Planning in Wolverhampton

Education and Health Care Facilities

New health care facilities and pre-school, school and further and higher education facilities should be: • Well designed and well related to neighbourhood services and amenities; • Well related to public transport infrastructure and directed to a Centre appropriate in role and scale to the proposed development and its intended catchment area. Proposals located outside Centres must be justified in terms of relevant national policy; • Wherever possible, best located to address accessibility gaps in terms of the standards set out in Policy HOU2, particularly where a significant amount of new housing is proposed; • Where possible, incorporate a mix of compatible community service uses on a single site. New and improved facilities will be secured through a range of funding measures. Where a development would increase the need for education and health care facilities to the extent that new or improved facilities would be required, planning obligations or levies will be secured as detailed in Site Allocation Documents, Area Action Plans and Supplementary Planning Documents. Where housing site allocations are proposed through Site Allocations Documents or Area Action Plans which would require new or improved facilities, sites and potential funding mechanisms will be identified to deliver these. New and redeveloped education facilities should include maximum provision for community use of sports and other facilities. The existing network of education and health care facilities will be protected and enhanced. The physical enhancement and expansion of higher and further educational facilities and related business and research will be supported where it helps to realise the educational training and research potential of the Black Country. Proposals involving the loss of an education or health care facility will be permitted only where adequate alternative provision is available to meet the needs of the community served by the facility.

Place-Making

The Black Country has a unique heritage and urban structure which requires a bespoke approach to place-making and a high quality of design of the built and natural environment. All development will be required to demonstrate a clear understanding of the historic character and local distinctiveness of the area and show how proposals make a positive contribution to place-making and environmental improvement in the following spatial terms: • The hierarchy of centres will provide a focus and concentration for essential local services and activities with easy access by walking, cycling and public transport. Its diverse, accessible, affordable and active villages, towns and neighbourhoods will encourage commercial activity, promote prosperity and support the well-being of the area's inhabitants. • The Black Country will operate on a permeable street network with pedestrian priority that gives maximum freedom of movement and a good choice of means of transport. Vibrant streets and spaces, defined by surrounding buildings and with their own distinct character, should provide the framework for a coherent interconnected network of places that supports social interaction and displays a clear hierarchy of private, commercial and civic functions. • A high quality of design and utility of all transport proposals will be sought to ensure that interventions make a positive contribution to place making as well as increasing accessibility and connectivity. • The Black Country's transformation will be supported by buildings providing a range of functions, tenures, facilities and services to support its diverse local communities. A mix of building designs and types will be sought that are appropriate to the Black Country, set within appropriately scaled neighbourhoods. • The design of spaces and buildings will be influenced by their context and seek to enhance the unique attributes the area offers in terms of its local character and heritage whilst responding to current day needs, changes in society and cultural diversity. • The Black Country will be a safe and secure place through organising the urban environment in ways that encourage people to act in a civil and responsible manner. The pedestrian environment should be closely associated with active frontages at street level and an appropriate intensity of use in all areas at all times. • An integrated multifunctional open space network will not only provide space for sport and recreation and help support a balanced ecological environment but help mitigate flood risk, provide space for wildlife and informal recreation for local people. • The protection and enhancement of the historic canal network and the area's natural waterways which provide a unifying characteristic of the Black Country's urban structure and landscape. • In appropriate circumstances, the provision of public art will be required as part of new developments through on and off-site provision, to support and enhance the cultural and social development and identity of the Black Country. • The use of carbon-based products, energy and non-renewable resources will be minimised through the efficient design of buildings and their layout and site orientation.

Design Quality

Each place in the Black Country is distinct and successful place-making will depend on understanding and responding to the identity of each place with high quality design proposals. Development proposals across the Black Country will deliver a successful urban renaissance through high quality design that stimulates economic, social and environmental benefits by demonstrating that the following aspects of design have been addressed through Design and Access Statements reflecting their particular Black Country and local context: 1. Implementation of the principles of "By Design" to ensure the provision of a high quality network of streets, buildings and spaces; 2. Implementation of the principles of "Manual for Streets" to ensure urban streets and spaces are designed to provide a high quality public realm and an attractive, safe and permeable movement network; 3. Use of the Building for Life criteria for new housing developments, to demonstrate a commitment to strive for the highest possible design standards, good place making and sustainable development, given local circumstances; 4. Meeting Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 or above for residential development and Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) Very Good or above for other development, or the national requirement at the time of submitting the proposal for planning permission, to demonstrate a commitment to achieving high quality sustainable design; 5. Consideration of crime prevention measures and Secured By Design principles. 6. Including design features to reduce the urban heat island effect such as tree cover, green roofs and the inclusion of green space in development.

Managing the Balance between Employment Land and Housing

The Economy Key Diagram and Appendix 2 show the broad locations we propose to retain in employment use. Detailed boundaries for protected employment areas will be defined in Area Action Plans and Site Allocations Documents. These documents will also manage the release of surplus sites to alternative uses. Before releasing any employment land in the Black Country we will first ensure the retention of an adequate supply of occupied and available employment land to meet defined needs as set out in Policies EMP2, EMP3 and EMP4. We will take into account the availability of employment land within the area, the quality of the site and its geographical market. In areas identified for new housing we will positively plan to facilitate housing growth by: • Encouraging any existing operation which by virtue of the scale and nature of operations, traffic generation and other amenity considerations may restrict the regeneration of the area to relocate. This relocation will be facilitated with the full support of the local authority concerned, provided that suitable alternative sites and premises are available. • Resist new development where this may restrict the regeneration of the area by virtue of the scale and nature of operations, traffic generation and other amenity considerations. Existing businesses who may wish to redevelop or extend their premises will be encouraged to relocate with the full support of the local authority concerned, provided that suitable alternative sites and premises are available. Before considering the release of employment land elsewhere we will: • Ensure satisfactory arrangements for the relocation of existing occupiers to safeguard the existing employment base; • Ensure that the development does not adversely affect the operation of existing or proposed employment uses; • Ensure that the site is no longer viable and required either for employment use, including relocation of businesses displaced from sites released to other uses, or for other employment-generating uses. The indicative phasing of housing development on surplus employment land is summarised for each local authority in Table 4. A more detailed illustration of this distribution is shown in Appendix 2. This distribution should be used as the starting point for AAPs and SADs. Where local documents propose an alternative distribution the local authority must consider the implication this may have on the need to meet local authority targets in EMP 1 – 4 and HOU1 and make alternative provision where necessary. Any proposals resulting in the loss of employment land submitted in advance of the adoption of AAPs or SADs should demonstrate a comprehensive approach, making best use of available land and infrastructure and not prejudicing existing and neighbouring uses. Incremental development will only be allowed where it would not prejudice master planning of the wider area. Proposals should also consider the distribution of land shown in Appendix 2.

Providing for Economic Growth and Jobs

We aim to provide land for at least 75,000 industrial and warehouse jobs in the Black Country in 2026. For this, to protect jobs and support economic growth and allow for market flexibility and uncertainty, we will plan for a target of 2,900 ha of employment land. We will ensure that the stock does not fall below the quantity set out in Table 10.

Actual and Potential Strategic High Quality Employment Areas

The Strategic High Quality Employment Areas will be characterised by excellent accessibility, high quality environment and clusters of high technology knowledge based sectors. The Black Country currently provides 526 ha of high quality land and we will safeguard them for manufacturing and logistics uses within Use Classes B1 (b) (c), B2 and B8. The Black Country needs an additional 1,031 ha of Strategic High Quality Employment Land. Targets for each Local Authority area including parts of South Staffordshire north of Wolverhampton are set out in Table 11. Some employment generating non Class B uses will also be permitted in actual and potential strategic high quality employment areas, where they can be shown to support, maintain or enhance the business and employment function of the area. We will encourage high quality development / redevelopment and discourage development that prejudices quality, dilutes employment uses or deters investment. We will also seek public intervention to support development, improvement and marketing of these sites. These sites will be protected from redevelopment for other non-employment uses.

Local Quality Employment Areas

By 2026, we will provide 1,294 ha of local quality employment land. Local quality employment areas are characterised by a critical mass of industrial, warehousing and service activity in fit for purpose accommodation with good access to local markets and employees. These areas will provide for the needs of locally based investment and will be safeguarded for the following uses: • Industry and warehousing • Motor trade, including car showrooms, garages and vehicle repair • Haulage and transfer depots • Trade wholesale retailing and builders merchants • Scrap metal, timber, construction premises and y

Maintaining Supplies of Brick Clay

The Minerals Sub-Key Diagram shows the location of the existing brick and tile manufacturing plants which use Etruria Marl and existing Etruria Marl quarries. The Black Country will aim to provide a supply of Etruria Marl to each operational local brick and tile works in the Black Country for as long as possible, and will aim to provide a 25-year supply to each works where feasible. Supply of Clays to Brickworks The extent of Etruria Marl resources in the Black Country is shown on Map MC2 in Appendix 7. Fireclay resources are also present in the Black Country, associated with surface coal deposits. However, not all of the clay resources in the Black Country are likely to be of sufficient quality for use in brick and tile making, and some are affected by significant environmental constraints. Suitable Locations for Working of Etruria Marl The extraction of Etruria Marl is expected to be focused in the following areas of search shown on the Minerals Key Diagram: MA3: Himley/ Oak Farm (Dudley) MA4: Ketley (Dudley) MA5: Stubbers Green (Walsall) Resources have been identified within these areas which will allow production to continue at each of the Black Country's brick / tile works until the end of the plan period. The extraction of clay will not be permitted outside the areas of search unless there is clear evidence of a deficiency in supply. All new proposals for extraction of Etruria Marl and other brick clays will be subject to the general requirements in Policy MIN5. The pooling or sharing of resources between more than one works will be supported where this will help maintain supplies for longer, provided that the haulage of material will not have unacceptable effects on the local highway network or on other uses along the route. Proposals for the extraction of Etruria Marl within the areas of search should satisfy the following requirements: • They should form part of a phased programme which secures restoration of existing workings by the earliest possible date; • Proposals within the Flood Zone 3a along the Holbeache Brook in Dudley and to the south of Stubbers Green Road in Walsall should assess the risk of flooding and include details of how this will be addressed in line with ENV4; • Harmful impacts on designated biodiversity / geodiversity sites should be assessed and full details of proposed mitigation / compensation for potential losses should be provided in line with ENV1; • Haulage routes passing through the Stubbers Green area of Walsall should avoid the Shelfield junction (junction of A461, Spring Road and Mill Road). Working of Fireclay Fireclays are known to occur within the area west of Brownhills in Walsall in association with surface coal resources. They are not currently being extracted but are worked from long-term stockpiles for use in brick, pottery and other ceramic manufacture. Local demand for fireclay for brick manufacture is currently being met mainly from imports. Opportunities to produce fireclay through surface coal working should be exploited where feasible (see Policy MIN4) and environmentally acceptable. The extraction of fireclay is expected to be focused in the following area of search shown on the Minerals Key Diagram: MA6: Yorks Bridge (Walsall). Stockpiling of Clays There is an existing stockpile of fireclay at Birch Coppice to the west of Brownhills in Walsall, which is shown on the Minerals Key Diagram. Further stockpiling of fireclay and other clays used for brick, pottery and other ceramic manufacture will be permitted within the curtilage of existing works where they comply with the requirements of MIN5. Proposals for "strategic" stockpiles of fireclay (to be used by more than one manufacturer or supplier) should satisfy the following criteria: • They should be supported by evidence demonstrating a need for fireclay, and that stockpiling is the most appropriate method of securing long-term supplies; • They should be located as close as possible to the source of the material and to the proposed end-users; • There should be good accessibility by road and / or rail between the site, the source of the material and the proposed end-users; • In the interests of minimising visual impacts, the height of the stockpile should be kept to a minimum, its design and form should reflect the surrounding landscape, and appropriate screening/ landscaping should be included (see ENV2). Importation of Clays Importation of material may be permitted in the case of clays that do not occur locally, and/ or where this will allow supplies of Etruria Marl or fireclay to be maintained for longer than would otherwise be the case, provided that this will not result in unacceptable impacts on the local highway network or on local communities. Applications to allow or increase importation of clay will be expected to be supported by evidence to this effect. Where an agreement is in place to pool or share the resources, the movement of clay from the Stubbers Green area of search to any of the three brickworks in Walsall will not be regarded as "importation."

Local Quality Employment Areas

By 2026, we will provide 1,294 ha of local quality employment land. Local quality employment areas are characterised by a critical mass of industrial, warehousing and service activity in fit for purpose accommodation with good access to local markets and employees. These areas will provide for the needs of locally based investment and will be safeguarded for the following uses: • Industry and warehousing • Motor trade, including car showrooms, garages and vehicle repair • Haulage and transfer depots • Trade wholesale retailing and builders merchants • Scrap metal, timber, construction premises and yards • Waste collection, transfer and recycling uses as set out in Policy WM4 Not all areas will be suitable for all uses and Local Development Documents may provide further detail to limit the scope of uses which are acceptable. Targets for the quantity of Local Quality Employment Land for each Local Authority Area are set out in Table 12: The broad location of these local employment areas is shown on the Key Diagram and Regeneration Corridor Plans, and detailed boundaries will be confirmed in Area Action Plans, Allocations Development Plan Documents and Proposals Maps.

Maintaining a Supply of Readily Available Employment Land

We aim to have 185 ha (five years supply) of land readily available at any one time. This will comprise the following minimum provision of such land for each local authority to form part of the proposed employment land stock set out for 2016 and 2026 in Table 10: • Dudley – 28ha • Sandwell – 70ha • Walsall – 46ha • Wolverhampton – 41ha

Improving Access to the Labour Market

Planning obligations will be negotiated with the developers and occupiers of major new job creating development to secure initiatives and/or contributions towards the recruitment and training of local people. The training schemes should offer help particularly to disadvantaged groups, so that they may obtain the necessary skills to increase their access to job opportunities.

Cultural Facilities and the Visitor Economy

In order to help deliver economic, social and environmental transformation, sub-regionally important cultural facilities within the Black Country (including tourist attractions, leisure facilities, museums, theatres & art galleries as identified on the Economy Theme Diagram) will be protected and, where necessary enhanced, promoted and expanded in partnership with key agencies and delivery partners.

Renewable Energy

Proposals involving the development of renewable energy sources will be permitted where the proposal accords with local, regional and national guidance and would not significantly harm the natural, historic or built environment or have a significant adverse effect on the amenity of those living or working nearby, in terms of visual, noise, odour, air pollution or other effects. All non-residential developments of more than 1,000 square metres floor space and all residential developments of 10 units or more gross (whether new build or conversion) must incorporate generation of energy from renewable sources sufficient to off-set at least 10% of the estimated residual energy demand of the development on completion. The use of on-site sources, off-site sources or a combination of both should be considered. The use of combined heat and power facilities should be explored for larger development schemes. An energy assessment must be submitted with the planning application to demonstrate that these requirements have been met. The renewable energy target may be reduced, or a commuted sum accepted in lieu of part or all of the requirement, only if it can be demonstrated that: • a variety of renewable energy sources and generation methods have been assessed and costed; • achievement of the target would make the proposal unviable (through submission of an independently assessed financial viability appraisal); and • the development proposal would contribute to achievement of the objectives, strategy and policies of the Core Strategy.

Sustainable Waste and Resource Management

Achieving Sustainable Waste Management The Black Country will aim to achieve zero waste growth by 2026. Sustainable waste management will be delivered through the following measures: 1. Requiring new developments to address waste as a resource and take responsibility for the unavoidable waste they generate through on-site management where possible; 2. Setting targets for landfill diversion and encouraging provision of recovery, recycling and composting facilities to reduce reliance on landfill and move waste up the "waste hierarchy"; 3. Providing guidance on the number, type and capacity of new waste management facilities needed by 2026, for the Black Country to achieve "equivalent self-sufficiency" and minimise the export of wastes that can be managed locally; 4. Protecting existing strategic waste management capacity and enabling existing waste management infrastructure to expand or relocate where appropriate; 5. Supporting the implementation of the strategic waste management infrastructure identified on the Waste Key Diagram and in Policy WM3; 6. Providing general guidance on the types of location suitable for different types of waste management facilities; 7. Supporting proposals which involve optimum uses for waste materials, and the production of waste derived products to standards which meet agreed quality protocols. Landfill Diversion Targets The Black Country will aim to achieve the following landfill diversion targets. Table 15 - Landfill Diversion Targets Waste Stream | Minimum Diversion from Landfill 2010/11 | 2015/16 | 2020/21 | 2025/26 MSW | 74% | 80% | 84% | 84% C&I | 65% | 70% | 75% | 75% New Waste Capacity Requirements To meet the above targets and achieve "equivalent self-sufficiency" across the Black Country, the following new waste management capacity will need to be provided by 2026: Table 16 - Indicative New Waste Capacity Requirements Waste Management Types | Total Additional Capacity Required by 2026 (tonnes per annum) | Typical Average Capacity per Facility (tonnes per annum) | Typical Average Land Take per Facility (ha) | Equivalent No of Facilities Required Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Treatment Material Recovery | 124,000 | 50,000 | 1.7 | 2 - 3 Composting/Organic Waste Treatment | 84,000 | 40,000 | 1.3 | 2 Treatment/Energy Recovery | 95,000 | 150,000 | 2.5 | 1 Commercial and Industrial Waste (C&I) Treatment Non-metal waste treatment and recovery | 1,000,000 | 50,000 - 100,000 | 1.5 | 10 - 20 Construction, Demolition and Excavation Waste (CD&EW) / Hazardous Waste Treatment CD&EW Recovery/Urban Quarry | Not possible to quantify | Not possible to quantify | Not possible to quantify | At least 1 Contaminated Soils (storage, treatment, remediation) | Not possible to quantify | Not possible to quantify | Not possible to quantify | Temporary "hub" sites to serve regeneration corridors as required Transfer, Handling, Bulking and Ancillary 2 HWRCs (to serve Dudley and Walsall) | Dudley 30,000 Walsall 10-15,000 | 20,000 | 1.0 | 2 2 MSW Depots (to serve Dudley and Walsall, one with transfer / bulking) | Up to 10,000 (Dudley only) | Not possible to quantify | 1.0 – 3.0 | 2 Commercial Waste Transfer Facilities | 150,000 | 25,000 – 50,000 | 0.7 | 3 - 6 Final Disposal Non-Hazardous Landfill | Total additional capacity required = 1,169,000 Average max. MSW and C&I allowance = 747,000 | Mostly former mineral working sites Capacity depends on void space | | Inert Landfill | Total additional capacity required = 1,825,000 Estimated annual CD&EW requirement = 125,000 | Mostly former mineral working sites Capacity depends on void space | | These requirements assume that existing capacity will be maintained in line with Policy WM2, and that the Black Country's future waste requirements will be in line with the updated RSS apportionments in Appendix 6 (Tables WM1d and WM1e). To discourage further waste growth, Policy WM5 sets out waste and resource management requirements for new developments. Some of the Black Country's waste infrastructure requirements will be addressed through the Strategic Site Allocations in this plan (Policy WM3). The remaining gaps will be addressed through future municipal waste management strategies, Site Allocations in other DPDs, and market driven proposals for the expansion of existing facilities and for new facilities, brought forward in accordance with Policy WM2 and WM4.

Environmental Infrastructure

Development proposals will need to demonstrate that the strategic network of environmental infrastructure will be protected, enhanced and expanded at every opportunity. The environmental infrastructure network comprises open space, sport and recreation facilities, areas of biodiversity and geodiversity importance, wildlife corridors, the canal network, watercourses and drainage systems, air quality and renewable energy generation, pedestrian and cycle routes, areas and buildings of high design quality, and the special character and historic aspects of locally distinctive elements of the Black Country. This will be achieved by: • The production and implementation of the Black Country Environmental Infrastructure Guidance Phase 2; • Resisting any development that compromises the integrity and quality of environmental infrastructure; • Requiring development proposals to improve the quality and quantity of the area's environmental infrastructure in a manner appropriate to the character and needs of the area.

Nature Conservation

Development within the Black Country will safeguard nature conservation, inside and outside its boundaries by ensuring that: • Development is not permitted where it would harm internationally (Special Areas of Conservation), nationally (Sites of Special Scientific Interest and National Nature Reserves) or regionally (Local Nature Reserve and Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation) designated nature conservation sites; • Locally designated nature conservation sites (Sites of Local Importance for Nature Conservation), important habitats and geological features are protected from development proposals which could negatively impact upon them; • The movement of wildlife within the Black Country and its adjoining areas, through both linear habitats (e.g. wildlife corridors) and the wider urban matrix (e.g. stepping stone sites) is not impeded by development; • Species which are legally protected, in decline, are rare within the Black Country or which are covered by national, regional or local Biodiversity Action Plans will not be harmed by development. Adequate information must be submitted with planning applications for proposals which may affect any designated site or any important habitat, species or geological feature to ensure that the likely impacts of the proposal can be fully assessed. Without this there will be a presumption against granting permission. Where, exceptionally, the strategic benefits of a development clearly outweigh the importance of a local nature conservation site, species, habitat or geological feature, damage must be minimised. Any remaining impacts, including any reduction in area, must be fully mitigated. Compensation will only be accepted in exceptional circumstances. A mitigation strategy must accompany relevant planning applications. Current designated nature conservation sites including Local Nature Reserves will be carried forward from existing Proposals Maps, subject to additions and changes arising from further studies. Local Authorities will look to designate additional nature conservation sites as necessary in conjunction with the Local Sites Partnership and consequently sites may receive new, or increased, protection over the Plan period. All appropriate development should positively contribute to the natural environment of the Black Country by: • Extending nature conservation sites; • Improving wildlife movement; and/or • Restoring or creating habitats / geological features which actively contribute to the implementation of Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs) and/or Geodiversity Action Plans (GAPs) at a national, regional or local level. Details of how improvements (which are appropriate to the location and scale) will contribute to the natural environment, and their ongoing management for the benefit of biodiversity and geodiversity will be expected to accompany planning applications. Local authorities will provide additional guidance on this in Local Development Documents.

Canals

The Black Country canal network comprises the canals and their surrounding landscape corridors, designated and undesignated historic assets, character, settings, views and interrelationships. The canal network can provide a focus for future development through the potential to provide a high quality environment and accessibility. All development proposals likely to affect the canal network must: • safeguard the operation of a navigable and functional waterway; • protect and enhance its special historic, architectural, archaeological and cultural interest (including potential to record, preserve and restore such features); • protect and enhance its nature conservation value; • protect and enhance its visual amenity; • protect and enhance water quality in the canal. Where opportunities exist, all development proposals within the canal network must: • enhance and promote its leisure, recreation and tourism value; • improve and promote walking, cycling and boating access, including for freight; • promote beneficial and multifunctional use of the canal network. Such development proposals must be fully supported by evidence that the above factors have been fully considered and properly incorporated into their design and layout. Where proposed development overlays part of the extensive network of disused canal features, the potential to record, preserve and restore such features must be fully explored. Development will not be permitted which would sever the route of a disused canal or prevent the restoration of a canal link where there is a realistic possibility of restoration, wholly or in part.

Flood Risk, Sustainable Drainage Systems and Urban Heat Island

The Black Country Authorities will seek to minimize the probability and consequences of flood risk by adopting a strong risk-based approach in line with PPS25. Development will be steered to areas with a low probability of flooding first through the application of the sequential test. The Exception test will then be required for certain vulnerable uses in medium and high probability flood areas. Proposals for development must demonstrate that the level of flood risk associated with the site is acceptable in terms of the Black Country Strategic Flood Risk Assessment and its planning and development management recommendations as well as PPS25 depending on which flood zone the site falls into and the type of development that is proposed (see PPS25, table D1: Flood Zones to explain appropriate uses in flood zones). To assist in both reducing the extent and impact of flooding and also reducing potential urban heat island effects, all developments should: a) Incorporate Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDs), unless it would be impractical to do so, in order to significantly reduce surface water run-off and improve water quality. The type of SUDs used will be dependent on ground conditions; b) Open up culverted watercourses where feasible and ensure development does not occur over existing culverts where there are deliverable strategies in place to implement this; c) Take every opportunity, where appropriate development lies adjacent to the river corridors, or their tributaries or the functional floodplain, to benefit the river by reinstating a natural, sinuous river channel and restoring the functional floodplain within the valley where it has been lost previously; d) On sites requiring a Flood Risk Assessment, reduce surface water flows back to equivalent greenfield rates; e) Create new green space, increase tree cover and/or provide green roofs; No development will be permitted within a groundwater Source Protection Zone 1 which would physically disturb an aquifer, and no permission will be granted without a risk assessment demonstrating there would be no adverse effect on water resources.

Open Space, Sport and Recreation

In addition to the values and functions of open space set out in Government Policy and Guidance, development proposals should recognise the following roles that are of particular importance in the Black Country: 1. Improving the image and environmental quality of the Black Country; 2. Defining and enhancing local distinctiveness; 3. Reducing potential urban heat island effects; 4. Preserving and enhancing diversity in the natural and built environment; 5. Preserving and enhancing industrial, archaeological and architectural heritage, including canals; 6. Providing components of a high quality, multifunctional green space network or "Urban Park"; 7. Enhancing people's mental and physical well-being; 8. Strengthening (through extension, increased access and enhanced value) the existing greenway network. Development that would reduce the overall value of the open space, sport and recreation network in the Black Country will be resisted. Development that would increase the overall value of the open space, sport and recreation network will be encouraged, especially in areas of deficiency. Each Local Authority will set out, in Local Development Documents and on Proposals Maps, policies and proposals for specific open space, sport and recreation facilities and planning requirements for open space, sport and recreation, in order to: • Move towards the most up-to-date local open space, sport and recreation standards for each Local Authority. In order to balance achievement of these standards, in some cases a loss in quantity of open space or facilities may be acceptable if compensatory gains in quality and / or accessibility which are of a greater value can be secured in the local area; • Deliver the broad open space, sport and recreation proposals for each Regeneration Corridor and Strategic Centre set out in Appendix 2; • Address the priorities set out in Black Country Environmental Infrastructure Guidance; Make more efficient use of urban land by: • creating more multifunctional open spaces; • significantly expanding community use of open space, sport and recreation facilities provided at places of education (see Policy HOU5); • providing opportunities to increase appropriate open space, sport and recreation use of the Green Belt; • making creative use of land exchanges and disposing of surplus assets to generate resources for investment; and • increasing access to open space, sport and recreation facilities, including for people with disabilities; • where there is a cross boundary impact, identifying the most appropriate location to maximise community access and use of new facilities.

Air Quality

New residential or other sensitive development, such as schools, hospitals and care facilities, should, wherever possible, be located where air quality meets national air quality objectives. Where development is proposed in areas where air quality does not meet (or is unlikely to meet) air quality objectives or where significant air quality impacts are likely to be generated by the development, an appropriate air quality assessment will be required. The assessment must take into account any potential cumulative impacts as a result of known proposals in the vicinity of the proposed development site, and should consider pollutant emissions generated by the development. If an assessment which is acceptable to the local authority indicates that a proposal will result in exposure to pollutant concentrations that exceed national air quality objectives, adequate and satisfactory mitigation measures which are capable of implementation must be secured before planning permission is granted.

Locational Considerations for New Waste Management Facilities

Proposals should demonstrate how they will contribute towards Spatial Objective 9

Existing Waste Management Facilities – General

Changes of use from waste management to housing or community uses will be supported in principle if the waste management site is within an area proposed to change to housing in this Strategy (see DEL2). Such proposals should be accompanied by supporting information setting out how much waste management capacity will be lost as a result of the proposal. Proposals for housing and other potentially sensitive uses will not be permitted near to or adjacent to an existing waste management site where there is potential for conflict between the uses. Such proposals must be accompanied by supporting information demonstrating that the existing and proposed uses would be compatible, and that the proposal has addressed any potential effects of the existing use on the amenity of the occupiers of the proposed development. Proposals to expand or upgrade an existing waste management site, redevelop with a different waste management use, or relocate to a new site elsewhere within the Black Country will be supported in principle, subject to compliance with the locational guidance in Policy WM4. The following factors will be taken into account in assessing such proposals: • Whether the proposal would help move waste further up the "waste hierarchy"; • Whether the proposal would maintain or increase existing throughput capacity and / or improve operational efficiency; • Whether the proposal would help diversify the range of facilities or waste management technologies currently available within the Black Country; • Whether the proposal would support the relevant municipal waste management strategy and / or sustainable community strategy; • Whether the proposal would result in improvements to the design of the buildings and / or layout of the site; • Whether the proposal would help to address existing land use conflicts and improve the amenity of adjoining occupiers; • In the case of relocation, whether this would support other elements of the Spatial Strategy.

Strategic Waste Management Proposals

The following locations are proposed for new strategic waste management infrastructure which is expected to make a significant contribution towards the new capacity requirements in Policy WM1. Site-specific proposals are shown on the Waste Key Diagram, Regeneration Corridor Maps and Proposals Maps. The above proposals will not meet all of the Black Country's waste management requirements up to 2026. The residual requirements (see Table 18) will be addressed through other DPDs, regeneration frameworks, municipal waste management strategies and planning applications, as appropriate. Such proposals must comply with the guidance in Policy WM4.

Resource Management and New Development

All new developments should: • address waste as a resource; • minimise waste as far as possible; • manage unavoidable waste in a sustainable and responsible manner, and • maximise use of materials with low environmental impacts. Where a proposal includes uses likely to generate significant amounts of waste, these should be managed either on-site or as close as possible to the source of the waste. Resource and waste management requirements should also be reflected in the design and layout of new development schemes. Wherever possible, building, engineering and landscaping projects should use alternatives to primary aggregates such as secondary, and recycled materials, renewable and locally sourced products, and materials with low environmental impacts. Where redevelopment of existing buildings or structures and/ or remediation of derelict land is proposed, construction, demolition and excavation wastes (CD&EW) should be managed on-site where feasible and as much material as possible should be recovered and re-used for engineering or building either on-site or elsewhere (see MIN2). Consideration should also be given to how waste will be managed within the development once it is in use. Planning applications for major development (as defined in the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) Order) should include supporting information explaining what material resources will be used in the development, and how and where the waste generated by the development will be managed. This should cover the following, where applicable: Construction waste management – resource efficiency targets, tonnages of CD&EW generated by type, methods of management, and what proportion will be managed on-site/ off-site; Secondary and recycled aggregate production – tonnages of aggregate produced from re-used or recycled CD&EW generated by the development; Responsible sourcing of building, engineering and landscaping materials – use of materials with low environmental impacts, use of alternatives to primary aggregates, renewable, and locally sourced materials; Provision for on-site management of waste – details of the provision to be made for management of waste within the development once it is in use, such as waste management systems and storage of non-recyclable and recyclable waste. Supporting information may include a site waste management plan (SWMP) where one has been prepared. Alternatively, information may be included within a waste audit, design and access statement, or planning statement. Area Action Plans, regeneration frameworks, Masterplans linked to phased planning applications and other plans for areas of major change within the Growth Network should adopt a holistic approach towards resource management. They should include a resource management strategy for the area as a whole, and a strategy for managing the CD&EW generated by the proposals, including contaminated soils (where present) on site or as close to the site as possible (for example at temporary "hub" sites). Plans should also adopt a "whole life" approach towards resource management and consider how waste generated by the end users of the proposed developments will be managed. Where new provision for waste management is needed, this should be integrated into the proposals for the area (see WM4).

Historic Character and Local Distinctiveness

All development should aim to protect and promote the special qualities, historic character and local distinctiveness of the Black Country in order to help maintain its cultural identity and strong sense of place. Development proposals will be required to preserve and, where appropriate, enhance local character and those aspects of the historic environment together with their settings which are recognised as being of special historic, archaeological, architectural, landscape or townscape quality. All proposals should aim to sustain and reinforce special character and conserve the historic aspects of the following locally distinctive elements of the Black Country: a) The network of now coalesced but nevertheless distinct small industrial settlements of the former South Staffordshire Coalfield, such as Darlaston & Netherton; b) The civic, religious and commercial cores of the principal settlements of medieval origin such as Wolverhampton, Dudley, Wednesbury & Walsall; c) Surviving pre-industrial settlement centres of medieval origin such as Tettenhall, Aldridge, Oldbury and Kingswinford; d) Areas of Victorian and Edwardian higher density development which survive with a high degree of integrity including terraced housing and its associated amenities; e) Areas of extensive lower density suburban development of the mid 20th century including public housing and private developments of semi-detached and detached housing; f) Public open spaces, including Victorian and Edwardian municipal parks, often created upon and retaining elements of relict industrial landscape features; g) The canal network and its associated infrastructure, surviving canal-side pre-1939 buildings and structures together with archaeological evidence of the development of canal-side industries and former canal routes (see also Policy ENV4); h) Buildings, structures and archaeological remains of the traditional manufacturing and extractive industries of the Black Country including glass making, metal trades (such as lock making), manufacture of leather goods, brick making, coal mining and limestone quarrying; i) The Beacons shown on the Environment Key Diagram and other largely undeveloped high prominences lying along: the Sedgley to Northfield Ridge, including Sedgley Beacon, Wrens Nest, Castle Hill and the Rowley Hills (Turner's Hill); the Queslett to Shire Oak Ridge (including Barr Beacon); including views to and from these locations. In addition to statutorily designated and protected historic assets particular attention should be paid to the preservation and enhancement of: • locally listed historic buildings and archaeological sites; • historic parks and gardens including their settings; • locally designated special landscape areas and other heritage based site allocations. Development proposals that would potentially have an impact on any of the above distinctive elements should be supported by evidence included in Design and Access Statements which demonstrates that all aspects of the historic character and distinctiveness of the locality have been fully assessed and used to inform proposals. In some instances local authorities may require developers to undertake detailed Historic Landscape Characterisation studies to support their proposals.

Delivering Sustainable Housing Growth

Sufficient land will be provided to deliver at least 63,000 net new homes over the period 2006 – 2026. The majority of the requirement will be met through committed sites and the phased allocation of sites within the Regeneration Corridors, Strategic Centres, appropriate Free-Standing Employment Sites and housing renewal areas as detailed in Tables 5, 6, & 7, the Housing Key Diagram and Appendices 2 and 3. Additional housing capacity will also be sought elsewhere in the Black Country through allocations and planning permissions on suitable sites. The estimated net effect of housing redevelopment up to 2026 will be reviewed annually and taken into account in the calculation of housing land supply. At least 95% of new housing (gross) will be built on previously developed land.

Housing Density, Type and Accessibility

The density and type of new housing provided on each site will be informed by: • The need for a range of types and sizes of accommodation to meet identified sub regional and local needs; • The level of accessibility by sustainable transport to residential services, including any improvements to be secured through development; • The need to achieve high quality design and minimise amenity impacts, taking into account the characteristics and mix of uses in the area where the proposal is located. Each authority will aim to provide an overall mix of house types over the plan period, tailored to best meet local and sub-regional needs. Developments of 15 dwellings or more should provide a range of house types and sizes that will meet the accommodation needs of both existing and future residents, in line with information available from the Strategic Housing Market Assessment and Housing Needs Surveys and with reference to the standards in Table 8 overleaf. All developments will aim to achieve a minimum net density of 35 dwellings per hectare, except where higher densities would prejudice historic character and local distinctiveness as defined in Policy ENV2. All site allocations made in Local Development Documents will indicate the density and house type mix to be sought. Detailed guidance on the application of this policy in local areas will be provided in Site Allocation Documents and Area Action Plans, and through individual local authority Supplementary Planning Documents.

Delivering Affordable Housing

The Local Authorities will aim to provide a minimum 11,000 new affordable dwellings between 2006 and 2026, in partnership with developers and the Homes and Communities Agency. Local Planning Authorities will seek to secure 25% affordable housing on all sites of 15 dwellings or more where this is financially viable. The tenure and type of affordable units sought will be determined on a site by site basis, based on best available information regarding housing need, site surroundings and viability considerations. On sites where 25% affordable housing is proven not to be viable, the maximum proportion of affordable housing will be sought which will not undermine the development's viability, subject to achieving optimum tenure mix and securing other planning obligations necessary for the development to gain planning permission. Financial viability assessments conforming to an agreed methodology will be required and, where necessary, independently appraised by the local planning authority at the cost of the applicant. Claw back and other flexible arrangements will be sought through planning agreements, wherever possible, to allow for changing market conditions in future years.

Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation

Indicative targets for new gypsy and traveller pitches and travelling showpeople plots up to 2018 for each local authority are set out in Table 9. These targets are based on needs identified in the Black Country Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA) 2008. When necessary, the GTAA will be reviewed and targets rolled forward to cover the whole plan period. To ensure that these targets are met, the local authorities will allocate sites through Site Allocation Documents and Area Action Plans, and will pursue funding, where necessary, to ensure pitches and plots are delivered. The location of transit pitches to serve the Black Country as a whole will be determined by the local authorities in partnership. The Black Country Authorities will assess proposals against the criteria below where there is demonstrable need not met through allocated sites. Gypsy and traveller permanent residential pitches and travelling showpeople plots: • The site should be suitable as a place to live, particularly with regard to health and safety, and the development should be designed to provide adequate levels of privacy and amenity for both occupants and neighbouring uses; • The site should meet moderate standards of access to residential services set out in Policy HOU2; • The site should be located and designed to facilitate integration with neighbouring communities; • The site should be suitable to allow for the planned number of pitches, an amenity block, a play area, access roads, parking and an area set aside for work purposes where appropriate, including in the case of travelling showpeople sufficient level space for outdoor storage and maintenance of equipment; • The site is served or capable of being served by adequate on-site services for water supply, power, drainage, sewage and waste disposal (storage and collection). Gypsy and traveller transit pitches • The site should provide safe and convenient access to road networks and be located so as to cause minimum disruption to surrounding communities; • The site should be suitable as a place to live, particularly with regard to health and safety. The precise location, design and facilities provided on any new sites will be determined in consultation with local gypsies and travellers and travelling showpeople, and take into account any available national guidance.

Infrastructure Provision

All new developments should be supported by the necessary on and off-site infrastructure to serve the development, mitigate its impacts on the environment, and ensure that the development is sustainable and contributes to the proper planning of the wider area. Unless material circumstances or considerations indicate otherwise, development proposals will only be permitted if all necessary infrastructure improvements, mitigation measures and sustainable design requirements and proposals are provided. These will be secured through planning obligations, the Community Infrastructure Levy, planning conditions or other relevant means or mechanisms, to an appropriate timetable that is prioritised, resourced, managed, delivered and co-ordinated across the sub region as a whole where appropriate. To deliver and monitor the implementation of the development across the Black Country in Local Development Documents, the relevant Black Country Authorities will jointly set out: • The range of infrastructure to be provided or supported; • The prioritisation of and resource for infrastructure provision; • The scale and form of obligation or levy to be applied to each type of infrastructure, • Guidance for integration with adjoining Local Authority areas; • Including maintenance payments and charges for preparing agreements; • The defined circumstances and procedure for negotiation regarding infrastructure provision, where viability is at issue.

The Growth Network

By 2026, the Strategic Centres of Brierley Hill, Walsall, West Bromwich and Wolverhampton will have a much stronger role at a regional and sub-regional level, providing: • Additional 345,000 square metres gross comparison retail floorspace and additional 880,000 square metres gross office floorspace; • Major new leisure and cultural facilities; • 7,500 new homes¹ of mixed type and tenure - the majority built at high densities as part of mixed use developments; • Excellent public transport links, making the centres highly accessible to increased catchment areas, including new residential communities in the Regeneration Corridors; • Significantly improved built and green environments integrated into the development of centres. The common roles of the Strategic Centres are: • Overall, to provide the right mix of facilities, homes and jobs, set in a high quality built and natural environment, to attract significantly more people to live and work in the Black Country; • Be the areas of greatest concentration of redevelopment and regeneration in the Black Country up to 2026; • Act as a focus for and deliver significant growth in comparison retail, offices and high density housing; • Be the principal locations for major cultural, leisure, entertainment and community facilities, providing the widest possible range of such facilities appropriate for their catchments; • Provide convenience shopping and local services for the increasing number of residents living within and close to each centre; • Offer strong public transport hubs which maximise use of the public transport network by residents, workers and visitors. By 2026 the network of Regeneration Corridors linking the Strategic Centres will provide: • 1,564 ha of strategic high quality employment land concentrated within easy reach of the motorway network, of which 90ha will be provided by land in South Staffordshire; • 35,000 new homes² in sustainable communities built on redundant employment land and other brownfield sites close to existing public transport routes and canal networks and locations with the best access to residential services, at moderate densities that allow for a range of house types; • 1,155 ha of retained local employment land, 14ha of which is located within South Staffordshire. The common roles of the Regeneration Corridors are to: • Provide a sustainable mix of modern, strategic high quality employment land and new residential communities well supported by community services and local shops, set within and linked by comprehensive networks of attractive green infrastructure with cycling and pedestrian routes; • Be the focus for existing, new and improved public transport routes and hubs which will maximise use of the public transport network by residents, workers and visitors; • Create strong links with the surrounding communities and the network of centres and spread the regeneration benefits by knitting together old and new to create a richer, varied and integrated sense of place.

