Bishop's Tachbrook NDP Regulation 16 Submission

6.0 Planning Policies

6.1 This section sets out the planning policies of the Bishop's Tachbrook Neighbourhood Development Plan. These will be used to help determine planning applications in the area and so shape the future of Bishop's Tachbrook as a place to live and work in, and to visit. The BTNDP's Policies have been prepared by the Steering Group on behalf of the Parish Council and following public consultation.

OBJECTIVE: 1. To protect, enhance and give greater access to the natural environment of the area, including its landscape, geological assets, archaeological sites and wildlife habitats.

Figure 7. Protected Views

Background/Justification

6.2 Natural England produces profiles for England's 159 National Character Areas (NCAs). These are areas that share similar landscape characteristics, and which follow natural lines in the landscape rather than administrative boundaries, making them a good decision-making framework for the natural environment.

6.3 NCA profiles are guidance documents which can help communities to inform their decision-making about the places that they live in and care for.

Map 6. Landscape Sensitivity (Source: Warwick District Council)

6.4 Each profile includes a description of the natural and cultural features that shape a landscape, how that landscape has changed over time, the current key drivers for ongoing change, and a broad analysis of each area's characteristics and ecosystem services. Statements of Environmental Opportunity (SEOs) are suggested, which draw on this integrated information. The SEOs offer guidance on the critical issues, which could help to achieve sustainable growth and a more secure environmental future.

6.5 Bishop's Tachbrook lies within NCA96: Dunsmore and Feldon.Natural England's NCA work has been used to inform the development of Policy BT1.

"The Dunsmore and Feldon NCA is a predominantly rural, agricultural landscape, crossed by numerous small rivers and tributaries and varying between a more open character in the Feldon area and a wooded character in Dunsmore. The name Feldon refers to the old English term feld meaning 'open cleared land' and expresses the contrast, in medieval times, with the more wooded Arden area to the north-west. The area is mainly within Warwickshire, with the southern boundary delineated by the steep limestone escarpment of the Cotswolds, and the northern boundary by the Leicestershire Vales. To the west lie the well-wooded pastures of Arden, together with the Severn and Avon Vales, while the undulating pastures and low hills of the Northamptonshire Uplands form the eastern border.

The NCA is an important food producing area and the agricultural expanse of large arable fields, improved pasture and small villages forms a transitional landscape between the surrounding National Character Areas (NCAs). The land to the north comprises the wedge-shaped area of low ridges and valleys lying between Leamington Spa, Coventry and Rugby, and is known as Dunsmore.

The historic character of this area is very important, in particular its ancient woodlands, enclosed fields, veteran trees, landscaped parklands and areas of archaeological interest, including deserted villages and numerous sites of remnant ridge and furrow.

The area is facing key challenges around how to protect and enhance its assets and recreational resource while accommodating the pressure for sustainable modern growth and development and the needs of the communities who live there.

The NCA includes 4 Statements of Environmental Opportunity (SEO) that may be relevant in the preparation of the NDP, in particular the development of any landscape related policies. These are:

SEO 1: Protect and appropriately manage the historic character, settlement pattern and features of Dunsmore and Feldon, in particular its areas of archaeological and heritage interest, including the deserted settlements and ridge-and-furrow sites, ancient woodlands, veteran trees, farmsteads, country houses and landscaped parklands, and enhance the educational, access and recreational experience for urban and rural communities.

SEO 2:Protect and appropriately manage Draycote Reservoir and the important network of natural and manmade rivers, streams, ponds, canals and other wetland habitats for their important role in water provision and water quality, for the species they support and for their contribution to recreation, sense of place and geodiversity. SEO 3: Protect and manage the mosaic of habitats including woodlands, hedgerows and heathlands, particularly ancient and semi-natural woodlands, together with sustainable management of agricultural land, and new planting of woodland and heathland, where appropriate, to ensure continued provision of food, to extend the timber and biomass resource and to contribute to pollination, biodiversity and carbon storage, and for the benefits to soil and water management.

SEO 4: Protect and manage the landscape character, high tranquillity levels and the historic settlement character to enhance sense of place and of history and to promote recreational opportunities; and ensure that new development is sensitively located and designed, integrate green infrastructure links into development, encourage new woodland planting to soften urban fringe developments and promote recreational assets such as the National Cycle Routes."

6.6 In addition,the NCA work at the wider landscape level has been supplemented by work at a local undertaken by Warwickshire County Council in their parish level Landscape Study (Map 6, page 32). In this study the focus is on the characteristics that make this part of the Feldon Parklands Landscape Character Area.

6.7 Since this work was published development within many of the areas such as BT 16, BT08, BT15, BT01 will change the summary findings from "tranquil rural setting with few people and open landscape' to "areas of urban development".

6.8 This impacts on the local landscape and it will be important to manage and mitigate this change, through:

• Management of hedgerows and hedgerow trees e.g. filling gaps along road edges;
• Increasing the number of hedgerow trees using native species such as oak and field maple;
• Managing the Tach Brook with new planting and other measures to increase its biodiversity potential;
• Additional planting as necessary of tree belts and woodland e.g. on rising ground; and
• Managing small woodlands and spinneys by coppicing.

Background/Justification

6.9 The Warwick Local Plan allocates land to the north of Tach Brook as a Country Park. The Green Infrastructure Study 2010 and Green Space Strategy 2012identified gaps in Accessible Natural Green Space in the district. This was particularly the case in the southern part of the Warwick, Leamington and Whitnash urban area. This area is also more limited in terms of pedestrian access to the wider network of footpaths in the countryside. To address this deficiency, particularly given the scale and location of development in this part of the district, Tach Brook Country Park (Map 5, page 23) will provide a substantial and permanent landscape buffer and recreation asset between the edge of the urban area and Bishop's Tachbrook.

6.10 Tach Brook Country Park will be a multifunctional green infrastructure asset to:

1. Provide a strong 'green buffer' between the northern parts of Bishop's Tachbrook and the southern edge of the new development sites off Harbury Lane. This will include minimising the visual impact of development and softening the edge of new housing schemes.
2. Promote ecology and habitat diversification in a landscape that has historically been associated with modern farming and other uses.
3. Play a role in flood alleviation, particularly considering the close proximity of a significant numbers of new houses.
4. Provide a functional park facility that is well-connected to new developments, in terms of access and walking and cycling infrastructure. While the park may have a defined character, it is also part of a wider brook valley / green corridor.
5. Provide park facilities of an appropriate scale to support informal leisure activities for people living within the wider area south of Leamington / Warwick, who currently have limited access to nearby natural green space and the wider countryside."

6.11 The Warwick District Local Plan proposal only allocates land to the north of Tach Brook. The Parish Council are of the view that this concept should be extended to cover land on the south side of Tach Brook. This will help to create a more coherent outdoor recreation resource that serves both the needs of residents of Royal Leamington Spa, but also provides a resource for residents of Bishop's Tachbrook village (Map 2, page 8).

6.12 Work has started on the multi-million-pound development of Tach Brook County Park. The park and its running over the next 13 years is set to cost between some £2.5million and £9million, which will be covered by neighbouring housing developers who will pay nearby £800 per property towards the park. After 13 years the cost will fall to Warwick District Council. Bishop's Tachbrook Parish Council will own the freehold of the Country Park and lease it back to Warwick District Council (Map 7. Tach Brook Country Park Masterplan, page34 )

6.13 The Country Park only includes land to the north of the Tach Brook. The BTNDP proposes that this area should be extended to the south of Tach Brook. This will help integrate and link the Country Park to Bishop's Tachbrook, in turn, helping link the different communities in the neighbourhood area; it will also make planning for the access and environment of the Country Park more comprehensive by including the whole of one of the Country Park's key features: the Tach Brook. Extending the Country Park south of Tach Brook also offers up opportunities to connect to the existing public right of way network and the opportunity to create stronger links from Bishop's Tachbrook village to this new green infrastructure asset. Areas to the south of the Brook also offer potential opportunities to make connections with the area's past e.g. Windmill Hill. A southern extension of the Country park also helps to ensure a substantial green buffer remains between Bishop's Tachbrook and Leamington Spa, particularly given that the originally land allocated as Country Park north of Tach Brook will now be used for a new school.

6.14 As well as the area of search shown on the Policies Map for a southern extension to the Country Park, the boundary for the Country Park north of Tach Brook has changed as development proposals have been brought forward. To the west as a result of the proposed new schools. To the east, land that has been offered to Warwick District Council as a result of the Lower Heathcote development. This is a larger area than originally proposed and takes the boundary of the Country Park up to Europa Way. Secondly, Warwick District Council have acquired an area of woodland from Warwickshire County Council. This land was available after the construction of Europa Way (Map 8, page 35). This area forms a natural extension to the Country Park and will also allow pedestrian and cycle access from the Asps development

Consultation on the emerging boundary of the Country Park, north of Tach Brook is began in March 2020 (https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/info/20311/major_parks/1483/tach_brook_country_park). The BTNDP is being used to progress the consultation on the area of search for an extension south of Tach Brook. Over time, these two strands of work will be brought together to define a final boundary for the Country Park.

Map 7. Tach Brook Country Park Masterplan (Source: Warwick District Council)

Map 8. Tach Brook Country Park - changes from the Local Plan

Background/Justification

6.15 To ensure that other Green Infrastructure (GI) resources (footpaths, streams, ponds, woodlands etc.) are protected and remain as an inter-connected network the area's GI will be protected. These areas will be also be important reservoirs for carbon capture and help to combat climate change.

6.16 Proposals to improve or enhance these areas will be supported, as will proposals that seek to create new GI.

6.17 Warwick District Council's Green Infrastructure Study 2010 identifies the Tach Brook as part of the District's strategic Green Infrastructure (Map 9, page 36).

Map 9. Strategic Green Infrastructure (Source: Warwick District Council)

OBJECTIVE 2. To promote healthy living and encourage sustainable transport (such as walking and cycling) to reduce demand on the local highway network and improve road safety.

Background/Justification

6.18 Amongst residents' key concerns are the impact of traffic and congestion. These concerns are heightened by the prospect of further car use arising from the planned new developments in Bishop's Tachbrook parish and surrounding areas. Policy BT4 suggests a range of measures to reduce car dependency and improve road safety.

6.19 Improvement to the junction of Mallory Road / Banbury Road (A452) will be pursued, possibly via developer contributions, to improve safety, road markings, lighting, visibility and capacity at the junction of Mallory Road and Banbury Road from housing allocation H49 at Seven Acre Close.

6.20 In order to improve road safety and calm traffic, proposals to introduce a formalised pedestrian crossing on Mallory Road in the vicinity of Church Lees and the bus layby will also be sought.

6.21 As well as pursuing transport improvements through the planning system the Parish Council will also seek to encourage non-planning improvements to the local highway network e.g. 20mph speed limits through the village of Bishop's Tachbrook, residential areas within Heathcote and to all new residential development areas within the Parish.

6.22 Similarly, other improvements will be sought to promote sustainable connectivity between existing and new urban areas within the Parish. These could include upgraded/improved footway provision on/at the A425 (Banbury Road), near Spinney Farm, this would contribute towards better connectivity into Warwick; and better footpath provision along Harbury Lane to link the development at The Asps, Heathcote and Oakley Grove.

Background/Justification

6.23 The Strategic Transport Assessment, 2011 includes the following vision:

The proposals for transport in relation to the Local Plan must support the vision for the District. In this respect, transport should:

1. Contribute to the area being a place where people want to live, work and visit;
2. Support the economy of the main towns and surrounding rural areas, thus stimulating growth and prosperity;
3. Mitigate, where possible, the negative impacts of growth;
4. Help achieve connectivity between new and existing neighbourhoods, community facilities and public spaces; and
5. Ensure that communities can access heath and local services by sustainable means.

6.24 The Local Transport Plan for Warwickshire 2011 – 2026 (LTP3) has the following objectives:

1. To promote greater equality of opportunity for all citizens in order to promote a fairer, more inclusive society;
2. To seek reliable and efficient transport networks which will help promote full employment and a strong, sustainable local and sub‐regional economy;
3. To reduce the impact of transport on people and the [built and natural] environment and improve the journey experience of transport users;
4. To improve the safety, security and health of people by reducing the risk of death, injury or illness arising from transport, and by promoting travel modes that are beneficial to health;
5. To encourage integration of transport, both in terms of policy planning and the physical interchange of modes;
6. To reduce transport emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, and address the need to adapt to climate change.

6.25 The County Council will secure improvements to walking, cycling and public transport through the planning process, along with contributions towards the strategic highway infrastructure improvements identified in the Warwick District Local Plan Strategic Transport Assessment. Other improvements will be funded as budgets and priorities allow, either from the County Council's own capital resources or through external funding from Government and others (e.g. Sustrans). Improvements to local bus services should be discussed directly with the operator where these are provided commercially. The Parish Council will work with all these bodies to secure such improvements.

OBJECTIVE: 3. To ensure the parish has the appropriate open space, recreation and community facilities to support present demand and future projected growth.

Background/Justification

6.26 Paragraph 99 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) advises that "The designation of land as Local Green Space through local and neighbourhood plans allows communities to identify and protect green areas of particular importance to them. Designating land as Local Green Space should be consistent with the local planning of sustainable development and complement investment in sufficient homes, jobs and other essential services. Local Green Spaces should only be designated when a plan is prepared or updated, and be capable of enduring beyond the end of the plan period.

6.27 Paragraph 100 of NPPF goes on to state Local Green Space designation should only be used where the green space is:

1. in reasonably close proximity to the community it serves;
2. demonstrably special to a local community and holds a particular local significance, for example because of its beauty, historic significance, recreational value (including as a playing field), tranquillity or richness of its wildlife; and
3. local in character and is not an extensive tract of land.

6.28 A separate analysis of all the key green and open spaces identified in the neighbourhood area has been undertaken. From this, those meeting the NPPF criteria set out in paragraph 6.27 have been potentially designated as Local Green Spaces. One area raised by residents at the "Your Parish - Today and Tomorrow" consultation events was the open area opposite the Leopard public house at the northern entrance to the village (Appendix 2). Whilst valued by many this space is not considered, when assessed against the designation criteria in NPPF, to meet the tests for Local Green Space designation. The full assessment of Local Green Spaces is available separately in the Local Green Space Assessmentreport.

Background/Justification

6.29 As well as those spaces considered to be the most demonstrably special the neighbourhood area also has a number of other open spaces that are worthy of protection. The full assessment of open spaces in the neighbourhood area is available separately in the Local Green Space Assessment report.

6.30 These spaces provide important opportunities for informal recreation and play or contribute to the amenity of the area. These spaces will be protected using Policy BT7.

Background/Justification

6.31 Community facilities, such as the two schools, The Leopard Public House, the local churches and shops are part of the essential glue that helps bind and bring the local community together. Policy BT8 identifies the essential of community facilities in the neighbourhood area and, in line with national planning policy, seeks to guard against the unnecessary loss of these valued facilities. Policy BT8 supports improvements and enhancements to these assets.

Background/Justification

6.32 National Planning Policy in the NPPF (paragraph 91) acknowledges that planning has a role to play in facilitating social interaction and bringing people together.

6.33 Given the level of change proposed in the neighbourhood area, through the Warwick District Local Plan, the neighbourhood plan aims to ensure that such change results in a healthy and inclusive community.

6.34 All the developments south of Harbury Lane will result in a new residential community in the north of the neighbourhood area. To a degree this area will have its own community, recreation and shopping facilities. The residents in this area, just as many residents in Bishop's Tachbrook village do, will also look to Royal Leamington Spa for key services and employment. Equally, the new development will provide new facilities for existing Bishop's Tachbrook residents to use.

