Gathering Evidence

The Forward Planning Team are currently in the process of collecting a wide range of data and evidence to use as a basis for developing policies for the Local Development Framework (LDF) and to guide the future development of the Borough. The work areas that will be covered as part of this evidence base will be as follows:

Housing

• The Housing Monitor: Land for New Homes
• North Housing Market Area Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment
• Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA)
• Housing Market Areas Assessment
• 5 Year Housing Land Supply Statement (updated May 2011)
• Affordable Housing Viability Study, including results and appendices

Employment and the Economy

• Employment Land Review
• National Land Use Database (Homes and Communities Agency website)

Retail/Town Centres

• Town Centre Capacity Assessment (Retail, Office and Leisure) and appendices
• Stafford Town Centre Study 2000

Community

• Settlement Assessment of Services and Facilities
• Key Stakeholder Discussions: Parish Meetings
• Parish Plans and Village Design Statements

Transport

• Local Transport Plan 2011
• Western Access Improvement Scheme
• Draft Stafford Borough Transport Strategy 2011

Climate Change

• The Strategic flood-risk assessment (SFRA) Prepared jointly alongside Lichfield District Council, Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and Tamworth Borough Council
• Water Cycle Study and Surface Water Management Plan
• Renewable Energy Study  

Tourism, leisure & recreation

• Planning Policy Guidance Note 17 (PPG17) 'Planning for Open Space, Sport and Recreation' Assessment

Environment & landscape

• Green Infrastructure Strategy
• Landscape and Countryside Character Assessment
• Habitats Regulations Assessment (Appropriate Assessment)
• Stafford Borough Local Development Framework Ecological Desk Study 2008
• Cannock Chase AONB Management Plan
• Staffordshire Biodiversity Action Plan (updated early 2011)

Historic Environment

• Historic Environment Character Assessment for Stafford Town (April 2009)
• Historic Environment Character Assessment for Stone (July 2009)
• Historic Environment Character Assessment for Haywoods (July 2009)
• Historic Environment Character Assessment for Eccleshall (August 2009)
• Historic Environment Character Assessment for Gnosall (August 2009)
• Stafford Town Centre Conservation Area Appraisal
• Stone Conservation Area Appraisal

Infrastructure

• Stafford Borough Infrastructure Strategy: Stage 1 Final Report (July 2009)
• Key Stakeholder Discussions: Statutory Agencies & Utilities
• Water Cycle Study and Surface Water Management Plan

Other

• Annual Monitoring Report
• Census Information - Local information from the 2001 Census

This is by no means a full comprehensive list of the work that will be carried out, and other pieces of work will be added and amended as and when commissioned/agreed. The titles of each piece work are also subject to change. The work will be carried out by both internal (including other Stafford Borough Council sections) and external sources.