The Vision and Measurable Outcomes
Overview
a/ A Local Plan vision is to consist of a vision statement and a series of key aims and objectives – which should be ambitious but responsive to what the Local Plan can realistically achieve.
b/ There should be no more than 10 measurable outcomes in a Local Plan – they should be tangible, locally specific and easy to monitor (linked to quantitative and qualitative targets).
A Vision for Shropshire
3.2 The vision of the next Shropshire Local Plan should be locally distinctive – capturing our aspirations for Shropshire over the period to 2046 and beyond. It should include a Shropshire-specific vision statement supported by ambitious but realistic aims and objectives of relevance to Shropshire.
3.3 Our measurable outcomes should ‘flow’ from the aims and objectives of our vision, to outline how desired changes will be delivered and measured.
3.4 Importantly, our vision, the aims and objectives and associated measurable outcomes should provide the framework for preparing the wider Local Plan and provide an effective basis by which to monitor delivery after its adoption.
Key Priorities
3.5 The first step in preparing the vision and measurable outcomes of our next Local Plan will be to identify ‘key priorities’ for Shropshire. To identify these ‘key priorities’, we will consider the following:
a/ The requirements of national planning policy.
b/ Collected evidence particularly where it identifies ‘baseline’ conditions and any local issues and opportunities.
c/ Other Council strategies, including the administration’s ‘New Direction for Shropshire’ and the emerging Corporate Plan.
d/ Analysis of Shropshire’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
e/ Responses to consultations undertaken to inform the next Local Plan.
f/ Technical assessments undertaken to inform the next Local Plan.
National Planning Policy
3.6 Having reviewed the requirements of existing and emerging national planning policy, we believe the most important considerations when identifying ‘key priorities’ for our vision and measurable outcomes are:
a/ Planning to deliver a sufficient number of new homes that are of the right size, type and tenure to meet needs and enhance sustainability.
b/ Making available sufficient new employment land to enable sustainable economic growth which supports local businesses and inward investment.
c/ Promoting the long-term vitality and viability of our town centres.
d/ Protecting and enhancing our treasured natural, built and historic environment.
e/ Supporting the transition to net zero and planning for the mitigation and adaptation of our changing climate and the delivery of clean and renewable energy and water.
f/ Delivering safe, healthy, well-designed, high quality and sustainable places for all.
g/ Promoting connectivity supported by effective communication systems and accessible/sustainable/active modes of transport.
h/ Safeguarding mineral resources and ensuring a sufficient supply of minerals to provide the infrastructure, buildings, green energy and goods the country needs.
i/ Meeting our future needs to re-use, recycle and responsibly dispose of waste materials generated in Shropshire.
Question 5
How important do you feel each of the identified national considerations are when determining the key priorities of our vision and measurable outcomes? Please explain your answers, particularly if you've commented that any of the identified considerations are unimportant.
Local Plan Evidence and Other Council Strategies
3.7 A review of collected evidence and other Council strategies confirmed the considerations identified when reviewing national planning policy requirements were relevant in a local context.
3.8 However, this analysis identified locally specific considerations we believe to be of significance in identifying the ‘key priorities’ of our vision and measurable outcomes. Of significant value in this process were the administration’s ‘New Direction for Shropshire’ and the emerging Corporate Plan. Identified considerations include:
a/ Infrastructure-led: ensuring sufficient infrastructure is available or provided to support development.
b/ Rurality: embracing the rural characteristics of Shropshire.
c/ Meeting housing needs of our communities: particular priorities are affordable housing, key worker housing and specialist housing that supports independence of older people.
d/ Supporting employers: facilitating the growth aspirations of existing and new employers.
e/ Complementary development: recognising the importance placed on housing and employment development nationally, providing for other complementary land-uses (including open space) and infrastructure to create sustainable places.
f/ Nature recovery: facilitating the Shropshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy to benefit biodiversity & our wider environment.
g/ Locally responsive design: Achieving high-quality and sustainable design responsive to the diverse characteristics of our communities.
h/ Health and inclusivity: supporting the well-being and integration of existing and new communities.
i/ Town centres: supporting their vitality and appropriate diversification.
j/ Changing climate and net zero: Supporting the transition to net zero and mitigation/adaptation to a changing climate in a predominantly rural area.
k/ Connectivity: Use of active travel and public transport and access to services and facilities in a predominantly rural area.
Question 6
How important do you feel these locally specific considerations are when identifying the ‘key priorities’ of our vision and measurable outcomes? Please explain your answer, particularly if you have commented that any of the identified considerations are unimportant.
Shropshire: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats
3.9 A strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis provides a structured way to understand and present the context of an area. National guidance specifies that SWOT analysis may support the preparation of a Local Plan vision and measurable outcomes.
3.10 Therefore, to support identification of the 'key priorities' for our vision and associated measurable outcomes we have undertaken a SWOT analysis for Shropshire, summarised in figure 3.1:
Figure 3.1: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) Analysis for Shropshire
- Category
Strengths
- Breakdown
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The number and the diverse characteristics of our communities.
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Rural communities with connectivity to services and facilities.
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Network of interconnected towns providing services and facilities.
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Rurality valued by residents, businesses and visitors.
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Rich and diverse natural/historic environment.
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High-levels of economic activity – amongst those seeking employment.
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Valued mineral working infrastructure and significant committed mineral reserves.
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Recognition of Shropshire as a leading tourism destination.
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- Category
Weaknesses
- Breakdown
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Ageing demographic of our population.
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Low wage economy.
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High levels of worklessness – people not seeking employment.
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Affordability of housing – particularly in our rural communities.
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Potential locations with infrastructure capacity constraints – transport, education and health.
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Significant reliance on private transport due to our rurality.
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Impacts of rurality on the delivery of new electronic communications technologies.
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Constraints on road and rail networks providing connectivity beyond Shropshire.
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- Category
Opportunities
- Breakdown
- Embracing rurality and supporting rural services.
- Capitalising on locations with ‘headroom’ or potential to increase infrastructure capacity.
- Strategic corridors: particularly the A5/M54 and Shrewsbury-Birmingham railway line linking Shrewsbury-Telford-Wolverhampton.
- Potential parkway station at Shrewsbury.
- Potential for new self-contained communities.
- Extensive site promotions during call for sites.
- Opportunities promoted for mineral working if required to ensure sufficient supply.
- Wider renewable energy use through greater access to technologies and enhanced supply.
- Improving distribution of electric vehicle charging and uptake of electric vehicles.
- Category
Threats
- Breakdown
- Our changing climate and impacts on communities and the environment through extreme weather, flooding, over-heating etc.
- Challenges in providing services due to our large and predominantly rural geography.
- Ageing demographics with implications for labour supply and housing/support needs.
- Residential market capacity and absorption rates.
- Material and labour supply constraints.
- National and international events that impact on Shropshire.
Question 7
Are there any other strengths, weaknesses, opportunities or threats we should consider when determining the 'key priorities' of our vision and measurable outcomes? Please explain your answer.
Consultation
3.11 Through consideration of national planning policy, current Local Plan evidence, other Council strategies and the Shropshire SWOT analysis we have identified considerations we believe to be of relevance in identifying the ‘key priorities’ of our vision and measurable outcomes – these are detailed in paragraphs 3.6, 3.8 and Figure 3.1.
3.12 Importantly, identification of the ‘key priorities’ of our vision and measurable outcomes will be directly informed by responses to this ‘scoping’ consultation – we want to understand what our stakeholders consider to be the ‘key priorities’ for Shropshire.
Question 8
Please identify any additional considerations you believe to be of relevance when identifying the 'key priorities' for the vision and measurable outcomes of our next Local Plan. Please explain your answer.
3.13 The vision of the next Shropshire Local Plan will also be informed by responses to subsequent stages of consultation undertaken to inform it.
Technical Assessment
3.14 The preparation of the next Shropshire Local Plan, including its vision, will be informed by technical assessments including SEA, HRA and ESHIA.
Next steps
3.15 Following the conclusion of this ‘scoping’ consultation we will finalise the ‘key priorities’ for the vision of our next Local Plan.
3.16 Informed by these ‘key priorities’, an initial vision will be drafted. This will be subject to engagement through the second consultation on the content & evidence for the next Shropshire Local Plan.
3.17 Our intention is that the vision will be flexible enough to be refined through the plan-making process, informed by further detailed evidence and responses to Local Plan consultations.
3.18 Figure 3.2 summarises the process we intend to follow in order to draft and then subsequently finalise the locally distinctive vision of the next Shropshire Local Plan: