Informal Sustainability Appraisal of the draft...

Informal Sustainability Appraisal of the draft Supplementary Policy Guidance for Planning

Obligations.

May 2006

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Index Section Page No. 1 Introduction 2 2 Methodology 3 3 Procedural questions encountered 3 4 The Sustainability Objectives 4 5 Policy Appraisal 6 5.1 Probability and individual policy impact Appraisal 6 5.2 Cumulative impact prediction 7 5.3 Duration and reversibility 9 6 Monitoring 10 7 Conclusion 12 Tables 1 Sustainability objectives, key subject areas and SEA

subjects incorporation 4

2 Predicted individual policy impact appraisal 6 3 Cumulative appraisal of policies 8 4 Identified Monitoring requirements 11 Appendices 1 Sustainable Framework Assessment. 2 Individual policy Appraisal Predicted Likely Impacts and Comments. 3 Time Scale and Reversibility of the Protection and Provision of Housing

Policies

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1 Introduction An informal Sustainability Appraisal has been completed for the draft Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) for Planning Obligations (February 2006). This draft SPG has been produced to set out the approach Westminster City Council will take when implementing Policy STRA 7 in Part 1 of the Replacement Unitary Development Plan. It establishes the priorities for benefits and identifies the ways in which those priorities can be applied in the case of individual development proposals. The Sustainability Appraisal process and methodology employed in the formulation of this document have been informed by the ODPM’s guidance on Sustainability Appraisals. The individual draft SPG policies have been assessed for their likely impact upon a set of sustainability objectives. Each policy has also been appraised from a number of different perspectives including impact probability, cumulative impact, duration and reversibility. The SA findings will be used to inform and guide the final Supplementary Planning Guidance on Planning Obligations. This will ensure that the SPG supports and endorses the principle of sustainable development as strongly as is practicably possible. The key findings identified by this appraisal are; • The SPG is, overall, sustainable in its approach and endorses the principle

of sustainable development. It possibly has a slight bias towards social and economic objectives but this is by no means to the complete detriment to the environmental objectives.

• The Public Realm and Social Community and Culture policies are predicted to endorse and support a wide range of the sustainability policies.

• The Housing and Affordable Housing proposal in the SPG, although contributing directly to housing and benefiting other social and economic objectives, is likely to have a negative impact on a number of environmental objectives including waste, greenhouse gas emissions and air quality.

• From a cumulative perspective, the SPG is predicated to have an overall positive impact. The one area where a negative impact is predicted is the impact on waste and recycling.

• The irreversibility assessment assesses predicted impacts to identify whether a potential negative impact is rectifiable. The predicted negative impact upon climate change and greenhouse gas emissions could be irreversible. The assessment is inconclusive but is intended to highlight a potential issue for future consideration.

It should be recognised that some of the findings and potential issues are not directly under the remit of this Supplementary Planning Guidance document and would be addressed by the RUDP other spatial planning strategic actions and policy.

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2 Methodology The draft Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) for Planning Obligations has been prepared in compliance with the development planning system, which supported the formulation of the Replacement Unitary Development Plan. Sustainability Appraisals are a requirement of the new development planning system, which sets out the formulation of the Local Development Framework. This appraisal is informal because it is assessing a draft SPG and has been produced following current best practice and guidance, including; • Sustainability Appraisal of Regional Spatial Strategies and Local

Development Documents, ODPM, November 2005. • A Practical Guide to the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive,

ODPM, September 2005. • Planning Policy Statement 12 – Local Development Framework, ODPM,

2004 The appraisal techniques and approach taken in reviewing the SPG on Planning Obligations have been derived from the ODPM guidance. A matrix format has been selected to present the appraisal assumptions and results. This format has been chosen because it presents the information clearly, is simple to interpret and identify potential issues and trends. The individual policies have been assessed from a number of different perspectives including; • Probability – which identifies the likelihood of an impact and whether it is

predicted to be positive or negative. • Cumulative - (including secondary and synergistic) identifies the

combined predicted impacts of policies on the sustainability objectives. • Duration, - establishes the time scale or when a predicted impact will start

to take effect and if it is likely to change over time. • Reversibility – Whether a predicted impact can be reversed and so turn

around a negative impact. The key findings have been highlighted so that they can be used to influence the final adopted document. 3 Procedural questions encountered. As previously stated this is an informal Sustainability Appraisal completed for a draft Supplementary Planning Guidance document which is designed to support policies in the City of Westminster’s RUDP. In some cases it has not been possible to comply with all the relevant procedural requirements. Primarily these are process stages, which are designed to demonstrate and inform policy development. • It has not been possible to meet the requirement to carry out a scoping

exercise. • The Alternatives have not been assessed as the SPG has been

formulated in accordance with and to support policy STRA 7 in the RUDP.

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• A non-technical summary has not been included, as the assessment is simple to read and self-explanatory.

4 The Sustainability Objectives. Westminster City Council has developed a set of sustainability objectives for the Local Development Framework. The objectives highlight particular social, economic and environmental subject areas, which are specific issues for the City of Westminster. The Objectives presented below indicate which of the three core elements of sustainability (environment, social and economic) they support and endorse. Strategic Environmental Assessment subjects are also compared to establish how the sustainability objectives address SEA requirements. What this shows is that the sustainability objectives reflect the Strategic Environmental Assessment subject areas and so support the key objective of the Directive, which is,

to provide for a high level of protection of the environmental considerations in to the preparation and adoption of plans and programmes with a view to promoting sustainable development

Article 1 Directive 2001/42/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment (Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive) Sustainability Objectives

Env

iron.

Soc

ial

Eco

nom

ic SEA subjects

1 To protect, enhance and increase open space throughout the borough Biodiversity, Human Health, Fauna,

Flora, Landscape 2 To protect, enhance and create an

environment that benefits biodiversity Biodiversity, Human Health, Fauna, Flora, Landscape

3 to protect and enhance the architectural, archaeological and cultural heritage

Population, material assets, cultural heritage, landscape

4 To minimise waste production and increase recycling and recovery of all waste produced in Westminster

Population, Human Health, material assets

5 To reduce the need to travel, reduce the use of private vehicular transport and encourage the use of public transport, cycling and walking

Population, Human Health, air, climatic factors, material assets, cultural heritage

6 To ensure that the impact from noise is not detrimental to human health Population, Human Health, material

assets, cultural heritage 7 To reduce green house gas emission

and implement climate change adaptation

Biodiversity, Population, Human Health, water, air, climatic factors, material assets, cultural heritage, landscape

8 To minimise flood risk and promote and endorse the use of sustainable urban drainage

Biodiversity, Population, Human Health, soil, water, air, climatic factors, material assets, cultural heritage, landscape

9 To improve air quality

Population, Human Health, air, climatic factors, material assets, cultural heritage, landscape

10 To promote and encourage the use of Population, air, climatic factors,

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Renewable energy, Energy and water efficiency

material assets

11 To supply appropriate types of housing to meet affordable, intermediary, over crowding, family unit demands

Population, Human Health, material assets

12 To create sustainable cohesive communities with appropriate levels of social and community facilities

Population, Human Health, material assets, cultural heritage

13 Reduce the fear of crime and increase community safety Population, Human Health, material

assets cultural heritage 14 To promote and improve health and

well-being. Biodiversity, population, Human Health, water, air, climatic factors

15 Maintain economic diversity and increase local opportunity and sustainable economic growth

Population, material assets

16 To reduce poverty and ensure equality of opportunity for all residents Population, Human Health, material

assets 17 Improve education training and skills Population, material assets, 18 No adverse impact on residents

Biodiversity, Population, Human Health, soil, water, air, climatic factors, material assets, cultural heritage, landscape

Table 1. Sustainability objectives, key subject areas and SEA subjects incorporation To ascertain that there are no major clashes between the individual Sustainability Appraisal Objectives they have been assessed for their compatibility. The framework is presented in appendix 1 and demonstrates that the objectives are in general compatible, although there are a small number of potential clashes highlighted below; • Supply of appropriate housing objective could possible conflict with open

space, waste and recycling, air quality and greenhouse gas emissions objectives.

• Economic development objective is likely to clash with reducing green house gas emissions objective.

But these are in some ways expected when balancing the various objectives against the overall goal of achieving sustainable development. In particular the need for more housing units will increase the demands on open space and could have an adverse effect on other objective areas. But, this could be off set or reduced by changes in policy implementation and technology which is not possible to predict in this report.

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5 Policy Assessment The draft Planning Obligation SPG policies have been assessed from a number of different perspectives in accordance with ODPM guidance. This includes probability, cumulative (including secondary and synergistic effects) duration and reversibility. The findings are presented below and supporting matrices presented in the appendix. 5.1 Probability and individual policy impact Appraisal Overall the policies in the draft Planning Obligation SPG are predicted to contribute to achieving sustainable development. The individual appraisal process results are present in a matrix below in table 1. The detailed individual policy appraisal results are presented in Appendix 1, which sets out the assumptions made, and how specific potential impacts were determined. Key

+ + Likely to have a very positive impact + Likely to have a positive impact Unlikely to have an impact - Likely to have a negative impact

- - Likely to have a very negative impact I Could have a positive or negative impact depending on policy implementation.

Planing Obligations policies Sustainability Objectives (abbreviated)

Ope

n Sp

ace

Bio

dive

rsity

Arc

hite

ctur

al, a

rcha

eolo

gica

l and

cul

tura

l her

itage

Min

imis

e w

aste

, max

imis

e re

cycl

ing

Red

uce

need

to tr

avel

Noi

se

GH

G re

duct

ion

and

clim

ate

chan

ge a

dapt

atio

n

Floo

d ris

k

Air

Qua

lity

Ren

ewab

le e

nerg

y, E

nerg

y an

d w

ater

effi

cien

cy

App

ropr

iate

hou

sing

Com

mun

ity c

ohes

ion

and

soci

al fa

cilit

ies

Fear

of c

rime

Hea

lth a

nd w

ell-b

eing

Eco

nom

ic g

row

th

eco

nom

ic d

iver

sity

, loc

al o

ppor

tuni

ty,

redu

ce p

over

ty

Edu

catio

n

Impa

ct o

n re

side

nts

1. Housing and Affordable housing I I I - + I - I - I +

+ + + + I

2. Public Transport Infrastructure + + + + + + +

3. Area Transport & Environmental Management Studies + I + +

4. City Management + + + + + +

5. Education Training and Employment + + + +

+ +

6. Public Realm + + + + + + + + + +

+

7. Social Community and Culture + + + + +

+ + + + +

Table 2. Predicted individual policy impact appraisal An overview and general interpretation of the results suggest a slight bias towards social and economic objectives as a result of the individual policy implementation. The predicted impact upon environmental objectives is by no means negative but not as robust as those predicted for social and economic outcomes.

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The public realm policy has possibly the greatest positive impact on the sustainability objectives. This is distributed equally across the environmental, social and economic sectors and so endorses the principles of sustainable development. The social, community and culture policy is also predicted to have a positive impact across a high proportion of the sustainability objectives, although it is slightly more focused on social and economic rather than environmental ones. The housing and affordable housing proposal in the SPG is the one policy that is likely to have possible issues from a sustainability point of view. Although it should be recognised that this proposal is a direct response to the RUPD and Mayor’s London Plan. The policy is predicted to have a positive impact upon social and economic objectives. It is not so clear whether this policy will have a positive or negative impact upon environmental objectives. This is because the potential increase in residential unit density will further increase the pressure on the local environment. Any increase in housing is likely to have a negative impact on the waste and recycling objective, simply because more residential units will mean more municipal waste. It is also predicted to have a negative impact upon air quality and impacts on climate change. Increasing residential units will mean an increase in space heating / cooling which is likely to contribute to local air pollution levels as well as greenhouse gas emissions. Future Considerations Increases in municipal waste are inevitable if more residential units and so more people live in a specific area. This in essence is outside the remit of this particular policy and will need to be addressed in other strategic actions and this fact should possibly be highlighted. Predicted negative impacts upon air quality and climate change from this policy implementation is a result in the increase in heating / cooling and cooking. Again this is something that could be addressed by other strategic actions as well as changes in legislation, building design and technology. 5.2 Cumulative impact prediction. The over all combined impact of the Planning obligation SPG policies is predicted to be positive in supporting sustainable development. This is predominantly the case for social and economic objectives in particular community cohesion, reducing fear of crime and community safety and causing no adverse effects on current residents. The predicted cumulative impact on a relatively high proportion of environmental objectives is dependent on how policies are implemented or how predicted impacts balance out.

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Key + + Likely to have a very positive impact + Likely to have a positive impact Unlikely to have an impact - Likely to have a negative impact


SA Objectives Cumulative impact

Comment and observation

to protect, enhance and increase open space throughout the borough + Positive impact is predicted of the policies. Although only two out of the

seven likely to have a direct impact. to protect, enhance and create an environment that benefits biodiversity +

The public realm policy specifically supports this objective. The positive impact could be increased cumulatively dependant upon other policy implementation.

to protect and enhance the architectural, archaeological and cultural heritage + Positive cumulative impact is predicted. In particular this SPG is about

providing improvements to public realm. to minimise waste production and increase recycling and recovery of all waste produced in Westminster

- Cumulatively increasing as a result of more housing will create more waste that needs processing. From a cumulative point of view this is not off set by other policies in the plan hence it is likely to have a negative impact

To reduce the need to travel, reduce the use of private vehicular transport and encourage the use of public transport, cycling and walking

+

Cumulative impact of this SPG on travel and transport is likely to be positive. The majority of the policies will directly influence transport service and provision other than the car.

to ensure that the impact from noise is not detrimental to human health

I

The impact is real terms is likely to be from an increase in housing thus increasing the density and so focus impacts of noise on residents. Or the location of the housing in relation to noisy areas, particularly if mixed use development. Cumulatively this could result in a likely positive / negative impact.

to reduce green house gas emission and climate change adaptation I

Either negative / positive due to balance between public transport improvement cutting GHG emissions and increase in residential units increasing them.

to minimise flood risk and promote and endorse the use of sustainable urban drainage

I Dependant on other factors as to whether this policies in this SPD will have a negative / positive impact

to improve air quality I The cumulative impact upon air quality by this SPD could be either negative / positive because of opposite predicted impacts for a number of policies.

To promote and encourage the use of Renewable energy, Energy and water efficiency

I Dependant on the outside policy application and new housing will require water and energy the level of impact will depend on efficiency measures determined through other policies etc.

to supply appropriate types of housing to meet affordable, intermediary, over crowding, family unit demands

+ Housing is a policy area so SPG likely to have a positive impact although only one policy supports this objective hence its scoring.

to create sustainable cohesive communities with appropriate levels of social and community facilities ++

The cumulative impact of this SPD is Likely to have a very positive impact. It is designed to assist in the improvement in the provision of community facilities and which will also help in the creation of sustainable cohesive communities.

reduce the fear of crime and increase community safety ++

Specific policies target this objective and other support it. Cumulatively the SPG is likely to have a very positive impact as a result of the combined actions that would result from the implementation of the document policies.

to promote and improve health and well-being + Likely to be a positive cumulative impact from the implementation of the

SPG to ensure sustainable economic growth and prosperity + Improvements in an area will support and stimulate economic growth so the

cumulative impact is likely to be positive for this objective. To maintain economic diversity, increase local opportunity and reduce poverty + Reason and justification is the same as above

improve education training and skills + A specific policy targets this objective so cumulatively SPG deemed to likely to have a positive impact.

no adverse impact on residents ++

The provision of better community and socially facilities by the combined impact of the planning obligation policies will benefit existing residents and way lay potential negative impacts from an increase in new residents

Table 3. Cumulative appraisal of policies The reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is a good example of how the predicted cumulative impact could be either negative or positive. An increase in housing is likely to mean an increase in space heating which directly or indirectly will cause an increase in carbon emissions. This could be balanced out by public transport infrastructure, which is likely to reduce road transport and thus reducing carbon emissions. The combined impact is either neutral or it is not possible to determine the likelihood off resulting cumulative positive or negative impact. This is the same situation for the predicted position for the likely cumulative impact on air quality where two policies have opposite impacts could result in either a negative or positive out come.

