Background Studies
The policies in the new Local Development Framework have to be based on a sound understanding of current and future local issues. To help the council identify what these issues are a number of studies have been commissioned.
Contents
- Appropriate Assessment (UDC, 2007)
- Employer and Business Survey (CN Research, 2009)
- Employment Land Study (PACEC, 2006)
- Green Space Strategy Audit (UDC, 2006)
- Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation
- Uttlesford District Historic Environment Characterisation Project (ECC, 2009)
- Historic Settlement Character Assessment (UDC, 2007)
- Housing
- Landscape Character Assessment (Chris Blandford, 2006)
- Local Wildlife Sites Review (ECCOS, 2007)
- Renewable Energy Study (Altechnica, 2008)
- Retail Study (Hepher Dixon, 2005)
- Strategic Environmental Asessment Baseline Information Profiles (ECC)
- Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (JBA, 2008)
- Sustainability Appraisal of the LDF (WYG)
- Transport
- Comparative Transport Analysis (ECC, 2010)
- Local Transport Plan 2006-2011 (ECC)
- Water Cycle Study
Appropriate Assessment (Uttlesford District Council, 2007)
Appropriate Assessment is carried out to make sure that sites which are important for biodiversity at a European level are protected and will not be damaged by proposals which we may include in our plans. The requirement for AA of plans or projects is outlined in Article 6(3) and (4) of the European Communities (1992) Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (“Habitats Directive”)
Employer and Business Survey (CN Research, 2009)
The results of a questionnaire commissioned by the Uttlesford Strategic Partnership to establish the business needs of small and medium size enterprise within Uttlesford District.
Employment Land Study
Green Space Strategy Audit (Uttlesford District Council, 2006)
- Contents Page
- Part 1 General Findings
- Part 2 Parish Analysis
- Part 3 Amenity Green Space Catchment Zones
- Part 4 Children's Playing Space and Outdoor Sports Catchment Zones
- Part 5 National Playing Field Association - Six Acre Standard
- Part 6 Allotment Survey Results
- Part 7 Public Consultation
Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation
Essex Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (Fordham Research, 2009)
Quantifies the accommodation and housing-related support needs of gypsies and travellers.
Looking Back, Moving Forward - Assessing the Housing Needs of Gypsies and Travellers in Essex (Salford Housing & Urban Studies Unit and Salford University for EPOA, 2006)
Assesses the accommodation needs of gypsies and travellers in Essex.
Uttlesford District Historic Environment Characterisation Project (Essex County Council, 2009)
The historic environment is sensitive to change and needs to be properly understood before change is planned. This document assesses the historic environment to come to some conclusions about the sensitivity, diversity and value of the historic environment resource within the district.
- Uttlesford District Historic Environment Characterisation Project (this is a 4.3MB file that may take some time to download on slower connections)
Historic Settlement Character Assessment (Uttlesford District Council, 2007)
Housing
Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment
The Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) is a key component of the evidence base to support the delivery of sufficient land for housing to meet the Government’s need for more housing. Below are links to the 2009 report and appendices. Appendix 7 lists all the sites considered in the assessment and Appendix 8 contains an appraisal of each site.
- Uttlesford Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment Report 2009
- Appendix 1 - List of Key Stakeholders for Consultation Purposes
- Appendix 2 - The Council's Response to Comments Received on the Methodology
- Appendix 3 - Panel Terms of Reference and Membership
- Appendix 4 - Site Suitability Appraisal Form
- Appendix 5 - Availability of Potential Sites Form
- Appendix 6 - Minutes of Panel Meetings
- Appendix 7 - List and Table of Sites
- Appendix 8 - Site Appraisal Information Sheets and Maps
Strategic Housing Market Assessment
Uttlesford District Council has worked with the adjoining authorities of Brentwood, Broxbourne, East Herts, Epping Forest and Harlow and commissioned Opinion Research Services (ORS) to undertake an assessment of the housing markets of these districts, which for the purposes of this study is collectively called the London Commuter Belt (East)/M11 sub-region.
The Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) is a framework that the district council can follow to develop a good understanding of how housing markets operate. It assesses housing need and demand and will be used to development the housing policies in the Local Development Framework.
The full report is a large document, therefore a summary has been prepared which you may find useful.
The SHMA will be used by the council to develop its policies for affordable housing in the district. To help in this work a viability study is also being done by consultants but this work has not been completed yet.
Landscape Character Assessment (Chris Blandford Associates September 2006)
This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the landscape character within the study area to inform land use planning and land management decisions.
The study was jointly commissioned from Chris Blandford Associates by Uttlesford, Braintree, Chelmsford, Maldon and Brentwood Councils and the study covers all these district/borough areas.
Click on the links below to view the parts of the study about Uttlesford. You can look at a full copy of the study at the Council Offices in Saffron Walden. Contact 01799 510461 for more information.
Contents and Summary
- Introduction
- Fig 1.1 Map of Study Area
- Overview of Study Area
- Fig 2.1 Surface Geology Map
- Fig 2.2 Landform and Drainage Map
- Fig 2.3 Nature Conservation Areas Map
- Fig 2.4 Historic Character Map
- Fig 2.5 National Joint Character Areas
- Fig 2.6 National Landscape Typology
- Fig 2.7 County Landscape Character Types
- Fig 2.8 District and Borough Landscape Character Types
- Landscape Character of Uttlesford District
- Fig 7.1 Uttlesford District Landscape Character Types and Areas
- Recommendations
- Appendices
Local Wildlife Site Review (Essex Ecology Services, October 2007)
A re-assessment of selected Local Wildlife Sites.
Copies are available for inspection at the Council Offices, London Road, Saffron Walden.
Renewable Energy Study of the District (Altechnica, January 2008)
This study is a comprehensive review of the renewable energy resources and potential for renewable energy technologies within Uttlesford District. The study was commissioned by Uttlesford Futures, the local strategic partnership, and was prepared by Dr Derek Taylor of Altechnica Ltd.
- Section 1 - Summary
- Section 2 - Solar
- Section 3 - Wind Energy
- Section 4 - Ground Coupled Energy
- Section 5 -_Biofuel
- Appendix A - Wind speed map
- Appendix B - London Stansted Airport: Wind Turbine Development Consultation Area
- Appendix C - London Stansted Airport: Aerodrome Safeguarding Map
- Appendix D - Mains gas availability map
District Retail Study (Hepher Dixon, December 2005)
- District Retail Study
- Appendix 1 Plans for Gt Dunmow Thaxted and Stansted Mountfitchet
- Appendix 1 Saffron Walden Centre Report
- Appendix 2 Uttlesford Comparison Goods Tables
- Appendix 3 Uttlesford Convenience Tables
- Appendix 4 Catchment Zones
- Appendix 5 Zone 1 Expenditure
- Appendix 5 Zone 1 Population
- Appendix 5 Zone 2 Expenditure
- Appendix 5.Zone 2 Population
- Appendix 5 Zone 3 Expenditure
- Appendix 5 Zone 3 Population
- Appendix 5 Zone 4 Expenditure
- Appendix 5 Zone 4 Population
Schools Organisational Plan (Essex County Council)
Identifies surplus and deficit in secondary and primary schools.
Strategic Environmental Assessment Baseline Information Profile
- Strategic Environmental Assessment Baseline Information Profile (Essex County Council 2006)
- Strategic Environmental Assessment Baseline Information Profile (Essex County Council 2007)
- Strategic Environmental Assessment Baseline Information Profile (Essex County Council 2008)
- Strategic Environmental Assessment Baseline Information Profile (Essex County Council 2009)
Uttlesford Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (JBA Consulting, March 2008)
A study to identify the extent of flood risk in Uttlesford and to supplement current flood policy guidelines.
Sustainability Appraisal of the Local Development Framework (White Young & Green)
- Scoping Report
- Appendix to Scoping Report - Baseline information
- To view the sustainability appraisal of the core strategy objectives and the different growth options click here
- Sustainability Appraisal of Preferred Options Document
Transport
Comparative Transport Analysis (ECC 2010)
This report analysis the requirements and potential issues of the preferred options. It focuses on the strategic site at Elsenham and the alternative sites for new settlements being suggested to the district council; and the maximum development being proposed at Saffron Walden, Great Dunmow, Stansted Mountfitchet and Takeley under options 1 and 2.
Local Transport Plan 2006-2011 (ECC)
Water Cycle Study (Hyder Consulting, January 2010)
A water cycle study is being done by Hyder Consulting in association with the district council and key stakeholders such as the Environment Agency and the water companies to make sure that the most sustainable water infrastructure is provided where and when it is needed. It is normally done in three parts:
- Initial scoping study
- Outline report
- Full strategy
The first two parts of the study are being done to help the council prepare the Core Strategy. The final part will look in more detail at the requirements for individual sites, when these have been identified.
This is a large and technical document so Hyder have prepared a summary which you might find more useful: