Appendix C – Sustainability Appraisal (SA)

1. Introduction

1.1 The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 requires all local planning authorities to undertake a Sustainability Appraisal (SA), incorporating the requirements of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).

1.2 In accordance with these requirements, the following report forms the Sustainability Appraisal Report for the draft Visitor Accommodation Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). Initially, this report sets out the background to sustainable development and sustainability appraisal, and reports on the context, objectives and baseline used in the assessment.

1.3 This Sustainability Appraisal Report proposes two options to take the proposed guidance forward. An assessment of each of these options is presented, supported by the sustainability appraisal matrix.

1.4 For further information with regard to the Visitor Accommodation SPD or this Sustainability Appraisal Report, please contact the Planning Policy team on 01424 451098, or email fplanning@hastings.gov.uk.

2. Summary and outcomes

2.1 Sustainability Appraisal is a way of ensuring that the potential economic, social and environmental effects of the proposed SPD are identified, and measures are taken to ensure the SPD meets sustainable development objectives. This SPD proposes further guidance to support Policy T4 of the adopted Hastings Local Plan 2004 in relation to the change of use of hotels and guest houses, and sets out guidelines and criteria against which planning applications will be assessed.

2.2 The alternative to the production of the SPD is to take a ‘business as usual’ approach. Without the additional guidance provided through the SPD, Policy T4 may be applied inconsistently and this could lead to the unnecessary loss of visitor accommodation in the town, and the potential decline of tourism areas.

(1) 2.3 The objectives of the Visitor Accommodation SPD have been assessed individually against the sustainability objectives. The results show that no negative effects will arise from the SPD objectives, or the SPD itself.

2.4 The findings of this Sustainability Appraisal will be used to inform the development of the Visitor Accommodation SPD.

3. Background

Sustainable Development

3.1. In 1987, the World Commission on Environment and Development defined sustainable development as “development, which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (The Brundtland Commission Report – Our Common Future, 1987)

3.2 March 2005 saw the Government publishing its new sustainable development strategy ’Securing the Future: Delivering UK Sustainable Development Strategy’. This strategy aims to ensure that sustainable development is pursued in an integrated ay through the planning system, working towards a sustainable and productive economy, promotes social inclusion, sustainable communities and personal well being.

3.3 To achieve these aims, 5 guiding principles were identified:

1. Living within environmental limits
2. Ensuring a strong, healthy and just society
3. Achieving a sustainable economy
4. Promoting good governance and
5. Using sound science responsibly

3.4 Planning Policy Statement 1: Delivering Sustainable Development (DCLG, 2005) requires Local Development Frameworks to achieve sustainable development in line with the above principles. To accord with this, the UK Strategy objectives have been fully integrated into the sustainability framework set out in this report.

What are Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment?

3.5 Sustainability Appraisal is a requirement of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, with Strategic Environmental Assessment deriving from the European Union Directive 2001/42/EC. Government guidance allows the requirements of SEA to be incorporated into the Sustainability Appraisal process, in the form of one single document. Sustainability Appraisal can then become a tool used to ensure that the principles of sustainable development are fully taken into account when preparing documents as part of the Hastings Local Development Framework.

3.6 This SA Report will incorporate the requirements of SEA, and will make sure that the social, economic and environmental considerations are taken into account in the preparation of the Visitor Accommodation Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). It will identify and report on the likely significant effects of the SPD, and also the extent to which implementation of the SPD will deliver the social, environmental and economic objectives of sustainable development. Appendix 1 identifies how this Sustainability Appraisal Report complies with the SEA Directive.

3.7 In line with government guidance, sustainability appraisal for the emerging Hastings Local Development Framework can be used to inform the sustainability appraisal of SPDs. Therefore, this SA Report draws on, and is consistent with, the Sustainability Appraisal of the Core Strategy Preferred Approaches and the existing Scoping Report for the LDF.

Visitor Accommodation SPD

3.8 Under Local Plan Policy T4, the Council seeks to maintain and enhance its visitor appeal and safeguard hotels and guest houses, particularly along the Seafront where possible. This SPD provides clarity on the circumstances where change of use or redevelopment to alternative uses may be appropriate, and the criteria which would have to be satisfied in order to obtain planning permission for these alternative uses. This SPD seeks to ensure that loss of any visitor accommodation premises is not at the expense of the local economy

3.9 The overarching objective of the SPD is secure the proper implementation of Policy T4 of the adopted Hastings Local Plan 2004

3.10 This is supported by two primary objectives:

1. To ensure an adequate supply of visitor accommodation within Hastings

2. To protect existing premises for use as hotels and guest houses where there is a good prospect of the use continuing

3.11 The existing policy in the adopted Hastings Local Plan 2004 states:

Policy T4 – Change of Use of Hotels and Guest Houses

Where an application for change of use of hotels and guest houses is made it will only be granted planning permission where:-

1. detailed evidence can be provided that the building is no longer viable as visitor accommodation; and

2. the proposal would result in a major upgrading of the structural condition of the building .

4 Context, Objectives and Baseline

Identifying other relevant policies, plans, programmes and sustainability objectives

4.1 An important part of the sustainability appraisal process is to identify any relevant policies, plans, programmes (PPPs), or sustainability objectives that could be likely to influence the Visitor Accommodation SPD. This review has been carried out in accordance with government guidance, and has identified the following PPPs to be relevant:

National

• Planning Policy Statement 1: Delivering Sustainable Development (2005)
• Planning Policy Statement 4: Planning for Sustainable Economic Growth (2010)

Regional

• Pride of Place – A Sustainable Community Strategy for East Sussex (2009)

Local

• Hastings and St Leonards Sustainable Community Strategy 2009-2026
• Draft Hastings and Bexhill Economic Development and Inclusion Strategy (2008)
• Hastings and St Leonards Cultural Strategy (2003)
• Hastings Local Development Framework: Core Strategy Preferred Approaches (2008)
• Hastings, Bexhill and 1066 Country Hotel and Guest Accommodation Futures (2007)
• Retaining Hotels and Guesthouses in Hastings

4.2 Appendix 2 provides the results of this review in full, giving a brief explanation of the key aims of each plan, policy or programme, and how the new SPD can respond.

4.3 A number of key messages were identified from the review that will be taken into account in developing the Visitor Accommodation SPD. These have helped to identify the key sustainability issues that need to be considered as part of the sustainability appraisal process, and are discussed below.

Baseline information

4.4 Identifying relevant baseline information provides the basis for predicting and monitoring effects and helps to identify sustainability issues and alternative ways of dealing with them. Baseline information has been collected on environmental, social and economic issues for the emerging Hastings Local Development Framework, and is set out in the Revised Scoping Report available at www.hastings.gov.uk/ldf/resources.aspx#sus.

4.5 As the SPD could be applied to most areas of the town, the full baseline in the Scoping Report has been used. The following information, taken from baseline data, considered the most relevant.

• 6.8% of people are employed in the accommodation and food service sector, rising from 6% in 2007
• 8 hotels (totalling 39 letting bedrooms) and 31 guesthouses (282 letting bedrooms) exist in the town (as at 2007)
• 46% of this supply is located along the Seafront
• A major issue for the town is the level of economic participation - we have relatively low employment and economic activity rates. In 2008, Hastings had a lower employment rate (68.5%) than regional rate (78.5%) and the national average (74.2%). Similarly, economic activity rates (those people of working age either in employment or seeking work) show that Hastings (74.4%) falls below the GB rate while East Sussex (80.9%) as a whole is above the GB rate (78.8%) (Nomis, Dec 2008).

Sustainability issues and problems

4.6 Using the current baseline information, priorities identified in other plans and programmes, as well as early engagement feedback on the proposed SPD, the key sustainability issues to be considered include:

• The tourism sector in Hastings has stagnated in terms of the number of staying visitors and lack of quality visitor accommodation
• Supply of hotel and guesthouse accommodation has reduced significantly over recent years - The town currently has approximately 1000 services bed spaces compared to a total of 8000 in 1951
• Quality appears to be low generally, with many hotels and guesthouses having received little or no investment for some time.
• Hastings is heavily dependent on summer day visitors, and spend per head is low compared with South Coast competitors
• In 2008, 395,000 overnight visitors spent £71.4m in Hastings, compared to 2.7m day visitors spending £82.4m, showing the relative importance of staying visitors to the town’s economy.
• Staying visitors are estimated to support 2,582 jobs in hastings, compared to the 2,187 jobs supported by day trippers.
• Hastings has one of the weakest economies in the South East region. This is most graphically highlighted by the low level of economic productivity (Gross Value Added) of local businesses, being only 68% of the regional average
• High levels of deprivation exist in the town. This is reflected in the number of wards in the worst 10% and 20% nationally when measured against the overall Index of Multiple Deprivation. Local earnings are also well below regional and County averages.
• There is clear regional and local commitment to improving the economic health of the area, as a key part of increasing the quality of life of residents and ensuring sustainable growth.
• Local Authorities, through their Development Plans, need to provide for a full range of economic development needs, to support retention of employment and enable expansion and to create opportunities for inward investment and new uses

5 The Sustainability Appraisal Framework

5.1 A Sustainability Appraisal Framework has been developed to consistently assess the component documents of the Hastings Local Development Framework. This framework takes account of the objectives of national, regional and local planning policy, as well as other strategies, plans and programmes in the context of the economic, social and environmental characteristics of Hastings. A full version of the Sustainability Appraisal framework, taken from the Scoping Report, is featured in Appendix 3.

5.2 In line with government guidance, each of the sustainability objectives within the framework have been tested against each other to assess compatibility. The results of the assessment are shown in the revised Scoping Report, available at www.hastings.gov.uk/ldf/resources.aspx#sus.

Compatibility of the SPD objectives and the Sustainability Objectives

5.3 The next stage of the Sustainability Appraisal process is to test the compatibility of sustainability appraisal objectives against the objectives of the new SPD. This assessment will make sure that the objectives are consistent with each other, or alternatively, will identify conflict where it exists.

5.4 Appendix 4 shows the detailed assessment of the SPD objective against the sustainability objectives. The assessment has used the following categories:

Significant positive effect (): The impact of the SPD on the sustainability objective will be a significant positive impact.

Slight positive effect (): The effect the SPD will have on the sustainability objective is likely to be positive, although this is not certain, or; the impact of the SPD on the sustainability objective will be a positive impact, but not significant.

Potential, or uncertain effect (?): There is no relationship, or no significant relationship between the objective and the policy.

No effect or direct link (-): The SPD will have no impact on the sustainability objective

Slight negative effect (X): The effect the SPD will have on the sustainability objective is likely to be negative, although this is not certain, or; the impact of the SPD on the sustainability objective will be a negative impact, but not significant

Significant negative effect (XX): The impact of the SPD on the sustainability objective will be a significant negative impact.

Assessment Results

5.5 The assessment in appendix 4 shows clearly that the sustainability objectives are either all compatible with, or have no link to the SPD objectives.

5.6 Specifically, the SPD will positively contribute to the following SA objectives:

• Levels of poverty and social exclusion are reduced and the deprivation gap is closed between the more deprived areas in Hastings and the rest of the town
• All sectors of the community have improved accessibility to services, facilities, jobs, and social, cultural and recreational opportunities
• Vibrant and locally distinctive communities are created and sustained
• Land and buildings are used more efficiently and urban renaissance encouraged
• There are high and stable levels of employment and rewarding and satisfying employment opportunities for all
• Economic revival in the more deprived areas of the town is stimulated and successfully achieved
• The sustained economic growth of the borough is achieved and linked closely to social regeneration
• Indigenous and inward investment is encouraged and accommodated

5.7 No negative effects have been recorded for this assessment.

6. Consideration of Options

6.1 The SEA Directive and advice in the CLG “Plan Making Manual” (www.pas.gov.uk) require the consideration of options to be undertaken as part of the appraisal process. For the purpose of the Visitor Accommodation SPD, two options have been considered:

1. To prepare guidance to support Policy T4 of the adopted Hastings Local Plan 2004, and to provide guidelines and criteria against which planning applications will be assessed.
2. To undertake the “business as usual” approach and rely on existing national, regional and local planning policy.

6.2 The detailed assessment of these options is shown in Appendix 5. Using the same categories as shown above, the options have been appraised over the short (0-5 years), medium (5-10 years) and long term (10+ years) (S, M, L)

Assessment results

Option 1

6.3 No negative sustainability effects have been recorded in the assessment of option 1, and it is considered to have positive effects on both the social and economic sustainability objectives.

6.4 Resisting any further loss of visitor accommodation to other uses will increase the potential for job opportunities, and also support the growth of the tourism industry, positively contributing to the local economy. Over the short term, this will help to maintain and promote access to job opportunities, and introducing viability testing will help to ensure land and buildings are being used efficiently.

6.5 Looking towards the medium and longer terms, supporting tourism in key locations will contribute positively to the vibrancy and distinctiveness of the town and encourage investment that has been lacking over recent years. Increased accessibility to job opportunities will also contribute to improved well-being and economic revival of the town, currently subject to high levels of deprivation.

6.6 It is not considered that the effective implementation of the SPD will contribute so much to result in significant positive effects on the economic objectives, although slight positive effects would be expected.

Option 2

6.7 Analysis of this option has recorded some negative sustainability effects.

6.8 Relying on the existing Local Plan policy alone, without requiring the submission of evidence to show non-viability (as required in the proposed SPD) may result in the continued loss of visitor accommodation. Without the additional guidance provided in the SPD, Policy T4 may be applied inconsistently and could lead to a loss of visitor accommodation, affecting local job opportunities the subsequent well-being of the population.

6.9 Allowing change of use without demonstrating lack of viability could also result in an uncertain or potential effect on the sustainability objectives that relate to making the most efficient use of land, health and well-being and deprivation levels.

6.10 Negative sustainability effects have also been recorded with regard to the economic sustainability objectives, particularly in terms of reduced levels of employment and the subsequent effect this will have on economic growth and revival.

6.11 In light of the above analysis, it is considered that Option 1 is the most sustainable option as no negative effects have been recorded, and it goes the furthers in achieving the sustainable development objectives. Neither option has any recorded link to the environmental sustainability objectives, as the SPD relates to existing visitor accommodation and premises, not the provision of new development.

7. Mitigation Measures

7.1 From the appraisal of the draft Visitor Accommodation SPD, it can be seen that in the main, the document will have a positive impact on the 23 sustainability objectives. With no negative sustainability impacts identified, the need for mitigation measures to be developed has not been necessary.

8. Monitoring

8.1 The Visitor Accommodation SPD will need to be monitored to identify any unforeseen effects, and to allow for remediation action to take place. Questions that will be addressed through the monitoring process include:

• Whether the SPD is contributing towards meeting the sustainability objectives; and
• Whether there are any other effects from implementation of the SPD that need to be considered

8.2 The overarching sustainability appraisal framework will set out indicators against which to measure the sustainability effects of implementing the component documents of Hastings Local Development Framework. This framework will be updated regularly in order to help to measure how well the LDF, and this SPD, contribute to sustainable development. Such monitoring will enable any unforeseen, or undesirable effects and as such, enable corrective action to be taken where necessary. A single monitoring system will be established for the various components of the LDF, including the Visitor Accommodation SPD, and will be reported through the Annual Monitoring Report.

Appendix 1 – Compliance with the SEA Directive

Requirement of SEA Directive	Where covered in this report
a) An outline of the contents, main objectives of the plan or programme, and relationship with other relevant plans and programmes.	Section 3 and 4
b) The relevant aspects of the current state of the environment and the likely evolution thereof without implementation of the plan or programme	Scoping Report and section 4
c) The environmental characteristics of areas likely to be significantly affected	Scoping Report and section 4
d) Any existing environmental problems which are relevant to the plan or programme including, in particular, those relating to any areas of a particular environmental importance, such as areas designated pursuant to Directives 79/409/EEC and 92/43/EEC	Scoping Report and section 4
e) The environmental protection objectives, which are relevant to the plan or programme and the way those objective and any environmental considerations have been taken into account during its preparation	Scoping Report and section 4
f) The likely significant effects on the environment, including on issues such as biodiversity, population, human health, fauna, flora, soil, water, air, climatic factors, material assets, cultural heritage including architectural and archaeological heritage, landscape and the interrelationship between the above factors	Section 6
g) The measures envisaged to prevent, reduce and as fully as possible offset any significant adverse effects on the environment of implementing the plan or programme	Section 6 and 7
h) An outline of the reasons for selecting the alternatives dealt with, and a description of how the assessment was undertaken including any difficulties encountered in compiling the required information	Section 6
i) A description of measured envisaged concerning monitoring in accordance with Article 10	Section 8
j) A non-technical summary of the information provided under the above headings	N/A
The report shall include the information that may reasonably be required taking into account current knowledge and methods of assessment, the contents and level of detail in the plan or programme, its stage in the decision-making process and the extent to which certain matters are more appropriately assessed at different levels in that process to avoid duplication of the assessment	Sustainability Appraisal Report
Consultation: Authorities with environmental responsibility, when deciding on the scope and level of detail of the information to be included in the environmental report Authorities with environmental responsibility and the public shall be given an early and effective opportunity within appropriate time frames to express their opinion of the draft plan or programme and the accompanying environmental report before the adoption of the plan or programme	The 4 statutory environmental bodies were consulted on the Scoping Report, which was prepared for all documents forming the LDF. The comments were incorporated into the revised Scoping Report.
Taking the environmental report and the results of the consultations into account in decision-making	The results of the environmental report and consultation responses received will be taken into account before the SPD is adopted
Provision of information on the decision: When the plan or programme is adopted, the public and any countries consulted shall be informed and the following made available to those so informed: the plan or programme as adopted a statement summarizing how environmental considerations have been integrated into the plan, how any consultation responses have been taken into account and the reasons for choosing the plan as adopted the measures for monitoring	This will be undertaken once the SPD is adopted
Monitor the significant environmental effects of the implementation of plans to identify at an early stage unforeseen adverse effects and so to take remedial action	To be undertaken

Appendix 2 - Review of relevant plans, programmes, policies, strategies and initiatives

Document title	Key aims, relevant objectives or targets	How these will be addressed in the SPD
NATIONAL
PPS1: Delivering Sustainable Development (2005)	Key objectives for the planning authority are to: Make suitable land available for development Contribute to sustainable economic development Protect and enhance the natural and historic environment, the quality and character of the countryside and existing communities Ensure high quality development through the appropriate design and efficient use of resources Ensure that development supports existing communities and contributes to the creation of safe, sustainable, liveable and mixed communities with good access to jobs and key services	Sustainable development must be integral to the aims and objectives of the SPD, and recognise that its contents need to contribute to sustainable economic growth
PPS4: Planning for Sustainable Economic Growth (2009)	Overall aim is to achieve sustainable economic growth. Key objectives are to: Improve economic performance of towns and cities Reduce gap in economic growth rates between regions Deliver sustainable patterns of development Promote vitality and viability of town and other centres	The SPD should help to ensure the vitality and viability of key centres. A key component of town centres is a mix of uses
REGIONAL
Pride of Place – A Sustainable Community Strategy for East Sussex (2009)	Vision is to create places where everyone can prosper, be safe and healthy, and live in a high quality environment. Key objectives are to create and sustain: A vibrant, diverse and sustainable economy Great places to live in, visit and enjoy Safe, healthy and fulfilling lives	The SPD should help avoid the continued loss of visitor accommodation premises in the town, ensuring there is an adequate supply to serve the needs of visitors
LOCAL
Hastings and St Leonards Sustainable Community Strategy 2009-2026 (draft)	Sets out the vision of “the renaissance of Hastings through social, economic, cultural, and environmental regeneration”. The strategy seeks to focus efforts on 8 key themes: A safer town An economically successful town A learning town An inclusive town A healthier town A town with a decent home for everyone A town that’s good to live in A town where we protect our environment	The SPD will help to maintain and enhance the town’s existing visitor appeal, contributing positively to the local economy
Draft Hastings and Bexhill Economic Development and Inclusion Strategy (2008)	Strategy contributes to visions of Hastings and Rother community strategy. Overarching objective is to “Create an inclusive, successful and sustainable economy, which brings a decent standard of living and quality of life to all our residents”. This is supported by 3 key goals: A successful economy An inclusive economy A sustainable economy	The SPD will help to maintain and enhance the town’s existing visitor appeal, contributing positively to the local economy
Hastings and St Leonards Cultural Strategy (2003)	Aims to promote and develop the wealth of culture and character in Hastings. Includes goals to make sure that we: Protect, invest in, grow and profit from our unique culture Attract people and investment to Hastings Grow the cultural economy Improve the culture of learning Create real access to culture	The SPD will help to maintain the existing supply of visitor accommodation, attracting people and investment into the town
Hastings Local Development Framework: Core Strategy Preferred Approaches	The spatial plan for Hastings, setting out the long term strategy for land use and development in the town up to 2026. Policy on tourism reflects its importance to the local economy, and seeks to resist the loss of visitor accommodation in key tourist areas	The SPD will support this draft policy
Hastings, Bexhill and 1066 Country Hotel and Guest Accommodation Futures (2007)	Key objectives of the study are to: Assess the current demand and performance relative to supply, and identify the gaps Evaluate the potential sites against hotel/developer requirements Identify types of operator that might be prepared to invest Assess the threat of further losses of stock, and potential to retain, upgrade, reposition and develop existing hotels and guesthouses	The SPD should address the threat of further losses of stock, building on existing research of supply and demand
Retaining Hotels and Guesthouses in Hastings (2009)	This research document was prepared to support policy development in the emerging Hastings Local Development Framework. It recommends that specific policies are included relating to the retention of tourist and visitor accommodation. Key outcomes of the study are: Give priority to retention of visitor accommodation along the Seafront Continuous monitoring of performance in terms of the changing balance of demand against supply Introduce formal viability testing and criteria to include proof of marketing for sale, evidence of business performance, evidence of professional management, evidence of attempts to save the business	The SPD should clearly set out the requirements of viability testing and the criteria against which planning applications will be assessed

Appendix 3 – The Sustainability Appraisal Framework

Objective number	Objective	Indicator
SOCIAL
1	More opportunities are provided for everyone to live in a decent, sustainability constructed and affordable home	Affordable housing completions Net housing completions Property affordability Condition of housing stock (unfit dwellings) Number of empty homes brought back into use Number of households accepted as homeless Number (or %) of new homes built to Code for Sustainable Homes level 3 Number of residential developments over 10 dwellings providing a percentage of the energy requirements from onsite renewable energy generation Number of qualifying developments/ properties installing SUDs Housing density Housing tenure Property values Household size
2	The health and well-being of the population is improved and inequalities in health are reduced	Death rates from circulatory disease and cancer Life expectancy % of households with limiting long-term illness General level of health - % of population describe their health as ‘not good’ Number of cyclist traffic accidents Number of participants engaged and registered on Active Hastings interventions Number of participants engaged and registered on Active Hastings interventions within 20% most deprived SOAs Attendance figures at Leisure Centres
3	Levels of poverty and social exclusion are reduced and the deprivation gap is closed between the more deprived areas in Hastings and the rest of the town	Proportion of population who live in areas that rank within the most deprived 10-20% areas in the country Child poverty - Proportion of children under 16 who live-in low-income households % of households in fuel poverty
4	Education and skills of the population improve	GCSE qualifications age 15 Qualifications at age 19 % of school leavers pursuing further education % of working age population with NVQ level 3 or above % or working age population with NVQ level 4 or above (or equivalent)
5	All sectors of the community have improved accessibility to services, facilities, jobs, and social, cultural and recreational opportunities	% of households within 300m of an accessible open space Residents satisfaction - % of residents who are satisfied with their local area as a place to live Percentage of new residential development within 30 minutes public transport time of a GP, hospital, primary and secondary school, employment and a major retail centre
6	Safe and secure environments are created and there is a reduction in crime and the fear of crime	Domestic burglaries per 1000 popltn Violent offences committed per 1000 popltn Recorded crime per 1000 popltn Fear of crime – annual survey results
7	Vibrant and locally distinctive communities are created and sustained	% of people satisfied with their local area as a place to live % of people who feel their area is a place where people from other backgrounds can live harmoniously
ENVIRONMENTAL
8	Land and buildings are used more efficiently and urban renaissance encouraged	% of residential development completed on brownfield land % of employment development completed on brownfield land Number of empty homes brought back into use Number of qualifying developments/ properties installing SUDs Number of commercial buildings over 1000sqm providing a percentage of their energy requirements from on site renewable energy generation
9	Biodiversity is protected, conserved and enhanced	Condition of SSSI’s Achievement of Local Biodiversity Action Plan targets % of open spaces managed to green flag award standard Change in areas and populations of biodiversity importance
10	The risk of flooding (fluvial and tidal) and coastal erosion is managed and reduced now and in the future	Number of properties at risk of flooding Number of planning applications submitting Flood Risk Assessments Number of developments/properties installing SUDs Planning permissions granted contrary to advice of the Environment Agency on either flood defence grounds or water quality
11	Parks and gardens, countryside, coast and the historic environment/townscape and landscape are protected, enhanced and made more accessible	Number and % of listed buildings (Grade I and II) and of open spaces managed to Green Flag Award standard The number of buildings at risk% of households within 300m of an accessible and open space
12	Air pollution is reduced and air quality continues to improve	Number of designated air quality management areas Road traffic growth % Car ownership
13	The causes of climate change are addressed through reducing emissions of greenhouse gases (mitigation) and ensuring the Borough is prepared for its impacts (adaptation)	Number (or %) of new homes built to Code for Sustainable Homes level 3 % of commercial buildings meeting BREEAM v good and excellent standards Emissions of CO2 by sector
14	Water quality of freshwater bodies, waterways and the marine environment is maintained and improved and water consumption is reduced	Number of qualifying developments/properties installing SUDs Per capita consumption of water Rivers of good or fair chemical and biological water quality Compliance with European Bathing Water Directive
15	15 Energy efficiency is increased, fuel poverty is reduced and the proportion of energy generated from renewable resources is increased	Household energy use per capita (Gas and Electricity) Renewable energy capacity (MW) installed by type
16	Through waste re-use, recycling and minimisation the amount of waste for disposal is reduced	Household waste arisings (tonnes) % Recycling rates of household waste % of the total tonnage of household waste arisings that have been composted New homes provided with recycling/waste prevention facilities
17	Road congestion and pollution levels are reduced, and there is less car dependency and greater travel choice	Bus passenger journeys % household car ownership Journeys to work by modes, cycling and walking Road traffic growth Average distance travelled to work
ECONOMIC
18	There are high and stable levels of employment and rewarding and satisfying employment opportunities for all	Average (median) workplace based earnings % employment rates for various sectors (manufacturing, construction, hotels and restaurants etc) Job seeker allowance claimants Economically active working age population Unemployment rate
19	Economic revival in the more deprived areas of the town is stimulated and successfully achieved	Business survival rates after 3 years
20	The sustained economic growth of the borough is achieved and linked closely to social regeneration	Business start ups and closures
21	Indigenous and inward investment is encouraged and accommodated	Employment land availability Employment land (B use classes) applications granted planning consent % increase/decrease in the number of VAT registered businesses

Appendix 4 - Compatibility of SPD objectives against the sustainability objectives

Appendix 5 – Sustainability Appraisal of Options

Key:
S = Short-term impact (0-5 years)
M = Medium-term (5-10 years)
L = Long-term (10+ years)