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Cumulative impacts upon noise, flood risk and increasing water and energy efficiency are all very much dependant on outside influences and policy interpretation. For example, will affordable housing resulting from planning obligation policy implementation being built in areas where there is risk of flooding? Similarly increasing energy and water efficiency in resulting residential units will be determined by other policy documents and legislation. The cumulative impact assessment has predicted that waste production is the only sustainability objective that is likely to experience a negative impact. This is direct response to the potential increase in the number of housing units. Future considerations Waste and recycling will need to be addressed and is probably outside the planning obligation SPG remit. A likely increase in carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions also needs to be addressed. Possible methodology could include; • Applying and exceeding current best practise and legislation for the

design, construction and fit out of residential units to minimise overall energy consumption.

• The use of renewable energy generation to reduce the need to use brown electricity and heating methods that contribute to green house gas emissions.

• Methods to offset the green house gas emissions form residential units investigated.

It is recognised that this SPG does not directly have a remit to address climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. But every possible opportunity to assist in reducing the overall emissions should be made by all strategic actions which guides spatial land use. 5.3 Duration and reversibility The SPG policies have been appraised from a time scale perspective, which identified when the likely impacts will take place. In general it has been predicted that the potential impacts resulting from the implementation of this SPG policies will be in the medium to long term. This is because of the procedural stages that need to take place before changes are seen on the ground. In some cases the potential impact may change over time. For example, it is predicted that the impact from the housing and affordable housing policy is likely to have a positive impact upon housing supply in the medium term, which increase to very likely in the long term. Similarly the same policy is predicted to have a negative impact on air quality in the medium term, which may become positive or negative in the long term as new technology and design standards are introduced to reduce air pollutant emissions.

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Transport infrastructure policy may over time change in its impact on current residents. While works are being carried out could have a negative or positive impact, which once the work has been completed would become a positive impact in the long term. It should be noted that the impacts from this policy have been predicted to take place in the long term due to the procedural arrangements (e.g. pooling of funds from a number of development projects) and length of time for a project to be finished and have an effect on the ground. The predicted impacts have also been assessed from a reversibility perspective. This identifies likely impacts that if are allowed to happen it could be impossible to reverse the resulting harmful or damaging effects. From an impact reversibility perspective there is one issue that is off concern that this assessment has identified. As already stated the housing and affordable housing policy could contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. This could be contributing to an irreversible impact and is dependent on a wide number of other issues at a local and global level. Future considerations The fact that the potential policy impact are generally predicted to take place in the medium to long term is down to the procedural systems that are in place and is not an issue from this appraisal point of view. The one area that should be reviewed is the potential predicted impact upon climate change and greenhouse gas emissions and the fact that it could be irreversible. Admittedly factors surrounding climate change impact are not definitive outcomes, hence the non-conclusive determination in the irreversibility appraisal. 6 Monitoring Monitoring is required to identify impacts from policy implementation so that remedial action to mitigate negative impacts can be put into action. The SEA Directive states in Article 10 that,

Member States shall monitor the significant environmental effects of the implementation of plans and programmes in order, inter alia, to identify at an early stage unforeseen adverse effects, and to be able to undertake appropriate remedial action.

It goes on to state that, existing monitoring arrangements may be used if appropriate, with a view to avoiding duplication of monitoring.

This report has highlighted the potential positive and negative impacts predicted as a result of the implementation of the Planing Obligations SPG. There are also a number of polices where it has not been possible to predict whether it is likely to be a positive or negative impact. Thus monitoring these

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areas will highlight quickly if a negative impact is starting to materialise and allow corrective action to be taken. Predicted impacts that are negative are set out below in table 4. Also set out in this table are impact predictions which could be positive or negative depending upon policy implementation. The Annual Monitoring Report is a process that has been formulated in response to the new planning system and is where much of the monitoring information identified below is already gathered and presented. Issue arising from reversibility of predicted negative impact Policy Potential negative impact Monitoring arrangement. Housing and affordable housing

GHG reduction and climate change adaptation

AMR

Issues arising from individual policy assessment where negative impact is predicted Policy Potential negative impact Monitoring arrangement. Housing and affordable housing

Minimising waste, maximising recycling

AMR

GHG reduction and climate change adaptation

AMR

Air Quality Environmental Health / ERG Issues arising form individual policy assessment where impact is not conclusive Policy Impact not determined Monitoring arrangement. Housing and affordable housing

Open Space AMR

Biodiversity AMR Architectural, archaeological,

cultural heritage

Noise Flood Risk AMR Renewable energy, energy

and water efficiency AMR

Impact upon residents To be confirmed Area transport and Environmental Management studies

Reduce need to travel Transport for London

Air quality Environmental Health / ERG Community Cohesion and

social facilities To be confirmed

Impact upon residents To be confirmed Issues arising from cumulative impact appraisal

Impact not determined Monitoring arrangement. Minimising waste, maximising recycling

Monitoring arrangement.