Development Outside the Growth Network

By 2026, the areas outside the Strategic Centres and Regeneration Corridors will provide: • A strong Green Belt to promote urban renaissance within the urban area and provide easy access to the countryside for urban residents where the landscape, nature conservation and agricultural land will be protected and enhanced where practical and possible; • A mix of good quality residential areas where people choose to live; • A strong network of green infrastructure, centres and community facilities; • Strong and seamless links to regenerated areas in Regeneration Corridors and Strategic Centres, via access and design improvements to spread regeneration benefits and ensure integration of existing and new communities; • A constant supply of small-scale development opportunities; • A limited supply of large-scale development opportunities through allocations on free-standing employment sites and other surplus land. The main roles of free-standing employment sites and areas outside the Growth Network are to provide local employment opportunities to serve communities outside the Regeneration Corridors and Strategic Centres and to provide a supply of housing land at appropriate densities to meet local needs. The nature and extent of land use change required in the free-standing employment land located within each local authority area is set out in Appendix 3. The Aldridge free-standing employment site, shown on the Economy Key Diagram, will be protected for employment use. Other free-standing employment sites will be protected for employment use until a Development Plan Document is adopted which allocates the site for a particular use. By 2026 free-standing employment sites and areas across the Black Country will collectively provide: • 103 ha of strategic high quality employment land • 139 ha of retained local employment land • 3110 new homes* Additional site allocations and windfall developments will also occur in the following areas shown on the Key Diagrams: • Housing Market Intervention Areas – areas requiring housing renewal activity; • Housing renewal Hubs – current foci for housing renewal activity • Centres – protection and enhancement of the network, to serve new and proposed development. The broad approach to development in other areas will be to focus on previously developed land, locations with best access to services (where appropriate) and areas of lowest flood risk. Green Belt boundaries will be maintained and protected from inappropriate development. Environmental Infrastructure improvements will be focused in the environmental infrastructure network.

Cultural Facilities and the Visitor Economy

In order to help deliver economic, social and environmental transformation, sub-regionally important cultural facilities within the Black Country (including tourist attractions, leisure facilities, museums, theatres & art galleries as identified on the Economy Theme Diagram) will be protected and, where necessary enhanced, promoted and expanded in partnership with key agencies and delivery partners. A) The Visitor Economy Visitor attractions will be developed and enhanced at key destinations to ensure that accessibility is maximised and to continue to raise the quality of the visitor experience throughout the Black Country. The key destinations in the Black Country are: • Dudley Town Centre (including the Zoo and Castle, The Black Country Living Museum and Wren's Nest National Nature Reserve and Limestone Caverns); • Walsall Strategic Centre and the Waterfront (including Walsall Art Gallery and heritage attractions centred on the leather industry); • Wolverhampton Strategic Centre (including an extensive shopping centre, Wolverhampton Art Gallery and a thriving evening economy, including The Grand Theatre and regionally significant concert venues); • Nationally renowned Dunstall Park Race Course in Wolverhampton; • West Bromwich Strategic Centre (including 'The Public' Art Gallery and a growing Learning and cultural Quarter); • Brierley Hill Strategic Centre (including the Merry Hill Shopping Centre, the Waterfront and growing leisure facilities); • Sandwell Valley and Park Farm,(a working farm and Country Park with archaeological interest); Other areas where attractions and facilities are clustered due to their industrial heritage or cultural value (e.g. the Glass Quarter at Stourbridge). The canal network is also a significant visitor attraction, providing links to Birmingham, Staffordshire, Worcestershire and beyond. Facilities adjoining and serving the canal network should be maintained and expanded to help provide a network of linked facilities and visitor hubs in particular locations, including: • Walsall Waterfront and Strategic Centre; • Wolverhampton Strategic Centre Canalside Quarter; • Brierley Hill Waterfront and Canal corridor; • Galton Valley Canal Heritage Area, Smethwick; • Bumble Hole and Warrens Hall Park on the Sandwell/Dudley border at Netherton/Tividale; • Dudley Canal Tunnels, limestone caverns and the Black Country Living Museum; • Stourbridge Arm and Wharf area. In order to maximise the potential of the visitor economy in the Black Country, physical and promotional links to visitor attractions close to the Black Country will be enhanced and promoted particularly links to Birmingham as a Global City and a business economy destination. Additional facilities which support the visitor economy and the business tourism sector will also be encouraged and promoted, focussed within Centres (Policies CEN 1-5), including the development of a network of hotels and other accommodation with strong links to key destinations and associated conference facilities. B) Other cultural facilities and events The promotion and protection of other cultural attractions and events which represent and celebrate the wide range of cultural and ethnic diversity across the Black Country will also be encouraged including spectator sports such as football and other stadia. This includes the protection of valuable cultural and religious buildings and the promotion of cultural, religious and community festivals on a Black Country wide basis in a range of locations including key outdoor venues such as: • West Park, Wolverhampton • Sandwell Valley • Walsall Arboretum

Managing and Safeguarding Mineral Resources

A Strategy for Future Management of Mineral Resources Sustainable management of the Black Country's mineral resources will be achieved through the following measures: 1. Requiring new mineral developments to minimise waste produced through the extraction process, and encouraging the re-use, reprocessing and recycling of secondary material; 2. Encouraging the production and use of alternatives to primary land won minerals; 3. Identifying and safeguarding potentially important mineral resources and mineral related infrastructure against needless loss or sterilisation by non-mineral development; 4. Identifying locations containing viable resources where mineral extraction can take place during the plan period at levels that will support national and regional objectives, the local economy and regeneration, without compromising key environmental objectives; 5. Providing guidance on other mineral resources which may be exploited in the future to provide energy, support the local economy and enable the repair and conservation of important cultural assets; 6. Highlighting issues which should be addressed in mineral applications to maximise the benefits and minimise the potential negative effects of mineral working and related activities. Mineral Resources to be Safeguarded The Black Country has the following mineral resources which are either currently of economic importance or have the potential to become important in the future: • Aggregates (sand and gravel); • Brick clays (Etruria Marl and fireclay); • Coal; • Limestone; • Dolerite; • Building stone. The resources are very extensive and cover almost the whole of the Black Country. They will be protected by being included within the Mineral Safeguarding Area (MSA) shown on the Minerals Key Diagram. The MSA has been defined in detail on the Proposals Maps for each authority, and separate maps showing the extent of each mineral commodity are provided in Appendix 7. Mineral commodity areas may be further refined and developed in other DPDs. Non-Mineral Development within the MSA Proposals for non-mineral development within the Areas of Search (see MIN2 and MIN3) will not be permitted unless it can be demonstrated that the development will not result in sterilisation of the resources within these areas. Proposals for non-mineral development close to an operational quarry should also demonstrate that the quarrying operation would not be compromised by the proposed development. All non-mineral development proposals within the MSA will be encouraged to extract any viable mineral resources present in advance of construction where practicable, and where this would not have unacceptable impacts on neighbouring uses. Particular encouragement will be given to schemes involving the prior extraction of minerals for use on-site or for use/ stockpiling elsewhere for future use (such as brick clays or natural building stone), to support a land remediation or stabilisation scheme, and schemes which will help conserve features important to the Black Country's geological heritage. The following types of development within the MSA (except for conversions/ changes of use which do not involve any new building or excavation works) should be accompanied by supporting information demonstrating that mineral resources will not be needlessly sterilised: • All non-mineral development proposals relating to sites or areas of 0.5ha and over in the Green Belt; • All non-mineral development proposals relating to sites or areas of 5ha and over in the urban areas (outside the Green Belt). The supporting information to be provided with the above types of application should include details of a prior extraction scheme or, where this is not considered feasible, evidence that: • Mineral resources are either not present, are of no economic value or have already been extracted as a result of a previous site reclamation scheme or other development; or • Extraction of minerals is not feasible, for example due to significant overburden or because mineral extraction would lead to or exacerbate ground instability; or • Prior extraction of minerals would result in abnormal costs and / or delays which would jeopardise the viability of the development; or • There is an overriding need for the development which outweighs the need to safeguard the mineral resources present; or • Extraction of minerals would have unacceptable impacts on neighbouring uses, the amenity of local communities or other important environmental assets. Where prior extraction is proposed, conditions will be imposed on any grant of permission requiring applicants to provide details of the tonnages of minerals extracted, once the scheme has been completed. Safeguarding of Mineral Related Infrastructure Important mineral related infrastructure will also be safeguarded. Key mineral infrastructure sites are shown on the Minerals Key Diagram and listed in Appendix 7 (Table MIN1). These include storage, handling and processing facilities (including facilities processing waste into aggregates) and existing and potential rail heads (see also WM2 and TRAN3). Development proposals which would result in the loss of one of these sites to a non-mineral related use will be expected to demonstrate that the site has no realistic potential for the development of mineral related infrastructure or no longer meets the needs of the minerals industry.

Production of Aggregate Minerals

The main source of supply of aggregates in the Black Country will be from alternatives to primary aggregates such as secondary and recycled materials. However, the Black Country is committed towards making an appropriate contribution towards the West Midlands Country sand and gravel apportionment. The Black Country will continue to produce primary land-won sand and gravel, and will aim to produce a minimum of 50,000 tonnes per annum throughout the plan period. During the plan period, primary sand and gravel extraction will be concentrated within the following areas of search identified on the Minerals Key Diagram: MA1: Birch Lane (Walsall) MA2: Branton Hill (Walsall) The resources within these areas of will enable the Black Country to maintain a minimum 7-year landbank of sand and gravel up to 2026 and beyond. New sand and gravel quarries outside the areas of search may also be permitted, if there is evidence that extraction proposals are unlikely to come forward in the areas of search within the plan period, or that the production targets cannot otherwise be met. All new proposals for sand and gravel extraction will be subject to the general requirements in Policy MIN5. All proposals for sand and gravel extraction within the areas of search will be expected to satisfy the following requirements: • There should be clear evidence that the restoration of the areas already worked is being progressed or will be progressed in a timely manner; • There should be no adverse impacts on water resources within the Bourne Vale and Shire Oak groundwater source protection zones; • Extension to Branton Hill Quarry will be subject to implementation of the proposed access road (approved in March 2009); • Potential adverse impacts of haulage routes on the local highway network (in particular Shire Oak junction (junction of A461 and A452)) should be minimised as far as possible.

Exploitation of Other Mineral Resources

Apart from aggregates and brick clay, there are other mineral resources present within the Black Country which may become of economic value in the future. They are included in the Mineral Safeguarding Area identified in MIN1 and on the Minerals Key Diagram. The main resources present which could be exploited some time within the plan period are coal and associated fireclay, and natural building stone. The following policy will apply to new proposals for the working of these minerals, other than as part of a "prior extraction" scheme (see MIN1). All proposals will also be subject to the general requirements in Policy MIN5. Coal and Fireclay Working Surface coal resources occur across much of the Black Country, and their location is shown on Map MC3 in Appendix 7. Fireclay, which is of importance for brick making and pottery making, may also occur in association with these deposits. There is a general presumption against deep mining of coal, surface coal working and colliery spoil disposal in the Black Country, unless the proposal would meet the tests of environmental acceptability set out in national policy guidance. Any such proposals will be expected to be fully justified in terms of the economic and energy benefits they will generate. Proposals for the working of coal will also be expected to extract maximum value from other mineral resources associated with coal deposits. Where surface working is proposed, brick manufacturers and other potential end-users should be involved at the earliest possible stage, to determine whether there is fireclay or other clay present, and whether it is of sufficient quality to be used for brick manufacture or for other beneficial uses. Where suitable quality fireclay is present and extraction is feasible, the working plan and restoration programme should enable this to be extracted and stockpiled in a usable and accessible way (see MIN3). The location of a "dormant" permission for the winning and working of clay and coal by underground and surface mining is shown on the Minerals Key Diagram. The permitted site is within Brownhills Common and the Slough SINC. Working can only commence when a modern scheme of conditions has been submitted to and approved by the mineral planning authority (Walsall Council). Such conditions must minimise harm to the SINC and maximise the benefits and quality of final restoration. Restoration should be to the highest possible standard to ensure that no future legacy problems are created and that the restored site is at least equivalent to its current quality and value for nature conservation and recreation. Any approval of coal and fireclay working in the Brownhills Common area will be subject to conditions requiring restoration to an appropriate nature conservation/recreational after-use, which will make a contribution towards the implementation of the proposed Local Nature Reserve. Coal Bed Methane The potential for exploitation of Coal Bed Methane (CBM) will be considered if a Petroleum Exploration Development Licence (PEDL) is issued in the Black Country, and at that stage appropriate guidance will be incorporated into LDFs either through a review of this plan or through another DPD. Proposals coming forward in advance of this will be assessed against the guidance in Policy MIN5 and the following conditions will apply. Any permission granted for the extraction of CBM will be temporary, and subject to conditions limiting the duration of the operation. Proposals should include details of the area covered by the PEDL, the scale and type of operation, the drilling apparatus to be used (including the height of the rig or wellhead), and the site where the wellhead will be stationed. A separate application may be required to relocate a wellhead. Drilling apparatus should be appropriately screened and sited to minimise noise and potentially harmful visual impacts (see ENV2 and MIN5). Working of Natural Building Stone The location of natural building stone resources is shown on Maps MC1 and MC2 in Appendix 7. Proposals for the working of natural building stone on a small scale, and on a time-limited basis, may be supported where this would assist the conservation and repair of historic buildings or structures built of the same or similar materials. Proposals should be supported by evidence that the stone to be worked will be used in a specific conservation project, that this material makes a significant positive contribution to the character of the building, structure or area, and that the working process would not have unacceptable impacts on neighbouring uses.

New Proposals for Mineral Development

General Requirements for Mineral Developments All new development proposals involving mineral working or mineral related developments should demonstrate how they will contribute towards Spatial Objective 10 and the strategic objectives of Policy MIN1, such as the contribution they will make towards the long-term conservation and safeguarding of mineral resources. The benefits of the proposal should clearly outweigh any potential detrimental impacts. Conditions attached to new mineral permissions will reflect the latest standards of good practice in the control of such operations. Proposals should minimise waste as far as possible and where feasible, provision should be made for the extraction, re-use or recycling of potentially useable materials produced as a by-product of the operation. All proposals should set out the contribution they will make towards the mineral production and supply targets in Policies MIN2 and MIN3 (such as the extent of reserves and anticipated annual production rates), and the contribution that final restoration will make towards waste disposal requirements (see WM1 and WM3). Working plans and restoration proposals should include measures to maintain the stability of the working face, the site and surrounding area prior to and during restoration. When working ceases, all plant and equipment should be removed and sites should be restored to a stable condition and to a standard fit for the agreed after-use within a short a timescale as possible. Environmental and Amenity Issues The working or processing of minerals or extraction of coal bed methane will not be permitted in residential areas unless it can be demonstrated that the operations will not cause unacceptable harm to the amenity of local communities. Proposals in or near to the Growth Network and Free-Standing Sites should be compatible with the existing/proposed uses. Locations within or near to sites of importance for biodiversity, geodiversity or cultural heritage, should be avoided unless there are no viable alternatives (see ENV1). A hydrological report should be provided with proposals in areas at risk of flooding and proposals in or near to aquifers, demonstrating that any potential impacts have been addressed (see ENV5). To minimise potential impacts from dust and noise, where feasible, mineral processing operations should be enclosed and screened by well-designed boundary treatments (such as fencing, bunds, hedges, tree planting and landscaping). In areas already affected by mineral working or related activities, the cumulative impact of the proposal on the environment, transport network, and neighbouring uses will be considered, as will the timescale and duration of the operations. Over-intensification of mineral working activity in any one area should be avoided where this would have adverse impacts on neighbouring uses. New buildings, structures, plant and equipment, boundaries, noise bunds and landscaping should be designed and sited to minimise visual impacts (see ENV3). Restoration programmes and after-uses for former mineral workings should address the environmental quality objective of the Spatial Strategy and reflect local character and should include provision for after care. Where appropriate, they should make a positive contribution towards the Black Country's environmental infrastructure (policy CSP3). Suitable after-uses for sites in the Green Belt will could include agriculture, forestry, nature conservation, flood alleviation and outdoor sports or recreational uses. Transport Issues Minerals should be worked or processed as close as possible to the development or communities that will use them. Proposals should address the impact of transporting minerals and mineral products on the highway network and if they generate a significant number of additional heavy goods vehicle movements they should be accompanied by a Transport Assessment (see TRAN2). Where there is no realistic alternative to the bulk transport of minerals and mineral products by road, impacts will be minimised by identifying agreed haulage routes from the production site to the Principal Road Network and Primary route Network. Where feasible, the potential for transporting material by rail or inland waterways should be explored, particularly in locations identified as having potential for rail freight transport (see TRAN3). Long-distance transport or haulage of material should be avoided wherever possible. Where a proposal involves cross-boundary movements of minerals or mineral products and/ or is part of a wider network or "hub" of facilities or workings, the views of the relevant highway and mineral planning authorities will be taken into account. Assessment Criteria for Mineral Development Proposals Proposals for mineral working or mineral-related infrastructure will be assessed against the following criteria: • Whether the proposal supports national and local strategies and objectives for minerals (for example, Spatial Objective 10); • Whether the proposal supports the local economy and regeneration objectives for the Black Country (for example, would it create or retain local jobs, provide raw material and mineral products for local businesses, or help to supply construction projects within the Growth Network?); • Whether the proposal contributes towards the positive environmental transformation of the Black Country (for example, is it designed to complement/contribute towards environmental infrastructure, does it identify and adequately address potential harmful effects on the environment, and is it capable of being implemented without creating or exacerbating geotechnical or environmental problems?); • Whether the proposal would provide opportunities for co-location of related uses and/ or generate other benefits (for example, would it produce aggregates as secondary materials, involve re-use, recovery and recycling of aggregates from waste, or recovery of landfill gas for energy?); • Whether the proposal is compatible with neighbouring uses (taking into account the nature of the operations, the hours of working, the timing and duration of the operations and cumulative effects), and if so, whe

Locational Considerations for New Waste Management Facilities

Key Locational Considerations for All Waste Management Proposals Proposals should demonstrate how they will contribute towards Spatial Objective 9 and the strategic objectives of Policy WM1, such as the contribution they will make towards landfill diversion, delivery of new waste management capacity and diversification of the range of facilities currently available. All proposals should include details of the proposed operations and the technologies involved, the types of waste to be managed, the maximum throughput capacity, the source of the wastes, and in the case of recycling, composting and recovery facilities, the recovery rate/ end products and whether the end products will be waste or usable raw materials, produced in accordance with agreed quality protocols. Waste arising in the Black Country should be managed within the Black Country where feasible, and should be managed as close as possible to its source of origin. Proposals involving on-site management of waste will be supported where this would not have unacceptable impacts on neighbouring uses. To minimise impacts on the highway network, wherever possible, opportunities should be taken to transport waste by rail or inland waterway, particularly where freight opportunities have been identified (see TRAN3). The development of "shared" municipal waste management facilities to be used by more than one waste planning authority/ waste disposal authority, and the co-location of municipal and commercial waste operations will be supported in principle, where this would generate benefits in terms of increased viability/ economies of scale, minimising the distance waste needs to travel, and improved access to facilities for local communities and businesses. The clustering of related or complementary waste treatment, transfer and disposal operations in a specific location will also be supported, where this would not have adverse cumulative impacts on neighbouring uses. All proposals should minimise adverse visual impacts, potential detrimental effects on the environment and human health, and localised impacts on neighbouring uses from noise, emissions, odours, vermin and litter. To minimise such impacts, wherever possible, waste management operations should be contained within a building or other physical enclosure. The design of new buildings, other structures, boundaries and landscaping should also make a positive contribution to the area (see ENV3). Preferred Locations for Enclosed Waste Management Facilities The preferred locations for enclosed waste management facilities are the employment areas shown on the Waste Key Diagram, the Strategic Key Diagram and Regeneration Corridor Maps. Locations proposed for change to housing should be avoided (see DEL2). The following guidance defines the types of operation likely to be suitable on different types of employment land (see Policies EMP2 and EMP3). Operations Likely to be Suitable on all Employment Land • Any waste operations falling within Use Class B1 (b) or (c), B2 or B8; • Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC); • Material Recycling/ Recovery Facilities (MRF); • Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT); • In Vessel Composting (IVC); • Anaerobic Digestion (AD); • Thermal Treatment/ Energy Recovery (Incineration without Recovery, Energy from Waste (EfW), Combined Heat and Power (CHP), Pyrolysis, Gasification); • Ancillary facilities linked to an existing employment use. Operations Likely to be Suitable on Local Quality Employment Areas only • Transfer stations / skip hire; • Small scrap yards and open storage facilities; • Hazardous waste treatment / processing facilities; • Urban quarries (enclosed CD&EW processing/ aggregate recycling); • Storage/ screening/ other treatment of contaminated soils. All proposals should demonstrate compatibility with the uses already present within / adjacent to the area and with future aspirations for the area, for example, if it is a Strategic High Quality Employment Area (see EMP2). New waste management facilities will only be allowed on employment land which is predominantly office (Use Class B1 (a)) where it would complement the uses in that area. Proposals involving the management of hazardous wastes should demonstrate that the proposed use would not cause harm to the environment, human health or neighbouring uses. Other Potentially Suitable Locations for Enclosed Operations The following types of operation may be suitable for location within/ on the edge of centres or near to residential areas, particularly where they are linked to or providing a service to a neighbouring use, the local community or local businesses: • Household Waste Recycling Facilities (HWRCs); • Storage/ warehouse facilities; • "Clean" Material Recycling/ Recovery Facilities (MRFs); • Biomass/ Combined Heat and Power (CHP); • Other operations whose impacts can be easily controlled. Proposals should be compatible with adjoining uses and provide justification for the location chosen, such as demonstrating that they complement or provide a service to adjacent uses. Preferred Locations for Open Air Facilities Where feasible, operations in the open air should ideally be accommodated on Local Employment Land. However, a peripheral location may be the only viable option for certain operations. The following types of waste management operation will normally require an open air or outdoor site: • Landfill/ land-raising operations; • Disposal of inert wastes to land as part of land remediation/ engineering; • Open windrow composting facilities; • Large scrap yards and other large open storage facilities; • CD&EW processing/ aggregate recycling associated with quarries and landfill sites; • Bioremediation of contaminated soils. Open air operations should include mitigation for visual impacts and other potentially harmful effects on adjoining uses through appropriately-designed landscaping, appropriate proximity boundaries and screening. Proposals in the Green Belt and/ or on a green field site should clearly demonstrate that there are no alternative options on previously-developed land and that the need for the proposal outweighs any harm to the environment. Proposals for landfilling, land-raising or disposal of waste to land for restoration should include a suitable method of infilling and landscaping using materials appropriate to the proposed after-use and the underlying geology/ hydrology. They should aim to achieve the earliest practicable restoration of the site to a beneficial after-use appropriate to the location, and provision for after-care (see also MIN5). Proposals for re-working of deposited wastes or pre-treatment of wastes at a landfill site will not be permitted if this would result in restoration being significantly delayed. Where proposals for landfilling or land-raising with non-hazardous wastes are likely to generate significant amounts of gas, they should include provision for the monitoring, control and venting of gases and the treatment of leachate, and where feasible, provision to capture landfill gas for energy. Assessment Criteria for New Waste Management Facilities When considering new proposals involving waste management operations or for new waste management facilities, the Black Country Authorities will assess them against the following criteria: • Whether the proposal supports national and local waste strategies, objectives and targets for waste (for example, Spatial Objective 9 and local municipal waste management strategies); • Whether the proposal is well-located in relation to the sources of waste it will be managing (for example, will it be managing waste arising from Black Country communities and businesses?); • Whether the location is suitable for the type of facility and operations proposed and capable of adapting to changing circumstances (for example, is the site/ premises capable of accommodating more than one type of technology or of handling different types of waste?); • Whether the proposal would provide opportunities for co-location of related uses and/ or generate other benefits (for example, would it manage a range of waste types or streams, produce high quality aggregates or other useful raw materials, or supply heat and power or other forms of energy to adjacent uses?); • Whether the proposal would involve re-use of previously-developed land (and if not, is it fully justified in terms of operational requirements and lack of suitable alternatives?); • Whether the proposal contributes towards the positive environmental transformation of the Black Country (for example, is it designed to complement/ contribute towards environmental infrastructure and does it identify and adequately address potential harmful effects on the environment?); • Whether the proposal is compatible with neighbouring uses (taking into account the nature of the wastes being managed, the technologies used, the hours of operation and cumulative effects), and if so, whether it identifies and adequately addresses potential harmful effects on amenity; • Whether the proposal supports economic and growth objectives for the Black Country (for example, would it create or retain local jobs, provide a service to local businesses, produce material resources for local industries, or aggregates to supply construction projects within the Growth Network?); • Whether the proposal would address impacts on the highway/ transport network (for example, has the potential to move waste by rail or inland waterway been fully considered, and does it identify and adequately address impacts on the local/ strategic highway and drainage network?). The same criteria will be used to identify and select sites for inclusion in other DPDs and municipal waste management strategies as well as for assessing planning applications.

The Importance of the Black Country Centres for the Regeneration Strategy

The Strategic Centres of Brierley Hill, Walsall, West Bromwich and Wolverhampton will provide the main focus for higher order sub-regional retail, office, leisure, cultural and service activities, balanced by a network of Town, District and Local Centres, providing for town centre uses including meeting day-to-day shopping needs (particularly convenience shopping). Support will be given for appropriate complementary uses to enhance the evening economy. Proposals that undermine this strategy will be resisted. To strengthen the Black Country's centres, mixed-use developments that are well integrated with existing provision will be encouraged, including the use of upper floors.

Hierarchy of Centres

The defined centres are shown in the hierarchy (as set out in Table 13) and identified on the centres key diagram. To maximise regeneration to protect the identified centres and ensure the appropriate distribution of investment, a hierarchy of centres, consisting of three levels, has been identified across the Black Country: • Strategic Centres • Town Centres • District and Local Centres Each level in the hierarchy will have a specific policy approach. In making decisions about development proposals and in preparation of Local Development Documents, consideration will be given to the centre's position in the hierarchy which reflects their scale and function.

Growth in the Strategic Centres

The Strategic Centres of Brierley Hill, Walsall, West Bromwich and Wolverhampton will seek to secure an appropriate share of comparison and convenience retail and office development in order to ensure that investment to regenerate the Black Country will not be lost. Comparison Shopping Provision Table 14 sets out the additional quantum of floorspace to be planned for in each Strategic Centre over the plan period, prior to commitments. Table 14 – Additional Comparison Shopping Provision Strategic Centre | Delivery of additional comparison floorspace (sqm gross) 2006-2021 | 2021-2026 Wolverhampton | 70,000sqm | 30,000sqm Brierley Hill | 65,000sqm | 30,000sqm Walsall | 60,000sqm | 25,000sqm West Bromwich | 45,000sqm | 20,000sqm Between 2021 and 2026 there could be further comparison provision as identified in the table above in each of the Strategic Centres. Planning permission for development to meet the requirements arising after 2021 should not be granted before 2016. This quantum of floorspace will be delivered through existing commitments, planning permissions and allocations within individual Local Development Documents. New comparison retail development within Merry Hill (part of Brierley Hill Strategic Centre) will be carefully controlled so that no additional comparison retail floorspace is brought into operation until all the following conditions are met: a) Adoption by the Local Planning Authority of the Area Action Plan for Brierley Hill; b) Implementation of improvements to public transport, including completion of initiatives of equivalent quality and attractiveness to the proposed Metro extension from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill, and improvements to bus services connecting the centre with other locations in the Black Country and beyond, and other measures to improve accessibility to and circulation within the centre by non-car modes; and c) Introduction of a car parking management regime including the use of parking charges compatible with those in the region's network of major centres. Any proposed development exceeding 500 square metres gross floorspace - whether brought forward through a Local Development Document or planning application, that would lead to the amount of floorspace in an individual Strategic Centre exceeding the figures set out above, will only be considered favourably if the retail impact assessments contained in the most recent national guidance on retail planning are satisfied. Any proposed development in an edge-of-centre location exceeding 500 square metres gross floorspace will only be considered favourably if the retail impact assessments contained in the most recent national guidance on retail planning are satisfied. However, if it is considered that development below this threshold is likely to have a significant impact on centres, then those proposals will be required to carry out an impact assessment. Convenience Shopping Provision Between 2009 and 2026 each Local Authority will plan for convenience floorspace. Convenience provision in Brierley Hill will be limited to 5,000 square metres net to ensure the delivery of convenience provision in Dudley Town Centre (see policy CEN4). The final amounts of convenience retail development in each of the other SCs will be examined in the relevant AAPs where the majority of convenience floorspace is expected to be delivered by existing commitments. Any proposal exceeding 500 square metres net floorspace – whether brought forward through a Local Development Document or planning application – in an individual strategic centre will be considered favourably if the retail impact assessments contained in the most recent national guidance are satisfied. Any proposed development in an edge-of-centre location exceeding 500 square metres net floorspace will only be considered favourably if the retail impact assessments contained in the most recent national guidance on retail planning are satisfied. However, if it is considered that development below this threshold is likely to have a significant impact on other centres, then those proposals will be required to carry out an impact assessment. Offices Each Strategic Centre will accommodate up to a maximum of an additional 220,000 square metres gross B1(a) floorspace between 2006 and 2026. Delivery of this floorspace will be planned for within, or on the edge of the Strategic Centres (and taking into consideration the particular characteristics of each Strategic Centre) through predominately mixed-use allocations or developments through the following mechanisms, (particularly as much of the demand for B1(a) floorspace is expected to occur after 2016): • Brierley Hill Area Action Plan • West Bromwich Area Action Plan – Offices will be focused within the defined Strategic Centre outside of the Primary Shopping Area, on the edge of the centre and within the office growth corridor linking the strategic centre with Junction 1 of the M5 • Wolverhampton City Centre Area Action Plan • Walsall Strategic Centre Area Action Plan and commitments at the Gigaport development and Walsall Waterfront North Other Centre Uses The Strategic Centres should be the principal locations for major leisure, commercial leisure, entertainment, cultural facilities and services, such as hotels which meet the needs of the sub region and beyond. Policy EMP6 deals with cultural facilities and the visitor economy. Walsall, Wolverhampton and West Bromwich are identified as priorities for cinema provision.

Regeneration of Town Centres

The Black Country's town centres are a distinctive and valued part of the Black Country's character. The network of centres will help to meet needs in the most accessible and sustainable way. Development for retail, office, entertainment and leisure will be permitted, subject to other Policies in the Core Strategy, where they are of an appropriate scale that reflects the size and role of the town centres. Dudley Town Centre has a particular function as a heritage and leisure focus for regeneration. Of particular importance is to encourage new convenience development in Town Centres and support proposals to extend or refurbish existing stores where they are well integrated and to serve to anchor the centre as a whole. Individual retail developments of up to 650 square metres net for convenience goods and 500 square metres gross for comparison goods will be considered appropriate in these centres. For Dudley, up to a total of an additional 5,000 square metres net of convenience and an additional 15,000 square metres gross of comparison retail floorspace would be acceptable. Any proposed development above these thresholds and any development above Dudley's totals, whether brought forward through an Local Development Document or planning application, will only be considered favourably if evidence demonstrates that they are of an appropriate scale to the function of the centre and which would not undermine the vitality and viability of other centres. Any proposed development in an edge-of-centre location exceeding these thresholds, whether brought forward through an Local Development Document or planning application, will only be considered favourably if the retail impact assessments contained in the most recent national guidance on retail planning are satisfied. However, if it is considered that development below these thresholds is likely to have a significant impact on centres, then those proposals will be required to carry out an impact assessment. Should there be insufficient physical capacity to accommodate floorspace requirements in, or on the edge of a Town Centre any new floorspace should be directed to nearby centres as set out in Policy CEN7. Retail capacity in Town Centres will largely be met by existing commitments, planning permissions and allocations, and any redistribution of floorspace between Centres to meet strategic priorities. Up to an additional 5,000 square metres gross of office B1(a) development will be allowed in each of the Town Centres up to 2026 to meet their local service function. Any development exceeding this figure will only be considered favourably if the impact assessments contained in the most recent national guidance are satisfied. It will also be suitable for the town centres to provide entertainment, leisure and cultural facilities of an appropriate scale and kind to serve their roles and catchments. The use of upper floors will be encouraged to accommodate relevant town centre uses. It will be important to recognise the special role of Dudley Town Centre, as well as the distinctive assets offered by individual centres in the provision of other town centre uses.

District and Local Centres

Within the District and Local Centres, individual convenience retail developments of up to 500 square metres net and developments for comparison retail, offices or leisure uses of up to 200 square metres gross will be permitted where they satisfy local requirements and are appropriate to the scale and function of that particular centre. Any proposed development above these thresholds, whether brought forward through a Local Development Document or planning application, will only be considered favourably if evidence demonstrates that they are of an appropriate scale to the function of the centre and which would not undermine the vitality and viability of other centres. Any proposed development in an edge-of-centre location exceeding these thresholds, whether brought forward through a Local Development Document or planning application, will only be considered favourably if the retail impact assessments contained in the most recent national guidance on retail planning are satisfied. However, if it is considered that development below these thresholds is likely to have a significant impact on centres, then those proposals will be required to carry out an impact assessment. For District and Local Centres in the Black Country, town centre uses adjoining the centre will be defined as edge-of-centre. These criteria will also be used when considering the designation of new local centres, through Local Development Documents, where required. Lye in Dudley Borough has been identified as a priority to provide convenience floorspace of up to an additional 650 square metres net to strengthen its role as a District Centre to meet the needs of its local population.

Meeting Local Needs for Shopping and Services

New small-scale local facilities outside defined centres of up to 200 square metres gross, or extensions to existing facilities which would create a unit of up to 200 square metres gross will be permitted if it can be shown that all of the following requirements are met: The proposal is of an appropriate scale and nature to meet a specific day-to-day need of a population within convenient, safe walking distance for new or improved facilities; Local provision could not be better met by investment in a nearby centre; Existing facilities that meet day-to-day needs will not be undermined. Access to facilities by means other than by car would be improved and, in particular, will be within convenient, safe walking distance of the community it is intended to serve; Where new local facilities are to meet the specific needs of new housing development, particularly food provision, then proposals need to meet the requirements of Policy HOU2. These considerations will apply to proposals for non ancillary retailing at petrol filling stations outside of defined centres. Any larger scale proposals will have to meet the requirements of Policy CEN7. Shops that provide an important service to a local area, whether they are in a defined centre or in a free standing location will wherever possible be protected. Development involving the loss of a convenience shop, pharmacy or post office will be resisted where this would result in an increase in the number of people living more than a convenient, safe walking distance from alternative provision.

Controlling Out-of-Centre Development

There is a clear presumption in favour of focusing development in centres. Proposals for out-of-centre development will have to demonstrate that development cannot be provided in-centre or at edge-of-centre locations of existing Centres appropriate to the hierarchy. For retail purposes, a location that is well connected and within easy walking distance (i.e. up to 300 metres) of the primary shopping area of Strategic and Town Centres will be regarded as edge-of-centre. For all other main town centre uses a location that is well connected and within easy walking distance (i.e. up to 300 metres) of the centre boundary of Strategic and Town Centres will be regarded as edge-of-centre, unless otherwise defined in relevant saved UDP policies. For District and Local Centres in the Black Country, town centre uses adjoining the centre will be defined as edge-of-centre. Any proposal for a town centre use in an out of centre location, whether brought forward through a Local Development Document or planning application, will only be considered favourably if the impact assessments contained in the most recent national guidance are satisfied, or the requirements of Policy CEN6 are satisfied. Any out-of-centre proposal which is considered to fall within the catchment area of a relevant centre will be required to include that centre in any sequential test. It will be important to ensure developments are accessible by a choice of means of transport, in particular public transport, walking and cycling, and support both social inclusion and the need to sustain strategic transport links. It will be important to acknowledge the issues raised by particular proposals. However, the strategy is to accommodate investment (except where justified in terms of Policy CEN6) in centres and to expand centres where necessary. In this context, it will be important to recognise strong justification would be required for out-of-centre schemes that could otherwise be contrary to the strategy for the regeneration of the Black Country. It is not accepted that specific classes of goods cannot be sold from in-centre locations. Developments will need to demonstrate flexibility in their operational requirements in terms of format. This policy also applies to applications for extensions and variation of conditions. The effective use of planning conditions will be applied, such as controlling types of goods to be sold, removing permitted development rights for mezzanine floors, future sub-division and defining unit sizes and sales areas to minimise the impacts of edge-of-centre and out-of-centre development.

Car Parking in Centres

(a) Pricing - The pricing of parking will not be used as a tool for competition between Strategic Centres. A lower pricing regime may be identified for Town Centres and District and Local Centres. (b) Type of Parking - The amount and charging of publicly available long stay parking in centres will be managed to ensure a balance between provision of long stay parking and encouraging commuters to use more sustainable modes. Except where there is an accepted need for secure dedicated provision, car parking within or on the edge of Strategic Centres, Town centres and District and Local Centres will generally be required to be available to the public to serve the centre as a whole. Adequate provision will be made in centres as a whole and in new parking facilities for all types of users, including those with reduced mobility, cyclists and users of powered two wheelers. (c) Maximum Parking Standards - The application of maximum parking standards will be consistent with PPG 13 and any subsequent government guidance, which, in the case of long stay provision, will encourage reduced levels of provision where public transport accessibility is highest. A lower maximum standard for off street parking will be identified for development within Town Centres and District and Local Centres where the parking provision is to serve the centre as a whole.

Transport Strategy

The large-scale land use changes proposed in the Core Strategy require an effective and integrated transport network which will serve existing and new developments and promote greater use of sustainable transport modes, (walking, cycling, public transport and car sharing) helping to reduce the growth in car borne journeys. This transport strategy for the Black Country is intended to reflect the following strategic outcomes: • Enabling the expansion of the Strategic Centres; • Providing communities with improved access to employment, residential services and other facilities and amenities, with travel choices that are attractive, viable and sustainable; • Improving air quality and helping to address negative impacts on climate change; • Improving the accessibility of employment sites to residential areas and providing reliable access for freight to the national motorway network; • Facilitating access to employment land, particularly strategic high quality employment areas; • Containing congestion by developing and managing transport networks to operate more efficiently; • Improve road safety; • Supporting the strategy through demand management and the promotion of sustainable transport; • Improve access to information relating to travel options for visitors, businesses and local people.

Priorities for the Development of the Transport Network

The development of transport networks in the Black Country is focused on a step change in public transport provision serving and linking centres, improving sustainable transport facilities and services across the area, improving connectivity to national networks and improving the efficiency of strategic highway routes. Land needed for the implementation of priority transport projects will be safeguarded in order to assist in their future implementation. All new developments will address the transport network and provide adequate access for all modes, including walking, cycling and public transport. Residential development will be expected to meet the accessibility standards set out in Policy HOU2.

Managing Transport Impacts of New Development

Planning permission will not be granted for development proposals that are likely to have significant transport implications unless applications are accompanied by proposals to provide an acceptable level of accessibility and safety by all modes of transport to and from all parts of a development including, in particular, access by walking, cycling, public transport and car sharing. These proposals should be in accordance with an agreed Transport Assessment, where required, and include implementation of measures to promote and improve such sustainable transport facilities through agreed Travel Plans and similar measures.

The Efficient Movement of Freight

The movement of freight by sustainable modes such as rail and waterways will be encouraged. Road based freight will be encouraged to use the Primary Route Network whenever this is practicable. Junction improvements and routeing strategies will be focussed on those parts of the highway network particularly important for freight access to employment sites and to the motorway network. Proposals which generate significant freight movements will be directed to sites with satisfactory access to the principal road network. Existing and disused railway lines as shown on the Transport Key Diagram will be safeguarded for rail related uses. Sites with existing and potential access to the rail network for freight will be safeguarded for rail related uses.

Creating Coherent Networks for Cycling and for Walking

Joint working between the four local authorities will ensure that the Black Country has a comprehensive cycle network based on integrating the four local cycle networks, including common cycle infrastructure design standards. Creating an environment that encourages sustainable travel requires new developments to link to existing walking and cycling networks. The links should be safe, direct and not impeded by infrastructure provided for other forms of transport. Where possible, existing links including the canal network should be enhanced and the networks extended to serve new developments. New developments should have good walking and cycling links to public transport nodes and interchanges. Cycle parking facilities should be provided at all new developments and should be located in a convenient location with good natural surveillance, e.g. in close proximity of main front entrances for short stay visitors or under shelter for long stay visitors. The number of cycle parking spaces required will be determined by local standards in supplementary planning documents.

Influencing the Demand for Travel and Travel Choices

The Black Country Local Authorities are committed to considering all aspects of traffic management in the centres and wider area in accordance with the Traffic Management Act 2004. The priorities for traffic management in the Black Country are: • The pricing of parking - ensuring that it is not used as a tool for competition between centres; • The type of parking – ensuring that where appropriate long stay parking is removed near to town centres to support parking for leisure and retail customers and encourage commuters to use more sustainable means and reduce peak hour traffic flows; • Maximum parking standards – ensuring that a consistent approach to maximum parking standards is enforced in new developments as set out in supplementary planning documents; • The location of parking – by reviewing the location of town centre car parks through the "Network Management Duty Strategy" to ensure that the flow of traffic around the town centres is as efficient as possible; • Identifying appropriate strategic and local Park and Ride sites on current public transport routes to ease traffic flows into centres; • Working together with the rest of the region to manage region-wide traffic flows through the West Midlands Metropolitan Area Urban Traffic Control (UTC) scheme and further joint working; • Promoting and implementing Smarter Choices measures that will help to reduce the need to travel and facilitate a shift towards using sustainable modes of transport (walking, cycling, public transport, car sharing).