Planning in Warrington

Community Facilities

General Principles 1. The Council and its partners will seek to promote health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities within the Borough by supporting the development of new, or the co-location and co-ordination of existing education, health, social, cultural and community facilities. Where possible such facilities should be located in defined centres or neighbourhood hubs. (See Policy DEV5 Retail and Leisure Needs). 2. The Council will: a. Safeguard existing social and community infrastructure, subject to a continued need or likely future need or demand for the facility in question; and require alternative comparable or improved provision where a development scheme would result in the loss of important social and community infrastructure; b. Require the provision of new social and community infrastructure where a development would increase demand for it beyond its current capacity or generate a newly arising need; c. In circumstances where new social or community infrastructure is required, ensure that this is provided close to the need arising, or where it is a larger facility which serves a wider population, in locations with good accessibility by walking, cycling and public transport; d. Require high quality and inclusive design of social or community infrastructure; e. Promote the co-location and multi-functionality of social or community infrastructure; and f. Continue to support the sustainability of local communities and their local economies by protecting existing facilities, particularly in defined centres and in the outlying inset and Green Belt settlements. New Hospital for Warrington 3. The Council recognises the need for and supports the NHS Hospital Trust in the development of a new hospital for Warrington, either through redevelopment of the existing hospital site or on a new site. 4. If a new site is the NHS Hospital Trust's preferred option, this could be accommodated within the policy framework of this Local Plan or alternatively through a site allocation made in a future review of the Local Plan. The new site must be in a location that provides ease of access for residents from across the Borough and be well served by public transport.

Neighbourhood Plans

The Council will encourage the preparation of Neighbourhood Plans to set local policies and provide greater detail in relation to development priorities specific to particular areas and local communities.

Open Space, Sport and Recreation Provision

Open Space Strategy 1. The Council will work with partners to ensure that a comprehensive range of sport and recreation facilities will be provided across Warrington to meet the needs of the existing and proposed population, including: a. Equipped play areas b. Informal play areas c. Parks & Gardens d. Natural/Semi-natural greenspaces e. Allotments f. Sports pitches and facilities 2. The Council will encourage partnership working to ensure that sufficient quantity and quality of, and convenient access to open space, sport and recreation provision is secured through the following measures: a. Protecting existing provision and ensuring that any new open space created will be afforded protection in accordance with Policy DC3 and criteria (7) below; b. Addressing existing deficiencies in provision through qualitative enhancement of existing provision, improving access to existing facilities or securing new provision; and c. Ensuring that proposals for new development contribute to open space, sport and recreation provision commensurate to the need generated by the proposals. 3. In determining the nature of new or improved provision the Council will be guided by the evidence base (Open Space Audit; Sports Facilities Strategic Needs Assessment; Playing Pitch Strategy and associated Action Plans) and consult with providers and stakeholders, together with potential users of the green space wherever possible, to ensure that provision meets local needs. Open Space and Equipped Play Provision 4. All residential development proposals of 40 dwellings or more will be required to contribute to the provision of open space and equipped play provision, together with secure arrangements for its management and maintenance, where existing facilities have insufficient capacity to serve the increase in population arising from the development. The amount, type and form of open space and equipped play provision will be determined having regard to the open space standards and the quantity, quality and accessibility of existing provision as specified in the most up-to-date versions of the Council's Open Space Audit and Planning Obligations SPD. 5. Any development within the Town Centre (as defined in the Town Centre SPD) where it can be demonstrated that it is not possible to provide any or adequate on-site provision will be expected to make a financial contribution towards off-site provision/enhancements to open space elsewhere in the Town Centre in accordance with the requirements of the Council's Town Centre and Planning Obligations SPD's. Outdoor Sports - Playing Pitches 6. All residential development proposals of 40 units or more will be required to contribute to the provision of outdoor playing pitches (including AGPs), together with secure arrangements for its management and maintenance. The amount, type and form of pitch provision will be determined having regard to the nature and size of development proposed and the community needs likely to be generated by it, having regard to the most up-to-date Playing Pitch Strategy – Action Plan. 7. Where on site provision is not possible or appropriate, a financial contribution towards suitable new provision or enhancement of existing facilities off site will be sought and secured through a legal agreement. Indoor Sport and Recreation Facilities 8. All residential development proposals of 40 dwelling units or more will be required to make provision for indoor sport and recreation facilities, where existing facilities have insufficient capacity to serve the increase in population arising from the development. The amount, type and form of facility provision will be determined having regard to the nature and size of development proposed and the community needs likely to be generated by it. In most instances the scale of development will not be sufficient to require on-site provision and financial contributions will be sought towards new provision or enhancement of existing facilities off site taking into account the requirements of the most up-to-date Sports Facilities Strategic Needs Assessment and associated Action Plan. 9. Where major development sites of a strategic nature would result in an increase in demand which could not be accommodated within an existing facility(s) and is of such a level that it would require the delivery of a completely new facility, the Council will seek to secure the delivery of the new facility as part of the overall development proposal. Protection of Open Space, Sport and Recreation Facilities 10. The Council will not permit development likely to result in an unacceptable loss of existing open space, sport or recreation facilities for non-recreation purposes unless it can be demonstrated that it meets one of exceptions listed in paragraph 99 of the NPPF. 11. This policy applies to all existing sites and facilities that have an open space/recreation use or value, irrespective of whether they are owned or managed by the public, private or voluntary sectors.

Community Facilities

General Principles 1. The Council and its partners will seek to promote health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities within the Borough by supporting the development of new, or the co-location and co-ordination of existing education, health, social, cultural and community facilities. Where possible such facilities should be located in defined centres or neighbourhood hubs.

Warrington's Places

Inner Warrington 1. The Inner Warrington Area is defined by the six unparished wards of Orford, Fairfield and Howley, Poplars & Hulme, Latchford East, Latchford West and Bewsey & Whitecross. 2. Development in this area will be required to: a. Improve the overall environment of area through public realm improvements; b. Improve access to services and infrastructure; c. Promote sustainable transport measures; d. Promote access to green infrastructure; e. Improve the housing offer to provide a range of tenures and types of dwellings in this area; f. Provide sufficient amounts and types of affordable housing in accordance with Policy DEV2 to meet specific local needs; g. Provide new employment opportunities and training to local people; h. Include high quality design and materials; i. Not be detrimental to air quality and wider public health. 3. The Central Six Regeneration Masterplan sets out ambitions for a wide range of projects - from parks to housing and air quality to employment - for the Inner Warrington Wards, which together support residents' ambitions for the improvement of their localities. Development proposals should address the priorities set out in the Masterplan. The Town Centre 4. Additional guidance on the design of new properties, the conversion of existing properties and amenity provision and standards are provided in the Town Centre Supplementary Planning Document which covers the Town Centre area. Development proposals in this area will be expected to meet the requirements of this document. Suburban Warrington 5. The many distinct parts of suburban Warrington will be the focus for infill and small scale development on brownfield and greenfield sites within the existing urban boundary. 6. Development in such areas will need to be in-keeping with the existing character of the area and be sustainable. Warrington's Circular Parklands 7. The Council is committed to preserving and enhancing the Borough's Circular Parklands which surround the Inner Warrington area and are a key attribute to the town and the Town Centre. The Council and its partners will continue to promote opportunities to join up this circular network more effectively and to make better use of it for amenity, cultural and leisure uses, as well as for sustainable transport. Countryside and Settlements 8. Appropriate and sustainable development will be directed to the settlements on varying scales reflecting existing services and infrastructure. 9. Areas of countryside surrounding the inset settlements, including Green Belt settlements, will continue to be protected from inappropriate development in accordance with their Green Belt designation (See policy GB1). Warrington's Visitor Attractions Town Centre 10. The Council and its partners will continue to promote the Town Centre as a leisure and cultural destination and will ensure a range of uses are provided which cater for retail needs, the leisure (including night-time) economy, Town Centre living, visitor accommodation, commerce and enterprise, higher and further education and sporting events/facilities.(See policy TC1). Victoria Park 11. The Council and its partners will look to preserve and enhance the unique characteristics of Victoria Park. Appropriate development ancillary to the role of the park will be supported where it: a. Does not result in an unsubstantiated loss of green space or adversely affect the quality and extent of sports, play and park facilities that create vibrancy and activity throughout the day; b. Makes the park more sustainable, viable and attractive; c. Supports and does not impact upon the works undertaken by the Environment Agency's Flood Risk Management Strategy; d. Preserves the flood management role of the park as part of the identified functional flood plain; e. Opens up access to and enjoyment of the River Mersey and riverside links through to the Town Centre, the Waterfront and Black Bear Park; f. Improves the functionality and quality of Green Infrastructure; and g. Preserves and enhances the historic interest of the park, and historic assets within, including their setting, in accordance with national and local policies relating to heritage assets. 12. Development in areas immediately surrounding the park should have regard to securing appropriate access and should deliver improvements to the park's environment and facilities where possible. 13. Victoria Park forms part of the functional flood plain in the Council's Strategic Flood Risk Assessment, as such any new or enhanced facilities within the park should be constructed using flood resilient materials and design. Walton Hall Estate 14. Development proposals at Walton Hall Estate will be supported where they: a. Preserve or enhance public access to the estate; b. Preserve or enhance the primary function of the estate as a sport, recreation, leisure and hospitality destination; c. Do not conflict with the tranquil setting of the gardens; d. Conserve and enhance the historic environment; e. Re-use existing facilities and buildings where possible and appropriate; and f. Improve the quality and range of amenities to diversify interest for visitors. 15. All proposals should also have regard to national and local policies relating to the Green Belt (See Policy GB1) and the historic environment (See Policy DC2). 16. Proposals for uses other than recreation, leisure and hospitality will only be supported where these are ancillary in nature and appropriate in scale and where proven critical to supporting the estate to become financially self-sustaining. Gulliver's World 17. The Council will continue to support the operation of Gulliver's World as a successful regional attraction. 18. The maintenance and improvement of existing facilities will be supported where this will not have a detrimental impact on surrounding residential areas and the local road network. Neighbourhood Plans 19. The Council will encourage the preparation of Neighbourhood Plans to set local policies and provide greater detail in relation to development priorities specific to particular areas and local communities.

Walkable Neighbourhoods

The layout of the Waterfront should maximise the potential for walkable neighbourhoods, with a legible hierarchy of routes, providing new footpaths and cycleways that link to existing networks beyond the site. In particular, connections should be made to the Trans-Pennine Trail (national cycle route) to provide links to adjoining Boroughs to support cross boundary commuting by bike.

Quality of Place

Good design should be at the core of all development proposals having regard to the following principles: 1. Design and Layout a. Respect, sustain and make a positive contribution to local character and distinctiveness within the surrounding area, and where appropriate the landscape setting, having regard to density, street layouts, scale, height and massing; b. Contribute positively to the public realm and avoid unnecessary street clutter; c. Provide for new open space and landscaping, including the provision of street trees, which enhances and/or provides mitigation against loss of biodiversity and assists with the physical and visual integration of new development in accordance with Policies DC3 to DC5; d. Maximise the benefits of any waterfront locations, optimising views and natural surveillance of the waterfront and opportunities for public access to it (subject to complying with Policy ENV2 Flood Risk and Water Management); e. Encourage innovative design solutions that are appropriate to the local context; f. Ensure there is no unacceptable adverse impact on the amenity of neighbouring occupants or adjacent land users, including by reason of overlooking; g. Not result in unacceptable conditions for future users and occupiers of the development in accordance with Policy ENV8; h. Provide adequate and carefully designed secure storage for bins and recycling containers. i. Encourage the principles of crime prevention through environmental design; j. Make provision for the efficient delivery of goods and access for service and emergency vehicles; and k. Maximise the use of permeable surfaces and encourage water efficiency measures including water saving and recycling measures to minimise water usage. 2. Materials a. Use a palette of high quality materials which are appropriate to the local context in all respects including: type, colour, texture, element size and laying pattern and avoid unnecessary and excessive patterning; b. Where contemporary materials are appropriate, use these in manner which respects the established character of the locality; and c. Wherever practical, use low embodied energy materials, including materials that are sourced locally or involve the appropriate reuse of existing resources through the conversion of existing buildings or reuse of demolished structures. 3. Movement and Accessibility a. Incorporate and promote sustainable, safe methods of transport, including cycle routes, walking routes and good links to public transport; b. Design places which are not dominated by vehicular access or parking; c. Be inclusive and accessible to all and promote permeability by creating places that connect with each other and with existing services and are easy to move through; and d. Design places that meet the principles of 'Active Travel' and promote a healthy active lifestyle. 4. Energy Efficiency a. Encourage the introduction of environmental design principles and climate change adaptation features in the orientation of buildings and spaces and other detailed design; b. Reduce energy and water use through appropriate design; and c. Include the provision of renewable/low carbon technology in accordance with Policy ENV7. 5. Security a. Minimise the incidence and fear of crime through the design of site layouts and buildings, the promotion of well-defined routes, overlooked streets and communal spaces, high levels of activity, well-designed security features, hard and soft landscaping design, boundary treatments and appropriate use of materials; b. Ensure that new open space is accessible, safe, benefits from natural surveillance and is strategically located within the site; c. Incorporate Secured by Design principles through the careful consideration of, access and movement, safe routes, structure, lighting, private space, surveillance, ownership, physical protection, activity and management and maintenance, whilst ensuring that these are adequately balanced against other design principles and do not undermine the quality of development; and d. Promote civil resilience and mitigate the risk of potential terrorist attacks through recognised urban and landscape design solutions. 6. The Council expects masterplans and design codes to be used for larger sites and areas, in particular for proposed urban extensions, to ensure that a holistic approach is taken to the design and layout of new or existing areas. Such masterplans and/or design codes may be formally adopted as supplementary planning documents. 7. The Council will support, wherever possible, adaptations to existing buildings, subject to balancing this with any other important policy imperatives. New buildings should be designed from the outset with all users in mind. 8. The Council has adopted special design and planning guidance for the Town Centre which is contained in the Warrington Town Centre Supplementary Planning Document. This sets out the expectations of the Council for development proposals coming forward in this area and all planning proposals in the Town Centre should adhere to this guidance.

Economic Growth and Development

Employment Land Requirement 1. Over the 18 year Plan period from 2021/22 to 2038/39 provision will be made to meet the need for 168 hectares of employment land to support both local and wider strategic employment needs. Employment Land Distribution 2. The Town Centre will provide the main location for new Class E Office development. 3. The following Employment Areas will continue to be the primary locations for industrial, warehousing, offices, distribution development and other B Class Uses: a. Omega b. Woolston Grange c. Appleton & Stretton Trading Estate d. Winwick Quay e. Birchwood Park f. Centre Park g. Lingley Mere h. Gemini Westbrook 4. The following site will be allocated as a new Employment Area in order to provide sufficient land to meet Warrington's employment land requirements: Fiddlers Ferry Power Station – 101.0 hectares 5. Small scale office uses will be supported within District and Neighbourhood Centres and in the Lymm Neighbourhood Planning Area to meet identified local needs. Proposals within Defined Employment Areas 6. All allocated Employment Areas as defined on the Policies Map will be protected for employment use in order to maintain an adequate supply of employment land. 7. The Council will support development, redevelopment and changes of use proposals within existing Employment Areas, provided that the proposed use falls within Use Classes, E (offices, research and development and light industrial) B2, or B8, or is a sui-generis employment use. 8. Proposals for E class (office) development outside of existing employment office areas as set out in Part 3 of Policy DEV4 will need to be justified by reference to sequential testing and market appraisal to determine that the development could not be appropriately located on a more accessible central site within or close to the Town Centre in accordance with the Overall Spatial Strategy. 9. Development within existing employment areas for purposes other than those listed above will only be permitted where it can be demonstrated that: a. the development relates to ancillary services which will support the employment area by making it more sustainable, viable and/or attractive or; b. the site is no longer suitable or viable for employment uses; c. the proposal will not undermine the viability of existing employment uses in close proximity to the site and; d. the alternative use is in accordance with or does not undermine the Plan's overall Spatial Strategy. 10. Where it has been demonstrated that an alternative use is acceptable, all opportunities must be explored to incorporate an element of employment floor space as part of the new development. 11. Subject to assessment of local transport impacts, major warehousing and distribution developments will be primarily directed towards preferred locations at: a. Appleton & Stretton Trading Estates b. Omega c. Woolston Grange d. Fiddlers Ferry Power Station 12. Where major warehousing and distribution developments are proposed outside of these areas, proposals should seek to locate development: a. away from areas sensitive to heavy vehicle movements; b. with direct access to the Primary Route Network; and c. with access to rail or waterways where possible. Supporting the Local Economy 13. The Council will seek to assist the continued viability and growth of the local economy by ensuring development proposals do not lead to the loss of viable, accessible sites and buildings used for industrial/commercial purposes or other employment generating uses in local communities including the countryside and its settlements. 14. The sustainable growth, expansion and diversification of local and rural businesses will be supported, subject to meeting other relevant Local Plan and national policies. 15. When the genuine needs of local rural businesses cannot be accommodated within settlement boundaries, and development would be located within the Green Belt, proposals will need to demonstrate that 'Very Special Circumstances' exist to warrant the granting of planning permission. 16. The Council will require all major development proposals to maximise access to employment and training opportunities for local residents. Supporting Colleges and Higher Education 17. The Council and its partners will support the operational needs of and the expansion of the Borough's Colleges and Higher Education establishments.

Energy Minerals

1. Proposals for energy minerals developments will be supported subject to the following criteria: Exploration and appraisal of hydrocarbons 2. Planning permission will be granted for proposals for exploration and appraisal of oil and gas resources, within areas benefiting from a Petroleum Development Licence (PEDL), provided that: a. the site and equipment is sited at a location where it can be demonstrated that it will accord with all other policies of the Local Plan in relation to the protection of the environment, public amenity and sustainable transport; and b. the timely restoration and subsequent aftercare of the site is secured, whether or not oil or gas is found. Commercial exploitation of hydrocarbons 3. Planning permission will be granted for proposals for commercial exploitation of oil and gas, provided that: a. a full appraisal programme for the oil or gas field has been completed; and b. the proposed location is the most suitable, taking into account environmental, geological and technical factors; and c. the cumulative landscape and visual impacts of the development of the oil or gas field and essential associated infrastructure have been assessed; and d. proposals accord with all other policies of the Local Plan in relation to the protection of the environment, public amenity and sustainable transport. 4. Combined planning applications for more than one phase will only be considered if all relevant information, including environmental information, to support the full extent of the application is provided. Coal 5. Planning applications for coal extraction will only be granted where; a. the proposal is environmentally acceptable; or b. can be made so by planning conditions or obligations; or, if not c. provides national, local or community benefits which clearly outweigh the likely impacts to justify the grant of planning permission. 6. For underground coal mining, potential impacts to be considered and mitigated for will include subsidence and the disposal of colliery spoil. Provision of sustainable transport will be encouraged, as will Coal Mine Methane capture and utilisation. Peat 7. The Borough's peat resources will be protected. In line with national policy planning permission for new or extended sites for peat extraction will not be approved and peat deposits will be protected from harmful development.

Climate Change Mitigation and Energy

The Waterfront should be designed to mitigate the impacts of climate change; be as energy efficient and water efficient as possible and seek to meet a proportion of its energy needs from renewable or low carbon sources in accordance with Policy ENV7.

Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Development

Renewable/Low Carbon Energy Infrastructure 1. Proposals for development that would produce, store and/or distribute low carbon or renewable energy, including the retrofitting of infrastructure to existing development/buildings, will be permitted provided that they satisfy the requirements of other relevant Plan policies and would not result in unacceptable harm to the local environment. The Council will have regard to any environmental, social and/or economic benefits that the proposals would provide, and their number, scale, siting, design and any cumulative impact in conjunction with other proposals. 2. In assessing low carbon and renewable energy proposals, the Council will give positive weight to initiatives which are community-led or where there are direct benefits to the local community through their involvement. Renewable/Low Carbon Energy in New Development 3. Proposals for new development for housing, employment or other uses will be required to minimise carbon emissions. 4. Major development in all locations outside of the strategic allocations will be required to meet at least 10% of their energy needs from renewable and/or other low carbon energy source(s). 5. In the strategic housing and employment allocations as defined in Polices MD1 to MD4 and OS1 to OS6 and identified on the Key Diagram/Polices Map, development should seek to reduce carbon emissions and maximise opportunities for the use of decentralised energy systems that would use or generate renewable or other forms of low carbon energy. In these locations all development will be required to establish, or connect to an existing, decentralised energy network unless this is shown not to be feasible or viable, in which case development will be required to; a. make provision to enable future connectively in terms of site layout, heating design and site-wide infrastructure design; and b. ensure that at least 10% of their energy needs can be met from renewable and/or other low carbon energy source(s). 6. Large scale schemes that would generate a significant source or demand for heat should be supported by evidence considering the feasibility of serving the development by means of a district heating system.

Flood Risk and Water Management

General Principles 1. Development should be focused towards areas at the lowest risk of flooding from all sources. 2. Sustainable water management measures must be integrated into developments to reduce flood risk across the Borough and to avoid adverse impacts on water quality and quantity. 3. New development should not result in increased flood risk from any source, or cause other drainage problems, either on the development site or elsewhere. 4. No development should take place within 8m of the top of the bank of a watercourse either culverted or open, or within 8 metres of a raised flood defence, such as a flood wall or a flood embankment, unless this approach is supported by the Environment Agency and Warrington Borough Council as the Lead Local Flood Authority. Development proposals 5. The Council will only support development proposals where the risk of flooding has been fully assessed, understood and justified, with the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures where necessary. 6. A site specific Flood Risk Assessment is required for: a. development proposals of 1 hectare or greater in Flood Zone 1; b. any development proposals within Flood Zone 1, which has critical drainage problems (as notified to the Local Planning Authority by the Environment Agency); c. all proposals for new development (including minor development and change of use) in Flood Zones 2 & 3; and d. development proposals or a change of use to a more vulnerable class that might be susceptible to other sources of flooding. 7. The Flood Risk Assessment should also address, if required, the Sequential and Exceptions tests as set out in National Planning Policy, and should take into account all sources of flooding identified in the Warrington Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA). 8. The Council will require development proposals to: a. provide safe and clear access and egress routes in the event of a flood; b. manage surface water runoff to ensure that flood risk is not increased; c. use Sustainable Drainage Systems that reflect the principles set out in the adopted Warrington Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) Design and Technical Guidance, unless it can be demonstrated that such techniques are impractical or would present an unacceptable pollution risk; d. provide compensatory storage where development is proposed in undefended areas of the floodplain; e. ensure that the layout and design of a site is considered to provide the opportunity to provide flood resilience measures and reduce flood risk within the development; f. apply a sequential approach at a site level to minimise risk by directing the most vulnerable development to areas of lowest risk; g. avoid the use of culverting and building over watercourses and where practical to re-open existing culverts; h. ensure that appropriate mitigation is included within the design of the development to make it safe for the future users of the site without adversely affecting others; i. ensure that developers have considered the impacts of climate change to ensure that the future users of the development are not put at additional danger of flooding, which may be exacerbated by climate change over the lifetime of the development. Climate Change allowances should be in accordance with the latest Government guidance; j. Consider the connectivity and condition of watercourses within the development and make improvements where required; k. Make an assessment of downstream watercourse to ensure their suitability and effectiveness; and l. have regard to the Sankey Catchment Action Plan when assessing flood risk and any appropriate mitigation measures. 9. In addition, in areas identified by the Council as being at intermediate and high risk of surface water flooding, development proposals that are greater than 0.5 hectares should be supported by a Flood Risk Assessment which considers information in Warrington's Strategic Flood Risk Assessment and Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment to demonstrate that the development: a. is not at risk from existing drainage systems or overland flows; b. will make a positive contribution to managing or mitigating flood risk; and c. will not adversely affect existing flooding conditions. 10. The Council will expect surface water to be discharged in the following order of priority: a. An adequate soakaway or some other form of infiltration system. b. An attenuated discharge to surface water body. c. An attenuated discharge to public surface water sewer, highway drain or another drainage system. d. An attenuated discharge to public combined sewer. 11. Applicants wishing to discharge to public sewer will need to submit clear evidence demonstrating why alternative options are not available. The expectation will be for only foul flows to communicate with the public sewer. 12. Applicants will be expected to conform to the following discharge requirements unless site-specific policies indicate otherwise: a. On greenfield sites, applicants will be expected to demonstrate that the current natural discharge solution from a site is at least mimicked. b. On previously developed land, applicants will also be expected to follow the surface water hierarchy. c. Thereafter, any proposal based on a proposed reduction in surface water discharge from a previously developed site should target a reduction to greenfield run-off rate. A reduction of at least 30% will be sought on previously developed land, rising to a minimum of at least 50% in Critical Drainage Areas (as defined in Warrington's Strategic Flood Risk Assessment) or in areas susceptible to intermediate or high risk surface water flooding. In demonstrating a reduction, applicants should include clear evidence of existing positive operational connections from the site with associated calculations on rates of discharge. 13. Development proposals will be expected to incorporate sustainable drainage systems in accordance with the requirements of national planning policy. The preference will be for new development to incorporate infiltration based systems and thereafter surface level sustainable drainage systems with multi-functional benefits as opposed to underground tanked storage systems for the management of surface water. Applicants will need to submit clear evidence where surface level sustainable drainage features are not proposed. 14. Any development proposal which is part of a wider development / allocation should demonstrate how the site delivers foul and surface water drainage as part of a wider strategy having regard to interconnecting phases of development. It will be necessary to ensure the drainage proposals are part of a wider, holistic strategy which coordinates the approach to drainage between phases, between developers, and over a number of years of construction. Applicants will be expected to include details of how the approach to foul and surface water drainage on a phase of development has regard to interconnecting phases within a larger site. Infrastructure should be sized to accommodate flows from interconnecting phases and drainage strategies should ensure a proliferation of pumping stations is avoided on a phased development. This will ensure a comprehensive approach to drainage and that any early phases of development provide the drainage infrastructure to meet the needs of any later interconnecting phases of development. In delivering drainage as part of a wider strategy, applicants will also be expected to ensure unfettered rights of discharge between the various parcels of development within a wider development to prevent the formation of 'ransom situations' between separate phases of development. 15. Approved development proposals will be expected to be supplemented by appropriate maintenance and management regimes for surface water drainage schemes. 16. Applicants will need to consider and maximise the contribution landscaping proposals can make to reducing surface water discharge. This should include hard and soft landscaping such as permeable surfaces to reduce the volume and rate of surface water discharge.

Primary Extraction of Minerals

Aggregate Extraction within Mineral Safeguarding Areas 1. Applications for the extraction and/or processing of sand, gravel or sandstone/gritstone within the MSAs identified on the Policies Map will be permitted where: a. The mineral is required to meet the required landbank of: i) at least 7 years for sand and gravel; or ii) at least 10 years for crushed rock; and b. the site contains adequate resources of the mineral, in terms of quality and quantity for extraction to take place; and c. The proposal accords with all other policies of the Local Plan in relation to the protection of the environment, public amenity and sustainable transport or demonstrates that other material considerations outweigh any policy conflict. Aggregate Extraction outside Mineral Safeguarding Areas 2. Planning permission will be permitted for the extraction of aggregates outside Mineral Safeguarding Areas provided that: a. The developer can provide evidence to support the need for departure from the Mineral Safeguarding Areas identified: and b. the proposal meets the requirements of (a) to (c) above for extraction within Mineral Safeguarding Areas. Non-Aggregates 3. Proposals for the development of non-aggregate minerals will be permitted provided that: a. The proposal accords with all other policies of the Local Plan in relation to the protection of the environment, public amenity and sustainable transport or demonstrates that other material considerations outweigh any policy conflict; and b. there are adequate resources of the mineral on site in terms of quality and quantity for extraction to take place. Windfall Sites 4. Favourable consideration may also be given to proposals that can be demonstrated to be more sustainable than any available alternative, including: a. borrow pits to meet a specific demand not easily met from elsewhere; b. building stone quarries, including their need for stone to match the conservation and repair of heritage assets and also for local vernacular building; c. areas already subject to minerals extraction where the additional working will enable comprehensive exploitation of the reserves, or where the proposal achieves a more sustainable after-use or a better restoration of the area.

Restoration and Aftercare of Mineral and Waste Sites

1. Applications for mineral extraction and/or landfill/landraising of waste sites will be permitted where they are accompanied by appropriate proposals for site restoration and aftercare. This should include the following: a. Details of the final restoration scheme and proposed future land use; b. Details of timescales for completion of restoration including details of completion of individual phases of restoration where a progressive restoration scheme is proposed; c. Details of aftercare arrangements that are to be put in place to ensure the maintenance and management of the site once restoration is complete; and d. Details of community liaison measures to be put in place during the operation of the site including mineral extraction (and/or landfilling/landraising), restoration and final land use. 2. In defining the future land use for the site, restoration should be geared towards improvement of final land use and should: a. Demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority that the proposal is in accordance with all other policies of the Local Plan in relation to the protection of the environment, flood risk, public amenity and sustainable transport; b. Take account of the pre-working character of the site and its landscape setting where appropriate; and c. Where land is to be restored for agricultural or forestry, use appropriate restoration techniques to ensure that the land is capable of supporting such uses in the long term.

Mersey Estuary Special Protection Area

In accordance with Policy DC4 development within the allocation site will be required to evidence that it will not have any adverse impacts on the integrity of the Mersey Estuary Special Protection Area. If habitats within the allocation site or on adjacent land are suitable to support significant populations of qualifying species of wintering birds, avoidance measures and mitigation will be required and any planning application may need to be assessed through project specific Habitats Regulations Assessment.

Biodiversity Net Gain

A scheme for measurable biodiversity net gain should be demonstrated through the use of a metric supported by Natural England and provided for all development parcels that come forward for planning approval. Mitigation measures for loss of habitat will only be allowed if shown to be necessary by application of the mitigation hierarchy.

Bridgewater Canal Enhancement

The Urban Extension should contribute to the Council's wider aspiration of enhancing the Bridgewater Canal as a recreational resource and for the Canal's tow path to provide a cycle and pedestrian link across the Borough.

Foul and Surface Water Strategy

A site-wide foul and surface water strategy will be required across the Urban Extension as a whole, incorporating appropriate Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS) and flood alleviation measures. The surface water strategy will be required to improve on greenfield run-off rates. Development proposals will be expected to incorporate infiltration SuDS and SuDS with multi-functional benefits in preference to traditional underground storage systems.

Noise and Air Quality Mitigation

The design of development within the Waterfront must incorporate appropriate measures to mitigate any noise and air quality impacts from the future Western Link and the railway line and the sewage works.

Groundwater Environment Assessment

Development proposals may be required to assess the impact on the groundwater environment and incorporate appropriate mitigating measures in accordance with Policy ENV8.

Air Quality and SAC Mitigation

Development within the Urban Extension will be required to mitigate air quality impacts on the Manchester Mosses SAC in accordance with Policy ENV8 (Part 4) including providing a financial contribution towards appropriate mitigation measures at Holcroft Moss.

