Evidence Base and Policy Guidance

One of the most important principles of the new Local Development Framework system of 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 government publishes Planning Policy Statements (PPSs) which set out the main principles and objectives we have to adhere to in developing and implementing our Local Development Framework, under different policy areas such as housing, flooding and sustainable development.  You can read the Planning Policy Statements on the website of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Regional Spatial Strategy

The West Midlands Regional Assembly (WMRA) is responsible for developing a Regional Spatial Strategy.  Amongst other things this identifies the scale and distribution of new housing and employment for each local authority in the region.  Find out more on the Regional Spatial Strategy by visiting the WMRA website.

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) - 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

- 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

- 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

- Worcestershire Countryside Access and Recreation Strategy - Worcestershire County Council   

- Worcestershire Local Transport Plan - 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 

- Heat Mapping and Decentralised Energy Study - West Midlands Regional Observatory

- 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

- Planning Policy Statement 26: Tackling Climate Change through Planning (Discussion Document) - 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