Sustainability Appraisal of the Sandwell Local Plan 2024-2041

1

Improved provision of multi-functional green infrastructure

The SLP promotes the conservation and enhancement of the multi-functional GI network through encouraging development proposals to increase connectivity of the wider green and blue infrastructure network.

Although the proposed development within the SLP will result in the loss of greenfield land and associated GI to some extent, the SLP policies are expected to mitigate and re-compensate for this loss of GI, resulting in a positive effect on GI provision in the longer term.

2

Effects on the historic environment

Where development is located in areas of distinctive heritage or in proximity to non-designated heritage assets within the HLC, these are likely to be mitigated through SLP policies by protecting, conserving and enhancing historic, architectural and archaeological features. The SLP encourages regeneration including that of historic features, industrial areas and canal networks and is therefore likely to have positive effects on the conservation and enhancement of historic areas such as APAs, AHHTVs and DLHHVs.

3

Provision of public greenspace

Various SLP Policies aim to provide a range of open spaces, sports facilities and recreational spaces for site end users including compensating for any facilities lost to development. This is expected to supplement public and recreational space in Sandwell and subsequently encourage active and healthy lifestyles.

4

Access to PRoW or cycle network

A large number of site allocations are expected to link to existing PRoW routes which have good coverage across the borough, and some allocations are located in proximity to cycle paths. Various SLP policies seek to promote cycling and walking, which is likely to improve the coverage of and accessibility to the PRoW, pedestrian and cycle networks across Sandwell. This would be expected to encourage residents to participate in physical exercise and active travel, with benefits to health and wellbeing.

5

Impacts of locally distinctive or sensitive landscapes

The SLP policies are expected to contribute positively to maintaining and improving the distinctiveness of Sandwell's landscape and townscape character through encouraging the conservation and enhancement of town centres, biodiversity areas and historic assets.

No allocations are situated in areas of locally distinctive or sensitive landscapes, where the policies prioritise development within the urban area of Sandwell or on PDL whilst encouraging regeneration. The SLP seeks to protect the panoramic views from the Rowley Hills alongside improving GI networks across the borough and it is therefore likely that any potential impacts on landscape and townscape will be fully mitigated, and where possible, enhanced.

6

Provision of housing to meet local need

In order to meet the identified housing need, the SLP proposes to deliver 10,434 new dwellings within the Plan period. Policies set out in the SLP include various requirements to ensure the provision of an appropriate mix of housing types and tenures that will address the needs of different groups including those requiring accessible dwellings, affordable housing and provision for the Gypsy and Traveller community.

7

Provision of employment opportunities

The Plan seeks to deliver 1,221ha of employment land. Various SLP policies are also expected to improve quality, quantity and access to employment opportunities, such as through improving sustainable transport options, and by locating employment-led development in areas with good accessibility to the road and transport networks.

8

Sustainable access to local services and facilities

The majority of sites allocated in the SLP will locate site end users within a sustainable distance to a number of local services, healthcare and educational facilities. In addition, a variety of sustainable transport options are anticipated to be improved within the SLP area such as the rail and bus networks, and the pedestrian and cycle networks, which is also likely to improve access to these facilities.

The SLP will encourage the co-location of local services and facilities within Sandwell's town centres as well as providing facilities for residents living away from central areas. These facilities will be well-designed with sufficient capacity for an increased number of residents living in Sandwell.

9

Addressing inequalities

The SLP policies demonstrate SMBC's commitment to improving inequalities and enhancing community cohesion. The diverse accommodation needs of the population will be addressed through adequate housing provision and community facilities will be safeguarded and enhanced. Regeneration of town centres and deprived areas is likely to encourage a sense of safety for local residents, whilst improving the accessibility to and capacity of local services, facilities, open spaces and educational provision to deliver a high-quality public realm.

1

Increased pollutant emissions

Various SLP policies alongside local, regional and national policies aim to reduce air pollution and promote sustainable modes of transport such as improved walking, cycling and public transport provision. However, the introduction of 10,434 dwellings and 1,221ha of employment floorspace within the Sandwell AQMA is expected to increase vehicle emissions in the SLP area including NO₂ and PM₁₀, and result in an overall reduction in air quality on a potentially long-term basis.

Over time, this adverse impact is likely to be reduced to some extent should there be an increase in sustainable transport methods and a phasing out of petrol and diesel-powered cars by 2035, alongside other advances in technology.

2

Exposure to poor air quality and noise pollution

The introduction of 10,434 homes and 1,221ha of employment floorspace in the SLP area is expected to increase the exposure of site-end users to poor air quality within the Sandwell AQMA, and potentially noise pollution as a result of main roads.

The policies would be expected to prevent unacceptable impacts on human health associated with air and noise pollution, but in-combination with the volume of development proposed, there is likely to be a cumulative adverse effect of air quality and noise pollution as a whole which is unable to be fully mitigated by SLP policies alone. The volume of development proposed within the Sandwell AQMA also has potential to hinder meeting the pollutant objectives to set out in the Sandwell Air Quality Action Plan^[158].

The exposure to poor air quality and noise pollution is likely to result in a long-term impact which has potential to be reduced through technological advances and improvements in sustainable transport methods such as the phasing out of petrol and diesel-powered cars. However, ongoing exposure to air and noise pollution can contribute to long-term health impacts for site-end users.

3

Threats or pressures to locally designated and non-statutory biodiversity sites

Although locally designated biodiversity sites will benefit from legislative protection including SLP policies which aim to protect, conserve and enhance biodiversity sites, these are unlikely to fully mitigate adverse impacts arising from the proposed development. The proximity of allocated sites to LNRs, SINCs and SLINCs is likely to result in adverse impacts including habitat losses, exposure to poor air quality and recreational pressures.

When considered at a landscape scale, the construction of 10,434 homes and 1,221ha in-combination is likely to result in a long-term and permanent significant effect of locally designated biodiversity, flora and fauna sites.

4

Fragmentation of the ecological network and priority habitats

The SLP is expected to result in the loss of some previously undeveloped land or land with environmental value, including soil resources, priority habitats and ecological links between biodiversity assets.

Fragmentation of the ecological network and priority habitats is likely to be a long-term significant adverse effect, in particular where priority habitats cover 8% of the total site allocation area. Should biodiversity net gain and landscape-scale ecological enhancements be effectively implemented, there is potential for this effect to be temporary and beneficial in the long-term.

5

Increased GHG emissions

The SLP policies aim to increase uptake of sustainable transport and active travel, as well as utilising building design and construction methods to minimise the increase in greenhouse gas emissions related to development. However, the SLP is not expected to fully mitigate these impacts, particularly those related to the occupation of development and increased transport related emissions.

An increase in carbon emissions in Sandwell is likely to be a long-term and permanent significant effect. However, over time, there is potential for technological advances and alternative solutions to reduce this impact to some extent.

6

Increased household waste generation

It is difficult for the SLP to specifically reduce waste generation within the Plan area, although it aims to promote the reduction, re-use and recycling of waste. National trends indicate a general decrease in household waste generation, however the introduction of 10,434 households and 1,221ha of employment land is expected to increase waste production to some extent.

7

Loss of soil resources

Although the majority of sites are located in the urban area and where possible, areas of previously developed land, the proposed allocations would cumulatively result in the loss of up to approximately 224ha of previously undeveloped land or land which may have environmental or ecological value. The loss of permeable soils could potentially increase the risk of flooding and loss of soil biome, resulting in a loss of biodiversity across the Plan area. Loss of soil can also result in an increase in soil erosion and have subsequent impacts on agricultural yield.

8

Increased demand for water and wastewater management

The increased population within the SLP area would be expected to increase demand on water infrastructure. Although the WCS indicted that Severn Trent Water does not expect water supply infrastructure to be a constraint to development within its water resource zone, there is potential for a residual adverse effect in regard to wastewater infrastructure when planned growth is considered in-combination with an increase in sewage production and potential for storm overflow events. It is likely that further monitoring and investment to wastewater infrastructure will be required to accommodate development.