Green Infrastructure

Strategic Green Infrastructure 1. The Council, in partnership with other agencies and stakeholders will adopt a strategic approach to the care and management of all the Borough's green infrastructure and seek to protect, enhance and extend the multifunctional network in order to maintain and develop the wider public health, active travel, flood management, climate change, ecological and economic benefits it provides. Green Infrastructure Opportunities 2. A key focus of these efforts will be on reinforcing and maximising the environmental and socio-economic benefits from the following strategic green links which connect the Borough to the wider sub-region: a. The Mersey Valley; b. Sankey Valley Park and St. Helens Canal; c. The Bridgewater Canal; d. The River Bollin; and e. The Trans Pennine Trail 3. The Council is committed to supporting wider programmes and initiatives which seek to connect the Borough's Strategic Green Infrastructure assets with residential communities, employment areas and other green infrastructure assets both within and outside of the Borough, including: a. Great Manchester Wetlands Nature Improvement Area; b. Bold Forest Park; c. Walton Hall Estate; d. The Mersey Forest; e. The Circular Parklands; and f. The River Mersey frontage where it passes through the Town Centre. 4. The Council will work with partners to restore, enhance and expand the network of core ecological sites, wildlife corridors, stepping stone habitats and restoration areas in order to: a. secure a measurable net gain in biodiversity in accordance with national legislation and its supporting best practice guidance; b. to expand tree cover in appropriate locations across the Borough; c. to improve landscape character, water and air quality; d. to help adapt to flood risk and mitigate the impacts of climate change; e. to contribute to the development of the Mersey Forest; f. to contribute to the delivery of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy and the wider nature recovery network; g. to enhance the wetlands and other important irreplaceable and semi-natural habitats across Warrington; and h. to support the retention of underused farmland for habitat creation and management. Development Proposals affecting Green Infrastructure 5. All development proposals should, as appropriate to their nature and scale: a. protect existing green infrastructure and the functions it performs, especially where this helps to mitigate the causes of and addresses the impacts of climate change and contributes to nature recovery; b. increase the functionality of existing and planned green infrastructure especially where this helps to mitigate the causes of and addresses the impacts of climate change and contributes to nature recovery; c. improve the quality of existing green infrastructure, including local networks and corridors, specifically to increase its attractiveness as a sport, leisure and recreation opportunity and its value as a habitat for biodiversity, where these two functions do not adversely affect each other; d. protect and improve access to and connectivity between existing and planned green infrastructure to develop a continuous right of way and greenway network and integrated ecological system/network; e. secure new green infrastructure in order to cater for anticipated increases in demand arising from development particularly in areas where there are existing deficiencies assessed against standards set by the Council in accordance with Policy DC5; and f. provide long-term management arrangements for new and enhanced green infrastructure within development sites.

Ecological Network

1. The Council will work with partners to protect, conserve, and restore biodiversity, secure a measurable net gain for biodiversity and enhance public access to nature across the Plan area. These efforts will be guided by national planning policy, the strategic approach to the care and management of the Borough's Green Infrastructure contained in Policy DC3 and the Local Nature Recovery Strategy. 2. Designated sites and areas that make up the Borough's ecological network and are recognised for their nature and geological value are shown on the Policies Map and include: a. European Sites of International Importance; b. Sites of Special Scientific Interest; c. Regionally Important Geological Sites; d. Local Nature Reserves; e. Local Wildlife Sites; and f. Wildlife Corridors/Nature Improvement Areas; Other elements that make up the Borough's ecological network and are recognised for their nature and geological value include: g. irreplaceable, protected and priority habitats; h. ecological stepping stones and restoration areas; and i. other areas identified in the Borough's Local Nature Recovery Strategy. The specific designated sites at the time of publication are detailed in Appendix 4. 3. Proposals for development, which may affect European Sites of International Importance will be subject to the most rigorous examination in accordance with the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended). Development or land use change not directly connected with or necessary to the management of the site and which is likely to have significant effects on the site (either individually or in combination with other plans or projects) and which would affect the integrity of the site, will not be permitted unless the Council is satisfied that: a. there is no alternative solution; and b. there are imperative reasons of over-riding public interest for the development or land use change and where the biodiversity harm avoidance, mitigation and compensation hierarchy (set out in Part 8 of Policy DC4) has been followed. Any mitigation or compensatory provision must be assessed in a project related Habitats Regulations Assessment and be fully functional before any likely adverse effect arises. 4. Proposals for development in or likely to affect Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) will be subject to special scrutiny. Where such development may have an adverse effect, directly or indirectly, on the SSSI it will not be permitted unless the reasons for the development clearly outweigh the nature conservation value of the site itself and the national policy to safeguard the national network of such sites and the biodiversity harm avoidance, mitigation and compensation hierarchy (set out in Part 8 of this Policy) has been followed. 5. Proposals for development likely to have an adverse effect on regionally and locally designated sites will not be permitted unless it can be clearly demonstrated that there are reasons for the development which outweigh the need to safeguard the substantive nature conservation value of the site or feature and the biodiversity harm avoidance, mitigation and compensation hierarchy (set out in Part 8 of this Policy) has been followed. 6. Proposals for development which may adversely affect the integrity or continuity of UK priority habitats, irreplaceable habitats, or other habitats of local importance, or adversely affect EU Protected Species, UK Priority Species or other species of local importance, or which are the subject of Local Biodiversity Action Plans will only be permitted if it can be shown that the reasons for the development clearly outweigh the need to retain the habitats or species affected and that the biodiversity harm avoidance, mitigation and compensation hierarchy (set out in Part 8 of this Policy) has been followed. 7. All development proposals affecting protected sites, wildlife corridors, priority habitats, irreplaceable habitats, EU Protected Species or priority species (as identified in Local Biodiversity Action Plans) should be accompanied by information proportionate to their nature conservation value as outlined in Part 5 of Policy DC3. Proposals must also be supported by a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal or, where potential significant effects to important ecological features are identified, an Ecological Impact Assessment. 8. Where a loss of, or harm to biodiversity, an ecological network and/or green infrastructure functionality is considered to be unavoidable, development proposals must include mitigation or, as a last resort, compensation measures. Following the application of the mitigation hierarchy, a measurable net gain in biodiversity assessed against the latest version of the DEFRA Metric must be secured. All proposals for off-site compensatory net gain/green infrastructure must be deployed strategically and as closely as possible to the affected ecological/GI asset and following good practice guidance. 9. Where development is permitted, the Council will consider the use of conditions or planning obligations to ensure the protection and enhancement of the site's nature conservation interest and/or to provide appropriate compensatory measures.

Waste Management

General Principles 1. The Council will promote sustainable waste management in accordance with the Waste Hierarchy. In working towards the prevention of waste, Warrington will seek to achieve a reduction in the amount of waste produced in the Borough and treat waste at as high a level of the waste hierarchy as practicable by; requiring waste reduction in all aspects of planning/development, including the construction, design (using recycled materials) and operation stages; and providing appropriate and sustainable sites and/or areas for the management of waste. Proposals for Waste Management Development 2. Dependant on the type of waste, proposals for waste facilities should be located: a. on redundant farm land (in the case of green waste and/or biological waste); or b. on demolition and construction sites, where the inert waste materials are to be used on the construction project on that site; or c. at existing permitted waste management sites or co-located with other waste management development; or d. adjacent to or within the curtilages of Waste Water Treatment Works (in the case of biological waste); or e. at mineral and landfill sites where waste material is used in conjunction with restoration or proposed waste operations are temporary and linked to the completion of the mineral/landfill operation; or f. on areas of Previously Developed Land; or g. in employment areas that are existing or allocated in the Local Plan for general industry (B2) and storage and distribution (B8) uses. Any proposals that come forward on land use types not identified above will be assessed on their merits, based on the other policies in the Local Plan. Such locations will be considered less favourably than those set out within this Policy. Built Facilities 3. Proposals for new built waste facilities should be focused on industrial estates and employment areas and will be required to meet the following criteria: a. Demonstrate the need for the facility, if there is clear conflict with other policies of the Local Plan; b. All waste processes and operations must be contained and managed within buildings unless there are acceptable operational reasons why these processes cannot be contained within buildings; c. Proposals must accord with all other policies of the Local Plan in relation to the protection of the environment, public amenity and sustainable transport. Where necessary, mitigation measures should be identified to ameliorate any negative impacts to an acceptable level. Open Facilities 4. Proposals for new open waste facilities will be required to meet the following criteria: a. Demonstrate the need for the facility, if there is clear conflict with other policies of the Local Plan; b. proposals must accord with all other policies of the Local Plan in relation to the protection of the environment, public amenity and sustainable transport. Cumulative Impacts 5. Planning permission will be granted for waste management developments where the cumulative impact would not result in significant adverse impacts on the environment of an area or on the amenity of a local community, either in relation to the collective effect of different impacts of an individual proposal, or in relation to the effects of a number of developments occurring either concurrently or successively. Restoration and Aftercare 6. Applications for waste management facilities that involve landfill/landraising will be permitted where the applicant can demonstrate that the site can be restored in a phased manner to a beneficial after use, with aftercare arrangements in accordance with the requirements of Policy ENV6. Safeguarding Waste Uses 7. When determining applications for non-waste development, the Council will have regard to the potential adverse impact the proposed development might have on the future of a waste facility or waste allocation as a location for waste management in accordance with Policy INF3.

Safeguarding of Minerals Resources

Safeguarding Mineral Resources 1. Mineral Safeguarding areas (MSAs) are defined on the Policies Map. 2. Sand, gravel and shallow coal resources and sandstone and brickclay workings within the Minerals Safeguarding Areas will be protected from permanent sterilisation by other development. 3. Planning permission will be granted for non-mineral development within a Mineral Safeguarding Area, as defined on the Policies Map, where it is demonstrated that: a. the mineral is not of economic value or potential value, or does not exist; or b. that extraction of the mineral would not be physically viable or practicable; or c. the mineral can be extracted satisfactorily prior to the non-minerals development taking place without adversely affecting the viability or deliverability of the non-minerals development; or d. the development is of a temporary nature that can be completed and the site returned to a condition that would not prevent future mineral extraction; or e. material considerations indicate that the need for the development overrides the presumption for mineral safeguarding such that sterilisation of the mineral can be permitted following the exploration of opportunities for prior extraction; or f. it constitutes development that is exempt from mineral safeguarding policy (See the list of exempt criteria in Table 7). 4. Planning applications for development within the Mineral Safeguarded Areas defined on the Polices Map will need to demonstrate that impacts, e.g. noise, dust, light and air emissions, that may legitimately arise from the activities taking place in the safeguarded areas would not be experienced to an unacceptable level by occupants of the proposed development and that vehicle access to and from the area would not be constrained by the development proposed. Safeguarding Minerals Infrastructure 5. Existing minerals infrastructure is identified on the Policies Map (and in Figure 16). Planning permission will only be granted for development that is incompatible with safeguarded minerals transportation, handling or processing facilities, both existing and new (including above ground infrastructure associated with energy mineral exploration and production), where it is demonstrated that either: a. it constitutes exempt development as set out in Table 7; or b. it has been demonstrated that the capacity of the facility to be lost is not required; or c. replacement capacity, of the similar type, is available at a suitable alternative site, which is at least equivalent or better than that offered by the facility that it is replacing; or d. the development proposed would not prevent or unduly restrict the continued operation of the protected infrastructure; or e. material considerations indicate that the need for development overrides the presumption for safeguarding. 6. Planning applications for development within 250m of safeguarded infrastructure will need to demonstrate that impacts, e.g. noise, dust, light, vibration and air emissions, that may legitimately arise from the activities taking place at the safeguarded sites would not be experienced to an unacceptable level by occupants of the proposed development and that vehicle access to and from the facility would not be constrained by the development proposed.

Environmental and Amenity Protection

General Principles 1. The Council requires that all development is located and designed so as not to result in a harmful or cumulative impact on the natural and built environment, and/or general levels of amenity. 2. Development proposals, as appropriate to their nature and scale, should demonstrate that environmental risks have been evaluated and appropriate measures have been taken to minimise the risks of adverse impacts to air, land and water quality, whilst assessing vibration, light and noise pollution both during their construction and in their operation. Air Quality 3. The Council will seek to ensure that proposals for new development will not have an unacceptable negative impact on air quality and will not further exacerbate air quality in the Council's designated Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs); or will contribute to air pollution in areas which may result in further areas being designated. 4. The main allocations (Policies MD1 to MD4) and the smaller settlement allocations, which line the M62 corridor (Policies OS1, OS2 and OS6) must make a proportionate contribution towards restoration measures at Holcroft Moss and devise a scheme-specific range of measures to reduce reliance on cars, reduce trip generation and promote ultra-low emission vehicles. In addition, all other new development that exceeds the thresholds for requiring a Transport Assessment, as specified in the Council's Transport SPD, will be required to consider air quality impacts on the Manchester Mosses Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Any proposals that would result in increased traffic flows on the M62 past the Manchester Mosses SAC of more than 100 vehicles per day or 20 Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) per day must make a proportionate contribution towards restoration measures at Holcroft Moss and devise a scheme-specific range of measures to reduce reliance on cars, reduce trip generation and promote ultra-low emission vehicles. 5. Development proposals for sensitive end uses (including but not limited to residential, schools, nurseries, hospitals) are not desirable where they are located in areas of poor air quality including AQMAs, unless a suitable assessment, review and identification of mitigation to lessen the effects on future site users is provided. An air quality assessment will be required where a development may place new sensitive receptors in areas of poor air quality; and/or that may lead to a deterioration in local air quality resulting in unacceptable effects on human health and/or the environment. Land Quality 6. The Council will ensure that any development proposals on or adjacent to potentially contaminated land; unstable ground or that have a sensitive end use, are suitable for their intended use. The effects (including cumulative effects) of pollution on health, the natural environment or general amenity, and the potential sensitivity of the area or proposed development to adverse effects from pollution, should be taken into account. 7. Development proposals on land that is (or suspected to be) affected by contamination; unstable ground or has a sensitive end use must include an assessment of the extent of the issues and any possible risks. Development will only be permitted where the land is, or can be made suitable for the proposed use. 8. Development proposals will need to demonstrate that any loss of the Borough's best and most versatile agricultural land will be minimised. Water Quality 9. Development proposals will not be permitted where it would have an adverse effect on the quality or availability of groundwater resources, watercourses or water bodies. 10. Any proposals for new development within Groundwater Source Protection Zones must accord with central government guidance set out in its Groundwater Protection guides, or any subsequent iteration of the guidance. New development within Groundwater Source Protection Zones will be required to: a. be planned so as to mitigate the risk of pollution to the public water supply and the water environment; b. undertake a risk assessment and mitigation strategy with respect to groundwater protection to manage the risk of pollution to public water supply and the water environment; and c. produce a Construction Management Plan to identify the potential impacts from all construction activities on both groundwater, public water supply and surface water and identify appropriate mitigation measures necessary to protect and prevent pollution of these waters. Noise Pollution 11. The Council encourages consideration for noise and acoustic mitigation during early stages of design, having regard for layout, siting and internal features. 12. Developments which are noise sensitive end uses near to busy roads or noisy existing businesses will need to demonstrate with any application that appropriate mitigation can be employed and implemented to prevent adverse impacts on health and quality of life for future site users. Such developments need to consider and implement the 'agent of change' principle in accordance within the NPPF. 13. New developments should not place unreasonable restrictions on existing businesses or business activities through the restriction of activities, prohibition of works or otherwise. 14. Development proposals generating noise which is likely to create significantly adverse impacts on health and quality of life and which cannot be mitigated and/or controlled through the use of conditions or through pre-existing effective legislative regimes, will not be permitted. General Amenity Protection 15. Where development is considered to be appropriate but may still have impacts on the following environmental considerations, in addition to those detailed above, the Council will consider the use of conditions or planning obligations to ensure any appropriate mitigation or compensatory measures are secured: a. Levels of odours, fumes, dust, smoke, insects, litter accumulation, and refuse collection/storage; b. Levels of light pollution and impacts on the night sky; c. The need to respect living conditions of existing neighbouring residential occupiers and future occupiers of new housing schemes in relation to overlooking/loss of privacy, outlook, sunlight, daylight, overshadowing, noise, vibration and disturbance; d. The need to protect existing occupiers and operators in the surrounding area from new development and its potential impacts; e. The effect and timing of traffic movement to, from and within the site and car parking including impacts on highway safety; f. The ability and the effect of using permitted development rights to change use within the same Use Class (as set out in the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development Order) without the need to obtain planning consent. 16. Detailed assessments may be required to address any of the above criteria and will need to be submitted to the Council for approval. Where necessary information from assessments is absent to enable consideration of a specific matter, conditions may be recommended or the application refused based on lack of supporting information.

Green Belt

General Principles 1. The Council will maintain the general extent of the Borough's Green Belt, as defined on the Local Plan Policies Map, throughout the Plan Period and to at least 2050. 2. The Council will plan positively to enhance the beneficial use of the Green Belt as part of Warrington's Green Infrastructure Network. Land removed from the Green Belt 3. The following land has been removed from the Green Belt and the amended Green Belt boundaries are shown in Figure 6: a. South East Warrington Urban Extension b. Land to the east of Fiddlers Ferry Power Station c. Thelwall Heys d. Land at Warrington Waterfront e. Land at Croft f. Land at Culcheth g. Land at Hollins Green h. Land at Lymm i. Land at Winwick Inset Settlements 4. The following settlements are Inset (that is excluded) from the Green Belt: a. Appleton Thorn b. Burtonwood c. Croft d. Culcheth e. Glazebury f. Hollins Green g. Lymm h. Oughtrington i. Winwick 5. Within these settlements new build development, conversions and redevelopment proposals will be allowed providing they comply with national planning policy, other relevant Local Plan policies and any relevant Supplementary Planning Documents. 6. The boundaries of the Inset Settlements are shown on the Policies Map. Green Belt Settlements 7. The following are Green Belt settlements (that is washed over) within the Green Belt: a. Broomedge b. Collins Green c. Cuerdley Cross d. Glazebrook e. Grappenhall Village f. Hatton g. Heatley/Heatley Heath h. Higher Walton i. Mee Brow/Fowley Common j. New Lane End k. Stretton l. Weaste Lane 8. Within these settlements development proposals will be subject to Green Belt policies set out in national planning policy. New build development may be appropriate where it can be demonstrated that the proposal constitutes limited infill development of an appropriate scale, design and character, unless the infill break contributes to the character of the settlement. 9. The boundaries of the Green Belt settlements are shown on the Policies Map. Development Proposals in the Green Belt 10. In accordance with national planning policy, within the Green Belt, planning permission will not be granted for inappropriate development, except in 'very special circumstances'. 11. A scheme of compensatory improvements to the environmental quality and accessibility of land remaining in the Green Belt will be required to be provided. Financial contributions will be considered where this would help to ensure that the benefits of compensatory improvements can be maximised by providing them in the most appropriate location. 12. Other forms of development defined in national planning policy to be an exception to inappropriate development within the Green Belt, will be supported, subject to meeting other relevant Local Plan policies and any relevant Supplementary Planning Documents.

Historic Environment

General Principles 1. The Council will, through planning decisions and in fulfilling its wider functions, proactively manage and work with developers, the local community and others to support proposals which conserve or, where appropriate, enhance the historic environment of Warrington. 2. Particular consideration will be given to ensure that the significance of those elements of the historic environment, including both designated and non-designated heritage assets, which contribute most to the Borough's distinctive identity and sense of place are conserved and where appropriate enhanced. These include, but not exclusively: a. Evidence of Roman activity such as the settlement at Wilderspool and the roads at Appleton and Stretton. b. Moated sites, country houses, farmhouses and associated outbuildings in the countryside including Bradley Old Hall, Barrow Old Hall and Bewsey Old Hall. c. The site of the Battle of Winwick, also known as the Battle of Red Bank, now a registered Battlefield. d. The Borough's industrial heritage including the Bank Quay Transporter Bridge, Sankey Canal, Bridgewater Canal, Manchester Ship Canal, Sankey Viaduct and other associated infrastructure and buildings. e. Places of worship of different denominations. f. The range of civic and institutional buildings, including the Town Hall, Libraries and Schools. g. The town's mid to late nineteenth century terraces around Palmyra Square. h. The buildings associated with the Borough's role as a major centre for brewing including the range and quality of its public houses. i. Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings across the Borough. j. Key cultural assets encompassing parklands, woodlands, landscapes, canals and riversides, museums, libraries, art galleries, public art, food and drink, customs and traditions. 3. As well as fulfilling its statutory obligations, the Council will: a. Seek to identify, protect and enhance local heritage assets through the review and update of its Local List; b. Promote heritage-led regeneration including in relation to development opportunities; c. Produce new Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans; d. Develop a positive strategy to safeguard the future of any heritage assets that are considered to be "at risk"; e. Adopt a proactive approach to utilising development opportunities to increase the promotion and interpretation of the Borough's rich archaeological wealth; and f. Develop a positive heritage strategy for the Borough. Assessing Development Proposals 4. Development proposals that would lead to substantial harm to (or total loss of significance of) a designated heritage asset (including an archaeological site of national importance) will be refused permission unless it can be demonstrated that the substantial harm or total loss is necessary to achieve substantial public benefits that outweigh that harm or total loss, or other circumstances as set out in the NPPF. Where a proposal would lead to less than substantial harm to the significance of a designated heritage asset, the harm will be weighed against the public benefits of the proposal and permission will only be granted where the benefits outweigh the harm. 5. Where permission is granted for a development which would result in the partial or total loss of a designated heritage asset, approval will be conditional upon the asset being fully recorded and the information deposited with the Historic Environment Record (HER). 6. Proposals which would remove, harm or undermine the significance of a non-designated heritage asset will only be permitted where the benefits are considered sufficient to outweigh the harm to the character of the local area. 7. Where the proposal affects (non-designated) archaeological sites of less than national importance it should conserve those elements which contribute to their significance in line with the importance of the remains. In those cases where development affecting such sites is acceptable in principle, mitigation of damage will be ensured through the preservation of the remains in situ as a preferred solution. When in situ preservation is not justified, the developer will be required to make adequate provision for excavation and recording before or during development, the findings of which should be deposited with the Historic Environment Record. 8. Proposals within or affecting the setting of a Conservation Area will only be permitted where it preserves or enhances the character and appearance of the area including those elements which have been identified within the Conservation Area appraisal as making a positive contribution to the significance of that area. 9. All applications which affect a heritage asset should be accompanied by a Statement of Significance which may form part of a Design and Access statement and/or a Heritage Impact Assessment. This should provide the information necessary to assess the impact of the proposals on the heritage asset and its setting including demonstrating how the proposal has taken into account the elements that contribute to its significance, including where relevant, its architectural and historic interest, character and appearance.

Heritage Assets Conservation

Development within the Urban Extension will be required to be designed in order to ensure that heritage assets and their settings are conserved and, where appropriate, enhanced within the context of the overall development, through appropriate mitigation measures, having regard to the South East Warrington Urban Extension Heritage Impact Assessment.

Historic Environment

Development will be required to preserve or enhance the historic environment, heritage assets and their setting.

Heritage Impact Assessment

Development proposals will be required to be in accordance with the Waterfront Heritage Impact Assessment including the proposed mitigation and enhancement measures.

Bank Quay Transporter Bridge

Development proposals will need to demonstrate how they will safeguard and sustain the future of the Bank Quay Transporter Bridge (Grade II*) which is currently on the Heritage at Risk Register.

Gypsy & Traveller and Travelling Show People Provision

Meeting Identified Need 1. The Council and its partners will work together to provide an adequate supply of sites for Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople to meet identified needs. 2. Provision will be made between 2021 and 2032 for a minimum of an additional: a. 2 permanent pitches for Gypsies and Travellers; b. 5 permanent plots for Travelling Showpeople; and c. 5-10 transit pitches for Gypsies and Travellers. 3. The need for Gypsy & Traveller's and Travelling Showpeople for the remainder of the Plan period beyond 2032 will be assessed in a future review of the Local Plan. 4. Identification of sites to meet needs up to 2038 and any unmet need up to 2032 will be confirmed through a future review of the Local Plan. Proposals for new sites 5. Where there is an identified need or a demand for the provision of transit and permanent pitches for Gypsy or Traveller use or plots for Travelling Showpeople, proposals will be favourably considered where they satisfy other relevant policies of the Plan and meet the following criteria: a. The proposed site is suitable for use as a Gypsy, Traveller or Travelling Showperson's site and can provide an acceptable living environment for future occupiers; b. The site is not subject to physical constraints or other environmental issues that cannot be mitigated to an acceptable level, or that would impact upon the health, safety or general wellbeing of residents on the site; c. The site is or can be well integrated within the local townscape in a manner in-keeping with the local character, using boundary treatments and screening materials which are sympathetic to the existing urban/rural form; d. Be compatible with surrounding land uses particularly with regards to residential amenity; e. The site has good access to the highway network and adequate provision is made for the parking, manoeuvring and storage of all vehicles associated with the use of the site; f. The site is served, or could readily be provided with, electricity, mains water, drainage, sewage and waste disposal facilities; and for permanent sites g. The proposed site is or can be made accessible to key local services such as primary schools, GPs, shops and other community facilities. 6. Planning permission for sites granted specifically for Gypsy & Traveller or Travelling Showpeople use, will be subject to conditions restricting occupancy to Gypsies & Travellers or Travelling Showpeople who practice a travelling lifestyle. Protection of Gypsy & Traveller and Travelling Showpersons Facilities 7. The Council will not permit development likely to result in the loss of existing permanent consented Gypsy and Traveller or Travelling Showpersons sites unless it can be demonstrated: a. that the development would not lead to, or exacerbate an identified shortfall in provision; or b. that replacement provision of at least equal or enhanced value can be provided in a suitable location.

Warrington Waterfront

MD1.1 Key Land Use and Infrastructure Requirements 1. Warrington Waterfront will be allocated as a new urban quarter to deliver around 1,335 new homes. 2. In order to facilitate development, a small portion of the southern section of the site, adjacent to the proposed Western Link, will be removed from the Green Belt. 3. The new residential development will be supported by the following range of infrastructure: a. A range of housing tenures, types and sizes, including affordable homes and a residential care home (Use Class C2) providing a minimum of 80 bedrooms. b. A two form entry primary school c. A mixed use local centre providing i. health facility and ii. local shops and community facilities of an appropriate scale. d. Provision of public open space, including a range of smaller areas of open space within the residential development to serve the new community in accordance with the Council's open space standards. e. Provision of playing pitches (either on-site or a contribution towards off-site provision). f. A comprehensive package of transport improvements including supported bus services. g. A contribution towards additional secondary school places h. A contribution towards built leisure facilities i. A contribution towards strategic transport infrastructure (The Western Link) j. Landscape buffers and ecological mitigation and enhancement k. Flood mitigation and drainage including exemplary multi-functional sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) with only foul flows connecting to the existing public sewer. MD1.2 Delivery and Phasing 4. The Council will require the preparation of a Development Framework for the entire site including a delivery strategy and phasing plan in order to ensure comprehensive and coordinated development. 5. The agreed Development Framework should reflect the requirements of this Policy, be subject to consultation with statutory consultees and the local community and be in place at the point at which first planning applications are determined. 6. The Development Framework will provide the basis for subsequent planning applications for individual phases of development. 7. No development will be permitted until funding has been secured and a programme of delivery has been confirmed for the Western Link. 8. Full details of the programme and funding for delivery of the primary school, health centre, public open space and other necessary infrastructure will need to be agreed by the Council before the first phase of the development is permitted to come forward. MD1.3 Detailed Site-specific Requirements New Homes 9. A range of housing tenures, types and sizes, as identified in Policy DEV2, should be provided in order to ensure development contributes to meeting the Borough's general and specialist housing needs. 10. In accordance with Policy DEV2 a minimum of 30% of homes should be affordable. 11. The new urban quarter should provide a range of homes to meet different needs. Higher density and larger scale development should create an attractive waterside frontage. New homes may be particularly suitable for younger people and young families, whilst a proportion of homes should be provided as supported housing suitable for older people. 12. Specific provision should be made for a residential care facility providing a minimum of 80 bed spaces. This should be located within or in proximity to the local centre. 13. In accordance with Policy DEV1 to reflect the site's urban location and proximity to the Town Centre, the residential development should be constructed to an average minimum density of 50dph, with opportunities for higher densities throughout the site. Community Facilities 14. The residential development will be required to deliver a new two form entry primary school to meet the need for school places that will be generated from the development. 15. Residential development will be expected to make a contribution towards the provision of additional secondary school places through expansion of existing or planned new secondary schools. 16. A new local centre will provide a focal point for the new community and should be located in an accessible position within the site. 17. The specification and delivery of the health facility within the local centre will need to be agreed with the NHS as part of the delivery strategy. 18. Other small scale local shops up to 500 sq.m in total and other local community facilities will be supported in the Local Centre in order to provide for day to day needs. Any proposal for additional retail floorspace will require a retail needs assessment and be subject to the sequential assessment set out in Policy DEV5. Open Space and Recreation 19. A green infrastructure strategy will be required as part of the Development Framework in order to ensure the provision of an accessible, comprehensive and high quality network of multi-functional green spaces. Green Infrastructure within the Waterfront should connect into the wider Green Infrastructure network in south Warrington, including the new Arpley Meadows Country Park and the Trans-Pennine Trail, in order to enhance the ecological, visual and recreational value of the network as a whole and to improve access to and throughout the wider network. 20. The development will be required to provide a minimum level of open space in line with the Council's open space standards in accordance with Policy DC5. 21. The development should ensure the long term management arrangements for the green space network within the Waterfront. 22. The development will be required to make a contribution to expanding and enhancing existing or planned built leisure facilities and playing pitch provision (either on-site or a contribution towards off-site provision) that will serve residents of the urban extension. Green Belt 23. The Western Link will define the southwestern boundary of the site with the Green Belt. Natural Environment 24. The Green Infrastructure Strategy will need to demonstrate how development within the urban quarter will protect and enhance existing wildlife corridors and provide new corridors to link the site into Warrington's wider ecological network. It will need to ensure that the layout takes account of existing landscape features, including watercourses, woodlands and significant hedgerows; ensure the site contributes to the wider objectives of the Mersey Forest; and have regard to sites identified in policy DC4 (Ecological Network) which should be protected in line with policy DC4 and national guidelines. 25. In accordance with Policy DC4 development within the allocation site will be required to evidence that it will not have any adverse impacts on the integrity of the Mersey Estuary Special Protection Area. If habitats within the allocation site or on adjacent land are suitable to support significant populations of qualifying species of wintering birds, avoidance measures and mitigation will be required and any planning application may need to be assessed through project specific Habitats Regulations Assessment. 26. A scheme for measurable biodiversity net gain should be demonstrated through the use of a metric supported by Natural England and provided for all development parcels that come forward for planning approval. Mitigation measures for loss of habitat will only be allowed if shown to be necessary by application of the mitigation hierarchy. Transport and accessibility 27. A comprehensive package of tran[sport requirements continue but are cut off in the passage]

Thelwall Heys

1. Land to the east of Grappenhall and south of Thelwall will be removed from the Green Belt and allocated for residential development for a minimum of 300 homes. 2. A range of housing tenures, types and sizes will be required in order to ensure development contributes to meeting the Borough's general and specialist housing needs, including family homes with gardens, specific provision for older and younger people and for younger people looking to purchase their first home. 3. A minimum of 30% of homes should be affordable in accordance with Policy DEV2. 4. Specific provision should be made for self-build/custom build plots, subject to demand as demonstrated by the Council's self-build register. 5. To reflect the site's location adjacent to the open countryside and to respect and sustain the setting of Thelwall Heys House (Grade ll Listed) within the site, development will be constructed to an average minimum net density of 30dph. 6. The development will be required to make a contribution towards the provision of additional primary and secondary school places to meet the need for school places that will be generated from the development. 7. Development will be required to make a contribution towards the provision of additional primary care capacity. 8. A green infrastructure strategy will be required for the site in order to ensure the provision of an accessible, comprehensive and high quality network of multi-functional green spaces. 9. The development will be required to provide a minimum level of open space in line with the Council's open space standards in accordance with Policy DC5. 10. Proposals will be required to make a contribution to expanding and enhancing existing or planned built leisure facilities and playing pitch provision that will serve the new residents of the development. 11. The layout of the development should take account of existing landscape features, including trees and significant hedgerows and ensure the site contributes to the wider objectives of the Mersey Forest. Particular regard should be given to sites identified in Policy DC4 (Ecological Network) which should be protected in line with policy DC4 and national guidelines. 12. A scheme for measurable biodiversity net gain should be demonstrated through the use of the Defra Metric and provided for all development parcels that come forward for planning approval. Mitigation measures for loss of habitat will only be allowed if shown to be necessary by application of the mitigation hierarchy in accordance with the requirements of Policy DC4. 13. The Bridgewater Canal runs along part of the southern border of the site. This is a Green Infrastructure opportunity and development proposals should integrate and support measures that maximise and reinforce the environmental and socio-economic benefits of linkage to the canal corridor and its environs for both current and future residents. 14. The southern and eastern boundaries of the allocation will clearly define the new Green Belt boundary. A landscape scheme will be required that retains and enhances the trees and hedgerows along these Green Belt boundaries, particular reference should be given to the boundary along Cliff Lane and the Bridgewater Canal. 15. A scheme of compensatory improvements to the environmental quality and accessibility of land remaining in the Green Belt will be required. In the first instance, the improvements should be made in the immediate vicinity of the site and delivered by the developer. The Council will consider improvements in the wider area where it can be demonstrated that the improvements cannot be delivered in the immediate vicinity of the site or where this will provide greater benefits. Financial contributions will only be considered where this would help to ensure that the benefits of compensatory improvements can be maximised by providing them in a more appropriate location. 16. A package of transport improvements will be required to support the development. Required improvements will include: a. Ensuring appropriate access arrangements for the site. b. Provision of cycling and walking routes within the site which connect into the wider existing footway network around the site (in particular footpath no.12 that abuts the eastern boundary of the site, footpath no.21 that abuts the southern boundary of the site and the Trans-Pennine Trail that abuts the northern boundary of the site) and provide connectivity with the existing community. c. Other necessary network improvements or travel plan measures as identified by an appropriate Transport Assessment. 17. The development will be required to make a contribution towards the delivery of improved cycle links to employment opportunities in the Town Centre and across wider south Warrington. 18. Good accessibility to public transport services should be provided by ensuring that the bus routes and bus stops on Knutsford Road and Stockport Road are accessible for pedestrians through safe and attractive footpath links. 19. A site-wide surface water strategy is required, incorporating appropriate Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) and flood alleviation measures. 20. Improvements to the water supply and sewerage network will be required, ensuring that surface water drainage is not combined with foul discharge.

Housing Delivery

Housing Requirement 1. Over the 18 year Plan period from 2021/22 to 2038/39, a minimum of 14,688 new homes will be delivered to meet Warrington's housing needs. This equates to an average of 816 homes per annum. Housing Distribution 2. The majority of new homes will be delivered within the existing main urban area of Warrington, the existing inset settlements and other sites identified in the Council's Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA), which together have identified deliverable capacity for a minimum of 10,887 new homes. 3. The following sites will be removed from the Green Belt and allocated for residential development: a. South East Warrington Urban Extension – minimum of 4,200 homes of which a minimum of 2,400 homes will be delivered in the Plan period. b. Land at Fiddlers Ferry – minimum of 860 homes will be delivered in the Plan period as part of a wider mixed use development. c. Thelwall Heys – minimum of 310 homes will be delivered in the Plan period. 4. A minimum of 801 homes will be delivered on allocated sites to be removed from the Green Belt adjacent to following outlying settlements: a. Croft – minimum of 75 homes b. Culcheth – minimum of 200 homes c. Hollins Green – minimum of 90 homes d. Lymm – minimum of 306 homes e. Winwick – minimum of 130 homes Housing Density 5. New residential development should optimise the amount of housing developed on a site. New development should therefore aim to achieve the following minimum densities: a. at least 130 dwellings per hectare (dph) on sites that are within the defined Town Centre of Warrington subject to complying with the requirements of the Warrington Town Centre SPD; b. at least 50dph on sites that are within the wider Town Centre Masterplan area and sites adjacent to a district centre or in other locations that are well served by frequent bus or train services; and c. at least 30dph on all other sites across the Borough. 6. Densities less than those specified in part 5 above will only be appropriate where they are necessary to achieve a clear planning objective, such as avoiding harm to the character or appearance of an area. Stepped Housing Requirement 7. As part of the housing trajectory (Appendix 1) the housing requirement is to be stepped in the following way: a. 2021/22 to 2025/26 (first 5 years) – 678 homes per annum. b. 2026/27 to 2038/39 (years 6 - 18) – 870 homes per annum. 8. Should monitoring indicate that a 5-year deliverable and / or subsequent developable supply of housing land over the Plan period can no longer be sustained, the Council will give consideration to a review or partial review of the Local Plan.

Meeting Housing Needs

Affordable Housing 1. In residential development of 10 dwellings or more or where the site has an area of 0.5 hectares or more, affordable housing will be required to be provided on the following basis: a. 20% on sites within Inner Warrington, inclusive of the Town Centre. b. 30% elsewhere in the Borough and on all greenfield sites irrespective of their location. 2. Where 20% affordable housing provision is made within Inner Warrington and the Town Centre, half of the units should be for affordable housing for rent and half should be for affordable home ownership. 3. Where 30% affordable housing provision is made elsewhere in the Borough, affordable home ownership should account for one‐third of the total affordable housing units, with two‐thirds being affordable housing for rent. 4. The exception to parts 2 and 3 of this policy is 'build to rent' schemes where all affordable housing should be rented. 5. The Council will require rent to be set in accordance with the Government's rent policy for Social Rent or Affordable Rent subject to not exceeding Local Housing Allowance rates, or be at least 20% below local market rent (including service charge) and not exceed Local Housing Allowance rates. 6. In accordance with Planning Practice Guidance, at least 25% of all affordable housing units delivered by developers through planning obligations should be 'First Homes'. First Homes must be discounted by a minimum of 30% against market value. This will be increased to a 40% discount south of the Manchester Ship Canal, having regard to the nationally set cap of £250,000 (post‐discount). 7. Where general discounted market housing for sale is proposed, evidence must be provided to demonstrate that the homes are genuinely affordable in the location they are being proposed. 8. A lower proportion of affordable housing and/or different tenure split will only be permitted where it can clearly be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Council that development would otherwise not be financially viable, or where there is clear evidence from a Registered Provider that an alternative tenure composition is required to ensure a development is deliverable. 9. Affordable housing should be provided on the application site. Only in exceptional circumstances where the nature of the site is deemed unsuitable for affordable housing will the Council accept a commuted sum in lieu of on-site provision. 10. Where an applicant can demonstrate that there are building(s) on the application site which are genuinely vacant, the Council will credit the existing floorspace of the vacant building(s) against the overall floorspace of the new development. 11. The Council will require that affordable housing is provided for households and individuals eligible for the specific tenure of affordable housing in accordance with the Council's nomination policy and will seek to ensure that the affordable housing is secured in perpetuity. Housing Type and Tenure 12. Residential development should provide a mix of different housing sizes and types and should be informed by the Borough-wide housing mix monitoring target as set out in the Council's most up to date Local Housing Needs Assessment; and any local target set by a Neighbourhood Plan, taking into account site specific considerations. 13. The Council will require affordable homes to be built to the same design standards as private homes. Where new development is providing flats as well as houses the Council will require a proportionate balance across private and affordable tenures. Space Standards 14. The Council will seek to provide dwellings that are appropriately sized and arranged to create well designed homes in accordance with Nationally Described Space Standards. 15. The Council will require all dwellings to have appropriate outdoor amenity space. Optional Standards 16. The Council will seek that, as a minimum, all homes should be provided to Building Regulation Standard M4(2) 'Accessible and Adaptable dwellings'. 17. The Council will seek that 10% of new housing meets Building Regulation requirement M4(3)' Wheelchair user dwellings' i.e. designed to be wheelchair accessible, or easily adaptable for residents who are wheelchair users on sites over 0.5 of a hectare or of 10 dwellings or more. 18. In cases where the above requirements are genuinely not viable or technically feasible, the Council will expect to see evidence of this before any lower level of provision is permitted. Housing for Older People 19. The Council will support applications for Supported and Extra Care housing in accessible locations, subject to other relevant policies in the Plan. Affordable housing provision will be required for all elements of a proposal that would create self-contained dwellings. Self and Custom Build 20. The Council will ensure a sufficient supply of plots for self-build and custom-build housing to meet the identified need on the Council's register. Applications for self-build and custom housing development will be supported, subject to consideration against the other relevant policies in the Plan. Houses in Multiple Occupation 21. Proposals for the change of use or sub-division of existing buildings to form flats or Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) will be granted permission provided they would: a. avoid harming the character and/or appearance of the area; b. avoid harming the amenities enjoyed by occupiers of neighbouring residential properties; c. provide satisfactory levels of amenity for their future occupier(s) in terms of outlook and natural light; and d. provide off-street parking provision that is reflective of the needs of the HMO taking account of the number of occupiers, its location, nature of adjacent highway, existing parking situation, existing highway network issues and potential impact on safety and amenity.

Gypsy & Traveller and Travelling Show People Provision

1. The Council and its partners will work together to provide an adequate supply of sites for Gypsies and Travellers and Travelling

South East Warrington Urban Extension

MD2.1 Key Land Use and Infrastructure Requirements 1. Land to the south east of Warrington, extending from Grappenhall Heys in the north, to the M56 in the south, as defined on the Policies Map, will be removed from the Green Belt and allocated as the South East Warrington Urban Extension. 2. The South East Warrington Urban Extension will deliver a minimum of 4,200 homes in total of which around 2,400 homes will be delivered within the Plan period. 3. The Urban Extension will be supported by a wide range of infrastructure as follows: a. A range of housing tenures, types and sizes, including affordable homes, custom and self-build plots and supported and extra care housing. b. Two 2 form entry primary schools, capable of expansion to 3 forms of entry. c. A new secondary school to provide a minimum of 4 forms of entry. d. A new leisure facility incorporating health provision. e. Contribution to expansion of proposed Appleton Cross GP facility. f. Local shops and other community facilities of an appropriate scale. g. An extensive green infrastructure network. h. Playing pitches. i. A range of smaller areas of open space within the residential development to serve the new community. j. A Community Recycling Centre. k. A comprehensive package of transport improvements, for both on-site and off-site works. l. Compensatory green belt improvements and ecological mitigation and enhancement. m. Flood mitigation and drainage including exemplary sustainable drainage systems (SuDS). MD 2.2 Delivery and Phasing 4. The principal landowners and developers will be required to prepare a comprehensive Development Framework for the South East Warrington Urban Extension. The Development Framework will accord with the site-specific requirements of this policy and wider Local Plan requirements. The Framework will be subject to consultation with statutory consultees and the local community before being finalised. 5. The Development Framework will be agreed with the Council in advance of planning applications being submitted. The Development Framework will be a material consideration in the determination of planning applications across the Urban Extension. 6. To ensure a coordinated approach to new development across the whole of the Urban Extension allocation, the Development Framework will provide: a. A comprehensive spatial masterplan for the entire Urban Extension, based on the principles and requirements set out in this policy and reflecting site opportunities and constraints; b. A comprehensive delivery strategy for the Urban Extension comprising: i. a residential phasing plan and trajectory. ii. an infrastructure delivery plan, with details on phasing, delivery triggers and delivery responsibilities. c. An allocation wide approach to infrastructure funding, including planning obligations. 7. No residential development will be permitted to commence until the funding and the programme for the delivery of a highway scheme to relieve the A49 London Road/B5356 Stretton Road junction has been confirmed and works have commenced on site. A limit of housing completions will be set until such a scheme is complete and operational. 8. Any development adjacent to the allocation boundary must not undermine the delivery of the South East Warrington Urban Extension. MD2.3 Detailed Site-specific Requirements New Homes 9. The Urban Extension will provide residential development across a series of new neighbourhoods, each comprising an appropriate mix of housing in accordance with Policy DEV2, including a minimum of 30% provision of affordable housing. 10. Supported housing for older people will be required within the Urban Extension. The precise nature of this will need to be agreed with the Council based on need and the Council's broader strategy to encourage independent living. 11. Specific provision should be made for self-build/custom-build plots in the Urban Extension, subject to demand as demonstrated by the Council's self-build register. 12. To ensure the efficient use of land and to reflect the area's urban fringe location, residential development will be constructed to an average minimum net density of 35dph. Community Facilities 13. The Urban Extension will be required to deliver two new 2 form entry primary schools, capable of expansion to 3 forms of entry and a new secondary school providing a minimum of 4 forms of entry. 14. The new secondary school should be located centrally within the overall allocation site, whilst the new primary schools should be located to ensure all homes are within easy walking distance of a primary school, taking into account the location of existing primary schools in the area. 15. The Urban Extension will be required to deliver a new leisure facility including flexible space for health care. The Council will support the co-location of this facility with the new secondary school. 16. The Urban Extension should also include local shops, a supermarket, and other appropriate local services and community facilities in accordance with Policy DEV5. Green Infrastructure Network 17. The Development Framework will define a green infrastructure network to ensure the provision of an accessible, comprehensive and high quality network of multi-functional green spaces which connect the different parts of the Urban Extension and provide links into Warrington's wider green space network. 18. In accordance with Policy DC5 a range of types and sizes of open space will be required in line with the Council's open space standards. This should include provision of local parks and gardens; natural and semi-natural greenspace; equipped and informal play areas; sports pitches; and allotment plots. 19. The long term management and maintenance arrangements for the green infrastructure network within the Urban Extension must be secured. Natural Environment 20. Development within the Urban Extension will be required to protect and enhance existing wildlife corridors and provide new corridors to link the site into Warrington's wider ecological network and the Great Manchester Wetlands Nature Improvement Area. 21. The layout of new development must take into account existing landscape features, including watercourses, woodlands, significant hedgerows and contribute to the wider objectives of the Mersey Forest and have regard to sites identified in Policy DC4 (Ecological Network) which should be protected in accordance with the requirements of Policy DC4 and national guidelines. 22. In accordance with Policy DC4 development within the allocation site will be required to evidence that it will not have any adverse impacts on the integrity of the Mersey Estuary Special Protection Area. If habitats within the allocation site or on adjacent land are suitable to support significant populations of qualifying species of wintering birds, avoidance measures and mitigation will be required and any planning application may need to be assessed through project specific Habitats Regulations Assessment. 23. A scheme for measurable biodiversity net gain should be demonstrated through the use of the Defra Metric and provided for all development parcels that come forward for planning approval. Mitigation measures for loss of habitat will only be allowed if shown to be necessary by application of the mitigation hierarchy in accordance with the requirements of Policy DC4. Green Belt Boundary 24. The Green Belt boundary is defined by Stretton Road and the M56 to the south and Broad Lane, the southern edge of Grappenhall Heys and then broadly following Lumb Brook Road and Green Lane to the east. Where this boundary consists of field boundaries, these will need to be strengthened to create a new recognisable and permanent Green Belt boundary. 25. Development at the south west edge of the allocation will be required to respect the Green Belt boundary and the character of the washed over Green Belt settlement of Stretton to the west of the A49. 26. A scheme of compensatory improvements to the environmental quality and accessibility of land remaining in the Green Belt will be required. In the first instance, the improvements should be made in the immediate vicinity of the site and delivered by the developer. The Council will consider improvements in the wider area where it can be demonstrated that the improvements cannot be delivered in the immediate vicinity of the site or where this will provide greater benefits. Financial contributions will only be considered where this would help ensure that the benefits of compensatory improvements can be maximised by providing them in a more appropriate location. Transport and Accessibility 27. A comprehensive package of transport improvements will be required to support the Urban Extension. Required improvements will include: a. Ensuring appropriate access arrangements for the site as a whole and for individual development parcels. b. Improved cycling and walking routes well related to the green infrastructure network; connecting the new and existing residential areas. c. Providing public transport enhancements to connect the new community with Stockton Heath; Warrington Town Centre and employment opportunities within the wider Warrington area. d. providing additional connections to the A49 to alleviate the A49 London Road/B5356 Stretton Road junction as well as improved junctions on the A49 at Lyons Lane and Longwood Road. e. providing an improved connection from the allocation site to the A50. f. a proportionate contribution to improvements to increase capacity at Junctions 10 of the M56 and Junction 20 of the M6. g. On site safeguarding of potential mass transit routes. h. A contribution towards the delivery of a connection across the Bridgewater Canal and/or Ship Canal. i. Other network improvements as identified by an appropriate Transport Assessment. 28. The layout of development should maximise the potential for walkable neighbourhoods, with a legible hierarchy of routes, providing new footpaths and cycleways that link to existing networks beyond the site. 29. Good accessibility to public transport services should be provided by ensuring that the bus routes and bus stops within the site are accessible by pedestrians and cyclists via effective footpaths and cycle routes.

Croft

1. Land to the north east of Croft (inset settlement) will be removed from the Green Belt and allocated for residential development for a minimum of 75 homes. 2. A range of housing tenures, types and sizes will be required in order to ensure development contributes to meeting the Borough's general and specialist housing needs, including family homes with gardens, specific provision for older people and for younger people looking to purchase their first home. 3. A minimum of 30% of homes should be affordable in accordance with Policy DEV2. 4. Specific provision should be made for self-build/custom build plots, subject to demand as demonstrated by the Council's self-build register. 5. To reflect the site's location adjacent to the open countryside the development will be constructed to an average minimum density of 30dph. 6. The development will be required to make a contribution towards the provision of additional primary and secondary school places to meet the need for school places that will be generated from the development. 7. Development will be expected to make a contribution towards the provision of additional primary care capacity. 8. The development will be required to provide a minimum level of open space in line with the Council's open space standards in accordance with Policy DC5. 9. Proposals will be required to make a contribution to expanding and enhancing existing or planned built leisure facilities and playing pitches that will serve residents of the development. 10. The layout of the development should take account of existing landscape features, including watercourses and significant hedgerows and ensure the site contributes to the wider objectives of the Mersey Forest. Particular regard should be given to sites identified in Policy DC4 (Ecological Network) which should be protected in line with Policy DC4 and national guidelines. 11. A scheme for measurable biodiversity net gain should be demonstrated through the use of the Defra Metric and provided for all development parcels that come forward for planning approval. Mitigation measures for loss of habitat will only be allowed if shown to be necessary by application of the mitigation hierarchy in accordance with the requirements of Policy DC4. 12. The northern, eastern and southern boundaries of the site define the Green Belt boundary. A landscape scheme will be required to reinforce these Green Belt boundaries, particularly the hedgerows along the north and eastern boundaries. 13. A scheme of compensatory improvements to the environmental quality and accessibility of land remaining in the Green Belt will be required. In the first instance, the improvements should be made in the immediate vicinity of the site and delivered by the developer. The Council will consider improvements in the wider area where it can be demonstrated that the improvements cannot be delivered in the immediate vicinity of the site or where this will provide greater benefits. Financial contributions will only be considered where this would help to ensure that the benefits of compensatory improvements can be maximised by providing them in a more appropriate location. 14. A package of transport improvements will be required to support the development. Required improvements will include: a. Ensuring appropriate access arrangements for the site. b. Provision of cycling and walking routes within the site which connect into the wider existing footway network and greenway network/public right of way along the southern boundary of the site to provide connectivity with the existing community. c. Other necessary network improvements as identified by an appropriate Transport Assessment. 15. Good accessibility to public transport services should be provided by ensuring that the bus routes and bus stops on Smithy Brow, Lord Street and Mustard Lane are accessible by pedestrians. 16. A site-wide surface water strategy is required, incorporating appropriate Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) and flood alleviation measures. 17. Improvements to the water supply and sewerage network will be required, ensuring that surface water drainage is not combined with foul discharge. 18. The development will be required to mitigate air quality impacts on the Manchester Mosses SAC in accordance with Policy ENV8 (Part 4) including providing a financial contribution towards appropriate mitigation measures at Holcroft Moss. 19. The development should be designed to mitigate the impacts of climate change; be as energy efficient as possible and seek to meet a proportion of its energy needs from renewable or low carbon sources in accordance with Policy ENV7.

Culcheth

1. Land to the east of Culcheth (inset settlement) will be removed from the Green Belt and allocated for residential development for a minimum of 200 homes. 2. A range of housing tenures, types and sizes will be required in order to ensure development contributes to meeting the Borough's general and specialist housing needs, including family homes with gardens, specific provision for older people and for younger people looking to purchase their first home. 3. A minimum of 30% of homes should be affordable in accordance with Policy DEV2. 4. Specific provision should be made for self-build/custom build plots, subject to demand as demonstrated by the Council's self-build register. 5. To reflect the site's location adjacent to the open countryside the development will be constructed to an average minimum density of 30dph. 6. The development will be required to make a contribution towards the provision of additional primary and secondary school places to meet the need for school places that will be generated from the development. 7. Development will be required to make a contribution towards the provision of additional primary care capacity. 8. The development will be required to provide a minimum level of open space in line with the Council's open space standards in accordance with Policy DC5. 9. Proposals will be required to make a contribution to expanding and enhancing existing or planned built leisure facilities and playing pitch provision that will serve residents of the development. 10. The layout of the development should take account of existing landscape features, including watercourses, ponds and significant hedgerows and ensure the site contributes to the wider objectives of the Mersey Forest. Particular regard should be given to sites identified in Policy DC4 (Ecological Network) which should be protected in line with Policy DC4 and national guidelines. 11. A scheme for measurable biodiversity net gain should be demonstrated through the use of the Defra Metric and provided for all development parcels that come forward for planning approval. Mitigation measures for loss of habitat will only be allowed if shown to be necessary by application of the mitigation hierarchy in accordance with the requirements of Policy DC4. 12. The southwestern, eastern and northern boundaries of the site define the Green Belt boundary. A landscape scheme will be required to reinforce these Green Belt boundaries, particularly the hedgerow along the southwestern boundary. 13. A scheme of compensatory improvements to the environmental quality and accessibility of land remaining in the Green Belt will be required. In the first instance, the improvements should be made in the immediate vicinity of the site and delivered by the developer. The Council will consider improvements in the wider area where it can be demonstrated that the improvements cannot be delivered in the immediate vicinity of the site or where this will provide greater benefits. Financial contributions will only be considered where this would help to ensure that the benefits of compensatory improvements can be maximised by providing them in a more appropriate location. 14. A package of transport improvements will be required to support the development. Required improvements will include: a. Ensuring appropriate access arrangements for the site. b. Provision of cycling and walking routes within the site to connect into the wider existing footway network to the west and provide connectivity with the existing community. c. Other necessary network improvements as identified by an appropriate Transport Assessment. 15. The development will be required to make a contribution towards the delivery of sustainable transport modes. 16. Good accessibility to the existing public transport services should be provided by ensuring that the bus route and bus stops on Warrington Road are accessible by pedestrians. 17. A site-wide surface water strategy is required, incorporating appropriate Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) and flood alleviation measures. 18. Improvements to the water supply and sewerage network will be required, ensuring that surface water drainage is not combined with foul discharge. 19. The development will be required to mitigate air quality impacts on the Manchester Mosses SAC in accordance with Policy ENV8 (Part 4), including providing a financial contribution towards appropriate mitigation measures at Holcroft Moss. 20. Development within the site must not impact on the operation of (or impede the required access to) the existing underground gas pipeline that crosses the site. 21. The development should be designed to mitigate the impacts of climate change; be as energy efficient as possible and seek to meet a proportion of its energy needs from renewable or low carbon sources in accordance with Policy ENV7.

Hollins Green

1. Land at Hollins Green (inset settlement) will be removed from the Green Belt and allocated for residential development for a minimum of 200 homes. 2. The development of the site should be in accordance with any emerging Hollins Green Neighbourhood Plan and take into account the Heritage Impact Assessment for the Outlying Settlements (2021). 3. A range of housing tenures, types and sizes will be required in order to ensure development contributes to meeting the Borough's general and specialist housing needs, including family homes with gardens, specific provision for older people and for younger people looking to purchase their first home. 4. A minimum of 30% of homes should be affordable in accordance with Policy DEV2. 5. Specific provision should be made for self-build/custom build plots, subject to demand as demonstrated by the Council's self-build register. 6. To reflect the site's location adjacent to the open countryside the development will be constructed to an average minimum density of 30dph. 7. The development will be required to make a contribution towards the provision of additional primary and secondary school places to meet the need for school places that will be generated from the development. 8. Development will be required to make a contribution towards the provision of additional primary care capacity. 9. The development will be required to provide a minimum level of open space in line with the Council's open space standards in accordance with Policy DC5. 10. Proposals will be required to make a contribution to expanding and enhancing existing or planned built leisure facilities and playing pitch provision that will serve residents of the development. 11. The layout of the development should take account of existing landscape features, including trees and significant hedgerows and ensure the site contributes to the wider objectives of the Mersey Forest. Particular regard should be given to sites identified in Policy DC4 (Ecological Network) which should be protected in line with Policy DC4 and national guidelines. 12. A scheme for measurable biodiversity net gain should be demonstrated through the use of the Defra Metric and provided for all development parcels that come forward for planning approval. Mitigation measures for loss of habitat will only be allowed if shown to be necessary by application of the mitigation hierarchy in accordance with the requirements of Policy DC4. 13. The development site boundaries define the Green Belt boundary. A landscape scheme will be required that retains and enhances the trees and hedgerows along these Green Belt boundaries. 14. A scheme of compensatory improvements to the environmental quality and accessibility of land remaining in the Green Belt will be required. In the first instance, the improvements should be made in the immediate vicinity of the site and delivered by the developer. The Council will consider improvements in the wider area where it can be demonstrated that the improvements cannot be delivered in the immediate vicinity of the site or where this will provide greater benefits. Financial contributions will only be considered where this would help to ensure that the benefits of compensatory improvements can be maximised by providing them in a more appropriate location. 15. A package of transport improvements will be required to support the development. Required improvements will include: a. Ensuring appropriate access arrangements for the site. b. Provision of cycling and walking routes within the site to connect into the wider existing footway network and public right of way to the north and provide connectivity with the existing community. c. Other necessary network improvements as identified by an appropriate Transport Assessment. 16. The development will be required to make a contribution towards the delivery of sustainable transport modes. 17. A site-wide surface water strategy is required, incorporating appropriate Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) and flood alleviation measures. 18. Improvements to the water supply and sewerage network will be required, ensuring that surface water drainage is not combined with foul discharge. 19. The development should demonstrate that there would be no likely significant effects on the integrity of the adjacent European site (Rixton Clay Pits SAC) due to issues of water quality; ground water resource; impact on Great Crested Newts; fly-tipping or other anti-social behaviour. 20. The development should be designed to mitigate the impacts of climate change; be as energy efficient as possible and seek to meet a proportion of its energy needs from renewable or low carbon sources in accordance with Policy ENV7.

Lymm (Pool Lane/Warrington Road)

1. Land to the west of Lymm (inset settlement) will be removed from the Green Belt and allocated for residential development for a minimum of 170 homes. 2. The development of the site should be in accordance with the emerging Lymm Neighbourhood Plan and take into account the Lymm Heritage and Character Assessment (2018). 3. A range of housing tenures, types and sizes will be required in order to ensure development contributes to meeting the Borough's general and specialist housing needs, including family homes with gardens, specific provision for older people and for younger people looking to purchase their first home. 4. A minimum of 30% of homes should be affordable in accordance with Policy DEV2. 5. Specific provision should be made for self-build/custom build plots, subject to demand as demonstrated by the Council's self-build register. 6. To reflect the site's location adjacent to the open countryside the development will be constructed to an average minimum density of 30dph. 7. The development will be required to make a contribution towards the provision of additional primary and secondary school places to meet the need for school places that will be generated from the development. 8. Development will be required to make a contribution towards the provision of additional primary care capacity. 9. The development will be required to provide a minimum level of open space in line with the Council's open space standards in accordance with Policy DC5. 10. Proposals will be required to make a contribution to expanding and enhancing existing or planned built leisure facilities and playing pitch provision that will serve residents of the development. 11. The layout of the development should take account of existing landscape features, including trees and significant hedgerows and ensure the site contributes to the wider objectives of the Mersey Forest. Particular regard should be given to sites identified in Policy DC4 (Ecological Network) which should be protected in line with Policy DC4 and national guidelines. 12. A scheme for measurable biodiversity net gain should be demonstrated through the use of the Defra Metric and provided for all development parcels that come forward for planning approval. Mitigation measures for loss of habitat will only be allowed if shown to be necessary by application of the mitigation hierarchy in accordance with the requirements of Policy DC4. 13. The west, northern and part of the southern boundaries of the allocation define the Green Belt boundary. A landscape scheme will be required that creates a notable area of natural wetland habitat and retains and enhances the trees and hedgerows along these Green Belt boundaries, particularly the hedgerow along the northern boundary and the woodland along the western boundary. 14. A scheme of compensatory improvements to the environmental quality and accessibility of land remaining in the Green Belt will be required. In the first instance, the improvements should be made in the immediate vicinity of the site and delivered by the developer. The Council will consider improvements in the wider area where it can be demonstrated that the improvements cannot be delivered in the immediate vicinity of the site or where this will provide greater benefits. Financial contributions will only be considered where this would help to ensure that the benefits of compensatory improvements can be maximised by providing them in a more appropriate location. 15. A package of transport improvements will be required to support the development. Required improvements will include: a. Ensuring appropriate access arrangements for the site. b. Provision of cycling and walking routes within the site (including footpath no.10 that traverses the southern part of the allocation north to south) which connect into the wider existing footway network around the site and provide connectivity with the existing community. c. Other necessary network improvements as identified by an appropriate Transport Assessment. 16. The development will be required to make a contribution towards the delivery of improved cycle links to employment opportunities in the Town Centre. 17. Good accessibility to public transport services should be provided by ensuring that the bus routes and bus stops on Warrington Road are accessible by pedestrians. 18. A site-wide surface water strategy is required, incorporating appropriate Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) and flood alleviation measures that take account of existing surrounding drainage patterns. 19. Improvements to the water supply and sewerage network will be required, ensuring that surface water drainage is not combined with foul discharge. 20. The development should be designed to mitigate the impacts of climate change; be as energy efficient as possible and seek to meet a proportion of its energy needs from renewable or low carbon sources in accordance with Policy ENV7. 21. The design of the development must incorporate appropriate measures to mitigate noise impacts from the adjacent Statham Lodge Hotel. 22. Development will be required to preserve or enhance the historic environment, heritage assets and their setting. 23. Development proposals will be required to be in accordance with the Heritage Impact Assessments for Lymm – Pool Lane and Lymm - Warrington Road; including the proposed mitigation and enhancement measures.

Lymm (Rushgreen Road)

1. Land to the east of Lymm (inset settlement) will be removed from the Green Belt and allocated for residential development for a minimum of 136 homes and a new health facility. 2. The development of the site should be in accordance with the emerging Lymm Neighbourhood Plan and take into account the Lymm Heritage and Character Assessment (2018). 3. A range of housing tenures, types and sizes will be required in order to ensure development contributes to meeting the Borough's general and specialist housing needs, including family homes with gardens, specific provision for older people and for younger people looking to purchase their first home. 4. A minimum of 30% of homes should be affordable in accordance with Policy DEV2. 5. Specific provision should be made for self-build/custom build plots, subject to demand as demonstrated by the Council's self-build register. 6. To reflect the site's location adjacent to the open countryside the development will be constructed to an average minimum density of 30dph. 7. The development will be required to make a contribution towards the provision of additional primary and secondary school places to meet the need for school places that will be generated from the development. 8. Development will be required to provide for a new primary health care facility of a minimum of 1,500 sq.m. 9. The development will be required to provide a minimum level of open space in line with the Council's open space standards in accordance with Policy DC5. 10. Proposals will be required to make a contribution to expanding and enhancing existing or planned built leisure facilities and playing pitch provision that will serve residents of the development. 11. The layout of the development should take account of existing landscape features, including trees, ponds, watercourses (including the Bridgewater Canal) and significant hedgerows and ensure the site contributes to the wider objectives of the Mersey Forest. Particular regard should be given to sites identified in Policy DC4 (Ecological Network) which should be protected in line with Policy DC4 and national guidelines. 12. A scheme for measurable biodiversity net gain should be demonstrated through the use of the Defra Metric and provided for all development parcels that come forward for planning approval. Mitigation measures for loss of habitat will only be allowed if shown to be necessary by application of the mitigation hierarchy in accordance with the requirements of Policy DC4. 13. The southern boundary of the site defines the Green Belt boundary. A landscape scheme will be required that retains and enhances the trees and hedgerows along this Green Belt boundary and enhances the setting of the Bridgewater Canal. 14. A scheme of compensatory improvements to the environmental quality and accessibility of land remaining in the Green Belt will be required. In the first instance, the improvements should be made in the immediate vicinity of the site and delivered by the developer. The Council will consider improvements in the wider area where it can be demonstrated that the improvements cannot be delivered in the immediate vicinity of the site or where this will provide greater benefits. Financial contributions will only be considered where this would help to ensure that the benefits of compensatory improvements can be maximised by providing them in a more appropriate location. 15. A package of transport improvements will be required to support the development. Required improvements will include: a. Ensuring appropriate access arrangements for the site. b. Provision of cycling and walking routes within the site to connect into the wider existing footway network (including the Bridgewater Canal towpath that runs along the southern boundary of the site) and provide connectivity with the existing community. c. Other necessary network improvements as identified by an appropriate Transport Assessment. 16. The development will be required to make a contribution towards the delivery of improved cycle links to employment opportunities in the Town Centre. 17. Good accessibility to public transport services should be provided by ensuring that the bus routes and bus stops on Rushgreen Road are accessible by pedestrians. 18. A site-wide surface water strategy is required, incorporating appropriate Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) and flood alleviation measures. 19. Improvements to the water supply and sewerage network will be required, ensuring that surface water drainage is not combined with foul discharge. 20. Development proposals will be required to assess the impact on the groundwater environment and incorporate appropriate mitigation measures in accordance with Policy ENV8 (Part 10). 21. The development should be designed to mitigate the impacts of climate change; be as energy efficient as possible and seek to meet a proportion of its energy needs from renewable or low carbon sources in accordance with Policy ENV7. 22. Development will be required to preserve or enhance the historic environment, heritage assets and their setting.

Land to the north of Winwick

1. Land to the north of Winwick (inset settlement) will be removed from the Green Belt and allocated for development for a minimum of 130 homes. 2. A range of housing tenures, types and sizes will be required in order to ensure development contributes to meeting the Borough's general and specialist housing needs, including family homes with gardens, specific provision for older people and for younger people looking to purchase their first home. 3. A minimum of 30% of homes should be affordable in accordance with Policy DEV2. 4. Specific provision should be made for self-build/custom build plots, subject to demand as demonstrated by the Council's self-build register. 5. To reflect the site's location adjacent to the open countryside the development will be constructed to an average minimum density of 30dph. 6. The development will be required to make a contribution towards the provision of additional primary and secondary school places to meet the need for school places that will be generated from the development. 7. Development will be expected to make a contribution towards the provision of additional primary care capacity. 8. The development will be required to provide a minimum level of open space in line with the Council's open space standards in accordance with Policy DC5. 9. Proposals will be required to make a contribution to expanding and enhancing existing or planned built leisure facilities and playing pitches that will serve residents of the development. 10. The layout of the settlement extension should take account of existing landscape features, including watercourses and significant hedgerows and ensure the site contributes to the wider objectives of the Mersey Forest. Particular regard should be given to sites identified in Policy DC4 (Ecological Network) which should be protected in line with Policy DC4 and national guidelines. 11. A scheme for measurable biodiversity net gain should be demonstrated through the use of the Defra Metric and provided for all development parcels that come forward for planning approval. Mitigation measures for loss of habitat will only be allowed if shown to be necessary by application of the mitigation hierarchy in accordance with the requirements of Policy DC4.

Delivering Infrastructure

1. Development will be required to provide or contribute towards the provision of the infrastructure needed to support it. 2. The Council will seek planning obligations where development creates a requirement for additional or improved services and infrastructure and/or to address the off-site impact of development so as to satisfy other policy requirements. Planning contributions may be sought to fund a single item of infrastructure or to fund part of an infrastructure item or service, subject to statutory processes and regulations. 3. Where new infrastructure is needed to support development, the infrastructure must be operational no later than the appropriate phase of development for which it is needed. 4. Obligations will be negotiated on a site-by-site basis and will only be sought where these are: a. necessary to make the development acceptable in planning terms; b. directly related to the development; and c. fairly and reasonably related in scale and kind to the development. 5. Appropriate matters to be funded by planning contributions include, but are not limited to: Affordable housing. Public realm improvements and creation, including public art. Improvements to Heritage Assets. Flood defence and alleviation schemes, including SuDS. Biodiversity enhancements. Open space, including green infrastructure and allotments. Transport improvements, including walking and cycling facilities. Education provision. Utilities. Waste management. Health infrastructure. Sport, leisure, recreational, cultural and other social and community facilities. Emergency services. 6. The Council will only consider the viability of development proposals at the planning applications stage where it can clearly be demonstrated, through a robust site-specific Financial Viability Assessment, that development would not be financially viable if full planning obligations were sought. In these cases, applicants should provide viability evidence through an 'open book' approach to allow for the proper review of evidence submitted and for reasons of transparency. The Council will then be able to balance the benefits of the proposals against any harm arising from not securing the full planning obligation requirements. 7. Where the Council approves a development where it has been demonstrated that it is not viable to provide the full planning obligation requirements, the Council will include a review mechanism within the S106 Agreement to ensure that additional contributions are secured should viability improve over time.

Aerodrome Safeguarding (Manchester Airport)

1. Development within the safeguarding zone as shown on the Policies Map that would adversely affect the operational integrity or safety of Manchester Airport or Manchester Radar will not be permitted.

Foul and Surface Water Strategy

A site-wide foul and surface water strategy is required across the Waterfront as a whole, incorporating exemplary and multi-functional Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) and flood alleviation measures. It will be important for this to be integrated with the site's green infrastructure network in order to maximise ecological and potentially recreational benefits. Development proposals will be expected to incorporate infiltration SuDS and SuDS with multi-functional benefits in preference to traditional underground storage systems.

Water Supply and Sewerage

Improvements to the water supply and sewerage network will be required, ensuring that surface water drainage is not combined with foul discharge. A site wide clean water strategy will also be required.

Co-ordination of Drainage Strategies

These strategies must demonstrate co-ordination between any phases of development, ensure unfettered rights between various parcels and outline a timeline for the delivery of on-site infrastructure. Submitted drainage strategies should ensure a proliferation of pumping stations are avoided.

Utility Infrastructure

Development within the Waterfront must not inhibit the operation of the existing gas pipeline, power line, water and wastewater infrastructure, including a high pressurised sludge main and sewage works, which are on or adjacent to the site. Development layouts will be expected to be designed to take these into account. Access to this infrastructure should be maintained within the proposed development layouts. The Development Framework must take full account of the proximity to the sewage works, be informed by appropriate impact assessments (odour and noise) and include mitigation measures if identified as necessary. Applicants may be required to submit a management plan and details of any protection provisions to ensure the integrity of the utility assets are maintained both during and after construction.

Utilities, Telecommunications and Broadband

General Principles - All Utilities 1. All development proposals must demonstrate that engagement has taken place with the required Statutory Undertakers and Infrastructure providers, and provide a strategy for how they will connect to public utilities infrastructure and/or deliver the required infrastructure to support development, these include: a. Water; b. Sewerage and surface water drainage; c. Gas; d. Electricity; and e. Telecommunications including Broadband. 2. The Council will support the installation of existing and emerging telecommunications technology in new residential and employment development, to improve the connectivity of the population, support business growth and facilitate home working. 3. Developers will be required to work with the Council and appropriate providers to deliver the necessary physical infrastructure and networks as an integral part of all new developments, taking into account the need to 'future proof' development to accommodate emerging technologies. Developers will be required to undertake early dialogue with infrastructure providers to identify the infrastructure needs arising from new development and ensure that these are addressed through building design, utility networks and connections in time to serve the proposed development. 4. On large development sites or sites developed on a phased basis, applicants will be required to ensure that the delivery of development is guided by site wide strategies for infrastructure (e.g. foul, surface water and clean water) which ensure coordination between phases of development over lengthy time periods and by numerous developers. Conditions or planning obligations may be used to secure these phasing arrangements. Development Proposals in the Vicinity of Utilities Infrastructure 5. Development will not be permitted in the vicinity of sewage treatment works, high pressure oil or gas pipelines, or other sensitive installations, where they would present an unacceptable loss of amenity or risk to those using the development, or sterilise the future expansion or operation of an existing facility. Applicants will be expected to submit appropriate information to demonstrate that the proposed development will be acceptable and if necessary provide suitable mitigation measures where development is proposed in the vicinity of such installations. 6. Development proposals for new, expanded or improved utility service infrastructure providing essential services and facilities, including electricity supply, gas or heating supply, water supply and waste water management, that comply with other relevant Plan policies will be permitted provided they can demonstrate that there is an identified need for such a facility within the Plan area, which cannot be met through existing facilities and that they minimise environmental harm, and provide adequate mitigation measures, in light of operational requirements and technical limitations. Development proposals at existing utility sites in the Green Belt in the form of infilling or redevelopment, will be supported where they are needed to respond to future growth and environmental needs and accord with national and local policies. 7. Development layouts should consider the proximity of proposed dwellings to foul water pumping stations and allow for a distance of 15 metres from the boundary of the curtilage of the dwellings to reduce the risk of loss of amenity associated with the operation of the pumping station. 8. Development layouts should consider the proximity of proposed dwellings to foul water pumping stations and allow for a distance of 15 metres from the boundary of the curtilage of the dwellings to reduce the risk of loss of amenity associated with the operation of the pumping station. Development Proposals (Telecommunications) 9. The Council will support applications for prior approval and proposals for commercially operated or public service telecommunications equipment provided that they comply with the relevant health and safety guidelines and satisfy the following criteria: a. Proposals are supported by the necessary evidence to justify the proposed development; b. There is no reasonable possibility of sharing existing facilities in the locality (either in terms of antennae, buildings or sites); c. In the case of radio masts, there is no reasonable and more appropriate possibility of erecting antennae on an existing building or other structure; d. There is no unacceptable harm to residential amenity, the character and appearance of the area, the street scene, a heritage asset, pedestrian movement or the satisfactory functioning of the highway; and e. If the site, of necessity, is in a prominent or open location, all practicable measures have been taken in the design and positioning of the proposal to minimise any such harm. 10. Where the proposal complies with health and safety guidelines but the above criteria cannot be met, the Council will need to be satisfied that there are overriding technical or operational considerations to justify the grant of planning permission. Development Proposals (Broadband Provision) 11. All new residential and commercial development must be served by high speed Broadband, or if this is not feasible at the time of the development undertake all reasonable actions to enable a high speed Broadband connection at a future date, unless it can be demonstrated through evidenced consultation with Broadband providers that this would not be possible, practical or economically viable.

Local Plan Monitoring and Review

Monitoring Framework 1. The Council will prepare an Annual Monitoring Report setting out performance against Local Plan policies based on the indicators provided in Appendix 2. 2. If delivery of housing, including affordable housing, in any given monitoring year falls below 100% of the annual requirement, the Council will consider implementing all or some of the following measures to bring forward development: a. Working with developers and infrastructure providers to remove obstacles to the delivery of sites; b. Seeking alternative sources of funding if problems with infrastructure provision is delaying development of key strategic sites; c. Consideration of the potential to increase density on allocated sites; d. Consideration of the ability to deliver strategic sites earlier in the Plan period; and e. Working with other authorities under the Duty to Co-operate to address any unmet needs. 3. Where total delivery of housing is less than 75% of the annual requirement for three consecutive monitoring years, or where jobs growth exceeds that of the forecasts used to inform the Plan's housing requirement for three consecutive years, this will trigger the need for the consideration of a review or partial review of the Local Plan. 4. Where there is an identified risk to delivery of infrastructure essential to delivering the Spatial Strategy of the Plan, this will trigger the need for the consideration of a review or partial review of the Local Plan. Monitoring Main Development Allocations 5. In order to ensure timely delivery of the Main Development Areas, the Council will draw up an action plan setting out key milestones for the delivery of these areas, including masterplanning, phasing of infrastructure and submission of planning applications, and monitor progress on an annual basis. 6. The annual rate of housing completions within the Main Development Areas will be considered as part of Borough wide monitoring.

Fiddlers Ferry

MD3.1 Key Land Use and Infrastructure Requirements 1. Land at the former Fiddlers Ferry Power Station site will be allocated to deliver a mixed-use development comprising approximately 101ha of employment land and a minimum of 860 new homes in the Plan period. 2. The allocation will include the removal of 29 ha of land from the Green Belt to accommodate a minimum of 860 new homes. 3. The allocation will be supported by the following range of infrastructure: a. A range of housing tenures, types and sizes, including affordable homes, custom and self-build plots and supported and extra care housing. b. A new 1 form entry primary school. c. Local shops and other community facilities of an appropriate scale. d. Space within the development for a potential branch GP surgery. e. A contribution towards additional secondary school places. f. A contribution towards built leisure facilities. g. New parks and an extensive green infrastructure network. h. A range of smaller areas of open space within the residential development to serve the new community. i. Playing pitches. j. A comprehensive package of transport improvements. k. Compensatory green belt improvements and ecological mitigation and enhancement. l. Flood mitigation and drainage including exemplary sustainable drainage systems (SuDS). MD3.2 Delivery and phasing 4. The principal landowners and developers will be required to prepare a comprehensive Development Framework for the Fiddlers Ferry development site. The Development Framework will accord with the site-specific requirements of this policy and wider Local Plan requirements. The Framework will be subject to consultation with statutory consultees, adjacent landowners and the local community before being finalised. 5. The Development Framework will be agreed with the Council in advance of the determination of the application for the first part of the employment site and before any further planning applications are submitted. The Development Framework will be a material consideration in the determination of planning applications across the allocation site. 6. To ensure a coordinated approach to new development across the allocation site, the Development Framework will provide: a. A comprehensive spatial masterplan for the entire development site, based on the principles and requirements set out in this policy and reflecting site opportunities and constraints; b. A comprehensive infrastructure delivery strategy for the development site with details on phasing, delivery triggers and delivery responsibilities; and c. An allocation wide approach to infrastructure funding, including planning obligations. MD3.3 Detailed Site-specific Requirements New Homes 7. The residential development parcels will provide a new neighbourhood comprising an appropriate mix of housing in accordance with Policy DEV2, including a minimum of 30% provision of affordable housing. 8. Supported housing for older people should be provided within the allocation site boundary. The precise nature of this will need to be agreed with the Council based on need and the Council's broader strategy to encourage independent living. 9. Specific provision should be made for self-build/custom-build plots, subject to demand as demonstrated by the Council's self-build register. 10. To ensure the efficient use of land and to reflect the area's urban fringe location, residential development will be constructed to an average minimum net density of 35dph. Employment Area 11. The employment area will deliver around 101 hectares of employment land to meet strategic and local employment needs. 12. The employment land is allocated for distribution and industrial uses (B8, B2 and related ancillary uses) and for low carbon energy projects utilising the sites established power infrastructure. Community Facilities 13. The development will be required to deliver a new 1 form entry primary school which should be located immediately adjacent to the local centre. 14. The development will be required to make a financial contribution towards the provision of additional secondary school places through the expansion of existing secondary schools. 15. The new local centre should provide a focal point for the new community and should include local shops and other appropriate local services. Any proposal for retail development above 500 sq.m. gross will require a retail needs assessment and be subject to the sequential assessment set out in Policy DEV5. 16. The specification and delivery of flexible space for a satellite GP surgery will need to be agreed with the NHS as part of the delivery strategy. Green Infrastructure Network 17. The Development Framework will define a green infrastructure network to ensure the provision of an accessible, comprehensive and high quality network of multi-functional green spaces which connect the different parts of the development site and provide links into Warrington's wider green space network. 18. In accordance with Policy DC5 a range of types and sizes of open space will be required in line with the Council's open space standards. This should include provision of local parks and gardens; natural and semi-natural greenspace; equipped and informal play areas; sports pitches; and allotment plots. 19. The long term management and maintenance arrangements for the green infrastructure network within the development site must be secured. Natural Environment 20. Development within the allocation site will be required to protect and enhance existing wildlife corridors and provide new corridors to link the site into Warrington's wider ecological network and the Mersey Estuary Special Protection Area. 21. The layout of new development must take into account existing landscape features, including watercourses, woodlands, significant hedgerows and contribute to the wider objectives of the Mersey Forest and have regard to sites identified in Policy DC4 (Ecological Network) which should be protected in accordance with the requirements of Policy DC4 and national guidelines. 22. In accordance with Policy DC4 development within the allocation site will be required to evidence that it will not have any adverse impacts on the integrity of the Mersey Estuary Special Protection Area. If habitats within the allocation site or on adjacent land are suitable to support significant populations of qualifying species of wintering birds, avoidance measures and mitigation will be required and any planning application may need to be assessed through project specific Habitats Regulations Assessment. 23. A scheme for measurable biodiversity net gain should be demonstrated through the use of the Defra Metric and provided for all development parcels that come forward for planning approval. Mitigation measures for loss of habitat will only be allowed if shown to be necessary by application of the mitigation hierarchy in accordance with the requirements of Policy DC4. Green Belt 24. The Green Belt boundary to the north will be formed by Widnes Road and an area of new parkland. To the east the Green Belt Boundary currently consists of Marsh Lane and the limits of existing development and would require strengthening to ensure permanence of the Green Belt in the long term. 25. A scheme of compensatory improvements to the environmental quality and accessibility of land remaining in the Green Belt will be required. In the first instance, the improvements should be made in the immediate vicinity of the site and delivered by the developer. The Council will consider improvements in the wider area where it can be demonstrated that the improvements cannot be delivered in the immediate vicinity of the site or where this will provide greater benefits. Financial contributions will only be considered where this would help to ensure that the benefits of compensatory improvements can be maximised by providing them in a more appropriate location. Transport and Accessibility 26. A comprehensive package of transport improvements will be required to support the development. Required improvements will include: a. Ensuring appropriate access arrangements for the site as a whole and for individual phases of development. b. Improved cycling and walking routes well related to the green infrastructure network and connecting to the Trans Pennine Trail. c. Providing public transport enhancements to connect the new community with Warrington Town Centre and neighbouring Widnes Town Centre. d. Other necessary improvements or mitigation measures to local and strategic highway networks as identified by an appropriate Transport Assessment. 27. The layout of the development site should maximise the potential for walkable neighbourhoods, with a legible hierarchy of routes, providing new footpaths and cycleways that link to existing networks beyond the site. 28. Good accessibility to public transport services should be provided by ensuring that the bus routes and bus stops within the site are accessible by pedestrians and cyclists via effective footpaths and cycle routes. 29. Development within the allocation site should be supported by an area-wide travel plan, encompassing the needs of all site users. This area-wide travel plan should replace the need for a series of individual travel plans. 30. The development should contribute to the Council's wider aspiration of enhancing the Trans Pennine Trail and the St Helens Canal as a recreational, tourism, heritage and environmental resource as well as an important cycle and pedestrian link across the Borough. Utilities and Environmental Protection 31. A site-wide foul and surface water strategy will be required across the allocation site as a whole, incorporating appropriate Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS) and flood alleviation measures. The surface water strategy will be required to improve on greenfield run-off rates. Development proposals will be expected to incorporate infiltration SuDS and SuDS with multi-functional benefits in preference to traditional underground storage systems. 32. The surface water strategy should be integrated with the site's green infrastructure network in order to maximise ecological and potentially recreational benefits. 33. Improvements to the water supply and sewerage network will be required, ensuring that surface water drainage is not combined with foul discharge. A site wide clean water strategy will also be required. 34. Development at Fiddlers Ferry must not impact on the operation of existing infrastructure services or other operations which cross or run close to the site including the Vyrnwy Aqueduct, the Grangemouth/Stanlow pipeline, all other COMAH sites and any overhead power lines. 35. Development within the allocation site should be designed to mitigate the impacts of climate change; be as energy efficient as possible and seek to meet a proportion of its energy needs from renewable or low carbon sources in accordance with Policy ENV7. 36. Development proposals may be required to assess the impact on the groundwater environment and incorporate appropriate mitigating measures. 37. The design and layout of development must incorporate appropriate measures to mitigate noise and air quality impacts from the A562 Widnes Road and railway line. 38. Development within the allocation site will be required to mitigate air quality impacts on the Manchester Mosses SAC in accordance with Policy ENV8 (Part 4), including providing a financial contribution towards appropriate mitigations measures at Holcroft Moss. Historic Environment 39. Development within the allocation site will be required to be designed in order to ensure that heritage assets and their settings are conserved and, where appropriate, enhanced within the context of the overall development, through appropriate mitigation measures, having regard to the Fiddlers Ferry Heritage Impact Assessment.

Retail and Leisure Needs

Hierarchy of Centres 1. Provision for retailing within the Borough will be based on the need to safeguard and enhance the vitality and viability of the following hierarchy of centres: Warrington Town Centre as defined on the Policies Map The District Centres as defined on the Policies Map: Birchwood Stockton Heath Westbrook The Neighbourhood Centres as defined on the Policies Map: Chapelford Culcheth Village Fearnhead Cross Honiton Square, Penketh Latchford Village Lovely Lane Lymm Village Orford Lane Poplars Avenue/Capesthorne Road The Local Centres as Identified on the Policies Map: Barley Road, Thelwall Bridge Lane, Appleton Bruche Heath Gardens Burtonwood Village Callands Local Centre Church Street Howley Cinnamon Brow Cotswold Road, Poplars Croft Village Dam Lane, Woolston Folly Lane Dudlows Green Road George's Precinct, Lingley Road Glazebrook Village Glazebury Village Gorse Covert Local Centre Harrison Square, Dallam Hollins Green Village Holes Lane, Manchester Road Hood Manor Local Centre Howson Road, Longford Knutsford Road, Latchford Knutsford Road, Grappenhall Locking Stumps Local Centre Longshaw Street, Bewsey Marsh House Lane, Fairfield Oakwood Local Centre Old Hall Omega Padgate Lane Parksway Woolston Station Road, Great Sankey Warrington Road (East), Penketh Warrington Road (West), Penketh Winwick Village 2. In order to meet the needs of the Main Development Areas, the following additional centres are proposed: Local Centres: South East Warrington Urban Extension Peel Hall Fiddlers Ferry Warrington Waterfront Neighbourhood Hubs 3. Where new Neighbourhood Hubs cannot be accommodated in defined centres, they should be in sustainable locations where the development would support the accessible co-location of facilities and services. New Retail and Leisure Development 4. Retail and Leisure uses will be directed towards the Town Centre, District, Neighbourhood and Local Centres where the development is of a scale and nature appropriate to the area served by the centre. Proposals will be expected to enhance the vitality, viability and overall attractiveness of the centre. 5. Where retail or leisure uses are proposed outside of a defined centre, the applicant will be required to: a. demonstrate that no suitable sites are available within the centre or in edge of centre locations through applying a sequential approach; b. demonstrate that there are no significant adverse impacts on existing centres; and c. where development is over 500 square metres gross, provide justification in the form of an impact assessment proportionate to the scale of the proposal. Sustaining local shops and services 6. The Council will seek to support the health and wellbeing of local communities by ensuring development proposals: a. plan positively for the provision and use of shared spaces, community facilities and other local services within defined centres and avoid the loss or change of use of viable convenience shops, cultural facilities, post offices and public houses where the loss would impact on the diversity of local services in communities; b. avoid an overconcentration of hot food takeaways in accordance with the approach set out in the Council's Hot Food Takeaway SPD; c. support the retention of viable local health and community facilities.

Town Centre and surrounding area

Widening the role of the Town Centre 1. The Council will support development in the Town Centre, as defined on the Polices Map, which strengthens its viability and vitality and promotes a greater diversity of uses, and in particular which: a. provides new homes; b. generates job growth, particularly high value jobs; c. adds to the provision and attractiveness of the Town Centre's office market; d. adds to the cultural and tourism provision on offer; e. supports existing, committed and planned public and private investment; f. increases the use of the Town Centre throughout the day and night; g. supports the Town in its role as a regional transport gateway/interchange and improves linkages to it from the rest of the Borough and beyond especially by active travel modes and public transport. Enhanced Cultural Activities 2. The Council will positively encourage enhanced and additional cultural activities and venues in line with findings of the Warrington Cultural Commission, including: a. additional performance venues, particularly theatre venues; b. additional outdoor events and fairs; c. increased alfresco activity within the public realm of the main shopping streets; d. increased market provision, both indoor and outdoor; e. enhanced interpretation of Warrington's rich heritage. Key Development Sites in the Town Centre and surrounding areas 3. The Council and its partners will support and promote comprehensive redevelopment and regeneration opportunities in accordance with the Town Centre Masterplan and the Warrington Town Centre SPD in the following areas which are identified in Figure 7: a. Time Square and the Cultural Quarter (including Bridge Street) for an increase in Town Centre living, commercial development including a new hotel and leisure uses; b. The Stadium Quarter for significantly increase the residential offer, whilst enhancing the commercial/office provision and improving the cohesion of the public realm; c. The Southern Gateway for the creation of high quality residential development, together with a new mixed use commercial area containing landmark buildings fronting on to the River Mersey at Bridgefoot/St James Church; d. Bank Quay Gateway for the creation of an enhanced transport hub focused around Bank Quay Station, supported by a mixture of uses including hotels, hospitality, offices and residential where it can be ensured that amenity standards can be met for new and existing residents; e. Eastern Gateway (including Cockhedge/St Mary's Quarter/St Elphin's Quarter/Thorneycroft) for the creation of new residential areas with supporting retail and commercial uses; f. Warrington Waterfront/Southern Gateway Opportunity Area for the creation of a new riverside park and a new residential neighbourhood and improved connectivity into and across the Town Centre for pedestrians and cyclists. 4. The Council will continue to work with its partners to support the ongoing delivery of the Bridge Street Quarter/Time Square for mixed use development including leisure, retail, entertainment, offices and residential uses. Optimising the Town Centre's development potential 5. New residential development should aim to achieve the minimum densities specified in Policy DEV1 subject to complying with the requirements of the Warrington Town Centre SPD. 6. There are opportunities for taller buildings at gateway sites to the Town Centre and along the A49 strategic corridor, as identified in the Warrington Town Centre SPD subject to: a. ensuring outstanding architectural quality; b. a detailed contextual analysis and strong design rationale; c. enhancement of the public realm; and d. a detailed understanding and mitigation of any impacts on heritage assets, environmental quality and residential amenity. Improving the Town Centre's Environment 7. All development within the Town Centre should comply with the guidance contained within the Warrington Town Centre SPD and should, where appropriate: a. ensure the historic environment and heritage assets are sustained, conserved and enhanced; b. enhance the public realm and the environmental quality of the wider area; c. create a vibrant and active street scene – through active ground floor street frontages and the provision of street cafes; d. pay particular attention to key transport routes into the Town Centre to ensure development contributes to a sense of arrival and ease of movement around the centre; and e. contribute to sustainable travel initiatives identified in the proposed Town Centre Area Travel Plan/Local Transport Plan. Retail Development within the Town Centre and Primary Shopping Area 8. New retail development will be promoted within the Primary Shopping Area within Warrington Town Centre as defined on the Policies Map. 9. Development in the Primary Shopping Area should provide an active ground floor frontage to maintain the character and enhance the vitality of the Town Centre's main shopping streets.

Sustainable Travel and Transport

To deliver the Council's objectives of improving the safety and efficiency of the transport network, tackling congestion, reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality, promoting sustainable transport options, reducing the need to travel by private car and encouraging healthy lifestyles, the Council will expect development to: 1. General Transport Principles: a. Be located in sustainable and accessible locations, or in locations that can be made sustainable and accessible; b. Ensure priority is given to walking, cycling and public transport within its design, and reducing the need to travel by private car; c. Provide infrastructure for the charging of plug-in and other ultra-low emission vehicles, in line with the Council's Parking Standards SPD (2015); d. Support proposals that reduce the level of trips made by single occupancy cars; e. Consider demand management measures including the effective allocation of road space in favour of public transport, pedestrians and cyclists; f. Mitigate its impact(s) or improve the performance of Warrington's Transport Network, including the Strategic Road Network, by delivering site specific infrastructure which will support the proposed level of development; g. Ensure traffic generated by development is appropriate to the type and nature of the routes available and that there is no adverse impact on the local community; h. Improve and develop appropriate road, rail and water freight transport routes and associated multimodal freight transport facilities in order to assist in the sustainable and efficient movement of goods, in accordance with other relevant Local Plan policies; i. Consider the impacts on the wider region's Strategic Road Network and work with adjoining local planning authorities and wider stakeholders to assess the impacts of transport initiatives outside of the Borough, where impacts have been identified and need to be mitigated; and j. Consider how development can be futureproofed, through the provision of measures to support new and emerging technologies, such as Autonomous Vehicles. 2. Improve Walking and Cycling Facilities (Active Travel) including: a. Give a high priority to the needs and safety of pedestrians and cyclists in new developments, through the provision of high quality cycling and walking networks that seamlessly integrate with existing networks; b. Improve way finding (including route signage); c. Enhance and develop integrated networks of continuous, attractive and safe networks for walking and cycling including well designed and improved roads, Rights of Way and the Greenway Network (as shown on the adopted Policies Map). This should include appropriate segregation of users and high priority should be given to users at junctions. Where appropriate, the Council will consider the use of planning conditions or planning obligations to secure the required improvements; d. Increase accessibility for all members' of society through improvements and the provision of new infrastructure to make the most of potential environmental, social and health benefits; e. Give priority to routes linking residential areas (especially those in recognised areas of deprivation) with employment areas, transport interchanges and hubs, schools, Warrington Hospital and other local services and facilities; f. supporting the provision of new or improved routes between Warrington and surrounding local authority areas; and g. Provide high quality secure and conveniently located bicycle parking facilities at new developments, at transport interchanges and hubs, the Town Centre and community facilities. 3. Improve Public Transport Including: a. Secure improvements to public transport infrastructure and services (to include bus, rail, taxi and private hire) in partnership, where appropriate with operators and delivery partners; b. Be located in areas with easy access to high quality and regular public transport services, to ensure public transport is a viable and attractive option by integrating the development with existing public transport infrastructure and services; c. Provide additional public transport infrastructure and services that are related in scale to the proposed development where existing facilities are not available or are in need of improvement or an appropriate subsidy to help mitigate the impacts of the proposed development; d. Consider options to enhance Bus Priority at junctions and the provision of dedicated bus lanes; e. Support proposals for new public transport networks and services, such as future Mass Transit systems and low or zero emission vehicles; f. Support proposals for rail infrastructure and services and the provision of rail facilities as appropriate; and g. Engage in proposals for the delivery of High Speed Rail and Northern Powerhouse Rail. 4. Protect future re-use of disused rail corridors Development will not be permitted on former railway lines for any use that will inhibit the re-use of that area for future transport improvements. Development proposals in the vicinity of former railway lines should demonstrate that they will not prejudice the potential for the re use of those areas for transport objectives, including the provision of public transport and sustainable transport schemes and / or corridors to support the sustainable growth of the Borough. 5. Improve Freight Transport Provision including: a. Provide new overnight parking facilities, in accordance with other relevant Local Plan policies, where there is an identified need for the provision of overnight lorry parking facilities, due to a lack of local provision, or where it has been established that unauthorised or inappropriate parking is causing a nuisance; b. Where new or expanded distribution centres are being proposed, they should include adequate lorry parking to meet the number of vehicle movements

Transport Safeguarding

General Safeguarding Principles 1. The Council will support priorities and improvements set out in the Local Transport Plan and other delivery documents by ensuring development will not prejudice the implementation of proposed transport schemes and projects that require land beyond the limits of the public highway. Safeguarded Land and Schemes 2. The Council will safeguard land for the following schemes, as shown on the Policies Map: a. Bridgefoot Link (formerly known as Bridgefoot Bypass), providing improved access between development sites to the north end of Centre Park, Warrington Bank Quay station and the wider Town Centre; b. A new or replacement high-level crossing of the Manchester Ship Canal between Ackers Road, Stockton Heath and Station Road, Latchford; c. Warrington East Multi-Modal Corridor improvement (part of the former safeguarding known as Long Lane Diversion), connecting Birchwood to Central Warrington via Birchwood Way, to allow future highway and public transport improvements to be delivered to support Warrington's growth; and d. Warrington Western Link. 3. These and additional schemes will be tested using the Council's Multi Modal Transport Model and any additional land considered necessary will be safeguarded via a future review of the Local Plan.

Transport Improvements

A comprehensive package of transport improvements will be required to support the Waterfront allocation.

Transport Requirements

Required improvements to support the new residential development will include: a. Ensuring appropriate access arrangements for the site as a whole and for individual phases of development. b. Improved cycling and walking routes well related to the green infrastructure and waterside network; Arpley Meadows Country Park, Bank Quay Station and Warrington Town Centre. c. Provision of waterside walkways and cycleways. d. Providing public transport improvements and services to connect the new community with Warrington Town Centre; and other major employment areas in Warrington and Daresbury. e. Other necessary network improvements or measures as identified by an appropriate Transport Assessment.

Area-wide Travel Plan

The Urban Extension should be supported by an area-wide travel plan, encompassing the needs of all site users. This area-wide travel plan should replace the need for a series of individual travel plans.