Noise Environmental Health GHG reduction and climate change adaptation

AMR

Flood risk AMR Air quality Environmental Health / ERG

Table 4. Identified Monitoring requirements

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7 Conclusion The draft Supplementary Planning Guidance for Planning Obligations is sustainable and does support the principle of sustainable development. It sets out proposals that will result in improvements to all facets of sustainability with perhaps a slight bias towards social and economic objectives rather the environmental ones. Identified predicted issues are; • The Housing and Affordable Housing policy is predicted to cause negative

impact upon waste and recycling, climate change and air quality. • From a cumulative point waste and recycling is predicted to be negative. • Issues identified are the possible irreversible negative impact upon

greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. But it should be recognised that these predictions will be affected by other policies, legislation and technology as well as social and political influences, all of which are outside of remit of this particular SPG.

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Appendices Appendix 1 Sustainable Framework Assessment. 2 3

4 O O O 5 O O 6 O O

7 O

8 O O O

9 O O O

10 O O O O

11 X O O X O X O X

12 O

13 O O O O O O O O

14 O O O 15 O O O O X 16 O O O O O O O O O 17 O O O O O O O O O O 18 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Key

Compatible Objective X Possible Conflict O No link/ neutral impact

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Appendix 2 Individual policy Appraisal Predicted Likely Impacts and Comments. Key + + Likely to have a very positive impact + Likely to have a positive impact Unlikely to have an impact - Likely to have a negative impact


Policy 1 Housing and Affordable housing sustainability objectives Predicted

impact Comments and assumptions

to protect, enhance and increase open space throughout the borough I Depending on policy implementation could have a positive / negative impact upon open space. More housing would increase pressures upon this important social facility.

to protect, enhance and create an environment that benefits biodiversity I Impact depends on how this is completed could have a negative / positive impact. Biodiversity may not be seen as a key issue or cost may influence a reduction in biodiversity provision. Equally this could go in an opposite direction

to protect and enhance the architectural, archaeological and cultural heritage I Again very much dependant upon implementation and so could be negative / positive impact. This would also be a subjective opinion. to minimise waste production and increase recycling and recovery of all waste produced in Westminster - Any increase in housing is going to increase waste production. An assumption has been made that this increase will not be 100% recycled thus

resulting in a net increase. to reduce the need to travel, reduce the use of private vehicular transport and encourage the use of public transport, cycling and walking + The majority of the borough has good public transport access. Assume that housing resulting from this policy will allow the use of public transport

and reduce the need to use a car. to ensure that the impact from noise is not detrimental to human health I More housing quiet possible mixed-use developments could have a detrimental impact upon noise. to reduce green house gas emission and climate change adaptation - More housing will require more energy and assume this will increase green house gas emissions. to minimise flood risk and promote and endorse the use of sustainable urban drainage I It is not possible to determine if there is likely to be a positive / negative impact. to improve air quality - More residential units will require space heating and transport use, which will impact upon air pollution levels. Renewable energy, Energy and water efficiency I Depends on policy implementation and how these issues are dealt with for housing development in the borough to supply appropriate types of housing to meet affordable, intermediary, over crowding, family unit demands ++ This is a policy to provide housing and affordable housing therefore deemed likely to have a very positive impact on the supply of housing.

to create sustainable cohesive communities with appropriate levels of social and community facilities + Increase in housing will help in creating and maintaining communities

reduce the fear of crime and increase community safety to promote and improve health and well-being

to ensure sustainable economic growth and prosperity + Increasing the supply of housing will increase the potential workforce living close to employment opportunities. More residents will also increase demand for services etc.

maintain economic diversity, increase local opportunity and reduce poverty + Again increasing the number of homes increase the potential workforce which in turn increase access to local opportunities, this in turn will assist in poverty reduction in the borough.

improve education training and skills no adverse impact on residents I Increase in housing could negatively impact upon current residents by increasing pressures on community and social facilities, resulting in

worsening services.

Policy 2 Public Transport Infrastructure sustainability objectives Predicted


to protect, enhance and increase open space throughout the borough to protect, enhance and create an environment that benefits biodiversity to protect and enhance the architectural, archaeological and cultural heritage to minimise waste production and increase recycling and recovery of all waste produced in Westminster

to reduce the need to travel, reduce the use of private vehicular transport and encourage the use + Any improvement in public transport is going to help attract more people away from private car use.

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of public transport, cycling and walking to ensure that the impact from noise is not detrimental to human health to reduce green house gas emission and climate change adaptation + Any reduction road transport through improved public transport will contribute to reducing carbon emissions to minimise flood risk and promote and endorse the use of sustainable urban drainage to improve air quality + Any reduction in road trips will assist with improving air quality Renewable energy, Energy and water efficiency to supply appropriate types of housing to meet affordable, intermediary, over crowding, family unit demands

to create sustainable cohesive communities with appropriate levels of social and community facilities + Better public transport will assist in inclusive and more sustainable communities

reduce the fear of crime and increase community safety to promote and improve health and well-being to ensure sustainable economic growth and prosperity + Improving transport can only encourage economic activity and growth. maintain economic diversity, increase local opportunity and reduce poverty + Better transport increase access to job opportunities improve education training and skills no adverse impact on residents + Improving transport will benefit residents

Policy 3 Area transport and Environmental Management Studies and works sustainability objectives Predicted



to reduce the need to travel, reduce the use of private vehicular transport and encourage the use of public transport, cycling and walking +

Studies identify issues and suggest mitigation. Targets parking allocation and so could encourage car ownership and use. Although it also identifies pedestrian safety and protection of residents and community safety which may off set and possible negative impacts. Also assume that overall this policy will deliver positive changes on the ground.

to ensure that the impact from noise is not detrimental to human health to reduce green house gas emission and climate change adaptation to minimise flood risk and promote and endorse the use of sustainable urban drainage

to improve air quality I Policy identifies mitigation measures, which includes parking. The supply of parking actively encourages car ownership, which in turn increase the likelihood of a journey being made by car and thus contributing to air pollution. The policy also looks at community and pedestrian needs, which could reduce the use of a car and so assist in reducing air pollution.

Renewable energy, Energy and water efficiency to supply appropriate types of housing to meet affordable, intermediary, over crowding, family unit demands

to create sustainable cohesive communities with appropriate levels of social and community facilities + Specifically references pedestrian and communities therefore likely to have a positive impact as a result of transport studies influencing changes on

the ground. reduce the fear of crime and increase community safety to promote and improve health and well-being to ensure sustainable economic growth and prosperity maintain economic diversity, increase local opportunity and reduce poverty improve education training and skills no adverse impact on residents + Predicted positive impact upon residents as aims to improve local transport facilities which impact upon local community

Policy 4 City Management sustainability objectives Predicted


to protect, enhance and increase open space throughout the borough to protect, enhance and create an environment that benefits biodiversity to protect and enhance the architectural, archaeological and cultural heritage + Policy is designed to improve safe, clean, secure central areas. Thus will assist in protecting the architectural, archaeological and cultural heritage to minimise waste production and increase recycling and recovery of all waste produced in Westminster

to reduce the need to travel, reduce the use of private vehicular transport and encourage the use

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of public transport, cycling and walking to ensure that the impact from noise is not detrimental to human health to reduce green house gas emission and climate change adaptation to minimise flood risk and promote and endorse the use of sustainable urban drainage to improve air quality Renewable energy, Energy and water efficiency to supply appropriate types of housing to meet affordable, intermediary, over crowding, family unit demands

to create sustainable cohesive communities with appropriate levels of social and community facilities + Any improvements to the public realm will assist in creating cohesive communities

reduce the fear of crime and increase community safety ++ Policy targets security and safety, which will contribute to preventing and reducing the fear of crime. to promote and improve health and well-being to ensure sustainable economic growth and prosperity + Improved safety and security measures will encourage economic activity and growth maintain economic diversity, increase local opportunity and reduce poverty improve education training and skills no adverse impact on residents + Increase safety and security measure will have a positive impact upon current residents.

Policy 5 Education Training and Employment sustainability objectives Predicted



to reduce the need to travel, reduce the use of private vehicular transport and encourage the use of public transport, cycling and walking + Increasing local training and education opportunities reduces the need to travel for local residents to find these service and facilities

to ensure that the impact from noise is not detrimental to human health to reduce green house gas emission and climate change adaptation to minimise flood risk and promote and endorse the use of sustainable urban drainage to improve air quality Renewable energy, Energy and water efficiency to supply appropriate types of housing to meet affordable, intermediary, over crowding, family unit demands

to create sustainable cohesive communities with appropriate levels of social and community facilities

reduce the fear of crime and increase community safety to promote and improve health and well-being to ensure sustainable economic growth and prosperity + Better educated workforce is positive for economic growth maintain economic diversity, increase local opportunity and reduce poverty + Increase local education opportunities will in turn help increase local opportunities and assist in over all poverty improve education training and skills ++ As this policy specifically meets this sustainability objective no adverse impact on residents + Again increase opportunity for current residents.

Policy 6 Public Realm sustainability objectives Predicted


to protect, enhance and increase open space throughout the borough ++ Specifically designed to improve open space provision to protect, enhance and create an environment that benefits biodiversity + Policy implementation will assist in biodiversity measures. to protect and enhance the architectural, archaeological and cultural heritage + Public realm also included improvements to architectural, archaeological and cultural heritage. So this policy is likely to have a positive impact. to minimise waste production and increase recycling and recovery of all waste produced in Westminster

to reduce the need to travel, reduce the use of private vehicular transport and encourage the use of public transport, cycling and walking + Improvements in access to facilities will assist in reducing transport trips, including the use of the car.

to ensure that the impact from noise is not detrimental to human health to reduce green house gas emission and climate change adaptation

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to minimise flood risk and promote and endorse the use of sustainable urban drainage to improve air quality Renewable energy, Energy and water efficiency to supply appropriate types of housing to meet affordable, intermediary, over crowding, family unit demands

to create sustainable cohesive communities with appropriate levels of social and community facilities + Will assist in improving the provision of social and community facilities

reduce the fear of crime and increase community safety to promote and improve health and well-being to ensure sustainable economic growth and prosperity + Improvements to public realm will encourage and attract commerce and people, thus contributing to a sustainable economy maintain economic diversity, increase local opportunity and reduce poverty + Improvements to public realm will also encourage economic diversity and increase local opportunity. improve education training and skills no adverse impact on residents ++ Existing residents can only benefit from the implementation of this policy.

Policy 7 Social Community and Culture Sustainability objectives Predicted

impact Comments and assumptions to protect, enhance and increase open space throughout the borough to protect, enhance and create an environment that benefits biodiversity to protect and enhance the architectural, archaeological and cultural heritage + This policy is designed to facilitate the improvements in cultural facilities. It will have a positive impact upon this objective to minimise waste production and increase recycling and recovery of all waste produced in Westminster

to reduce the need to travel, reduce the use of private vehicular transport and encourage the use of public transport, cycling and walking + By increasing the provision of social and cultural facilities the need to travel will be reduced.

to ensure that the impact from noise is not detrimental to human health to reduce green house gas emission and climate change adaptation to minimise flood risk and promote and endorse the use of sustainable urban drainage to improve air quality Renewable energy, Energy and water efficiency to supply appropriate types of housing to meet affordable, intermediary, over crowding, family unit demands

to create sustainable cohesive communities with appropriate levels of social and community facilities ++ Designed to specifically do this so likely to have a very positive impact.

reduce the fear of crime and increase community safety to promote and improve health and well-being ++ Specifically pays reference to provision of health and welfare facilities to ensure sustainable economic growth and prosperity maintain economic diversity, increase local opportunity and reduce poverty + Improving community and cultural facilities make an area more attractive to residents and commerce. So likely to have a positive impact improve education training and skills + The community facilities will help in assisting with this objective no adverse impact on residents ++ Better facilities will greatly benefit residents

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Appendix 3 Time Scale and Reversibility of the Protection and Provision of Housing Policies Policy 1 Housing and Affordable Housing

Time scale of predicted impact SA Objectives Predicted impact Short term Medium

Term Long Term

Is impact reversible Y /

N

Comments or Assumptions

to protect, enhance and increase open space throughout the borough I Y to protect, enhance and create an environment that benefits biodiversity I Y

to protect and enhance the architectural, archaeological and cultural heritage I Y

to minimise waste production and increase recycling and recovery of all waste produced in Westminster - - I Y In the medium term predict a negative impact but as outside policy etc. and facilities improve this impact could

change to positive /negative to reduce the need to travel, reduce the use of private vehicular transport and encourage the use of public transport, cycling and walking

+ + Y Long term because projects take so long to finish thus likely positive impact is delayed

to ensure that the impact from noise is not detrimental to human health I Y

to reduce green house gas emission and climate change adaptation - - I Y/N

Medium term likely to be a negative impact but as policies, technology and legislation changes this could be reversed and so in the long term could still be negative or become positive. Reversibility - could be no because of the impact upon climate changing which could be irreversible, dependant on many local and global issues

to minimise flood risk and promote and endorse the use of sustainable urban drainage I I Y

to improve air quality - - I Y More housing needs space heating / cooling adds to air pollution. In long term changes in policy, new technology could change this to a likely positive / or negative.

Renewable energy, Energy and water efficiency I I I Y to supply appropriate types of housing to meet affordable, intermediary, over crowding, family unit demands ++ + ++ Y

This policy is about meeting this objective. Takes time to build and proved appropriate housing which is why in the medium term it is likely to have a positive impact and in the long term deemed very likely to have a positive impact.

to create sustainable cohesive communities with appropriate levels of social and community facilities + + Y

reduce the fear of crime and increase community safety to promote and improve health and well-being to ensure sustainable economic growth and prosperity + + Y maintain economic diversity, increase local opportunity and reduce poverty + + Y

improve education training and skills no adverse impact on residents I I I y More housing could increase pressures on social and community facilities, which could have a negative impact

upon residents. More facilities could be provided so that this is not an issue so having a positive impact.

Policy 2 Public Transport Infrastructure


Term Long Term

Is impact reversible


to protect, enhance and increase open space throughout the borough to protect, enhance and create an environment that benefits biodiversity

to protect and enhance the architectural, archaeological and cultural heritage

to minimise waste production and increase recycling and recovery of all waste produced in Westminster

to reduce the need to travel, reduce the use of private vehicular transport and encourage the use of public transport, cycling and walking

+ + Y The fact that funding from individual projects will be pooled will mean that resulting projects will have a likely positive impact in the long term.

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to reduce green house gas emission and climate change adaptation + + to minimise flood risk and promote and endorse the use of sustainable urban drainage

to improve air quality + + Y Any transport infrastructure projects are likely to come into being in the long term therefore likely positive impacts on air quality from the policy also deemed to be in the long term


to create sustainable cohesive communities with appropriate levels of social and community facilities + + Y Long term for previously mentioned reasons. Better transport can only help join up communities and offers

increased access to social and community facilities. reduce the fear of crime and increase community safety to promote and improve health and well-being to ensure sustainable economic growth and prosperity + + Y Improved transport infrastructure increase access and opportunities maintain economic diversity, increase local opportunity and reduce poverty + + Y Improved transport infrastructure increase access and opportunities

improve education training and skills no adverse impact on residents

+ I + Y Medium term transport infrastructure could have a negative impact on current residents or while work is being carried out could equally impact negatively on residents. In long term once new infrastructure is finished then likely to have a positive impact.

Policy 3 Area Transport and Environmental Management Studies and Works


Term Long Term







+ I + Y Assume any study would be carried out in the short term so that information can be used to inform other policy areas, impact could be positive / negative. Changes on the ground predicted to have a positive impact in the medium term.


to reduce green house gas emission and climate change adaptation to minimise flood risk and promote and endorse the use of sustainable urban drainage

to improve air quality I I I Y Specifically reference parking. Not a positive indication that these studies will reduce parking allocation therefore not have a positive impact upon air quality


to create sustainable cohesive communities with appropriate levels of social and community facilities + I + Y Is a study which makes recommendations does not specifically deliver positive change although will inform other

policy areas, so could have an indirect positive impact in the medium term. reduce the fear of crime and increase community safety to promote and improve health and well-being to ensure sustainable economic growth and prosperity maintain economic diversity, increase local opportunity and reduce poverty

improve education training and skills no adverse impact on residents + I + Y Is a study which makes recommendations does not specifically deliver positive change although will inform other

policy areas, so could have an indirect positive impact in the medium term.

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Policy 4 City Management Time scale of predicted impact SA Objectives Predicted

impact Short term Medium Term

Long Term Is impact reversible



to protect and enhance the architectural, archaeological and cultural heritage + + Y

This policy specifically mentions improving cleansing services, which will assist in the enhancement of the architectural, archaeological and cultural heritage. Assume that planning obligation would not be immediate and would take sometime to actually make changes on the ground.





to improve air quality Renewable energy, Energy and water efficiency to supply appropriate types of housing to meet affordable, intermediary, over crowding, family unit demands

to create sustainable cohesive communities with appropriate levels of social and community facilities + + Y

reduce the fear of crime and increase community safety ++ ++ Y Policy focuses on this objective thus likely to have a very positive impact and again funding would need to be collected before making a difference thus assumed to be a medium term impact.

to promote and improve health and well-being to ensure sustainable economic growth and prosperity + + Y Cleaner and safer streets will assist in meeting this objective. Again due to funding collection and allocation is

deemed a medium term likely positive impact maintain economic diversity, increase local opportunity and reduce poverty

improve education training and skills no adverse impact on residents + + Y As above assumptions.

Policy 5 Education, training and Employment


Term Long Term







+ + Y Improves local education and training provision. Not immediate thus assumed to have a likely positive impact in the medium term



to improve air quality Renewable energy, Energy and water efficiency to supply appropriate types of housing to meet affordable,

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intermediary, over crowding, family unit demands to create sustainable cohesive communities with appropriate levels of social and community facilities

reduce the fear of crime and increase community safety to promote and improve health and well-being to ensure sustainable economic growth and prosperity + + Y Better-educated residents have wider employment opportunities. Need to do the training etc. so predicted to have

likely positive impact in the long term. maintain economic diversity, increase local opportunity and reduce poverty + + Y Better-educated residents have wider employment opportunities. Need to do the training etc. so predicted to have

likely positive impact in the long term. improve education training and skills ++ + ++ Y Take time for full impact there fore likely positive impact in the medium term and very likely in the long term no adverse impact on residents + + Y Increase in education opportunities for residents.

Policy 6 Public Realm


Term Long Term



to protect, enhance and increase open space throughout the borough ++ ++ Y

Long term impact as previously mentioned due to time taken to gather planning obligation then agreeing the projects / work to be carried out, then needs to implemented and finished before benefits actually experienced by residents and the community as a whole.

to protect, enhance and create an environment that benefits biodiversity + + Y As above

to protect and enhance the architectural, archaeological and cultural heritage + + Y Again see above comments.



+ + Y Take long term to implement and make have a likely positive impact.




to create sustainable cohesive communities with appropriate levels of social and community facilities + + Y Take long term to implement and make have a likely positive impact.

reduce the fear of crime and increase community safety to promote and improve health and well-being + + Y Take long term to implement and make have a likely positive impact. to ensure sustainable economic growth and prosperity + + Y Take long term to implement and make have a likely positive impact. maintain economic diversity, increase local opportunity and reduce poverty + + Y Take long term to implement and make have a likely positive impact.

improve education training and skills no adverse impact on residents ++ ++ y Long term impact due to time to implement any changes so long term benefits experienced by residents

Policy 7 Social Community and Culture Time scale of predicted impact SA Objectives Predicted

impact Short term Medium Term

Long Term Is impact reversible



to protect and enhance the architectural, archaeological and cultural heritage + + Y Due to the time lag in fund collection and the partnership working required to deliver projects assume really

benefits will take the long term to come into effect.

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+ + Y As above.




to create sustainable cohesive communities with appropriate levels of social and community facilities ++ ++ Y As above but once implemented likely to have very positive impact

reduce the fear of crime and increase community safety to promote and improve health and well-being ++ ++ Y As above but once implemented likely to have very positive impact to ensure sustainable economic growth and prosperity maintain economic diversity, increase local opportunity and reduce poverty + + Y Improving over all facilities will assist in meeting this objective but the time lag is assumed will mean not see

benefits until the long term. improve education training and skills + + Y Improving over all facilities will assist in meeting this objective but the time lag is assumed will mean not see

benefits until the long term. no adverse impact on residents ++ ++ As above but once implemented likely to have very positive impact

Informal Sustainability Appraisal of the draft...

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