Halton Borough Council


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	PART 1
	INTRODUCTION
1	The main function of Part 1 of the UDP is to state in broad terms the general policies and proposals of strategic importance for the development and use of land in Halton, taking account of national and regional policies and local circumstances. This then forms the framework for the detailed proposals for the use and development of land in Part 2 of the UDP.
2	The UDP provides a strategic framework for development for a period of 20 years from 1996 to 2016. Many policies however, including green belt protection, will endure for a longer period.
3	In accordance with the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, the UDP contains the Council's policies and proposals for,
	the development and use of land; the conservation of the natural beauty and amenity of land; the improvement of the physical environment; and the management of traffic.
	Policies and proposals in the UDP have been drawn up with regard to:
	Regional Planning Guidance for the North West; national policies; the resources likely to be available; and social, economic and environmental considerations.
	STRUCTURE OF PART 1
1	Sustainability is the guiding principle in formulating aims, objectives and policies. It is applied to the UDP through a series of tests to discover whether a particular aim, objective, policy or site allocation accords with the principles of sustainable development. The results of these tests are published in the Sustainability Appraisal of the UDP.
2	The main strategic aims and objectives of the UDP have been updated from those of the Halton Local Plan (1996) in order to reflect:
	a	the priorities of the Council in its community and corporate plan;
	b	its strategic planning responsibilities; and
	c	a greater emphasis on providing for necessary sustainable development in a manner and in locations which do not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
3	The strategic objectives are the means of achieving the strategic aims.
4	Where possible objectives are measurable and contain indicators by which to measure progress.
5	The spatial strategy describes the future pattern of development and provides a broad framework for the site specific allocation of sites. It describes areas of growth and areas of restraint including the extent of the green belt and open countryside. It also describes the areas for regeneration and the role of the town centres.
6	Part 1 Strategic Policies are those which are of strategic importance for the development and use of land in the area. They differ therefore from more detailed development control policies and site allocations which are in Part II of the UDP. The structure of Part 1 is shown below.




	STRATEGIC AIMS, POLICY OBJECTIVES AND INDICATORS
1	The following are the strategic aims, which the UDP will endeavour to achieve through its objectives, policies and proposals. They are in no particular order of importance but fit within the framework of the Council's Corporate Plan (aims are in bold text).
2	There are also objectives which relate directly to the strategic aims of the UDP under each topic heading. Where relevant an appropriate indicator is added to aid monitoring and measurement .

	MAIN STRATEGIC AIM
	To transform the quality of Halton's environment and improve economic prosperity and social progress through sustainable development.

	ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
	1	Aims
		a	To promote sustainable economic prosperity and create new employment opportunities which broaden the economic base, reduce unemployment and are accessible to local residents.
	2	Objectives
		a	Allocate a sufficient quantity and variety of marketable sites in sustainable locations for business use, general industry and warehousing and distribution uses, in equal balance between Runcorn and Widnes.
		b	Provide an operating environment which is attractive to existing companies which allows for their expansion needs compatible with the strategic aim of creating a safe, healthy environment.
		c	Identify opportunities for new retail and leisure developments in or on the edge of Halton's town centres.
		d	To promote schemes of economic importance within the Borough including: the New Mersey Crossing, Widnes Waterfront Economic Development Zone, Ditton Strategic Rail Freight Park and Daresbury Laboratory and Daresbury Park.
	3	Indicators
		a	Take up rates of employment land in Widnes and Runcorn and as a % of outstanding planning permissions.
		b	Numbers of new jobs associated with new development.
		c	Number and variety of sites available for a range of business needs.
		d	Quality of sites available.
		e	Proportion of people of working age that are in work.

	HOUSING AND POPULATION
	1	Aims
		a	To achieve a reduction in the rate of population decline and an improved balance between the quality and location of jobs and residents in the Borough, by meeting housing needs and creating employment which is accessible to local residents.
		b	To provide a sufficient amount and appropriate types of housing that meets the needs of the Borough's population.
		c	To make residential neighbourhoods more self sufficient and sustainable.
		d	To protect residential amenity.
		e	To protect and enhance greenspace within residential neighbourhoods.
		f	To provide an appropriate level of infrastructure and community facilities to support the revitalisation of local communities and attract new investment.
	2	Objectives
		a	Allocate a sufficient quantity and variety of marketable sites, in sustainable locations, that ensure a readily available supply of housing that meets the needs of local people.
		b	Reserve suitable sites for new local centres, protect existing local centres and allow other mixed use developments that create sustainable neighbourhoods.
		c	Ensure a high standard of design, layout and landscaping in new residential development.
		d	Ensure that housing densities on new sites allow for a variety of types of housing to meet the needs of new and existing households in the Borough.
		e	Prevent other uses in residential areas which cause nuisance and loss of amenity.
		f	Control the design of house extensions to protect the street scene, privacy and the amenities of neighbours.
		g	Undertake traffic calming measures to ensure residential amenity, safety and opportunities for walking and cycling.
		h	Ensure that housing density on sites within existing neighbourhoods is compatible with the nature of the site and the character of the surrounding area.
	3	Indicators
		a	Population levels.
		b	Migration levels in and out of Halton.
		c	Levels of in and out commuting for work.
		d	Number of jobs in Halton by 'standard industrial classification'.
		e	Changes in housing stock types and tenure.
		f	Number of vacant residential properties and of homes judged unfit to live in.
		g	Average housing density on new sites.
		h	Affordability.(House price and income levels).
		i	Residents within reasonable walking distance of local centres.
		j	Number of complaints and enforcement cases to the Council concerning residential amenity.
		k	Amount and distribution of greenspace within residential neighbourhoods.
		l	Housing completions compared to notional annual provision.
		m	Housing completions against outstanding permissions for housing.
		n	Housing gains and losses through conversions.
		o	Number of off street car parking spaces per dwelling for completions and permissions.

	ENVIRONMENTAL AND CULTURAL ASSETS
	1	Aims
		a	To protect and enhance the natural (land, air and water) environment and man-made heritage.
		b	To maintain a sustainable balance between the needs of development and conservation by ensuring development shows a net gain of environmental value to Halton's natural and man-made heritage and to ensure that any significant losses are mitigated or compensated through associated measures.
		c	To protect and improve recreation, leisure and cultural amenities.
		d	To protect and improve the tourism attractions of the borough.
	2	Objectives
		a	Protect the best and most versatile agricultural land.
		b	Protect and improve access to the open countryside.
		c	Protect and improve sites and areas of nature conservation and landscape value.
		d	Protect important trees, woodland and hedgerows and increase tree cover and woodland planting.
		e	Conserve and enhance natural species of plants and animals and their habitats.
		f	Protect and improve the nature conservation of rivers and canals in balance with their recreational use.
		g	Protect and enhance the best aspects of the existing built environment as assets for the image and appearance of the Borough.
		h	Encourage new community facilities.
		i	Protect important existing and potential recreation greenspace from development.
		j	Ensure adequate recreation greenspace, including playing space for sport and recreation and children's playing space is provided in new housing developments.
	3	Indicators
		a	Area of untreated contaminated land.
		b	Measures of air quality against national and international standards.
		c	Length of watercourses of good or fair quality.
		d	Number of listed buildings.
		e	Number of buildings in conservation areas.
		f	Populations of wild birds.
		g	Change and extent of protected nature conservation sites and woodland.
		h	Area of protected Greenspace.
		i	Level of investment in public open space and landscape improvement.
		j	Number of tourism attractions in the Borough and number of visitors.

	ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
	1	Aims
		a	To create a safe and healthy environment.
		b	To help reduce or counteract greenhouse gas emissions.
		c	To help alleviate unavoidable effects of climate change.
		d	To make contaminated land safe and bring it back into beneficial use.
		e	To enhance the built environment.
	2	Objectives
		a	Transform areas of poor quality environment where poor design, dereliction and inappropriate land uses create an unattractive environment.
		b	Ensure that future development is of a quality of design that enhances the built environment.
		c	Deal with the historical legacy of the chemical industry with its dereliction and contaminated sites.
		d	Ensure that new development and sources of existing pollution do not create unacceptable pollution.
		e	Ensure that risk levels from development with the potential to create major accidents are reduced.
		f	Encourage development of appropriate renewable energy schemes.
		g	Encourage the use of energy efficient designs in all development.
		h	Ensure that inappropriate development does not take place in areas at risk from flooding.
		i	Protect significant green corridors linked to the Mersey Estuary to assist migration and adaptation of species affected by climate change.
		j	Ensure that unsuitable development does not take place on or near to contaminated land, sites with potential to pollute and sites with potential to create major accidents.
		k	Establish a network of off-road routes or greenways for walking, cycling and horse riding.
		l	Provide safe off-road routes for cyclists linking with the greenway network.
	3	Indicators
		a	Days when air pollution is moderate or high.
		b	Number of sites designated under the control of major accident hazard regulations 1999 (COMAH).
		c	Extent of COMAH consultation zones.
		d	Development on land liable to flood.
		e	Area of contaminated land treated, and (separately) the area of derelict and vacant land brought back into beneficial use.
		f	Total annual tonnage of air pollutants emitted by industry, and
		g	Total annual tonnage of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted by industry.

	REGENERATION
	1	Aims
		a	To regenerate and revitalise Halton's older industrial areas and encourage development for the benefit of the community.
		b	To regenerate run down housing areas through new development.
		c	To regenerate and revitalise the waterside environment of Halton.
		d	To increase the vitality, viability and prosperity of Halton's Town Centres.
		e	To return previously used land to beneficial use.
	2	Objectives
		a	Prepare action area plans for regeneration of run down areas of Halton in accordance with the Council's Regeneration Strategy.
		b	Ensure that new development is related to and improves the environment of a waterside location where relevant.
		c	Enable recreation and tourism use of the Borough's rivers and canals and their environs.
		d	Ensure improved public access to the waterside.
	3	Indicators
		a	Area of development on previously used land.
		b	Number of new dwellings on previously used land.
		c	Number of derelict or vacant non residential buildings.
		d	Area of vacant and underused land.
		e	Number of vacant shops in neighbourhood and town centres.
		f	Length of waterside with public access and/or area of new residential and commercial development with a waterfront.

	TOWN CENTRES AND SHOPPING
	1	Aims
		a	To increase the vitality and viability of Halton's town centres.
		b	To ensure that no retail development is allowed in one town centre that would seriously weaken the trade of another.
		c	To ensure out of centre or edge of centre retail development does not take place unless need for it has been established, and the vitality and viability of shopping centres in Halton would not be harmed.
		d	To increase the range and quality of the shops and improve the shopping environment.
		e	To ensure that new retail development reinforces the strength of the retail core of each centre and does not weaken it.
		f	To protect neighbourhood centres.
		g	To ensure that the location, scale and nature of retail developments reflect the hierarchy of shopping centres in the Borough.
	2	Objectives
		a	Concentrate new shopping development in or on the edge of Halton's town centres.
		b	Enhance the attractiveness of shopping areas by further pedestrianisation and traffic calming schemes.
		c	Increase access to town centres by public transport, walking and cycling.
		d	Protect key shopping frontages and neighbourhood centres from non-retail uses.
		e	Promote leisure uses on appropriate sites.
	3	Indicators
		a	Total number of outlets and amount of convenience and comparison floorspace in town centres.
		b	Number and diversity of other commercial, leisure, cultural and entertainment activities.
		c	Number of retail multiple traders and independent shops.
		d	Shopping rents and commercial yields on non- domestic property.
		e	Proportion of vacant street level property in town centre primary and secondary areas and neighbourhood centres.
		f	Pedestrian flows in shopping streets.
		g	Proportion of town centre, edge of centre and out of centre retailing.
		h	Accessibility, including provision of car and cycle parking, public transport and pedestrian and cycle routes.

	TRANSPORTATION
	1	Aims
		a	To provide an efficient and effective land use pattern and transport infrastructure which will reduce the overall demand for travel, and allow improved accessibility by a variety of transport modes.
		b	To develop safe, efficient and inclusive integrated transport systems and infrastructure that encourage sustainable economic growth and regeneration.
		c	To promote a new sustainable crossing of the River Mersey.
		d	To encourage increased use of walking and cycling as modes of transport.
	2	Objectives
		a	Enable the provision of an integrated, seamless, Borough-wide public transport network that is accessible to all and links together the communities on both sides of the River Mersey.
		b	Enable the increased use of cycling and walking through the design of new development.
		c	Protect the extensive principal road network within the Borough and the road links between the M62 and M56.
		d	Integrate land use and transport into a sustainable transport network and to provide linkages to and between key development sites in partnership with developers.
	3	Indicators
		a	Traffic volumes on main road routes.
		b	Bus patronage levels as a percentage of total trips.
		c	Modal split.

	WASTE
	1	Aims
		a	To contribute to regional self sufficiency in dealing with industrial and household waste disposal.
		b	To encourage sustainable waste management within Halton.
	2	Objectives
			a Discourage landfill or landraising for non inert and inert wastes.
			b Encourage facilities for waste minimisation and recycling.
	3	Indicators
		a	Levels of household waste recycling.
		b	Number of waste recycling facilities.

	SOCIAL INCLUSION
	1	Aims
		a	To provide a policy framework that takes full account of the needs of the disadvantaged section of the Borough's population.
	2	Objectives
		a	Create more job opportunities through new development and a more diversified economy.
		b	Provide for suitable access and facilities in developments for people with disabilities and people with young children.
		c	Protect greenspace from development.
		d	Protect local shops, recreation and community facilities.
		e	Improve public transport.
		f	Provide safe and attractive pedestrian routes and extend pedestrianisation of town centres.
		g	Encourage a proportion of all new houses to be built suitable for the less mobile.
	3	Indicators
		a	Index of social deprivation.
			(other indicators of social inclusion are listed under other aims and objectives)

	MONITORING
1	Government guidance requires that matters that are expected to affect development in a Local Authority area should be kept under review, to enable the development and implementation of a sound policy framework, which will achieve the overall land use objectives for an area.
2	It is recognised that monitoring plays a central role in providing a mechanism for evaluating whether the plan is achieving what it set out to achieve, and identifying where policies need to be strengthened, maintained, changed or deleted. Monitoring is also required to inform not only the Council, but also initiatives and policies of the ODPM and NWRA.
3	Part One of the UDP sets out the broad strategic aims and objectives for the development and use of land in Halton. This section includes a number of indicators, which are designed to aid and direct monitoring to evaluate the effectiveness of the plan policies and changes in land use.
4	All monitoring will be based on the indicators set out under the Strategic Aims and will also take account of Government guidance. Monitoring will be undertaken on a regular basis and will be reported in separate documents to the Unitary Development Plan to allow for updating. The Reports will cover the main land use issues, such as housing, employment, open space and previously developed land. Additional monitoring exercises will be undertaken when necessary to ensure understanding can be gained of other critical features on which the plan is based, and to ensure that policies are effective in shaping development.

	SPATIAL STRATEGY
	Regional Spatial Strategy for the North West
1	The spatial strategy of the Halton UDP must reflect the core strategy and spatial strategy of the Regional Planning Guidance (RPG) for the North West (Adopted March 2003), which is now termed Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) following commencement of the Town and Country Planning Act 2004. The RSS is currently subject to a partial review, covering issues relating to climate change, regional parks, strategic views, transport, sustainable energy, waste and minerals.
2	The overriding aim of the adopted RSS is to promote sustainable patterns of development and physical change and its core strategy is to deliver sustainable development to achieve greater economic competitiveness and growth with associated social progress. It sets out principles for the prudent management of the region's environmental and cultural assets and principles to secure environmental quality.
3	In order to achieve these aims draft RPG has four policies on: economy in the use of land; enhancing the quality of life; quality in new development and promoting sustainable economic growth and competitiveness and social inclusion.
4	The first states that development plans should adopt a "sequential approach" to meeting development needs, taking account of local circumstances. The sequential approach to meeting development needs entails giving consideration first to effective use/re-use of existing buildings, second to the use of previously developed land and third to undeveloped land.
5	The second requires that development plans contain policies that protect against loss of environmental, social and economic capital and ensures that compensation, mitigation or substitution measures are in place to replace lost capital or provide alternative benefits.
6	The third ensures that creativity and innovation in design are carried out to make better use of land to support sustainable development patterns.
7	The fourth ensures that development and investment will help to grow the Region's economy in a sustainable way; and produce a greater degree of social inclusion.

	RPG (RSS) SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK
1	Halton is located within the North West Metropolitan Area (NWMA) a large swathe of urbanised land connecting the two major poles of Liverpool and Manchester. The RSS states that a significant proportion of the Region's development and urban renaissance should be focused on the NWMA. Policy SD2 states that wide ranging regeneration and environmental enhancement should be secured in Widnes and Runcorn and the emphasis here will be on regeneration to complement that in Merseyside and Greater Manchester.
2	Halton is also included within one of the RSS's 'Regeneration Priority Areas' where regeneration must redress the balance between opportunity and need. Policy EC6 states that the region must co-ordinate investment priorities towards Regeneration Priority Areas. This will help achieve urban renaissance in the Region's towns and cities.

	HALTON'S SPATIAL STRATEGY
1	The strategic aims of the UDP, described in detail in the previous section, concentrate on ways to improve economic prosperity and a reduction in the rate of population decline. The way in which these aims are translated in land use terms is through a linked strategy. This is:
	Regeneration of worn out and unsuitable industrial areas and deprived housing areas in both Widnes and Runcorn designated as Action Areas; with New sustainable development on the edges of Widnes and Runcorn
	This strategy conforms to the policy SD1 (Economy in the Use of Land and Buildings) of Regional Spatial Strategy. This seeks economy in the use of land by adoption of the sequential approach to meeting development needs, taking account of local circumstances and the characteristics of particular land uses in Halton. In the sequential approach, previously undeveloped land (where meeting sustainability criteria) is the last stage in selection.
2	This linked strategy will provide the new housing and jobs required to meet local needs and to reduce population decline and help stem out migration. It will help to stimulate new investment for housing, employment and recreation uses in the Action Areas.
3	Phasing policies will also be used to ensure that new uncommitted greenfield housing sites are only released for development after a certain area of brownfield and committed sites are developed.
4	This linked strategy conforms to the preferred Greenfield and Brownfield Development scenario described in the Halton UDP Key Issues Report, which was subject to broad public consultation. It represents a real and practical way of ensuring the Council can encourage the best re-use of contaminated brownfield sites.
5	The very restricted supply of previously used sites in Halton suitable for housing development due to the industrial legacy of contamination is described in the section on Planning Problems and Issues.
6	It is recognised that the development of previously undeveloped land in Halton would be a loss of environmental capital in the form of open space and agricultural land. In order to comply with the principle in policy DP2 Enhancing the Quality of Life in Regional Planning Guidance (Regional Spatial Strategy) that development should, where possible, enhance the quality of life and not result in a net loss of key benefits and services, it would be essential that this loss was replaced or compensated. The UDP policies set out the means, including planning obligations and conditions and the phasing of development, by which any necessary compensation, mitigation or substitution is to be achieved.
7	In addition to these measures, strategic policy S24 Sustainable Urban Extensions contains principles of development which will ensure that woodland planting, buffer zones and recreation open space and green way links will be provided as part of development at North Widnes and East Runcorn. This will also help to mitigate against the loss of farm land and other open land in these areas.
8	The linked strategy will contribute directly to the Council's second strategic priority in its Corporate Plan "Building a Better Future", of 'promoting urban renewal'. It will help achieve the following key objectives within that priority:
	a	Improve the number of and availability of job opportunities for local people .
	b	Promote the sustainable development and regeneration of the Halton economy.
	c	Attract and secure additional investment in Halton.
	d	Regenerate and revitalise Halton's town centres.
	e	Regenerate and revitalise Halton's waterfront areas.
	f	Ensure that suitable housing is available to meet the needs of people in the Borough.
	g	To gain approval and funding for a second Mersey crossing.
	h	To reclaim and make most productive use of derelict and contaminated land in the Borough.
9	A linked strategy, that is a combination of both brownfield and greenfield development is required, as it is recognised that a focus on regeneration of previously used land will not on its own secure the conditions necessary to help reduce population decline and stem out migration or to attract private sector confidence and investment in Halton.

	HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT
1	The selection of sites for housing and employment development in Halton has taken account of the RPG core strategy policy on the economy in the use of land which states that Development Plans should adopt a sequential approach to meeting development needs, taking account of local circumstances, the characteristics of particular land uses and the locational principles set out in the spatial strategy.
2	In deciding which sites to allocate for housing, their potential and suitability for development have also been assessed against the criteria in paragraph 31 of Planning Policy Guidance Note 3: Housing. These are as follows:
	The availability of previously-used sites and empty or under-used buildings and their suitability for housing use. The location and accessibility of potential development sites to jobs, shops and services by modes other than the car, and the potential for improving such accessibility. The capacity of existing and potential infrastructure, including public transport, water and sewerage, other utilities and social infrastructure (such as schools and hospitals) to absorb further development and the cost of adding further infrastructure. The ability to build new communities to support new physical and social infrastructure and provide sufficient demand to sustain appropriate local services and facilities. The physical and environmental constraints on development of land, including the level of contamination, stability and flood risk, taking into account that such risk may increase as a result of climate change.
3	In addition to these factors all potential development sites were appraised in relation to marketability, developability and sustainability to find out:
	a	whether a site was attractive to the market;
	b	whether a site would realistically come forward for development, and
	c	whether developing a site would have a generally 'positive' impact in terms of urban regeneration, protection of natural assets and minimising environmental impact.
4	It was considered appropriate to seek a broad balance of new sites identified for housing and employment development between Runcorn and Widnes. This recognises that the congested Silver Jubilee Bridge across the Mersey is a barrier to commuting between the towns and that Widnes and Runcorn are two separate housing markets.
5	Priority was also given to the selected sites within or adjoining existing residential areas in order to maximise housing availability and choice for existing residents and thereby sustain existing neighbourhoods. Unfortunately, the lack of realistically available sites within existing neighbourhoods has restricted the allocation of such sites resulting in most of new housing land being allocated on the edge of the urban area.

	DEVELOPMENT AREAS
1	In accordance with the foregoing principles new development areas are allocated in the UDP. These are:
	a	North Widnes Development Area;
	b	East Runcorn Development Area; and
	c	Hale Bank Development Area.
2	These areas have a mixture of new and existing employment areas that establish a close relationship between homes and job opportunities. Sites have been reserved for local centres for shops and community facilities. Through routes for public transport are available and land has been reserved for new railway stations.
3	The North Widnes Development Area comprises land primarily for housing that may be required for development up to 2016. The land allocated for new businesses will provide sites of sufficient quality to encourage new employment opportunities in Widnes that are accessible to local residents. It seeks to redress the present imbalance between the availability and quality of employment land between Runcorn and Widnes. It is also necessary because the problems of poor location and contamination of the existing employment land supply in Widnes have led to failure to attract much needed employment to the town leading to continued out migration, low economic prosperity and continued social deprivation. (Refer to the Widnes Employment Demand Study 2001).
4	The proposed East Runcorn Development Area creates a mixed housing and employment area by introducing housing into an area that is currently dominated by Strategic Regional Investment Sites at Daresbury Park and the Daresbury Laboratory. There is also scope in this area for introducing new public transport links and community facilities, with sites for a new railway station and a local centre to be reserved.
5	The Hale Bank Development Area will accommodate part of a rail freight and warehousing development that will link directly with the mainline railway. Together with new housing in the Action Area this will provide much needed employment and housing to sustain this community and support a new local centre.
6	Supplementary Planning Documents will be prepared to provide a more detailed development strategy for each of these areas.

	REGENERATION
1	The spatial strategy of RPG (Policy SD2) states that the emphasis in Widnes and Runcorn will be on regeneration to complement that in Merseyside and Greater Manchester.
2	In Halton, regeneration must include steps to secure the diversification of the area's economic base and not just seek to channel development to achieve the re-use of urban land. As has been explained above, the development of green field sites as part of a linked strategy is essential to the regeneration of Halton.
3	As described above, an essential part of the UDP linked spatial strategy is to ensure that regeneration of the Borough occurs, in tandem with allowing new development on the edge of the urban area in new sustainable communities.
4	A number of 'Action Areas' are designated in the UDP at:
	a	Southern Widnes
	b	Central Widnes
	c	Widnes Waterfront
	d	Runcorn and Weston Docks
	e	Hale Bank, Widnes
	f	Castlefields/Norton Priory, Runcorn
5	These Action Areas are designated in accordance with the Town and Country Planning Act (1990) para. 12(8). This states that Part 2 of a unitary development plan may designate any part of the local authority's area as an action area, that is to say, an area they have selected for the commencement during a prescribed period of comprehensive treatment by development, redevelopment or improvement (or partly by one and partly by another method) and if an area is so designated that Part of the plan shall contain a description of the treatment proposed by the authority. The Development Plan Regulations 1999 state that the 'prescribed period' is 10 years for Action Areas.
6	In accordance with the Act the Regeneration Chapter in Part 2 sets out the acceptable uses and opportunities for new development within each Action Area. The Action Area Plans will be will be prepared as Supplementary Planning Documents as described in Planning Policy Statement 12: Local Development Framework (2004). As such they will be taken into account as a material consideration in assessing planning applications.
7	The Central and Southern Widnes Action Area Plans will help to stimulate new investment and revitalise the communities in this area.
8	The Widnes Waterfront Action Area Plan will contribute to the regeneration of the waterfront of the Mersey Estuary by transforming the legacy of contaminated former industrial land to new leisure, business, open space and recreation uses.
9	The Hale Bank Action Area will introduce new housing, improved access and a new local centre to revitalise this isolated residential and employment area.
10	Runcorn/Weston Docks Action Area has potential for new housing and a new education building in the north and a rail freight depot in the south on the site of the disused Weston Docks.
11	Castlefields and Norton Priory Action Area is an area of predominantly social housing with a significant concentration of deck access flats with potential for reshaping of the estate layout, improved access and a wider range of new housing and accessible local employment opportunities.
12	The detailed policies for these areas are in Part 2 Regeneration Chapter.

	GREEN BELT
1	The Green Belt boundary around Widnes has been amended to incorporate the proposed Ditton Strategic Rail Freight Park and a small site between Cronton Road and Norlands Lane as a result of 'exceptional circumstances' according to PPG 2 (Green Belts).
2	Any future changes to Halton's Green Belt will now have to await the outcome of the strategic study of Green Belt across Merseyside and Halton required by policy SD5 Green Belt of RPG13 (RSS). The findings will inform future reviews of RPG (RSS) and a subsequent review of the Halton UDP.
3	In the meantime the Green Belt boundary on the Proposals Map is the statutory Green Belt for Halton.

	POST 2016 DEVELOPMENT
1	In order to comply with the sequential search process for land to meet development needs beyond 2016 in policy DP1 Economy in the Use of Land and Buildings in RPG13 (RSS), the Council will have to steadily increase the amount of brownfield housing development land available within the urban areas through its regeneration strategy and particularly through development within the Action Areas proposed in the UDP. However it is anticipated that Greenfield sites will still be required for post 2016 development.
2	The reason why Halton will continue to rely largely on greenfield sites for post 2016 housing development is because the supply of previously used (brownfield) land in Halton is unlikely to increase significantly in the future. This is due to the combined legacy of ground contamination (particularly in Widnes) and the relatively recent infrastructure and layout of Runcorn New Town. It is considered therefore that due to these special circumstances, much of the post 2016 housing development will require greenfield sites on the edge of the urban area.
3	For employment purposes there will continue to be a need for new sites to be available beyond 2016. It is assumed, based on the evidence of local experience, that the locational and contamination problems in Widnes will continue to restrict the supply of marketable employment land beyond 2016. In order for economic development in Widnes to be sustained then it would be prudent to allow for continued employment development in Widnes post 2016.

	THE GREEN ENVIRONMENT
1	The essential element of the urban structure, which binds it together, is the current greenspace network comprising all the green open land within the urban area. This will be extended and linked through policies in the UDP to provide amenity, recreation, walking and cycling opportunities for local people and protection for nature conservation. It will also help enhance biodiversity and the ability of the Borough to respond to climate change.
2	The open countryside surrounding the urban area will be protected to support agriculture, nature conservation, prevent urban sprawl and enable open land recreation uses.

	TRANSPORTATION
1	The sustainable economic development of Halton and its social cohesion is being hampered by the lack of a second bridge crossing of the Mersey. This is an essential part of the Council's Local Transport Plan and is reflected in the UDP.
2	New development on the edge of Widnes and Runcorn must be linked to the existing urban area through new road, public transport, walking and cycling links so they become integrated into the existing towns. Detailed policies in Part 2 of the UDP are designed to minimise travel by car and to maximise accessibility.

	SHOPPING AND TOWN CENTRES
1	Halton has three town centres at Widnes, Runcorn Old Town and Runcorn New Town Centre (known as Halton Lea). Each of these provides an essential service for the community that it serves. The Council's strategy for these centres is contained in the document 'Halton's Town Centre, an Overall Strategy' approved in March 1997. The strategic aims, objectives and policies in the UDP reflect this Strategy.

	THE COAST
1	Due to its estuarine location and the number of brooks which run into the Mersey Estuary in Halton, there are areas of Halton that are low lying and have been identified by the Environment Agency as being at risk from flooding. Some of these areas are amongst the most important nature areas in Halton. There are therefore necessary restrictions on development in these areas and this is reflected in the policies of the UDP.
2	Total costs of future flood defences will be considerable. As general sea levels rise and water pushes up against sea defences; the North West will see the loss of mudflats and saltmarshes, resulting in serious environmental disruption for the internationally important bird feeding grounds in the Mersey Estuary.
3	Plants and animals subjected to climatic change tend to migrate northwards or uphill in search of a more suitable climate. Given the highly developed nature of the North West, many of these local habitats and species in Halton are in isolated pockets which offer few natural corridors along which species can migrate. Continuing work on the Halton Biodiversity Audit and the Natural Assets Strategy, together with work by English Nature, will cast further light on these requirements.





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