6.1 In accordance with Government advice on undertaking Sustainability Appraisal (Sustainability Appraisal of Regional Spatial Strategies and Local Development Frameworks- Consultation Paper September 2004) Stage B appraisal of the proposed actions has been undertaken against the 25 IRF criteria. Particular reference has been made to the 11 synthesised objectives listed above. The individual appraisals are at Appendix 6.

 

6.2 Each proposed action is assessed against the 25 IRF criteria, with likely effects classified as positive, negative or neutral. The indicators used for making this judgement are the indicators contained within the IRF. These are listed by each criteria in Appendix 2. For example, the likely effect of a proposed action against criteria 1 – to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live in a decent, sustainably constructed and affordable home are those listed alongside it in Appendix 2, e.g. housing completions compared with regional guidance, affordable homes within total housing stock, etc.

 

6.3 The 11 synthesised criteria have been used as a priority marker. However, the option analysis does look at all of the 25 IRF criteria.

 

6.4 In considering the effects of the proposed actions it is clear that they are primarily of significant sustainable benefit. Negative or doubtful effects are anticipated for the following actions:

 

6.5 The re-use of previously developed land – Inclusion of actions to develop greenfield sites within and adjacent to Leigh Park will have an associated environmental cost. Proposed actions to develop additional housing and employment sites will unavoidably entail the loss of greenfield land. This cost has to be weighed against the significant social and economic benefits to be gained for their development which are outlined in the overall assessment of each action in Appendix 6. It has been noted that the Strategic Framework does not investigate the possibility of reusing materials in the construction process.

 

6.6 Countryside and historic environment – As noted, the proposed developments outside of the existing urban area will entail a loss of undeveloped land. However, significant mitigation could be secured providing new development schemes contain measures to secure public access to new areas of countryside. The management of the urban fringe is a significant issue in any location and will be of key importance here.

 

6.7 Consumption of resources – Some of the proposed actions involve significant investment in new development. These have an associated environmental cost for the consumption of new resources. This is mitigated to some degree by the proposals to require new dwellings to have an excellent rating for sustainable design.