Evidence Base and Policy Guidance

One of the most important principles of Strategic Planning is basing policies and decisions on strong evidence.  Evidence can come from a wide range of sources, from the national level (such as Census data), through regional and county bodies (for example the Worcestershire Biodiversity Action plan), to local information and studies we have commissioned ourselves (including employment, open space and flooding).  We must also ensure that all our local policies are in accordance with those at regional and national level.

National Planning Policy

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was published in March 2012. The NPPF makes it clear that its policies apply immediately. Annex 3 to the NPPF lists the Planning Policy Guidance, Planning Policy Statements, Circulars and other guidance that are replaced by the NPPF.

Local Information

A number of studies have either been commissioned or carried out by Bromsgrove District Council in order to gain a more detailed local evidence base.  The following documents have all assisted with the development of the Core Strategy and can be viewed online or are available from Bromsgrove District Council, The Council House, Burcot Lane, Bromsgrove.

- Housing Market Assessment – Housing Vision

- Report on Financial Modeling - Kim Sangster Associates Ltd 

- Bromsgrove District Council Housing Need Survey - Fordham Research 

- Quality of Life Survey April 2008 – Bromsgrove District Council

- Appropriate Assessment (DRAFT Jan. 2011) - Bromsgrove District Council

- Community Safety Local Delivery Plan 2008/2009 - Bromsgrove District Council

- Sustainability Appraisal - Bromsgrove District Council 

- Sustainability Appraisal (Non-Technical Summary) - Bromsgrove District Council 

- Consultation Report on Issues and Options - Bromsgrove District Council 

- West Mercia Crime and Safety Survey Bromsgrove Results October 2007 – West Mercia Constabulary 

- Bromsgrove District and Redditch Borough Water Cycle Study – Royal Haskoning

- Bromsgrove District and Redditch Borough Strategic Flood Risk Assessment – Royal Haskoning

- Employment Land Review – Drivers Jonas 

- Bromsgrove Town Centre Study – CBRE

- Bromsgrove Town Centre Health Check - Bromsgrove District Council

- Affordable Housing Viability Study - Levvel Ltd

- Local Air Quality Management Action Plan – Bromsgrove District Council and Worcestershire County Council

- Open Space, Sport and Recreation Local Needs Survey – PMP Consultants

- A Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment for the South Housing Market Area - The South Housing Market Partnership 

- Study into the Future Growth Implications for Redditch Stage 1 – White Young Green

- Study into the Future Growth Implications for Redditch Stage 2 - White Young Green 

- Development of Options for West Midlands RSS in response to NHPAU Report - Nathaniel Lichfield Partners

- BDC Formal Response to Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners (NLP) Report into Development of Options for the West Midlands RSS in Response to NHPAU (December 2008)

- BDC Formal Response to the Regional Spatial Strategy Phase 2 Revision (December 2008)

- Planning for Renewable Energy in Worcestershire - Worcestershire County Council

- Planning for Climate Change in Worcestershire - Worcestershire County Council

- Planning for Water in Worcestershire - Worcestershire County Council

- Draft Planning for Soil - Worcestershire County Council

- Biodiversity Action Plan for Worcestershire- Worcestershire Biodiversity Partnership

- Draft Geodiversity Action Plan for Worcestershire (Phase One and Phase Two) - Hereford and Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust

- Landscape Character Assessment - Worcestershire County Council

- Landscape Character Assesment Supplementary Guidance (Oct 2011) - Worcestershire County Council

- Worcestershire Countryside Access and Recreation Strategy - Worcestershire County Council   

- Worcestershire Local Transport Plan - Worcestershire County Council 

- Bromsgrove Transport Package - Report on Phases 1-3 (Worcestershire County Council)

- Worcestershire Strategic Housing Market Assessment 2012 - GVA

- Strategic Housing Market Assessment 2007 - The South Housing Market Partnership

- Draft Geological Study for Strategic Sites - Earth Heritage Trust

- Ecological Study for Strategic Sites - Bromsgrove District Council (Part 1) (Part 2)

- Green Infrastructure Baseline Report - Bromsgrove District Council

- Social Infrastructure Audit - Bromsgrove District Council

- Spadesbourne Brook Study - Blackwell Group & URS Scott Wilson

- Evidence for Strategic Sites - Bromsgrove District Council

Other Sources

- Energy White Paper: Meeting the Energy Challenge - Department of Trade and Industry 

- Improving Infrastructure: Heat mapping and Decentralised Energy Feasibility Study - Halcrow Group Limited 

- Community Energy: Urban Planning for a Low Carbon Future - Town and Country Planning Association and Combined Heat and Power Association

- Building a Greener Future: Policy Statement - Department for Communities and Local Government 

- By Design: Urban Design in the Planning System - Towards Better Practice - Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions 

- Climate Change: Adaption by Design - Town and Country Planning Association

- West Midlands Economic Strategy - Advantage West Midlands 

- Community Infrastructure Levy Guidance Notes - Department for Communities and Local Government 

- Rural Services Survey 2000 - Countryside Agency