any heritage asset affected, together with its setting; 2. design proposals make adequate provision for protected and priority species and associated habitats; 3. the proposal is compatible with neighbouring uses, including any continued agricultural operations and does not cause undue environmental impacts and; 4. the buildings are of permanent and substantial construction capable of conversion without major or complete reconstruction; and 5. the building is capable of accommodating the proposed new use without the need for substantial alteration or extension, ancillary buildings, areas of hard standing or development which individually or taken together would adversely affect the character or appearance of the building or have a detrimental impact on its surroundings and landscape setting. Any planning permissions granted pursuant to this policy will be subject to a condition removing permitted development rights for future alterations, extensions and other developments.

Sustainable water management and water resources

Measures for sustainable water management will be required to be an integral element of new development in order to reduce flood risk; to avoid an adverse impact on water quantity; to protect and enhance groundwater resources and to provide opportunities to enhance biodiversity, health and recreation. This will be achieved by ensuring that: 1. development proposals are located in accordance with the Sequential Test and Exception Tests (where appropriate) and have regard to the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) 2009 for Herefordshire; 2. development is designed to be safe, taking into account the lifetime of the development and the need to adapt to climate change by setting appropriate floor levels, providing safe pedestrian and vehicular access, where appropriate, implementing a flood evacuation management plan and avoiding areas identified as being subject to Rapid Inundation from a breach of a Flood Defence; 3. where flooding is identified as an issue, new development should reduce flood risk through the inclusion of flood storage compensation measures, or provide similar betterment to enhance the local flood risk regime; 4. development will not result in the loss of open watercourse and culverts should be opened up where possible to improve drainage and flood flows. Proposals involving the creation of new culverts (unless essential to the provision of access) will not be permitted; 5. development includes appropriate sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) to manage surface water appropriate to the hydrological setting of the site. Development should not result in an increase in runoff and should aim to achieve a reduction in the existing runoff rate and volumes, where possible; 6. water conservation and efficiency measures are included in all new developments, specifically: • residential development should achieve Housing - Optional Technical Standards - Water efficiency standards. At the time of adoption the published water efficiency standards were 110 litres/person/day; or • non-residential developments in excess of 1,000 m² gross floorspace to achieve the equivalent of BREEAM 3 credits for water consumption as a minimum; 7. the separation of foul and surface water on new developments is maximised; 8. development proposals do not lead to deterioration of EU Water Framework Directive water body status; 9. development should not cause an unacceptable risk to the availability or quality of water resources; and 10. in particular, proposals do not adversely affect water quality, either directly through unacceptable pollution of surface water or groundwater, or indirectly through overloading of Wastewater Treatment Works. Development proposals should help to conserve and enhance watercourses and riverside habitats, where necessary through management and mitigation measures for the improvement and/or enhancement of water quality and habitat of the aquatic environment. Proposals which are specifically aimed at the sustainable management of the water environment will in particular be encouraged, including where they are required to support business needs such as for agriculture. Innovative measures such as water harvesting, winter water storage and active land use management will also be supported. In all instances it should be demonstrated that there will be no significant adverse landscape, biodiversity or visual impact.

Wastewater treatment and river water quality

Development should not undermine the achievement of water quality targets for rivers within the county, in particular through the treatment of wastewater. In the first instance developments should seek to connect to the existing mains wastewater infrastructure network. Where this option would result in nutrient levels exceeding conservation objectives targets, in particular additional phosphate loading within a SAC designated river, then proposals will need to fully mitigate the adverse effects of wastewater discharges into rivers caused by the development. This may involve: • incorporating measures to achieve water efficiency and/or a reduction in surface water discharge to the mains sewer network, minimising the capacity required to accommodate the proposal, in accordance with policy SD3; • phasing or delaying development until further capacity is available; • the use of developer contributions/community infrastructure levy funds to contribute to improvements to waste water treatment works or other appropriate measures to release capacity to accommodate new development; • in the case of development which might lead to nutrient levels exceeding the limits for the target conservation objectives within a SAC river, planning permission will only be granted where it can be demonstrated that there will be no adverse effect on the integrity of the SAC in view of the site's conservation objectives; and • where the nutrient levels set for conservation objectives are already exceeded, new development should not compromise the ability to reduce levels to those which are defined as favourable for the site. Where evidence is submitted to the local planning authority to indicate connection to the wastewater infrastructure network is not practical, alternative foul drainage options should be considered in the following order: • provision of or connection to a package sewage treatment works (discharging to watercourse or soakaway); • septic tank (discharging to soakaway). With either of these non-mains alternatives, proposals should be accompanied by the following: • information to demonstrate there will be no likely significant effect on the water quality, in particular of designated national and European sites, especially the River Wye SAC and the River Clun SAC; or • where there will be a likely significant effect upon a SAC river, information to enable the council, in its role as a competent authority, to ascertain that the development will have no adverse effect on the integrity of the SAC; • in relation to water courses with national or European nature conservation designations, the inclusion of measures achieving the highest standard of water quality discharge to the natural drainage system including provision for monitoring. The use of cesspools will only be considered in exceptional circumstances and where it can be demonstrated that sufficient precautionary measures will ensure no adverse effect upon natural drainage water quality objectives.

Environmental quality and local distinctiveness

Development proposals should conserve and enhance those environmental assets that contribute towards the county's distinctiveness, in particular its settlement pattern, landscape, biodiversity and heritage assets and especially those with specific environmental designations. In addition, proposals should maintain and improve the effectiveness of those ecosystems essential to the health and wellbeing of the county's residents and its economy. Development proposals should be shaped through an integrated approach to planning the following environmental components from the outset, and based upon sufficient information to determine the effect upon each where they are relevant: • landscape, townscape and local distinctiveness, especially in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty; • biodiversity and geodiversity especially Special Areas of Conservation and Sites of Special Scientific Interest; • historic environment and heritage assets, especially Scheduled Monuments and Listed Buildings; • the network of green infrastructure; • local amenity, including light pollution, air quality and tranquillity; • agricultural and food productivity; • physical resources, including minerals, soils, management of waste, the water environment, renewable energy and energy conservation. The management plans and conservation objectives of the county's international and nationally important features and areas will be material to the determination of future development proposals. Furthermore assessments of local features, areas and sites, defining local distinctiveness in other development plan documents, Neighbourhood Development Plans and Supplementary Planning Documents should inform decisions upon proposals.

Historic environment and heritage assets

Development proposals affecting heritage assets and the wider historic environment should: 1. Protect, conserve, and where possible enhance heritage assets and their settings in a manner appropriate to their significance through appropriate management, uses and sympathetic design, in particular emphasising the original form and function where possible; 2. where opportunities exist, contribute to the character and local distinctiveness of the townscape or wider environment, especially within conservation areas; 3. use the retention, repair and sustainable use of heritage assets to provide a focus for wider regeneration schemes; 4. record and advance the understanding of the significance of any heritage assets to be lost (wholly or in part) and to make this evidence or archive generated publicly accessible and 5. where appropriate, improve the understanding of and public access to the heritage asset. The scope of the works required to protect, conserve and enhance heritage assets and their settings should be proportionate to their significance. Development schemes should emphasise the original form and function of any asset and, where appropriate, improve the understanding of and public access to them.

Development in Bromyard

Bromyard will accommodate a minimum of 500 new homes together with around 5 hectares of new employment land during the plan period. The majority of new development will be located in the north western areas of the town with a minimum of 250 new homes. Around 5ha of employment land will also be required to come forward through the Bromyard Development Plan. Further development will take place through the implementation of existing commitments, windfall development and sites allocated through the Bromyard Development Plan. Within Bromyard, new development proposals will be encouraged where they: • can accommodate small scale employment sites including live/work units within and around the town; • protect and enhance the vitality and viability of the town centre. Proposals for new retail, leisure or office development of over 200m2 in gross floor space and located outside of the defined town centre will need to be supported by an impact assessment, to determine whether there could be any adverse impacts on the town centre; • provide for the sustainable conservation and enhancement of its green infrastructure and natural environmental resources such as water; there should be no adverse impact on water quality in the River Frome; • facilitate a genuine choice of modes of travel including public transport, cycling and walking as alternatives to the private car; • contribute to identified needs for new or improved community facilities as a result of new development; • take account of the ability of existing and proposed infrastructure including foul drainage, water supply and water resources, and the highway network to serve the development proposed without undue environmental impact; • contribute to the quality of Bromyard's local environment, including its landscape and historic character; and • have demonstrated engagement and consultation with the community including the town/parish council.

Land at Hardwick Bank

Land at Hardwick Bank will deliver a comprehensively planned sustainable urban extension to the town and will be expected to deliver: • a minimum of 250 new homes at an average density of up to 35 dwellings per hectare comprising a mix of market and affordable house sizes and types that meet the requirements of Policy H3 and the needs identified in the latest version of the Hereford Local Housing Market Assessment; • a target of 40% of the total number of dwellings shall be affordable housing; • a new formal park to form part of the residential development complemented by new play and sports facilities and allotments; • the development areas should be linked by a suitable vehicular access, likely to take the form of a roundabout, onto the A44. The development areas should also be serviced by a residential road which will allow for opportunities to extend development beyond the plan period and serve as a future route to other parts of the local highway network; • the residential roads leading off Winslow Road should be utilised to provide sustainable links to the town (including pedestrian and cycle links) as well as public transport links between the area and the town centre; • the provision of and contributions towards any identified need for new/improved community facilities. This shall include improvements to classroom provision for the local primary school which should incorporate publicly accessible youth facilities; • a high standard of design and layout which respects the townscape, landscape and green infrastructure of the area; • sustainable standards of design and construction; • incorporate significant landscape buffers to mitigate the impacts of the development areas on the wider landscape; • an evaluation of the archaeological importance of the area in order to ensure appropriate protection of heritage assets and inform the detailed development proposals; and • a comprehensive sustainable urban drainage system which includes measures such as rain gardens and swales to manage ground and surface water drainage and safeguard against any increased flood risk.

Affordable housing – thresholds and targets

All new open market housing proposals on sites of more than 10 dwellings which have a maximum combined gross floor space of more than 1000m2 will be expected to contribute towards meeting affordable housing needs. The amount and mix of affordable housing including those on strategic housing sites will vary depending on evidence of housing need as identified through the latest housing market assessment, and, an assessment of the viability of the development. The following indicative targets have been established based on evidence of need and viability in the county's housing market and housing value areas: 1. a target of 35% affordable housing provision on sites in the Hereford, Hereford Northern and Southern Hinterlands, and Kington and West Herefordshire housing value areas; 2. a target of 40% affordable housing provision on sites in the Ledbury, Ross and Rural Hinterlands; and Northern Rural housing value areas (which includes Bromyard); 3. a target of 25% affordable housing provision on sites in the Leominster housing value area. Any affordable housing provided under the terms of this policy will be expected to be available in perpetuity for those in local housing need.

Rural exception sites

Proposals for affordable housing schemes in rural areas may be permitted on land which would not normally be released for housing where: 1. the proposal could assist in meeting a proven local need for affordable housing; and 2. the affordable housing provided is made available to, and retained in perpetuity for local people in need of affordable housing; and 3. the site respects the characteristics of its surroundings, demonstrates good design and offers reasonable access to a range of services and facilities normally in a settlement identified in Policy RA2. In order to enable the delivery of affordable housing some market housing may be permitted as part of the development to subsidise a significant proportion of affordable housing provision. However, evidence will be required – by way of a financial appraisal, in order to demonstrate that the proposed scale of market housing is that required for the successful delivery of affordable housing.

Ensuring an appropriate range and mix of housing

Residential developments should provide a range and mix of housing units which can contribute to the creation of balanced and inclusive communities. In particular, on larger housing sites of more than 50 dwellings developers will be expected to: 1. provide a range of house types and sizes to meet the needs of all households, including younger single people; 2. provide housing capable of being adapted for people in the community with additional needs; and 3. provide housing capable of meeting the specific needs of the elderly population by: - providing specialist accommodation for older people in suitable locations; - ensuring that non-specialist new housing is built to take account of the changing needs of an ageing population; - ensuring that developments contain a range of house types, including where appropriate, bungalow accommodation. The latest Local Housing Market Assessment will provide evidence of the need for an appropriate mix and range of housing types and sizes.

Traveller sites

The accommodation needs of travellers will be provided for through the preparation of a Travellers' Sites Document (DPD) which will include site specific allocations. In the absence of an adopted DPD, or where proposals for sites are brought forward on non-allocated land, proposals will be supported where: 1. sites afford reasonable access to services and facilities, including health and schools 2. appropriate screening and landscaping is included within the proposal to protect local amenity and the environment 3. they promote peaceful and integrated co-existence between the site and the local community 4. they enable mixed business and residential accommodation (providing for the live-work lifestyle of travellers) 5. they avoid undue pressure on local infrastructure and services 6. in rural areas, the size of the site does not dominate nearby settled communities and 7. they are capable of accommodating on-site facilities that meet best practice for modern traveller site requirements, including play areas, storage, provision for recycling and waste management. In rural areas, where there is a case of local need for an affordable traveller site, but criterion 1 above cannot be fulfilled, then an exception may be made and proposals permitted, provided such sites can be retained for that purpose in perpetuity.

Hereford

Hereford will accommodate a minimum of 6,500 new homes within the plan period and a minimum of 15ha of new employment land. Major residential development will take place in the following locations: • 800 new dwellings in Hereford City Centre (HD2) • 500 dwellings at the Northern Urban Expansion Area (HD4) • 1,000 dwellings at the Western Urban Expansion Area (HD5) • 1,000 dwellings at the Southern Urban Expansion Area (HD6) The remaining housing requirement of around 3,200 dwellings will be provided through the implementation of existing commitments, windfall development and the development of non-strategic sites allocated through the production of the Hereford Area Plan or Neighbourhood Development Plans. Major employment development will take place in the following locations: • 10ha of employment land at the Western Urban Expansion area • Around 5ha of employment land at the Southern Urban Expansion area. Further employment land provision will be made in accordance with Policy HD7.

Northern Urban Expansion (Holmer West)

Land at Holmer West will deliver a comprehensively planned sustainable urban expansion. The new development will be sensitively integrated into both the existing urban fabric of Hereford, and the wider landscape, through high design and sustainability standards. The development will be expected to provide: • 500 new homes, at an average density of up to 35 dwellings per hectare, comprising a mix of market and affordable house sizes and types that meet the requirements of policy H3 and the needs identified in the latest version of the Herefordshire Local Housing Market Assessment; • a target of 35% of the total number of dwellings shall be affordable housing; • Park and Choose site (land and infrastructure) adjacent to the western side of the A49 in close proximity to the Hereford Relief Road and land or a contribution to facilitate the construction of the adjoining phase of the Hereford Relief Road; • walking and cycle routes and green infrastructure corridors linking to the Park and Choose site the existing public right of way network and existing education and community facilities and employment sites in the locality; • appropriate new green buffers and linear green routes, particularly along Ayles Brook; • measures to mitigate flood risk both for the new homes within the expansion area and for the benefit of existing residents and businesses in other parts of the city through the incorporation of sustainable urban drainage solutions, as part of the green infrastructure network and measures to control water levels within Ayles Brook; • appropriate provision of and contributions towards indoor and outdoor sports and play facilities, open space and allotments; • where appropriate a contribution towards pre-school facility and contributions towards the enhancement of existing primary and secondary school provision and any identified need for other community infrastructure/facilities; and • sustainable standards of design and construction. This expansion area will be accessed primarily off the A4103 Roman Road. The area will be planned in a comprehensive manner to show the layout of development and the required infrastructure. Appendix 5 sets out the relationship between the development of urban expansion areas and the provision of key new infrastructure.

Western Urban Expansion (Three Elms)

Land at Three Elms will deliver a comprehensively planned sustainable urban expansion. The new development will be sensitively integrated into both the existing urban fabric of Hereford, and the wider landscape, through high design and sustainability standards. The development will be expected to provide: • a minimum of 1,000 homes, at an average density of up to 35 dwellings per hectare, comprising a mix of market and affordable house sizes and types that meet the requirements of policy H3 and the needs identified in the latest version of the Herefordshire Local Housing Market Assessment; • a target of 35% of the total number of dwellings shall be affordable housing; • delivery of land and infrastructure to facilitate the construction of the adjoining phase of the Hereford Relief Road; • a minimum of 10 hectares of employment land, comprising predominantly of a mixture of use class B1, B2 and B8 located near to the new livestock market with access to the Hereford Relief Road and Roman Road; • land and infrastructure for Park & Choose facilities; • a new linear park along the Yazor Brook corridor connecting with the existing green infrastructure links east of the expansion area, the public rights of way network within and adjoining the expansion area and informal recreation space; • a series of new green infrastructure connections which enhance the biodiversity value of the area and also serve as pedestrian cycle links through the development, including optimising the use of the disused railway line to connect with the transport interchange, schools, community facilities, employment land and the remainder of the city; • provision for new bus links through the expansion area; • development of bespoke, high quality and inclusive design, including accommodation that will meet the needs of older persons and contributes to the distinctiveness of the site and surrounding environment; • the provision on site of appropriate sports and play facilities, formal and informal open space, community orchards, woodland planting and allotments; • integration of Huntington village into the development area in a way which respects, protects, conserves and, where possible, enhances the setting of the Conservation Area and heritage assets; • 210 primary school places with additional pre-school accommodation; • an extension of Whitecross High School to increase capacity from a 6 form entry to 7 form entry school, with commensurate school playing field provision; • a neighbourhood community hub to meet any identified need for small scale convenience retail, community meeting space, health provision, indoor sports and other community infrastructure/facilities where appropriate; • sustainable urban drainage and flood mitigation solutions to form an integral part of the green infrastructure network; • opportunities to mitigate flood risk arising from Yazor Brook for existing residents and businesses within the city; and • sustainable standards of design and construction. The area will be planned in a comprehensive manner to show the layout of development and the required infrastructure. Appendix 5 sets out the relationship between the development of urban expansion areas and the provision of key new infrastructure.

Southern Urban Expansion (Lower Bullingham)

Land at Lower Bullingham will deliver a comprehensively planned sustainable urban expansion. The new development will be sensitively integrated into both the existing urban fabric of Hereford, and the wider landscape, through high design and sustainability standards. The development will be expected to provide: • a minimum of 1,000 new homes, at an average density of up to 35 dwellings per hectare, comprising a mix of market and affordable house sizes and types that meet the requirements of policy H3 and the needs identified in the latest version of the Herefordshire Local Housing Market Assessment; • a target of 35% of the total number of dwellings shall be affordable housing; • around 5 hectares of employment land comprising a mixture of use class B1, B2 and B8 to complement Hereford Enterprise Zone; • suitable vehicular access to the site principally from the B4399; • Park and Choose site (land and infrastructure) adjacent to the A49/ Rotherwas Access Road roundabout; • green infrastructure corridors through the area to include strategic greenways along Red Brook and Norton Brook and links with Withy Brook; • creation of a country park to incorporate new footpaths linking with the existing public right of way network in the locality, woodland and orchard planting; • development of bespoke, high quality and inclusive design, including accommodation that will meet the needs of older persons and contributes to the distinctiveness of the site and surrounding environment; • the provision on site of appropriate sports and play facilities, open space, community orchards and allotments; • 210 primary school places and where appropriate contributions towards new additional pre-school facilities; • a neighbourhood community hub, including small scale convenience retail and provision of and/or contributions towards any identified need for other community infrastructure/facilities, including community meeting space and health provision, indoor and outdoor sports, where appropriate; • sustainable urban drainage and flood mitigation solutions to form an integral part of the green infrastructure network; • new direct walking, cycling and bus links from the urban extension to the Park and Choose to the west, Hereford Enterprise Zone to the east and existing communities and the city centre to the north; • sustainable standards of design and construction; and • the protection, conservation and, where possible, enhancement of the heritage assets, their significance and setting. An evaluation of the archaeological importance of the area should be provided to ensure appropriate protection of heritage assets and inform the detailed development proposals. The area will be planned in a comprehensive manner to show the layout of development and the required infrastructure. Appendix 5 sets out the relationship between the development of urban expansion area and the provision of key new infrastructure.

Development in Kington

Kington will accommodate around 200 new homes during the plan period A Neighbourhood Development Plan will allocate sites to meet this level of housing. In addition, provision for new employment uses should be brought forward to meet needs from within the Kington and West Herefordshire Housing Sub-Market Area. Development proposals for Kington will be encouraged where they: • deliver affordable housing in accordance with the requirements of Policy H1; • provide a mix of market and affordable house sizes and types that meet the requirements of Policy H3 and the needs identified in the latest version of the Herefordshire Local Housing Market Assessment; • enable an overall density of up to 35 dwellings per hectare; • enable home working; • make available small scale employment sites, brought forward in balance with housing within the Kington and West Herefordshire Housing Sub-Market Area; • maintain and enhance the vitality and viability of the town centre. Proposals for new retail, leisure or office development of over 200m2 in gross floor space and located outside the defined town centre will need to be supported by an impact assessment in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework, to determine whether there could be any adverse impacts on the vitality and viability of the Kington town centre; • make provision for green infrastructure and amenity space, including play facilities, community access to open space, and the linking of habitats into ecological networks within and surrounding the town; • make provision for or improve walking and cycling links to the town centre, schools, shopping and employment; • protect, conserve and where possible enhance the historic character of Kington, in particular the Conservation Area and its significance and setting, including particular features, its heritage assets, important buildings, scenic views and the landscape features surrounding the town; and • have demonstrated engagement and consultation with the community including the town/parish council.

Development in Ledbury

Ledbury will accommodate a minimum of 800 new homes balanced with a minimum of 15 hectares of new employment land during the plan period. The majority of new housing development will be focussed to the north of the town as set out in Policy LB2 and the strategic location for new employment of around 12 hectares to the west of the town, south of Little Marcle Road. Further development will take place through the implementation of existing commitments, infill development, and sites allocated through a Neighbourhood Development Plan. A number of sites which have future potential for development have been identified in the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA). Within Ledbury, new development proposals will be encouraged where they: • allow for suitable small scale employment sites including live work opportunities within or adjoining the town; • maintain and enhance the vitality and viability of the existing town centre. Proposals for new retail, leisure or office development of over 400m2 in gross floor space and located outside the town centre will need to be supported by an impact assessment to determine whether there could be any adverse impacts on the town centre; • improve accessibility within Ledbury by walking, cycling and public transport, particularly where they enhance connectivity with, for example, local facilities, new employment areas and the town centre; • contribute to addressing deficiencies in community facilities and/or allow for infrastructure improvements (including broadband) in the town, to promote sustainable development; • reflect and enhance the characteristic built historic elements of Ledbury, such as its stone, brick and timber-framed buildings, medieval plan form, conservation areas and setting overlooking the Leadon Valley; • protect and enhance its green infrastructure, including connections to the public right of way network and biodiversity, particularly the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to the east and the Leadon Valley to the west; • protect and enhance the setting of the town from eastern and western viewpoints; and, where this is not possible, incorporate appropriate mitigation measures; and • have demonstrated engagement and consultation with the community including the town council.

Land north of the Viaduct

Development proposals north of the viaduct in Ledbury will be expected to bring forward the following to achieve a sustainable mixed use urban extension of the town: • mixed use development of around 625 new homes, at an average density of around 40 dwellings per hectare, comprising a mix of market and affordable house sizes and types that meet the requirements of Policy H3 and the needs identified in the latest version of the Herefordshire Local Housing Market Assessment; • around 3 hectares of employment land, restricted to Use Class B1; • a target of 40% of the total number of dwellings to be affordable housing; • land and contributions to facilitate a restored canal to be delivered in partnership with the Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal Trust; • a new linear informal park to link to the existing town trail, riverside walk, recreational open space and existing allotments; • the provision of developer contributions towards any identified need for new/improved community facilities/infrastructure improvements. This shall include a new 210 place primary school within the development (or an expansion of the existing primary school) and new recreational open space, play, indoor and outdoor sport facilities; • provision of satisfactory vehicular access arrangements, the details of which will be determined at planning application stage; • appropriate mitigation to safeguard the amenity of future occupants from unacceptable levels of noise and to safeguard the continued operation of existing businesses adjoining the area; • development of bespoke, high quality and inclusive design, including accommodation that will meet the needs of older persons and that contributes to the distinctiveness of this part of Ledbury and respects the setting and significance of the listed viaduct and the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; • safeguards to ensure there is no adverse impact on water quality and quantity in the River Leadon; • new walking, cycling and bus links from the urban extension directly to the town trail and riverside walk under the viaduct, the railway station and town centre to create linkages to nearby development and existing community facilities; • sustainable standards of design and construction; and • a comprehensive sustainable urban drainage system which includes measures such as rain gardens and swales to manage ground and surface water drainage and safeguard against any increased flood risk.

Development in Leominster

Leominster will accommodate a minimum of 2,300 new homes throughout the plan period, (2011-2031) of which a minimum of 1,500 dwellings will be provided in a single strategic urban extension to the south-west of the town. The remaining dwellings will be provided through existing commitments, smaller scale non-strategic sites within the existing built up area; those which come forward through the Leominster Neighbourhood Development Plan, or sites judged as having development potential which are identified in the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment. The Leominster Enterprise Park will continue to serve the employment needs of Leominster, which will include a further extension of up to 10ha to the south of the enterprise park. The release of the additional land will be phased across the plan period depending upon the availability or otherwise of land within the existing enterprise park. In Leominster new development proposals will be encouraged where they: • continue the development of the Leominster Enterprise Park and encourage proposals for suitable small scale employment sites within the town; • maintain and enhance the viability and vitality of the town centre. Proposals for new retail, leisure or office development of over 400m2 in gross floor space and located outside of the defined town centre will need to be supported by an impact assessment in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework to determine whether there could be any adverse impacts on the vitality and viability of Leominster town centre; • ensure that developments do not exacerbate air pollution levels within the designated air quality management area at Bargates; • ensure that development does not undermine the achievement of water quality targets in accordance with Policy SD3 and SD4; and • have demonstrated engagement and consultation with the community including the town/parish council.

Leominster urban extension

Land south west of Leominster will deliver a comprehensively planned sustainable urban extension and will be expected to deliver: • a minimum of 1,500 new homes at an average density of up to 35 dwellings per hectare comprising a mix of market and affordable house sizes and types that meet the requirements of Policy H3, and the needs identified in the latest version of the Herefordshire Local Housing Market Assessment; • an affordable housing target of 25% will be required as an opportunity to address the range of homes currently available in the town; • Leominster relief road linking the Worcester Road roundabout directly to the A44, to help relieve traffic congestion within the town and improve air quality in the Bargates area; • small scale neighbourhood retail facilities; • potential for employment opportunities as demand arises in the form of use class B1 and live/work units; • provision of appropriate community and youth facilities within a community hub; • provision of a new 420 place primary school and pre-school facilities; • appropriate provision of on-site open space, sports and recreation provision (in addition to Cockcroft Hill). This shall include fully accessible semi-natural and natural greenspace; play provision for all age groups, indoor and outdoor sports provision (some of which may be off site); allotments and new orchard planting; • new green infrastructure walking and cycling links to the town centre, schools, the Enterprise Park and local public right of way network; • retention of the highly sensitive landscape areas and geological features of Cockcroft Hill (which encompasses Ryelands Croft) by retaining this site as natural open space; • sustainable standards of design and construction; • a comprehensive sustainable urban drainage system which includes measures such as rain gardens and swales to manage ground and surface water drainage and safeguard against any increased flood risk; and • an evaluation of the archaeological importance of the area in order to ensure appropriate protection of heritage assets and inform the detailed development proposals. The land available for development to the south-west of Leominster will also enable the housing needs of the town to be met beyond the plan period.

Housing in settlements outside Hereford and the market towns

To maintain and strengthen locally sustainable communities across the rural parts of Herefordshire, sustainable housing growth will be supported in or adjacent to those settlements identified in Figures 4.14 and 4.15. This will enable development that has the ability to bolster existing service provision, improve facilities and infrastructure and meet the needs of the communities concerned. The minimum growth target in each rural Housing Market Area will be used to inform the level of housing development to be delivered in the various settlements set out in Figures 4.14 and 4.15. Neighbourhood Development Plans will allocate land for new housing or otherwise demonstrate delivery to provide levels of housing to meet the various targets, by indicating levels of suitable and available capacity. Housing proposals will be permitted where the following criteria are met: 1. Their design and layout should reflect the size, role and function of each settlement and be located within or adjacent to the main built up area. In relation to smaller settlements identified in fig 4.15 proposals will be expected to demonstrate particular attention to the form, layout, character and setting of the site and its location in that settlement and/or they result in development that contributes to or is essential to the social well-being of the settlement concerned; 2. Their locations make best and full use of suitable brownfield sites wherever possible; 3. They result in the development of high quality, sustainable schemes which are appropriate to their context and make a positive contribution to the surrounding environment and its landscape setting; and 4. They result in the delivery of schemes that generate the size, type, tenure and range of housing that is required in particular settlements, reflecting local demand. Specific proposals for the delivery of local need housing will be particularly supported where they meet an identified need and their long-term retention as local needs housing is secured as such.

Herefordshire's countryside

In rural locations outside of settlements, as to be defined in either Neighbourhood Development Plans or the Rural Areas Sites Allocations DPD, residential development will be limited to proposals which satisfy one or more of the following criteria: 1. meets an agricultural or forestry need or other farm diversification enterprise for a worker to live permanently at or near their place of work and complies with Policy RA4; or 2. accompanies and is necessary to the establishment or growth of a rural enterprise, and complies with Policy RA4; or 3. involves the replacement of an existing dwelling (with a lawful residential use) that is comparable in size and scale with, and is located in the lawful domestic curtilage, of the existing dwelling; or 4. would result in the sustainable re-use of a redundant or disused building(s) where it complies with Policy RA5 and leads to an enhancement of its immediate setting; or 5. is rural exception housing in accordance with Policy H2; or 6. is of exceptional quality and innovative design satisfying the design criteria set out in Paragraph 55 of the National Planning Policy Framework and achieves sustainable standards of design and construction; or 7. is a site providing for the needs of gypsies or other travellers in accordance with Policy H4.

Agricultural, forestry and rural enterprise dwellings

Proposals for dwellings associated with agriculture, forestry and rural enterprises will be permitted where it can be demonstrated that there is a sustained essential functional need for the dwelling and it forms an essential part of a financially sustainable business, and that such need cannot be met in existing accommodation. Such dwellings should: 1. demonstrate that the accommodation could not be provided in an existing building(s); 2. be sited so as to meet the identified functional need within the unit or in relation to other dwellings; and 3. be of a high quality, sustainable design which is appropriate to the context and makes a positive contribution to the surrounding environment and rural landscape. Where evidence of the economic sustainability of the rural enterprise is not proven or where an enterprise is not yet established, planning permission for temporary accommodation may be granted for a maximum period of three years to enable the sustainability of the enterprise to be assessed. Successive extensions will not normally be granted. Temporary accommodation should be carefully sited within the unit or in relation to other dwellings. Dwellings permitted in accordance with this policy will be subject to occupancy controls secured through a Section 106 Agreement. In some situations it will be appropriate to use legal agreements to tie other dwellings to the unit and/or restrict the occupancy of other dwellings within the farm/business unit. Applications for the removal of occupancy conditions (or section 106 Agreements) will only be permitted where it can be demonstrated the dwelling is surplus to the current and sustained original business needs, as well as other rural enterprises in the locality and there has been a genuine and unsuccessful attempt to market the property at a realistic price (for rent or sale) which has been independently verified.

Development in Ross-on-Wye

Ross-on-Wye will accommodate a minimum of 900 new homes, balanced with approximately 10 hectares of allocated employment land during the plan period, in accordance with the spatial strategy. A strategic housing location will focus a minimum of 200 new homes to the south east of the town. The remaining requirement for homes will be delivered on sites allocated through a Neighbourhood Development Plan. Within Ross-on-Wye, new development proposals will be encouraged where they: • allow for suitable employment sites, including live-work opportunities within or adjoining the town; • maintain and enhance the vitality and viability of the town centre. Proposals for new retail, leisure or office development of over 400m2 gross floor space and located outside the town centre will need to be supported by an impact assessment to determine whether there could be any adverse impacts on the town centre; • improve accessibility within Ross-on-Wye by walking, cycling and public transport, particularly where they enhance connectivity with local facilities, the town centre and existing employment areas; • contribute towards new or improved community facilities and/or allow for infrastructure improvements in the town to promote sustainable development; • reflect and enhance the characteristic natural and built historic elements of Ross-on-Wye, such as its red sandstone and timber framed Tudor buildings and boundary walls, the medieval plan form, conservation area and natural setting overlooking the River Wye; • enhance green infrastructure and biodiversity, particularly the Wye

Land at Hildersley

The strategic residential development on land to the south east of Ross-on-Wye at Hildersley will be required to include the following to deliver a comprehensively planned sustainable urban extension of the town: • a minimum of 200 new homes at an average density of up to 35 dwellings per hectare, comprising a mix of market and affordable house sizes and types that meet the requirements of Policy H3 and the needs identified in the latest version of the Herefordshire Local Housing Market Assessment; • a target of 40% of the total number of dwellings shall be affordable housing; • the provision of and contributions towards any identified need for new/improved community facilities/ infrastructure improvements. This shall include contributions towards the provision of: additional pre-school places; additional classrooms at John Kyrle High School for secondary, post 16 and youth/community infrastructure and further special educational needs provision; • the provision of a sport/recreation space either on or off site as an alternative to the existing on site John Kyrle High School playing field; • the creation of new green infrastructure within the development area to benefit residents, local bat populations and other flora and fauna; • new pedestrian and cycle links from the area towards the town and nearby employment sites, to ease road congestion and limit CO2 emissions; • appropriate mitigation measures to be implemented, which ensure that acoustic and safety issues relating to the proximity of the adjacent firing range are satisfactorily addressed; • adverse impacts on the Water Source Protection Zone should be avoided or mitigated, including through the incorporation of sustainable urban drainage solutions such as rain gardens and swales; and the production by the developer of a Surface Water Management Plan; • avoid and mitigate adverse impacts from noise and air pollution and vibration (during both construction and occupation of new homes) on the River Wye SAC, Wye Valley Woodlands SAC and the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Bat Sites SAC; and • development of bespoke, high quality and inclusive design, including accommodation that will meet the needs of older persons and that contributes to the distinctiveness of this part of Ross-on-Wye and enhances the setting of the adjacent Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Delivering new homes

A supply of deliverable and developable land will be identified to secure the delivery of a minimum of 16,500 homes in Herefordshire between 2011 and 2031 to meet market and affordable housing need. Hereford is the focus for new housing development to support its role as the main centre in the county. Outside Hereford, the main focus for new housing development will take place in the market towns of Bromyard, Kington, Ledbury, Leominster and Ross on Wye, on existing or new allocations to enhance their roles as multi-functional centres for their surrounding rural areas. In the rural areas new housing development will be acceptable where it helps to meet housing needs and requirements, supports the rural economy and local services and facilities and is responsive to the needs of its community. In the wider rural areas new housing will be carefully controlled reflecting the need to recognise the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside. The use of previously developed land in sustainable locations will be encouraged. Residential density will be determined by local character and good quality design. The target net density across the county is between 30 and 50 dwellings per hectare, although this may be less in sensitive areas. The broad distribution of new dwellings in the county will be a minimum of: Hereford - Wide range of services and main focus for development - 6,500 Other urban areas – Bromyard, Kington, Ledbury, Leominster, Ross on Wye - Range of services and reasonable transport provision – opportunities to strengthen role in meeting requirements of surrounding communities - 4,700 Rural settlements – see list in Place Shaping section - More limited range of services and some limited development potential but numerous locations - 5,300 Total - 16,500

Ensuring sufficient housing land delivery

A sufficient supply of housing land will be maintained to ensure the delivery of the Core Strategy housing target as set out in Policy SS2 over the plan period. The rate of housing delivery and supply will be assessed though the annual monitoring process. If monitoring demonstrates that the number of new dwelling completions is below the cumulative target figure over a 12-month monitoring period (1 April to 31 March) as set out in the housing trajectory in Appendix 4 the Council will prioritise increasing housing supply in the following monitoring periods using appropriate mechanisms which, depending on the scale and nature of potential under-delivery, will include: • A partial review of the Local Plan – Core Strategy; or • The preparation of new Development Plan Documents; or • The preparation of an interim position statement and utilising evidence from the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment to identify additional housing land. A range of strategic housing proposals are identified which are key to the delivery of the spatial strategy. In addition there are elements of key infrastructure which will need to be provided to enable full delivery of the strategic housing targets. The council will work with developers and other stakeholders to ensure the timely development of these strategic proposals and the key infrastructure requirements. Appendix 5 sets out the relationships between the delivery of housing and the timing of the main infrastructure requirements. It also identifies actions necessary to safeguard the integrity of the River Wye Special Area of Conservation (SAC) from adverse effects. The council will actively monitor the relationships identified in this appendix. Any material delays in the implementation of identified infrastructure or environmental safeguards and which will lead to under-delivery of housing supply will inform the implementation of the range of measures set out above to ensure plan-led corrective measures are put in place.

Rural housing distribution

In Herefordshire's rural areas a minimum of 5,300 new dwellings will be provided between 2011 and 2031 to contribute to the county's housing needs. The development of rural housing will contribute towards the wider regeneration of the rural economy. New dwellings will be broadly distributed across the county's rural areas on the basis of seven Housing Markets Areas (HMA) as illustrated in Figure 4.13. This acknowledges that different areas of Herefordshire have different housing needs and requirements. The 5,300 dwellings will be delivered throughout the rural HMAs as set out in the table below. The indicative housing growth targets in each of the rural HMAs will be used as a basis for the production of Neighbourhood Development Plans in the county. Local evidence and environmental factors will determine the appropriate scale of development. Rural HMA Approximate number of dwellings 2011 - 2031 Indicative housing growth target (%) Bromyard 364 15 Golden Valley 304 12 Hereford 1870 18 Kington 317 12 Ledbury 565 14 Leominster 730 14 Ross-on-Wye 1150 14 Total 5300

Housing in settlements outside Hereford and the market towns

To maintain and strengthen locally sustainable communities across the rural parts of Herefordshire, sustainable housing growth will be supported in or adjacent to those settlements identified in Figures 4.14 and 4.15. This will enable development that has the ability to bolster existing service pro

Infrastructure Delivery

Provision for new and/or the enhancement of existing infrastructure, services and facilities to support development and sustainable communities, will be achieved through a co-ordinated approach. Where necessary, in addition to planning conditions for essential on-site design requirements and critical infrastructure, developer contributions towards strategic infrastructure through s106 agreements and/or a future Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), will be secured in accordance with national planning policies and other relevant legislation. A Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) will provide details of the type and scale of obligations that may apply.

Tourism

Herefordshire will be promoted as a destination for quality leisure visits and sustainable tourism by utilising, conserving and enhancing the county's unique environmental and heritage assets and by recognising the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside. In particular, the tourist industry will be supported by a number of measures including: 1. recognising the unique historic character of Hereford and the market towns as key visitor attractions and as locations to focus the provision of new larger scale tourist development; 2. the development of sustainable tourism opportunities, capitalising on assets such as the county's landscape, rivers, other waterways and attractive rural settlements, where there is no detrimental impact on the county's varied natural and heritage assets or on the overall character and quality of the environment. Particular regard will be had to conserving the landscape and scenic beauty in the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty; 3. retaining and enhancing existing, and encouraging new, accommodation and attractions throughout the county, which will help to diversify the tourist provision, extend the tourist season and increase the number of visitors staying overnight. In particular proposals for new hotels in Hereford will be encouraged. Applicants will be encouraged to provide a 'Hotel Needs Assessment' for any applications for new hotels; 4. ensuring that cycling, walking and heritage tourism is encouraged by facilitating the development of long distance walking and cycling routes, food and drink trails and heritage trails, including improvements to public rights of way, whilst having special regard for the visual amenity of such routes and trails, and for the setting of heritage assets in their vicinity; and 5. the safeguarding of the historic route of the Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal (shown on the Policies Map), together with its infrastructure, buildings, towpath and features. Where the original alignment cannot be re-established, a corridor allowing for deviations will be safeguarded. New developments within or immediately adjoining the safeguarded corridor will be required to incorporate land for canal restoration. Development not connected with the canal that would prevent or prejudice the restoration of a continuous route will not be permitted.

Presumption in favour of sustainable development

When considering development proposals Herefordshire Council will take a positive approach that reflects the presumption in favour of sustainable development contained within national policy. It will always work proactively to find solutions which mean that proposals can be approved wherever possible and to secure development that improves the social, economic and environmental conditions in Herefordshire. Planning applications that accord with the policies in this Core Strategy (and, where relevant with policies in other Development Plan Documents and Neighbourhood Development Plans) will be approved, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. 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 national policy taken as a whole; or b) specific elements of national policy indicate that development should be restricted.

Tourism

1. ensuring that new tourism related development proposals, including proposals for new accommodation, are appropriate in scale, type and location and contribute to sustainable economic growth and the vitality and viability of Hereford and market towns, with applicants being required to provide a 'Hotel Needs Assessment' for any applications for new hotels; 2. ensuring that cycling, walking and heritage tourism is encouraged by facilitating the development of long distance walking and cycling routes, food and drink trails and heritage trails, including improvements to public rights of way, whilst having special regard for the visual amenity of such routes and trails, and for the setting of heritage assets in their vicinity; and 3. the safeguarding of the historic route of the Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal (shown on the Policies Map), together with its infrastructure, buildings, towpath and features. Where the original alignment cannot be re-established, a corridor allowing for deviations will be safeguarded. New developments within or immediately adjoining the safeguarded corridor will be required to incorporate land for canal restoration. Development not connected with the canal that would prevent or prejudice the restoration of a continuous route will not be permitted.

Town centres

Town centres will be the focus for retail, commercial, leisure, cultural and tourism uses. Proposals for such uses which contribute to the vitality and viability of the town centres of Hereford and the market towns will be supported provided that they: 1. do not adversely affect the primary function of the town centres as shopping destinations; and 2. are of a scale and design appropriate to the size, role, character and heritage of the centre. Proposals for development outside the town centres will only be permitted if it can be demonstrated that the requirements of the sequential test, as set out in paragraph 24 of the NPPF, have been met and that the proposal would not have a significant adverse impact on the vitality and viability of the centres. An application will be refused if it fails the sequential test or an impact assessment. The sequential test requires the above mentioned uses to be located within town centres. Where it is proven there are no available and suitable town centre sites, preference will be given to edge of centre sites before any out of centre site is considered. Where a sequential test adequately demonstrates that the only suitable and available site is an edge of centre or an out of centre location, preference will be given to sites that are well connected to the town centre and are easily accessible by sustainable transport modes. An impact assessment for retail, leisure and commercial proposals outside of the town centres to assess their impact on investment in the area and on vitality and viability of the town centre may be required depending on the scale and location of the proposal, as specified in the policies in the Place Shaping section. The use of upper floors within town centres for residential and office uses will be supported. Within town centres, retail uses will be concentrated within the primary shopping areas (Policy E6).

Primary shopping areas and primary and secondary shopping frontages

The retail trading character of the primary shopping areas and primary and secondary shopping frontages will be protected and enhanced. Primary shopping frontages will continue to be dominated by retail shops (Class A1) whilst secondary frontages may include a greater mix of uses. Proposals for uses within Classes A2-A5 (non-retail) in ground floor premises in primary and secondary shopping frontages will be permitted where the proposed use will not result in: 1. a continuous frontage of more than two non-retail units; and the overall proportion of non-retail uses exceeding 25% in primary shopping frontages and 50% in secondary shopping frontages. Exceptions to the above thresholds may be considered where: • in primary and secondary frontages the proposal would lead to the appropriate use of vacant or underused premises where it can be demonstrated that the premises are unlikely to be used for retailing and that a business case can be demonstrated for requiring such a location; or • in secondary frontages, the proposal results from an expansion of an existing non-retail use or would fall within Class D1-D2; or • it is demonstrated in the Hereford Area Plan and/or Neighbourhood Development Plans that an alternative threshold would be appropriate. 2. detraction from the character of the shopping frontage concerned, for reasons of location, unit size or frontage width. The reinstatement of historic frontages will be encouraged.

Hereford city centre

The city centre will accommodate around 800 new homes, the majority to be located within a new urban village. Further residential development will take place through the implementation of existing commitments, re-development of existing brownfield sites, re-use of upper floors above commercial premises, infill development and site allocations through the Hereford Area Plan. A target of 35% of these new homes will be mixed tenure affordable with a density that is compatible with the sustainable urban location of the site. The urban village will be served by safe and attractive pedestrian and cycle links to other areas of the city, the new transport interchange, the Courtyard Arts Centre and nearby areas of green space. A new Link Road will also serve development parcels forming part of the urban village connecting Edgar Street to the west and Commercial Road to the east (with a spur linking Blackfriars Street to the south), as well as assisting in reducing traffic within the core of the city. Newmarket Street, Blueschool Street and Commercial Square will be re-designed to become safe and attractive routes for pedestrians and cyclists, with improved public transport facilities and enhanced connectivity between the historic city centre and regeneration area partly facilitated by the construction of the new link road. The urban village will be complemented by other uses and infrastructure forming part of the wider regeneration area creating a sustainable mixed use development which respects and where possible enhances the historic environment. These include the following: • land and contributions towards a canal basin forming the terminus of the Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal, which is being delivered by the Hereford & Gloucester Canal Trust; • each stage of development which adjoins Widemarsh Brook will maximise opportunities for enhanced biodiversity, to provide flood relief and sustainable surface water drainage solutions and optimised as a green infrastructure link; • Herefordshire Council in partnership with public transport operators will deliver an integrated transport interchange close to the railway station to maximise opportunities for sustainable travel; • opportunities for new commercial, tourism, education (including tertiary facilities), leisure, health, civic and police and fire uses will be available to meet any identified need; • Herefordshire Council will work with the tenant(s) of Edgar Street football stadium to explore opportunities for a sports led mixed-use redevelopment and • new public car parking facilities. In order to maintain and enhance the viability and vitality of the city centre, new retail uses will be focused to the core of the city centre as defined below. Any identified need for further major retail development over the plan period will be met within the Eign Gate and that part of the Edgar Street regeneration area which lies within the defined town centre, including the Old Market, along Blueschool Street and through the refurbishment and re-development of the Buttermarket. Within Hereford city centre, new developments including changes of use will be approved where they: • provide new commercial and office space in appropriate city centre locations including above existing retail and commercial premises; • maintain and enhance the vitality and viability of the city centre. Proposals for town centre uses outside the defined town centre will be subject to the sequential test and applications for development over 700m2 gross floor space will require an impact assessment to determine whether there could be any adverse impacts on the town centre; • improve overall accessibility by walking, cycling and public transport; • provide new, or enhanced sport, recreation and leisure facilities for local residents and visitors; • provide new and improve existing cultural and tourism attractions and facilities, which respect the city's historic character and local distinctiveness; • enable the provision of a canal basin with associated wharfage and visitor centre; • enable the protection, conservation and enhancement of Hereford's heritage assets, their significance and setting, including archaeology, with particular regard to the historic street patterns and the skyline.

Hereford movement

Herefordshire Council will: • improve Hereford's economy by increasing connectivity to the national and local transport networks by reducing congestion and improving journey time; • improve health, wellbeing and the environment by improving air quality and reducing noise through maximising opportunities for the use of sustainable transport modes, particularly for short distance journeys. Herefordshire Council will use a variety of funding mechanisms to deliver the following: • packages of transport improvements focussing on key routes into the city delivering a range of public realm improvements and improving access and connectivity for sustainable mode users; • behavioural change campaigns which will complement infrastructure delivery to encourage sustainable mode use and healthy lifestyles; • reduced reliance on car use by incorporating sustainable mode routes within new developments and connecting them with existing networks; • improvements to public transport infrastructure enabling improved access and integration between bus and to rail services; • convenient, safe and secure car parking facilities which attract shoppers and visitors and deter commuter parking in the city centre, through the development of Park and Choose sites; and • a Relief Road to the west of Hereford to reduce the volume of traffic from the city centre and enable the delivery of walking, cycling and bus improvements on the existing highway network. The road will be designed and developed in such a way which avoids and mitigates adverse impacts or physical damage to or loss of habitats, noise pollution and vibration, light pollution, air pollution, flood risk and water quality on the River Wye SAC, as well as residential amenity and business interests. Consideration of the impact of the road on heritage assets, their significance and setting, as well as the historic character of the wider landscape will also be required. Further assessments will be undertaken as part of the Hereford Area Plan and subsequent planning application(s). The pace of delivery of transport and movement infrastructure will be aligned with that of housing provision in accordance with policy SS3.

Traffic management, highway safety and promoting active travel

Development proposals should incorporate the following principle requirements covering movement and transportation: 1. demonstrate that the strategic and local highway network can absorb the traffic impacts of the development without adversely affecting the safe and efficient flow of traffic on the network or that traffic impacts can be managed to acceptable levels to reduce and mitigate any adverse impacts from the development; 2. promote and, where possible, incorporate integrated transport connections and supporting infrastructure (depending on the nature and location of the site), including access to services by means other than private motorised transport; 3. encourage active travel behaviour to reduce numbers of short distance car journeys through the use of travel plans and other promotional and awareness raising activities; 4. ensure that developments are designed and laid out to achieve safe entrance and exit, have appropriate operational and manoeuvring space, accommodate provision for all modes of transport, the needs of people with disabilities and provide safe access for the emergency services; 5. protect existing local and long distance footways, cycleways and bridleways unless an alternative route of at least equal utility value can be used, and facilitate improvements to existing or provide new connections to these routes, especially where such schemes have been identified in the Local Transport Plan and/or Infrastructure Delivery Plan; and 6. have regard to with both the council's Highways Development Design Guide and cycle and vehicle parking standards as prescribed in the Local Transport Plan - having regard to the location of the site and need to promote sustainable travel choices. Where traffic management measures are introduced they should be designed in a way which respects the character of the surrounding area including its landscape character. Where appropriate, the principle of shared spaces will be encouraged.

Movement and transportation

New developments should be designed and located to minimise the impacts on the transport network; ensuring that journey times and the efficient and safe operation of the network are not detrimentally impacted. Furthermore, where practicable, development proposals should be accessible by and facilitate a genuine choice of modes of travel including walking, cycling and public transport. Development proposals that will generate high journey numbers should be in sustainable locations, accessible by means other than private car. Alternatively, such developments will be required to demonstrate that they can be made sustainable by reducing unsustainable transport patterns and promoting travel by walking, cycling and public transport. Proposals to provide new and improved existing public transport, walking and cycling infrastructure will be supported. Where appropriate, land and routes will be safeguarded as required in future local or Neighbourhood Development Plans and developer contributions, which meet the statutory tests, sought to assist with the delivery of new sustainable transport infrastructure, including that required for alternative energy cars. Herefordshire Council will work with the Highways Agency, Network Rail, bus and train operators, developers and local communities to bring forward improvements to the local and strategic transport network to reduce congestion, improve air quality and road safety and offer greater transport choices, including the provision of the following major schemes: • ESG Link Road (safeguarded route) and Transport Hub; • Hereford Relief Road; • Leominster Relief Road; • Connect 2 Cycleway in Hereford; • Park and Choose schemes; and • other schemes identified in the Local Transport Plan and Infrastructure Delivery Plan. Proposals which enable the transfer of freight from road to rail will be encouraged. Development proposals incorporating commercial vehicular movements that could detrimentally impact on the environmental quality, amenity, safety and character of the surrounding locality will be expected to incorporate evidence demonstrating how the traffic impacts are to be mitigated.