Strategic Objectives

Objective 1

To provide additional housing in a range of locations consistent with the requirements of the Regional Spatial Strategy for the North West.

Knowsley’s history of depopulation and out-migration since the early 1970s   (see chapter 2 “Key Issues and Influences”) has been linked to a lack of choice and low demand within the housing market. The Regional Spatial Strategy for the North West establishes that new housing development within Knowsley should be at an annual average rate of 230 dwellings per year (net of demolition replacements). Due to falling household sizes, this rate of house-building is unlikely to be sufficient to maintain a stable population over the period to 2016. Within these constraints, however, the Council will maximise the opportunities for retaining population by providing for a range of new housing sites which is attractive to the market and to serve the different townships within the Borough.

Objective 2

To provide a better choice of housing in terms of tenure, type and market sector which will meet the needs and aspirations of the community. 

The Council has identified an increasing “lack of fit” between the types of housing which are available in the Borough and that which is needed to meet the needs and aspirations of the community (see chapter 5 “Housing”). The Plan therefore makes provision for the remodelling of the housing stock, including:

• The clearance of up to 4,000 unpopular or unsuitable dwellings (mainly within the social rented sector) and their replacement with new housing of other types and tenures which are better suited to current needs; and

• The comprehensive remodelling of areas of particular need including North Huyton and Tower Hill, Kirkby. 

Objective 3

To provide a comprehensive range of employment sites and premises of different sizes, types and locations, and to safeguard existing employment land and buildings that are needed.

The economy of Knowsley and Merseyside has recovered considerably since the recession of the 1970s and 1980s. However, the unemployment rate in Knowsley is still higher than it is for Merseyside, which in turn is higher than it is for the rest of the North West. The UDP therefore identifies a range of sites for employment development, of different locations, sizes, and types, to meet the need for new development.

Objective 4

To facilitate development that safeguards or creates employment, particularly in the North West Development Agency’s target growth sectors.

Target economic growth sectors have been identified by the North West Development Agency, and are described in chapter 6 “Economic Development”. There is an under-representation of these sectors in Knowsley – the range of sites identified in the UDP for economic development will therefore aim to meet the needs of these target growth sectors, as well as other more established sectors.

Objective 5

To improve the provision of shopping, leisure and other uses normally associated with town centres, consistent with local needs, whilst protecting and enhancing the viability and vitality of town, district and local centres in Knowsley.

Government policy requires that new shopping and leisure uses should preferably be located in existing town or smaller centres, and should be appropriate to the scale and role of the centre concerned.  The UDP identifies current shopping needs, together with a range of sites for new shopping and other town centre uses within existing centres at Kirkby, Huyton, Prescot, and smaller district centres including Ravenscourt (Halewood). The Plan discourages out of centre development for these uses unless it is clearly established that the need for the development cannot be met within existing centres.

Objective 6

To accommodate improvements to the transport network (consistent with the proposals set down in the Merseyside Local Transport Plan), which will support the regeneration objectives of the Plan.

Transport linkages are seen as integral to the Council’s regeneration and development objectives. The UDP (in chapter 8 “Transport”) contains a number of strategic proposals, such as the improvement to junction 6 of the M62 and the proposed Merseytram scheme which will support these.

Objective 7

To protect and where possible increase opportunities for education, recreation, exercise and play for people in the borough where a need is demonstrated.

Following the review of schools provision in Knowsley (see chapter 2 “Key Issues and Influences”), proposals are being developed to transform school provision within Knowsley. The precise location of new schools has yet to be determined. The UDP will aim to ensure that new schools, as well as sporting, recreational community, health and cultural facilities, are built in sustainable locations that best serve the local area.

Objective 8

To locate major new development where it is accessible by a choice of walking, cycling and public transport, thereby minimising the need to travel by car.

The rate of traffic growth in Knowsley is currently higher than in many parts of the country. The UDP will therefore, in conjunction with the Merseyside Local Transport Plan, seek to:

• Minimise adverse environmental effects from this traffic growth; and

• Ensure that people have the choice of using good quality public transport, walking or cycling to access new development.

Objective 9

To make efficient use of previously developed land and buildings in providing land for new development.

An important role of the UDP is to ensure that the use of greenfield land for new development is minimised. This will be achieved by focussing new development primarily towards previously developed (brownfield) land and buildings in the urban area. The sites identified in the UDP for new development (e.g. for new housing, industry or town centre uses such as shopping) are therefore mainly on brownfield sites. 

Objective 10

To ensure that waste management, minerals and energy production proposals accord with strategic sustainability objectives for Merseyside and the region as a whole and comply with best environmental practice.

A major priority in Knowsley is the need to increase the proportion of waste that is managed by sustainable means (through reduction, re-use or recycling). A strategy to facilitate this is currently being prepared at the Merseyside level. The UDP will also seek to ensure that minerals extraction and energy production proposals (such as oil or gas exploration proposals, or wind farms) are considered in the context of strategic needs in Merseyside and the North West.

Objective 11

To protect the openness and character of the Green Belt from inappropriate development.

The designated Green Belt covers approximately half of Knowsley, and contains some areas of high quality landscape. It is regarded as a key environmental asset, providing a physical break between the Borough’s townships and opportunities for countryside recreation. The UDP therefore seeks to protect the openness of the Green Belt and to protect and enhance its environmental quality.

In preparing this Plan, minor changes have been made to Green Belt boundaries to ensure they more accurately follow the current boundary of the built-up area. Any future changes to Green Belt boundaries, to accommodate new housing or economic development to 2021and beyond, shall be determined within a future review of this Plan.  This shall be informed by a strategic study of Green Belt across Merseyside and Halton in accordance with the Regional Spatial Strategy for the North West.

Objective 12

To support the rural economy by encouraging appropriate forms of rural diversification, and protecting agricultural land of the best and most versatile quality from permanent loss.

Much of the land within the Green Belt is high quality agricultural land. There are also considered to be opportunities to diversify the economy in the Green Belt, for example by introducing more forestry or open recreational uses. The UDP therefore seeks to protect the stock of high quality agricultural land, and encourage the diversification of the rural economy.    

Objective 13

To protect and where possible enhance the contribution made by open space to visual and residential amenity, ecology, culture, communities, health, access and strategic functions of space.

The townships of Knowsley contain an extensive network of parks and other green spaces – this is considered to be one of the Borough’s most important environmental assets. The UDP sets standards that will ensure that an adequate quantity and quality of greenspaces is protected from development, and that opportunities will be sought to enhance existing greenspace networks.

Objective 14

To protect and manage Knowsley’s sites and species of nature conservation importance (including those identified as requiring protection in the North Merseyside Biodiversity Action Plan) and encourage a net gain in the biodiversity resource.

The North Merseyside Biodiversity Action Plan sets priorities for the protection of habitats, sites and species of nature conservation importance. The UDP therefore identifies Sites of Biological Interest, and policies which will protect these sites, along with other important habitats and species, from unacceptable harm from development.

Objective 15

To ensure that new development protects or enhances the Borough’s stock of trees, hedges and woodland.

The stock of trees, hedges and woodland (which is currently lower than in many areas in the North West) forms another important environmental asset. The UDP will ensure that new development will either protect existing trees or, where appropriate, ensure the planting of new trees and other landscaping to offset the impact of new development.

Objective 16

To ensure that buildings and features which represent the best of Knowsley’s historic heritage are preserved or enhanced.

Knowsley contains 15 Conservation Areas, together with a number of Listed Buildings which are of recognised historic and/or architectural merit, as well as a number of important archaeological remains. The UDP will seek to protect these from unjustified harm or loss.   

Objective 17

To ensure that new development protects or enhances the quality of air, land and the water environment in Knowsley.

An important role of the planning system is to work in conjunction with other legislation to prevent pollution or hazard arising from new development (e.g. arising from air pollution, noise, water pollution, land contamination or flooding, or from the storage of hazardous substances). The UDP will seek to prevent pollution or harm resulting from these causes where the responsibility for this falls within the planning legislation.

Objective 18

To stimulate a high design quality in new development which will:

a) Help to create a sense of place and pride in Knowsley and its constituent communities.

b) Respond to and enhance the character of the townscape and landscape; and

c) Make the Borough a more attractive place to live and invest in.

A key emphasis of Government policy is to promote good quality design. Knowsley is currently responding to this challenge by preparing a Design Guide which will help to shape the design of new development in the Borough. Key issues in Knowsley include a relatively uniform built environment with few examples of really high quality or innovative urban design. The Plan will therefore aim to ensure that all new development is of the highest design quality and strengthens the character of individual townships.

Objective 19

To ensure that the design of new development:

a) Provides for good levels of amenity and does not cause harm to amenities that ought to be protected in the public interest;

b) Provides a good level of accessibility to the whole community (including the less mobile) making appropriate and safe provision for vehicle parking, walking, cycling and public transport; and

c) Discourages criminal activity.  

Crime and the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour are significant issues in Knowsley and the Council is implementing a number of “Designing Out Crime” initiatives. The UDP will also ensure that new development protects the amenity of existing residents and the wider environment, and is also safely accessible by a choice of transport (including the less mobile).