6.35 The risk is that the new community becomes purely a suburb of Royal Leamington Spa, with residents commuting to and from work, and having little opportunity to become involved in wider community activity and life. The neighbourhood plan seeks to avoid this outcome by encouraging development proposals, where feasible and viable, to include measures that offer the opportunity to bring the residents of the neighbourhood area together. These measures can include:

• Footpaths
• Access to Tach Brook Country Park
• Meeting places and spaces
• Recreation resources

OBJECTIVE 4: To protect and enhance the historic village centre of Bishop's Tachbrook by ensuring that any development within the Conservation Area is sympathetic with current buildings and landscape.

Map 9. Bishop's Tachbrook Conservation Area (Source: Warwick District Council)

Background/Justification

6.36 The area designated as a Conservation Area in Bishop's Tachbrook is shown on Map 9. The Conservation Area in Bishop's Tachbrook was designated in 1969 and extended in 2001.

6.37 Bishop's Tachbrook is a village which was extended significantly in the 1960's and 1970's and the Conservation Area gives protection to the core of the original village. It is characterised by a number of road junctions at which there are significant groups of buildings. On entering the village from Leamington, the Leopard Public House and its grounds and car park form part of the Conservation Area corridor leading to the junction with Church Hill and Oakley Wood Road. At this junction is the former village school which, although not listed, is a significant building. Church Hill rises steeply past Bishop's Close and the timber framed listed buildings at the junction. The junction with Mallory Road and Church Hill is characterised by cottages on the southern side and the Parish Church and churchyard rising up on the north side. Adjacent to the churchyard is The Green which is now surrounded by mid-20th Century developments which, although outside the Conservation Area, do impact on this area. Mallory Road which follows round from The Green leads to the termination of the Conservation Area.

6.38 Savages Close leads to the Manor House and a number of small cottages which, together with the Manor House grounds, form a distinctively separate part of the village separated from the rest of the Conservation Area by the tree belt along Oakley Wood Road. It is important that the character of Savages Close is maintained with its steep banks and mature trees with only minimal access points leading to various houses in the Close. Oakley Wood Road forms an attractive approach road to the village being largely tree-lined in a slight depression. It is important for the maintenance of the character of Bishop's Tachbrook Conservation Area that the quality of the various road junctions is maintained and where possible, enhanced in order to maintain and strengthen the unity of this part of the village which is distinctively different from the twentieth century additions to the village.

6.39 There are some important views in the Conservation Area, these relate largely to the various road junctions within the Conservation Area, these being the junction with Oakley Wood Road and Church Hill, and Church Hill and Mallory Road. There are important views across The Green towards the Parish Church and down Oakley Wood road past the tree belt in the Manor House grounds

Background/Justification

6.40 As well as the designated heritage assets such as the Conservation Area and Listed Buildings that have statutory protection, the neighbourhood area also has a number of non-designated heritage assets. National planning policy define such assets as "A building, monument, site, place, area or landscape identified as having a degree of significance meriting consideration in planning decisions, because of its heritage interest". Such assets can include locally listed buildings.

6.41 Warwick District Council is launching a Local List of Historic Buildings and Structures to give a level of recognition to these buildings and structures. The aim is to give recognition to the wide variety of historic buildings in Warwick district with a view to recognising their intrinsic qualities where development is proposed.

6.42 To be included in the Local List of Historic Buildings and Structures a candidate must fulfil at least one category from of either: Architectural and Design Merit, Historical/Social Interest, Survival and Originality.

6.43 Consultation on the Regulation 16 Draft of the BTNDP presents an opportunity for local people to put forward suggestions for local listing. Further information can be found here.

6.44 Policy BT11 will be used to assess planning applications that affect Locally Listed Buildings and other non-designated heritage assets identified in the Warwickshire Historic Environment Record.

OBJECTIVE 5. To ensure that new housing is in a suitable range of sizes, types and tenures, to meet assessed local needs for market and social homes.

Background/Justification

6.45 Warwick District Local Plan Strategic Policy DS2: Providing the Homes the District Needs seeks to ensure that the district's housing needs are met. Similarly, the Parish Council wish to see local needs met, particularly for those who wish to downsize and those who wish to access their first home. In line with Policy DS2 development should provide a mix of new homes to meet different needs.

6.46 Policy H4 of the Warwick District Local Plan "Securing a Mix of Housing" sets out policy for securing a mix of housing on development sites:

"The Council will require proposals for residential development to include a mix of market housing which contributes towards a balance of house types and sizes across the district including the housing needs of different age groups, in accordance with the latest Strategic Housing Market Assessment."

6.47 Policy H2 Affordable Housing of the Warwick District Local Plan sets district wide affordable housing policy.

"Residential development on sites of 11 or more dwellings or where the combined gross floor space is more than 1,000 sq. m will not be permitted unless provision is made for 40% affordable housing."

6.48 A Housing Needs Survey (July 2019) has been undertaken by Warwickshire Rural Community Council for the Parish, this concluded that there was a need for:

• 5 x First time buyer properties;
• 13 x Housing association properties of all sizes
• 3 x Owner occupied bungalows;
• 12 x Owner occupied houses
• 3 people expressed an interest in self-build.

6.49 The needs identified in the Housing Needs Survey are expected to be met from the current housing allocations although the provision of bungalows and self build plots is not expected to be met if the expected housing mix is not altered to reflect these needs.

6.50 In the future, planning applications should take into account local evidence of housing needs as well as the SHMA produced by Warwick District. This will help to ensure new development is more responsive to the needs of people in the neighbourhood area. Policy BT12 should, therefore, be read in conjunction with new Local Plan Policies H2 and H4.

6.51 When considering housing mix, we will use the definition of a bungalow used in the English Housing Survey Housing Stock Report, prepared by the Department of Communities and Local Government: A house with all of the habitable accommodation on one floor. This excludes chalet bungalows and bungalows with habitable loft conversions, which are treated as houses.

6.52 The Parish Council will work with Warwick District Council to ensure that the Housing Needs Survey is up to date, preferably on a two-yearly cycle.

OBJECTIVE 6.

To protect the environment, ensure sustainability and tackle climate change by reducing greenhouse emissions to as close to zero as possible by 2030. A commitment that is incorporated in Warwick District Council's "Declaration of a Climate Emergency Action Plan"

Background/Justification

6.53 Warwick District Council and Warwickshire County Council have declared climate emergencies that aims to ensure that the whole of Warwickshire is as close to carbon zero by 2030 as possible. The UK parliament recently pledged that the whole country will reach carbon net zero by 20150. Policy BT13 seeks to support these aims.

6.54 NPPF paragraph 148 identifies that planning supports shaping places to secure radical reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, minimising vulnerability and providing resilience to the impacts of climate change. Development in the neighbourhood area should make a contribution to this important objective.

6.55 Policy BT13 should be read alongside national policy and other development plan policy, including that in the Local Plan, to ensure that new development does not have a significant adverse impact on climate change and its impacts.

6.56 The Warwick Local Plan through Policy BE1 Layout and Design sets a framework for assessing the design of planning proposals. This includes all the key features and attributes of what would be considered good design. Policy BT13 does not need or seek to repeat these but seeks to add further policy detail and requirements. These are intended to ensure that new development in the Bishop's Tachbrook neighbourhood area achieves well designed places and good design.

6.57 National policy is clear that the "creation of high-quality buildings and places is fundamental to what the planning and development process should achieve. Good design is a key aspect of sustainable development, creates better places in which to live and work and helps make development acceptable to communities." Local plan and neighbourhood plan design policies should seek to ensure that all new development in Bishop's Tachbrook is good design.

6.58 National planning policy is also clear that "Permission should be refused for development of poor design that fails to take the opportunities available for improving the character and quality of an area and the way it functions" (paragraph 64, NPPF)

6.59 Policy BT13 should also be read in conjunction with the Warwick District Council Residential Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document.

6.60 Paragraph 129 of the NPPF advises that local planning authorities should "ensure that they have access to, and make appropriate use of, tools and processes for assessing and improving the design of development. These include workshops to engage the local community, design advice and review arrangements, and assessment frameworks such as Building for Life."Policy BT13 identifies Building for Lifeas the most appropriate assessment framework to be used for schemes put forward in the neighbourhood area, however equivalents can be used. Whatever assessment framework is adopted, as stressed in NPPF, these are of most benefit if used as early as possible in the evolution of schemes.