Sandwell Local Plan - Issues & Options Consultation

11. Greener Infrastructure

The SLP will need to provide clear guidance on the provision of suitable and sufficient infrastructure to support the regeneration and growth of Sandwell. Much of this infrastructure will need to be provided before or alongside new development and will need to be subject to viability considerations to ensure it does not make the development financially undeliverable.

The definition of infrastructure in this context is wide, including (but not limited to): -

1. transportation and road-related improvements and projects;
2. fast broadband;
3. affordable housing;
4. renewable energy;
5. publicly accessible open space;
6. sustainable drainage;
7. sport and recreational facilities;
8. air quality mitigation measures;
9. residential services (relating to access to employment, health services, fresh food retailing, and education services by sustainable transport means).

There will also be other requirements, such as crime prevention measures, and cross-boundary requirements, such as waste water management. Impacts on the environment can include loss of open space or wildlife habitat, which must be mitigated.

38) Question – General Infrastructure

39) Question – Transport Infrastructure

Sandwell's Walking and Cycling strategies combined with the three tiers of Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plans (West Midlands, Black Country and Sandwell) provide the framework for the continued development of a greener travel network of, mostly segregated, cycle routes and various pedestrian infrastructure improvements as part of core-walking zones.

Where appropriate, traffic cells or segments can greatly improve public transport penetration in town centres and increase the attractiveness of active modes of travel whilst reducing the negative impacts of motorised traffic. This provides local air quality improvements as well as contributing to carbon reduction targets.

Where possible, road space reallocation should be considered to provide priority for public transport, pedestrians and cyclists, particularly on routes that form part of the approved cycle network and/or the core bus network. However, it is recognised that large parts of Sandwell's highway network are made up of relatively narrow, single-carriageway roads where the available road space is limited through competing demands for frontage access, on-street parking etc. Therefore, it is not always possible to reallocate road space for both public transport and cycling or for either in some cases.

40) Question – Greener Travel Networks

The need to improve air quality, address carbon emissions and reduce the dependency on the private car requires new development to have an even greater focus on choice of modes for access, including electric vehicle charging infrastructure, use of low emission vehicle technology and provision for cycles, micro-mobility and motorcycles. Smart mobility and mobility as a service should also be recognised for its role in supporting modal choice and achieving safe access and addressing transport impacts.

However, it is not only within the design and layout of developments that these issues can be addressed. The location of new development also has an influence on mode choice and the need to travel. Well located developments in highly accessible locations can provide greater opportunities for trips by public transport and active travel modes. Developments should provide direct access to public transport routes and the active travel network. The concept of 15-minute neighbourhoods^[35], with residents being able to access almost all their day-to-day needs within a short walk or cycle trip, should also help guide both the nature and location of development.

Consideration should also be given to the movement of freight, goods and other courier services on Sandwell's roads when determining location of new development. The level of motor traffic on Sandwell's roads has increased, partly driven by the growing number of trucks, vans, mopeds, and bikes delivering groceries, parcels and food takeaway services to online shoppers' homes. There is a need to reduce the strain placed by e-commerce deliveries on Sandwell's roads by, for example, identifying sites for parcel lockers and incentivising more "Click and Collect" options in order to reduce the volume of home delivery vehicles on the roads.

In addition, maximising access to high speed broadband/digital infrastructure is required to enable smarter working for those who can do so, thus further reducing the need to travel.

41) Question – safe access and addressing transport impacts

The current local plan contains two policies relating to communications and digital infrastructure. Times have changed greatly since these policies were first proposed and the new SLP will need to update those policies to reflect the most up-to-date position

SAD policy TEL 1 refers to antennae and masts put up for telecommunications purposes.

We think that the applicants need to demonstrate that the installation is in full compliance with the requirements of the radio frequency (RF) public exposure guidelines of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). We therefore propose that TEL 1 will be reviewed / updated to require that all prior approval and full planning applications must be accompanied by a declaration that the proposal, when operational, will meet the ICNIRP.

42) Question – Communications and Digital Infrastructure

SAD policy TEL2 refers to telephone kiosks. As times have changed and the type of equipment used for communication has evolved, we think that Policy TEL 2 needs to reflect these changes. Therefore, we propose to amend the policy so that it relates to Digital Infrastructure / Equipment – this includes Kiosks and Digital Interactive Finger Posts. This will enable siting and design to be controlled so that they do not detract from the visual amenities of the street scene.

43) Question – Telephone Kiosks

Given the importance of fast and reliable broadband and associated digital infrastructure to all aspects of modern society, a new strategic policy is proposed, based on the draft policy produced for the BCP. Planning policy can play an important role in helping to address the key digital connectivity infrastructure needs of Sandwell. The draft policy sets out proposals for ensuring the provision of full fibre broadband connectivity is considered in all new major development proposals. It also sets out the approach for supporting and assessing 5G network infrastructure proposals (and any successor network infrastructure).

44) Question - Broadband

The current SAD contains a specific policy on taxis and private hire vehicles, requiring the provision of taxi ranks where appropriate in new development and where uses generate large flows of visitors. It is proposed to retain and review / update this policy where town centre regeneration and development is proposed.

45) Question – Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles