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Part 2 Policies and proposals

Introduction

1.1 Widespread consultation on the Preferred Options Report showed that the majority of respondents supported most of the proposals contained in the Preferred Options (which were based on Options 3 - Substantial Change and Option 4 - Major Change of the Issues and Options Report). This approach was also supported by key consultees and funding partners as it allowed the opportunity to achieve the vision for the area within the principles of national, regional and City-wide planning policy and guidance.

1.2 The policies and proposals set out in this plan provide a framework to deliver major change in the area, as well as take account of the representations received during the consultation process. The key landuse and movement proposals are illustrated on the following plans:

• Proposals Map.
• Movement Plan.
• Open Space Strategy.
• Flood Risk.

Sustainable development and quality places

2.1 Birmingham's Sustainable Community Strategy: Birmingham 2026 sets out a high-level vision for Birmingham that is defined around key five outcomes. These are to enable Birmingham's people to:

• Succeed economically.
• Stay safe in a clean, green city.
• Be healthy.
• Enjoy a high quality of life.
• Make a contribution.

2.2 Sustainable development is the over-arching principle to achieving these outcomes and is embedded in national planning policy, the Birmingham Core Strategy Consultation Draft and in this Plan.

Sustainable development
2.3 Sustainable development is about meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (Brundtland 1987). It's about ensuring the design, construction, use and management of buildings, environments and supporting infrastructure are built to last and maintain environmental resources.

2.4 Action to mitigate and adapt to climate change is a key objective of the Birmingham Core Strategy Consultation Draft, which is underpinned by the draft Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan (2011) being prepared by the City Council which identifies the impact of the Urban Heat Island effect upon the City Centre and adjoining areas in the Plan area. The City Council is committed to a 60% reduction in carbon dioxide (CO²) emissions produced in the City by 2026 based on 1990 figures. Actions to help achieve this target will include:

• Requiring new developments to reduce CO2 emissions (Birmingham Core Strategy Consultation Draft Policy SP5).
• Promoting the use of low carbon energy sources (Birmingham Core Strategy Consultation Draft Policy SP8).
• Encouraging the use of waste as a resource (Birmingham Core Strategy Consultation Draft Policy SP42).
• Promoting sustainable transport systems (Birmingham Core Strategy Consultation Draft Policy SP35).
• Supporting the development of new low carbon technologies (Birmingham Core Strategy Consultation Draft Policy SP9).

Reducing energy consumption and adapting to climate change
2.5 Ensuring that new buildings in the AAP meet high standards of sustainable design and construction will help reduce the City's carbon footprint. Buildings account for a high proportion of the City's CO² emissions. All non-residential development should aim to achieve BREEAM (Building and Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) Very Good or Excellent Standard and should demonstrate how it accords with the standard through a Design and Access Statement accompanying a planning application.

2.6 In order to reduce CO² emissions there is a need to move towards lower carbon forms of energy production. The use of natural renewable energy such as geothermal energy and solar panels is encouraged. There is also significant potential for Combined Heat and Power (CHP) as part of District Heating Schemes. This is being implemented in North East Newtown. A network of CHP serving the proposed Aston Regional Investment Site, the Hub and Perry Barr/Birchfield Centre should also be explored.

2.7 The City will also need to assess the risk from climate change impacts, specifically those posed by the urban heat island effect and extreme weather events and use appropriate measures to adapt accordingly. An approach is outlined in the draft Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan (2011) being prepared by the City Council. This underpins the actions in the Birmingham Core Strategy Consultation Draft Policy SP6; Adapting to Climate Change.

Waste
2.8 The City Council as a Waste Planning Authority (WPA) is required by Government to monitor and manage the City's waste in a sustainable way. Waste must be viewed as a resource and its disposal the least sustainable and desirable option for the management of waste (in order of desirability - waste prevention, re-use, recycling/composting and energy recovery is preferred). The City's waste management strategy is set out in Policy SP42 of the Core Strategy Consultation Draft.

Design quality
2.9 Good design means creating places that work well, are built to last and are pleasing to the eye. Good design and place-making are central to this Plan as well-designed buildings, neighbourhoods, public spaces and streets contribute to a better quality of life, improve social cohesion and enhance economic prosperity by attracting investment into the area.

2.10 The design principles within the Plan are supported by Core Strategy Consultation Draft Policy SP48 and by Supplementary Planning Guidance 'Places for All' and 'Places for Living.' Development will be expected to have a clear focus on placemaking and achieve a high quality of design in layout, materials and relationship with its context. Poor quality design will not be accepted.

2.11 Design and Access Statements should explain how the principles of good urban, architectural and landscape design have informed proposed development layout, orientation, scale, massing, landscape and architecture.

2.12 New development will be encouraged to meet the following standards:

• Building for Life Gold or Silver (for residential development).
• Code for Sustainable Homes at least Level 3 (or any future national equivalent) from the adoption of this Plan, at least Code Level 4 from 2013 and Code Level 6 from 2016.
• BREEAM standard "very good" (or any future national equivalent) from the adoption of this Plan and from 2013 BREEAM standard excellent (non-residential buildings).
• Secure By Design (all development).
• Lifetime Homes (residential).
• Manual for Streets 1 and 2 (street design principles).

Historic environment
2.13 Within Aston, Newtown and Lozells there is a rich tapestry of historic buildings, environments and archaeological sites pointing to the importance of the area as a centre of early industrial activity. Development should respect the value of existing built environment assets and local heritage. These are important contributors to local character and have significant economic, social, cultural and townscape benefits.

2.14 There are two Conservation Areas within the AAP - Aston Hall and Church Conservation Area and Lozells and Soho Hill Conservation Area. A draft Conservation Area Character Appraisal and Management Plan has been prepared for Lozells and Soho Hill Conservation Area that recommends changes to the Conservation Area boundary, policies to protect the existing historic environment and design principles for new development. The Character Appraisal and Management Plan will be adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document. Informal Design Guidance has also been produced for the wider South Lozells area to advise home owners and developers about how to make changes to buildings or carry out new development while protecting local character.

2.15 Aston Hall and Park have benefitted from recent investment providing restored stables, a new garden, new sports pitches, children's play area, sports pavilion and the excavation and display of archaeological remains of the North Range and Icehouse. The Council will support the development of a Character Appraisal and Management Plan for the Conservation Area when funding becomes available.

2.16 The historic environment is a non-renewable resource and therefore protection of it will contribute towards sustainable development, for example, through the retention and re-use of historic buildings and structures. Any development proposals within Conservation Areas or affecting listed buildings or buildings and areas of historic and archaeological value will be required to preserve and enhance their character and appearance in accordance with the UDP and Core Strategy Consultation Draft. The design of new development should be of high quality, taking into consideration its historical context, building materials, massing, and views. Buildings of historic value should be retained and re-used unless there are over-riding reasons why this is not viable.

2.17 Within the Plan area there are in the region of 50 statutory listed buildings and around 100 sites listed on the Council's Archaeological Sites and Monuments Record. All archaeological sites are a material consideration in the planning process. Where proposed developments are likely to affect archaeological remains, an assessment of their impact will be required, including an archaeological evaluation. Depending on the results of the assessment, any new development may need to be designed so as to ensure the archaeological remains are preserved in situ.

2.18 The environment of the River Tame, Tame Valley Canal and Birmingham and Fazeley Canal corridors also consist of a wide range of archaeological remains and historic buildings. All development proposed within or adjoining river and canal corridors and their tributaries must ensure that archaeological remains, historic buildings and historic landscapes are preserved and protected.

Natural environment
The area contains a variety of open spaces, parks, allotments and playing fields - many of which are linked by water courses and canals. The importance of safeguarding and enhancing the natural environment is recognised. Development should comply with policies set out in the adopted UDP, Consultation Draft Core Strategy Policy SP11 (Green Infrastructure Network), Policy SP49 (Biodiversity and Geological Conservation) and Policy OS10 of this AAP.

Green infrastructure
The City has a wide network of green spaces and other environmental features which provide leisure and environmental benefits to its local residents. Green infrastructure includes established green spaces and new sites and their connection with the surrounding built environment and wider rural area. A city-wide Green Infrastructure Strategy is currently being prepared. Development should maintain and enhance the integrity of the green infrastructure network, as set out in Policy SP11 of the Core Strategy Consultation Draft.

Protecting heritage

A successful economy

3.1 Policies in this plan seek to stimulate new economic activity, create employment opportunities and support business growth in order to provide a sustainable, diverse and competitive economy. Key to this is ensuring that a portfolio of development opportunities are available, including sites suitable for the promotion of new research and development-based industries, offices and retail development.

Employment and skills
3.2 Worklessness in the AAP area is persistently high with significant numbers of people experiencing long-term unemployment. Nearly half the adult population in Aston, Newtown and Lozells lack any form of recognised educational qualifications (Census 2001). The creation of new jobs in the area will therefore be supported by initiatives to help link local people to jobs.

Aston Regional Investment Site

Overview

3.3 This plan proposes a 20 hectare Regional Investment Site (RIS) on land in Aston Hall Road, Queens Road, and Grosvenor Road adjacent to the A38. The RIS will be a high quality development attractive to international, national and regional investors. It will contribute to the portfolio of employment opportunities in the City and the Region to support the diversification of the regional and local economies. It plays an essential part in delivering the strategic vision for the area by helping to create new jobs and a more flexible and competitive economy.

3.4 RIS have been a long-standing part of the portfolio of employment sites supported and delivered in the City and Region. The Aston RIS is supported in Birmingham's Core Strategy Consultation Draft.

3.5 The RIS proposed in this plan is highly accessible by the motorway (M6) and trunk road network (A38) and well-served by public transport (both rail and bus). It is located in an area of great need in terms of economic and social regeneration where unemployment is double the city average. It is estimated that the RIS will create approximately 3,000 new jobs.

3.6 The proposed site occupies a strategic and prominent location within the City immediately adjacent to Salford Lake, Spaghetti Junction and the Aston Expressway, providing a unique and exciting urban setting for realising the RIS concept.

Land Uses

3.7 The proposed site is approximately 20 hectares (gross) and currently comprises a mix of uses including industrial, small scale retail, leisure, community and residential uses. It also incorporates a large piece of vacant land on the former Holte and Priory housing estate and the Serpentine site which includes a sports hall and is used for match day parking for Aston Villa Football Club.

3.8 The RIS will provide a range of employment opportunities including manufacturing activities, research and development facilities, headquarter offices and other supporting uses as detailed in Policy R1 below.

Movement and Access

3.9 High quality pedestrian, cycling and public transport facilities alongside localised improvements to road infrastructure is required from the outset to ensure that these areas do not establish unsustainable travel patterns. The transport proposals and policies in relation to the RIS are set out in Policies T2 to T6 in Section 6 Integrated and Sustainable Transport.

Environment, Open Space and Landscape

3.10 A small part of the proposed RIS falls within the Aston Hall and Church Conservation Area. The site also covers part of the medieval village of Aston, Holte Almshouses, the former course of the River Tame, and a medieval moated site at Electric Avenue.

3.11 The site is bounded by Salford Lake and Park and the River Tame Wildlife Corridor and SLINC to the north which are important environmental assets. The eastern part of the site lies within designated flood risk Zones 2 and 3 (Environment Agency). Development of the RIS should include the enhancement of the surrounding green networks and infrastructure.

Design and Sustainability

3.12 There is a unique opportunity to create a high-density gateway development at this strategic location within the City. The design and layout of the RIS will be of the highest quality following the principles set out in the 'Places for All' SPG.

3.13 All development shall comply with the sustainability requirements detailed in Policies SD1-SD3 of this document. The Council will encourage the use of green technologies on the RIS development.

Implementation and Delivery

3.14 A comprehensive and coordinated approach is required to deliver the RIS and to ensure a high quality integrated development and the timely delivery of social, environmental, economic and physical infrastructure improvements.

3.15 To deliver the RIS, a more detailed level of strategic design is required before development can commence. A Development Framework will be prepared by the City Council which will provide:

• Concept plan and design code.
• Framework Travel Plan.
• Detailed phasing and delivery strategy.
• Street hierarchy plan and design of key highways infrastructure.
• Public transport strategy.
• Landscape strategy.
• Flood risk assessment and drainage strategy.

3.16 The Development Framework for the RIS will be used to inform outline planning applications for the site and their associated Section 106 Agreements that will tie the planning contributions to specific phases of development.

Phasing

3.17 The fragmented ownership of the RIS means that there are challenging issues to resolve. However, a significant advantage is that sites within the early phases have been acquired by Advantage West Midlands for RIS development and are readily available sites that can be developed in the short term. A phasing plan has been formulated based on this 'early win' potential (see RIS Phasing Plan opposite) and Table 1 indicates the phasing components of the RIS.

TABLE 1 RIS Phasing

FIGURE 3 RIS Phasing Plan

Planning Obligations

3.18 The Council's general approach to planning obligations is set out in the UDP 2005 and the Core Strategy Consultation Draft. Major investment is required to create a high quality development and to ensure that it enhances the surrounding environment and provides any necessary infrastructure. The City Council will, therefore, seek to enter into legal agreements with developers under Section 106 agreements in accordance with the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended); Circular 05/2005 and related agreements under Section 278 of the Highways Act 1980 or any provision equivalent to this legislation in any statutory instrument revoking or re-enacting the Act/Circular.

3.19 The Development Framework for the RIS will be used to inform the outline planning application and associated Section 106 agreement that will tie planning contributions to specific phases of development.

Gravelly Hill Interchange (Spaghetti Junction)

3.20 Gravelly Hill Interchange, better known as Spaghetti Junction, lies immediately northeast of the proposed RIS. It connects the M6 southbound - leading to the M1 and M42, the M6 northbound - leading to the M5, the A38 Aston Expressway, and several other local roads. The elevated motorway also straddles two railway lines, three canals, and two rivers. It is a nationally recognised structure and an iconic gateway into Birmingham City Centre. This key gateway can be maximised by imaginative environmental enhancements as well as working with the surrounding community to look at better utilising the space underneath the structure. As sections of underground high power cables pass through this area, no permanent structures are to be built over or near the cables and safe unrestricted access must be maintained at all times.

Gravelly Hill Interchange (Spaghetti Junction)

Core employment areas
3.21 The areas of Aston, Newtown and Lozells have a strong industrial heritage which remains evident to this day. However, like many parts of the City, manufacturing has been in decline for the last few decades and this has affected the area's economic prosperity. It is therefore important that industry is maintained and modernised as advocated in the Core Strategy Consultation Draft.

3.22 Consistent with the Birmingham Core Strategy Consultation Draft, the Plan identifies Core Employment Areas which will be retained in employment use. Parts of the following Core Employment Areas fall within the Plan:

• The Hub.
• Witton.
• Aston Regional Investment Site.
• Aston Cross.
• Windsor Industrial Estate.
• Philips Street Area.

Industrial Regeneration Areas
3.23 The majority of the above Core Employment Areas (with the exception of the RIS) have been recently developed. Within these, there are two areas where industrial properties are older, out-dated and require investment. These have been identified in this AAP as Industrial Regeneration Areas in Newtown Row and Tame Road. These employment areas provide a range of accommodation for various industrial activities and are an important source of local jobs. Properties in the Tame Road area have recently benefitted from grants made available by Aston Pride for Business Improvements. The Council will support the growth and development of local businesses and enterprises in the area to provide more flexible and modern business spaces.

3.24 Environmental improvements and making more of the gateways into the industrial areas through key building enhancement or redevelopment will also be encouraged.

Mixed-use sites
3.25 The Plan identifies land that is currently under-utilised for a range of purposes and with potential for mixed-use redevelopment. These are primarily industrial sites which fall outside the Core Employment Areas and local centres and are in close proximity to housing.

New John Street West

3.26 Land on New John Street West and Great King Street North is a prime example of an area that is under-used and disjointed with little sense of place. The former Tenby site which occupies approximately 3.3 hectares, located between housing and open space, has been a vacant industrial (B2 Use Class) unit for several years. It has recently gained planning consent for change of use to an indoor football arena. The site is considered suitable for a mix of uses including residential (C3 Use Class), health, education/training, cultural and community uses (D1 Use Class) light industrial (B1 Use Class), leisure (D2 Use Class) and ancillary offices.

3.27 The area fronting New John Street West and bounded by Pannel Croft, Summer Lane and Frankfort Street primarily consists of outmoded vacant industrial units, including the former Brandauer Works which is a Grade II Listed Building, and a small police station which is locally listed. The listed building should be protected through retention and conversion. There is opportunity to bring about new development fronting A4040 New John Street West and reconfigure the open space within the locality or contribute to the enhancement of existing open space to compensate for the small loss (0.24 hectares). High-quality high-density development would be suitable at this location, whilst respecting the character of the listed buildings. An appropriate mix of uses as described in Policy MU1 below will be acceptable within a comprehensive scheme. Improved access to this area from the residential communities in the City Centre Big City Plan area to the south of New John Street West will be required as part of any development proposals. These improved linkages to areas such as St George's, would include enhanced pedestrian crossings as part of future developments and junction improvements on the A4040 New John Street West.

3.28 The area on the western fringe of Newtown adjacent to the A41 Hockley Circus comprises a small parade of single storey shops, three and four storey maisonettes, three high-rise residential blocks and open space. The condition of the residential stock ranges from good to average. The longterm proposal for this prominent site is a high-quality high-density mixed-use development within the uses described in Policy MU1 below. Once again, development should be brought onto the front of New John Street West to make the most of this gateway. This proposal is consistent with the Draft A41 Corridor Framework being prepared by the City Council. This seeks to see the transformation of Hockley Circus and surrounds into a high quality mixed-use area.

Churchill Parade

3.29 Churchill Parade on Birchfield Road currently comprises vacant shops and flats. The redevelopment of this site, which is located between Birchfield/Perry Barr Centre and Six Ways, for high quality mixed use (small-scale retail and residential accommodation) will help in establishing and realising the concept of the A34 as an Urban Boulevard. The amount of retail should comply with the tests in the NPPF to ensure that it does not undermine the role of existing nearby centres.

Victoria Road/Park Circus Gateway

3.30 A prominent 0.62 hectare site at the corner of Victoria Road and the A38(M) Aston Expressway, forming part of the Park Circus gateway, is currently occupied by the Masjid E-Noor Mosque. However, the site is under-utilised and offers opportunity through redevelopment for a landmark building at this key gateway and entrance point into South Aston. A mixed-use development including place of worship, community, education/training, leisure and health uses are considered appropriate.

Westwood Road/Dulverton Road

3.31 The site is located within a mixed area of residential and industrial uses and comprises large vacant industrial premises situated between Westwood Road and Dulverton Road. The premises face residential properties on Westwood Road and adjoin further residential properties to the north east.

3.32 The opportunity arises for redevelopment of this site for a more suitable mixed use for residential and light industrial uses. Careful consideration of all the issues will be needed to achieve a suitable scheme.

3.33 Whilst the 'Loss of Industrial Land' SPD seeks to maintain a supply of industrial land, this is relatively small site not identified within a Core Employment Area. Redevelopment of this site for mixed use will also help to reconcile the currently awkward relationship of the site to existing housing.

Former Clyde Tower Site

3.34 The vacant site is suitable for mixed use development including small scale retail, community, leisure, residential and other appropriate local centre uses. The key aim is to secure a building of high quality on this prominent gateway site which addresses both Lozells Road and Birchfield Road.

Employment opportunities in the wider area
3.35 The Hub, that lies just outside the plan area between the Tame Road industrial area and Birmingham City University in Witton, is a prestigious industrial and distribution development. a successful economy / aston, newtown and lozells area action plan It occupies 29 hectares and has the potential to create 400 jobs. Options are being considered to relocate Birmingham Wholesale Markets to the Hub which would create 200 jobs. This would leave a further 150,000 sq. ft. of land available for development. The Hub is identified in the Birmingham Core Strategy Consultation Draft as a Core Employment Area. The AAP will seek to link employment opportunities created by The Hub to local people through the Council's established local employment access programmes.

Aston Villa Football Club
3.36 Aston Villa Football Club is located adjacent to the local centre and is a major contributor to the prosperity of the area. The club may look to further increase capacity at some stage in the future and indeed permission for a replacement North Stand was granted in 2000 although this has now lapsed. Future expansion plans will be supported by the Council, subject to national and local policy and guidance, and should include appropriate match-day parking provision.

Aston Villa Football Club

Thriving local centres

4.1 Policies in this plan seek to stimulate and enhance the role of local shopping centres as a key contributor to economic activity, employment opportunities and community development in the plan area. As well as providing for essential day-to-day needs, local centres are essential for maintaining the rich cultural and associational life of the area's residents.

Perry Barr/Birchfield District Centre
4.2 Perry Barr/Birchfield District Centre is a busy and vibrant centre situated at the crossroads of two major roads (A34 Birchfield Road and A4040 Aston Lane). The Centre is split between two distinct shopping areas - the purpose-built One Stop Shopping Centre and the terraced shops located on Birchfield Road/Aston Lane and Wellington Road. The relationship and linkages between the two shopping areas are poor. Fragmentation of the centre is compounded by the flyover and underpass system which dominates the area and creates both a physical and mental barrier to pedestrian movement.

4.3 Birmingham City University (BCU) is located within the centre and is an important source of local jobs and other economic activity generated by its student population. BCU sits adjacent to Aston Lane and Birchfield Road but it is set back behind a boundary wall which creates a blank frontage onto the A34. Perry Barr railway station is conveniently located at the core of the centre, but customer facilities are limited and access to the platform is poor. There is also a bus interchange at the entrance of the One Stop Shopping Centre but it is dominated by vehicular traffic and not pedestrian-friendly. Overall, the centre is suffering from environmental decline and is not achieving its full economic potential.

4.4 The Birmingham Core Strategy Consultation Draft Policy SP18 identifies Perry Barr/Birchfield Centre as one of three district centres in the city for growth and development. A Regeneration Framework has been prepared for Perry Barr/Birchfield A34 and supports this AAP by identifying investment and development opportunities together with a delivery plan.

Please refer to Section 6 Integrated and Sustainable Transport regarding transport for other proposals for Perry/Barr Birchfield Centre.

Lozells/Villa Road Local Centre
4.5 Under Birmingham's Local Centres Strategy and Programme, twenty centres across the City have benefitted from public realm improvements, traffic management measures, and marketing and community safety measures in recent years including Witton and Lozells/Villa Road Local Centres.

4.6 Lozells/Villa Road Local Centre is a traditional linear centre comprising a variety of independent shops and community facilities including a new health centre on Lozells Road and a new church community hall on Villa Road. The centre appears to be showing signs of growth and vitality with a recent development of eight shops with flats above. There are further development opportunities at two strategic locations (Villa Cross Gateway and the Historic Gateway) in the centre which will help to enhance the shopping offer and the environment of the area. Part of Villa Road is within the Lozells and Soho Hill Conservation Area.

4.7 The Villa Cross Gateway currently consists of the former Aldi site and car park on the northern side of Lozells Road and the empty Villa Cross building on the corner of the junction of Lozells Road/ Heathfield Road. There is a major opportunity for transformational redevelopment and regeneration of these sites which will significantly improve the character, appearance and facilities at this prominent gateway into Lozells. A highquality mixed-use development incorporating retail, residential, community uses and a public square within a comprehensive scheme would be supported.

4.8 The Historic Gateway is located on the crossroads of Villa Road and Hamstead Road. The four corners of the gateway comprise the vacant site of the former Black Cat building, the existing halal slaughterhouse/retail unit, a public car park, the Old Bank, the partly empty Trinity building and the Asian Resource Centre which provides office space for small businesses and voluntary and community groups.

4.9 To the east of the junction the site of the former Black Cat Café occupies a prominent position within the centre and currently detracts from the Lozells and Soho Hill Conservation Area. A highquality landmark development in keeping with the character of the Conservation Area will be supported. A mixed-use scheme including retail, public parking, community and residential uses will be encouraged.

4.10 To the west of the junction, properties along both sides of the road have been identified for residential use, with existing dwellings on the northern side to be refurbished and retail units on the southern side, including the former post office, to be redeveloped for residential. The Old Bank, which is a listed building, has been refurbished and is in use as an education and skills centre.

Lozells Road

Witton Local Centre
4.11 Witton Local Centre is a small-medium sized linear centre with shops mainly concentrated on the southern side of Witton Road. In addition to a new supermarket on Aston Lane, Witton's retail offer predominantly comprises independent ethnic shops which serve the needs of the local population. It is also used by the surrounding employment areas such as the Hub. The centre has benefitted from environmental improvements undertaken in recent years. These include new paving, lighting, traffic-calming measures and shop front grants.

4.12 To help consolidate the local centres uses around the junction of Aston Lane and Witton Road, it is proposed to include the former Aston Manor Transport Museum and Station Road coach park (used on match days by Aston Villa Football Club) into the boundary of the local centre. These sites adjoin Witton Local Centre to the north east.

4.13 The former Aston Manor Transport Museum and adjacent buildings are included in the City's Historic Environment Record due to their importance as the surviving structure of the former Aston Manor Tramway Depot, including the former Steam Tram Shed and associated former offices/ residence. This does not preclude development of the site, but in accordance with the NPPF any new development will need to retain and adapt the existing structures rather than remove them, because of their significance as a heritage asset and their contribution to the character and distinctiveness of the area.

4.14 The site is suitable for retail and other local centre uses subject to the retention of the structure and the identification of a suitable alternative site for coach parking in the vicinity of Aston Villa Football Ground.

Witton Local Centre

Newtown Shopping Centre and Newbury Road Site
4.15 Newtown Shopping Centre was redeveloped in the mid 1990s and comprises a complex of two medium-sized food stores, a range of small convenience stores, sandwich shops, food takeaways, hairdressers, post office and offices with flats above. The shopping centre is privately-owned and general improvements to the centre will be encouraged.

4.16 Vacant land on Newbury Road immediately adjoining Newtown Leisure Centre has potential for high-density mixed-use development including small-scale shops, leisure, community and residential uses.

Wheeler Street Shopping Centre
4.17 Wheeler Street Shopping Centre located in the heart of the Newtown estate, has been in decline for several years. Only two units out of the fourteen currently operate on a regular basis, along with the Newtown Health Centre. The insular design, quality and environment of the centre are very poor. Redevelopment of the centre to allow small-scale shops and the health centre to front onto Wheeler Street will significantly enhance the appearance of the area as well as improve community safety. Reconfiguration of the buildings will also allow the opportunity to open up the frontage of adjoining Burberry Park onto Wheeler Street. Detailed design options will be progressed through the Newtown Masterplan (Policy H6).

Aston Local Centre
4.18 Currently, the small parade of shops on Lichfield Road, which is in close proximity to Aston Station caters mainly for passing trade. The Regional Investment Site (RIS) development on Aston Hall Road/ Lichfield Road will bring about need for uses such as sandwich shops, cafes, and small-scale convenience stores. The area shown on the Proposals Map as the Aston Local Centre is designated for local centre uses in support of the RIS.

Housing and neighbourhood quality

5.1 One of the Government's key aims is to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live in a decent home, which they can afford, in a community where they want to live. To create desirable and sustainable neighbourhoods in Aston, Newtown and Lozells it is vital that housing quality and choice are transformed in order to help form mixed and balanced communities. These are communities that offer a range of housing types, tenure, size and affordability and are genuinely mixed and economically and socially sustainable. Together with a range of sports, leisure and community facilities that are accessible to all, and of high quality, these work to make neighbourhoods successful.

Existing housing stock - decent homes and beyond
5.2 The level of new housing provision in the plan area compared with the size of the existing dwelling stock is relatively small. It is therefore important to enhance and maintain existing dwellings and prevent the loss of decent housing to other uses.

5.3 The Government required that all council homes met the Decent Homes Standards, as a minimum, by 2010. In April 2008, 78% of Council properties, and over 97% of housing association homes met the Decent Homes Standard. In 2004, only 36% of City Council homes were considered to be of satisfactory standard. Birmingham City Council has invested £673 million since 2004 to support major improvements to council homes across the city, and is on course to meet the Decent Homes target. The majority of council dwellings in the plan area have been improved to Decent Homes Standard with only 214 homes left to be upgraded.

New housing
5.4 The City's housing requirement has been influenced by the former West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy. Core Strategy Consultation Draft Policy SP2 'Overall Levels of Growth' states that over the period 2006 to 2026, the City Council will plan for the growth of 50,600 additional dwellings. The Core Strategy Consultation Draft Policy SP24 allocates approximately 11,000 in the North Birmingham area. This Plan will contribute to housing growth and identifies sites for a net increase of around 783 units for new residential development which accords with Core Strategy Draft Policy SP25 regarding the location of new housing. Targets for the number of new homes on each site are indicated in Table 2. It must be noted that these figures may change following detailed design.

April 2010	No. of dwellings	Site area (ha)
Under construction
Crocodile Works	168	1.4
Pannel Croft	180	2.5
Total under construction	348	3.9
Detailed permission (not started)
Finch Road	6	0.1
Burberry Street	4	0.1
Villa Road	19	0.2
Endwood Public House	23	0.7
Grosvenor Road	7	0.2
Wellington Road	12	0.2
Livingstone Road/Westminster Road	7	0.3
North Newtown	287 gross (14 net)	6.6
Wheeler Street adjoining Holte School	40	0.7
Wills Street	3	0.1
Total commitments	408 (gross) 135 (net)	9.1

TABLE 2 Existing Commitments

5.5 Some of these allocations are below ten dwellings and would fall within the small-site windfall. However, they have been specifically identified in this Plan for their important local regeneration impact and to facilitate delivery at an early stage. The majority of the sites are on previously developed land.

TABLE 3 New Housing Sites

5.6 The City Council will continue with a programme of regeneration throughout the City, particularly of municipal housing estates that are defective or no longer fit for purpose. Major demolition has already taken place in North Newtown and on the former Birchfield Towers site.

Housing type and size
5.7 New housing provision should be made in the context of creating sustainable communities which contain a mix of dwellings types, sizes and tenures, together with the local facilities that contribute to a successful neighborhood.

5.8 The City Council undertook a City-wide Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) in 2008 which identified a need for larger homes across all tenures. In particular, the SHMA identified a demand for larger affordable housing with four or more bedrooms. Across the Urban Living area household size is 3.2 persons per dwelling (with Asian households averaging 4.3) compared with a 2.5 national average. 18.3% of households in the Aston, Newtown and Lozells area are overcrowded (based upon the Department for Communities and Local Government’s Bedroom Standard) (Urban Living Household Survey Report 2008). The shortfall in family housing, also highlighted as an issue during public consultation on this AAP, should be addressed within the context of creating mixed and balanced communities.

Affordable housing
5.9 It is important that new housing is provided across all sectors of the housing market and that it meets the needs of a wide variety of households. New housing should provide a choice of accommodation and therefore consist of a mixture of tenures and prices. Government Guidance in the NPPF supports mixed tenures and enables local authorities to set targets for the amount of affordable housing to be provided.

5.10 The SHMA 2008 found that just over 40% of the City’s overall housing requirement is for affordable housing. Within the AAP area 43.6% of households rent from the local authority or a social registered landlord (Census 2001). The majority of housing demolitions that will take place during the plan period will be in this sector.

5.11 The definition of affordable housing is set out in the adopted UDP. Housing developments of 15 or more units will be required to provide for affordable housing in accordance with the adopted UDP policies.

5.12 Integration of social rented dwellings into developments across the area will contribute to mixed and balanced communities, and will avoid single-tenure neighbourhoods.

Provision of new open space in new residential development
5.13 New residential development will place additional demand upon open space and children’s play areas. The City Council’s Supplementary Planning Document, ‘Public Open Space in New Residential Development’, July 2007, requires, in most circumstances, residential schemes of twenty or more dwellings to provide on site public open space and/or children’s play provision. However, in some circumstances it may be preferable for all, or part, of the public open space requirement to be provided off-site as a monetary contribution through a Section 106 agreement.

Design and quality of new housing
5.14 Good design should apply to all scales of residential development - new neighbourhoods, streets and individual dwellings - to create places that are distinctive, safe, attractive and meet residents' needs through local facilities, the mix of uses and type, tenure and size of dwellings. New housing must comply with the design principles set out in Birmingham City Council's "Places for Living" SPG. National standards applicable to housing quality include 'Building for Life,' 'Code for Sustainable Homes,' 'Lifetime Homes,' Secure by Design' and 'Manual for Streets'.

5.15 Sustainable homes and neighbourhoods can make a huge contribution to combating climate change and improving energy efficiency. The re-use of building materials in house building, and the generation of on-site renewable energy and district heating systems amongst other sustainable practices, will be supported.

Well designed new housing

Newtown Housing Regeneration Area
5.16 Newtown is a priority area for housing market intervention under the City Council's Housing Plan 2008+ and has been a focus for Urban Living. The Newtown Estate (bounded by New John Street West in the south, A34 Birchfield Road to the east, Hockley Circus to the west and Nursery Road/Wheeler Street and Lozells Street in the north) lies only one kilometre from the city centre and comprises 2,245 homes of which 1,404 are BCC stock, 264 are housing association and 577 are privately-owned. Newtown is an area characterised by increasing out-migration of the established community. From 1996 to 2006 around 10% of the population moved out of the area. Despite significant investment during the 1990s through the Estate Action and City Challenge programmes, Newtown remains unpopular, with low house prices, poor quality environment and weak demand for particular properties.

5.17 In 2007 Urban Living and Birmingham City Council commissioned a masterplan for Newtown in order to establish a long-term framework for regeneration. Consultation on the AAP and the Newtown masterplan has shown support for major housing regeneration of the Newtown Estate.

5.18 North East Newtown (Area 1 in the masterplan) has been the focus for initial intervention and investment and the subject of detailed masterplanning by the City Council through the Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust. North East Newtown originally comprised some 325 properties. Cabinet approved the phased clearance of these properties in 2003 and 2009 which has now reached an advanced stage. While the majority of acquisitions have been successful via voluntary negotiations it is anticipated that some privately-owned interests will need to be acquired using Compulsory Purchase Order powers.

5.19 Public consultation on the detailed masterplan for North East Newtown was undertaken in September-November 2009. Planning permission has been granted for the construction of 287 new dwellings, provision of new public open space and a My Place youth centre. The youth centre will be built in the northern section of the site (near Six Ways) and provide a range of activities including a sports hall, media and performing arts space, and an IT suite within a high quality landmark building.

5.20 A financial options appraisal for masterplan Areas 2 and 3 will report in early 2011 and will inform intervention proposals for the rest of the Newtown Estate.

North East Newtown - Phase 1

Lozells Housing Regeneration Area
5.21 The Lozells Housing Regeneration Area boundary is broadly defined by Nursery Road in the south, Gibson Road and Church Hill Road to the north, the A34 Birchfield Road to the east, and Soho Hill to the west. The area's character is predominantly residential, consisting of Victorian terraces and semi-detached villas. Retail, community, education, and religious uses are located along the main streets of Heathfield, Villa and Lozells Roads and small-scale offices and light industrial uses North East Newtown - Phase 1 scattered through the area.

5.22 It contains a large part of the Lozells and Soho Hill Conservation Area and several listed buildings. Generally, Lozells has a strong local character based around a robust grid street pattern, the architectural quality of the Victorian housing and green leafy streets. A Character Appraisal and Management Plan for the Conservation Area has been prepared and will be adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document. A non-statutory design guide has been produced for the wider South Lozells area to help residents and developers build new, or alter existing properties, while enhancing local character.

5.23 A characteristic feature in Lozells is the 'groves' housing located off the main streets with pedestrian access to large front gardens. A number of 'groves' have been cleared because of their poor condition and issues such as lack of car parking. However, some of the remaining groves provide distinctive and popular housing and their improvement will be supported.

5.24 The predominance of Victorian terraced housing means that there is a lack of housing choice in the area, especially for large families. There are a limited number of generally small sites available for new housing identified in the Plan. Other measures to create larger family housing, such as deconversion of Houses in Multiple Occupation are supported. The housing sites are identified in Policy H1. However, other sites appropriate for housing development may arise.

5.25 This Plan supports the approach taken by the North and South Lozells masterplan (August 2009) which focuses on strategic locations and gateway sites; smaller gap sites, i.e. empty plots or derelict land and grove clearance or improvement. The gateway sites where groups of buildings present an opportunity for a more comprehensive scale of redevelopment include the Historic Gateway and Villa Cross, which are covered in the Thriving Local Centres Section in paragraphs 4.5-4.10 and Policy LC2 of this Plan.

South Aston Housing Estate
5.26 South Aston is located just north of Birmingham City Centre and bounded to the west by the A34 Birchfield Road and to the east by the A38 Aston Expressway. The area is predominantly residential with the main public open spaces located on Park Lane and Philip Street. South Aston is similar to Newtown in terms of the housing type and layout, leading to similar issues as described in Newtown. However, owner occupation (through Right to Buy) is substantially higher than Newtown.

5.27 South Aston was identified as a key neighbourhood within North West Birmingham, as part of the housing market renewal area. Consultation carried out under the Urban Living programme and at the Preferred Options stage of the AAP demonstrated that the residents of South Aston were strongly opposed to clearance or any interventions that could result in the loss of any homes in the area.

5.28 As a result, the AAP does not propose any major redevelopment in South Aston. All council homes will have been improved to Decent Homes Standard, by the end of 2010. In addition, future options can be looked at to improve the general housing environment such as improvements to parking areas, access, security, pavements and waste storage.

Integrated and sustainable transport

Introduction
6.1 The creation of neighbourhoods that are well connected by public transport and give priority to pedestrians and cyclists is key to achieving sustainable development. In Aston Newtown and Lozells a significantly higher proportion of all journeys will therefore be made on foot, by cycle and via public transport than comparable existing developments.

6.2 New development should not cause unreasonable levels of congestion and will be designed to minimise car-dependency. To achieve a modal shift from car to journeys by foot, cycle and public transport, excellent sustainable transport infrastructure will be provided and supported through smarter choice measures.

6.3 A detailed Travel Demand Report has been developed that underpins the Transport Strategy (separate supporting document). This is based upon detailed analysis of travel demand and has helped to identify a series of policies for the area.

6.4 The land-use proposals in this Plan are consistent with national and local transportation policies as set out in National Planning Policy Framework, West Midlands Local Transport Plan (2006), Birmingham Core Strategy Consultation Draft and supporting documents, Centro's public transport prospectus, Transforming Bus Travel and the Rail Development Plan. Policies set out in this document are additional to the policies in the above documents and do not supersede them (e.g. the requirements for travel plans, application of parking standards or transport assessments).

6.5 The objectives of the AAP integrated and sustainable transport policies can be summarised as:

• Reducing the growth in the number and length of private motorised journeys and promoting sustainable modes of travel.
• Promoting economic regeneration.
• Ensuring accessibility for all.

Area wide transport policies
6.6 In order to achieve the aims of the AAP and the Transport Strategy, there are a number of interventions that will be relevant to all sites, irrespective of land use or location.

Policies relating to specific areas
6.7 Based on the land use proposals there are several key drivers for movement in the area:

• Development of a Regional Investment Site (RIS) and the need to provide good links, particularly by walking, cycling and public transport, between the RIS and the residential areas. There is a need to minimise the impact on the Strategic Highway Network of the RIS by providing good access by other modes of transport (addressed in Policies R1-R6).
• A34 Urban Boulevard proposal includes growth in retail and office space at Perry Barr/ Birchfield Centre and therefore there is a need to reconfigure the highway network in the area in order to support the proposed growth in retail provision.
• Housing Regeneration in Newtown and Lozells and the need to improve the connections between communities that are either side of the main transport routes (A34 and A4540) and reduce the impact of car parking which is likely to be associated with the greater density of housing development.

Regional Investment Site
6.8 It is vital that all development is underpinned by effective transport infrastructure and services in order to ensure accessibility and connectivity to jobs and services. The RIS will be a significant development creating around 3,000 new jobs by 2026.

6.9 The transport strategy for the RIS will have comparatively high levels of sustainable transport use by restricting the maximum levels of parking, taking advantage of the existing public transport facilities and improving the local walking and cycling network.

Sustainable transport

6.10 The site is already wellserved by public transport with Aston Station linking the area to Birmingham City Centre, Walsall and Lichfield and there are regular bus services along the Lichfield Road. East-West public transport links are not so good, with only one, infrequent, bus service linking the RIS site with the rest of the AAP area.

6.11 The A5127 is a major road that runs between Birmingham and Lichfield, Staffordshire. It is designated as a Bus Showcase Corridor to the Birmingham boundary and an important connecting corridor into the City Centre from Salford Circus. The Lichfield Road junction with Aston Hall Road will form the main access into the RIS.

6.12 The most dominant section of the route is adjacent to Salford Park where the road-way expands to 6-lanes at one point to allow 2-lanes to feed directly into Cuckoo Road, Nechells and towards Star City.

6.13 Improvement of the road access to and from the Strategic Highway Network (including the M6) and within the area is crucial to realising the full potential of the area. Improvements to Lichfield Road will be required to serve the RIS.

6.14 The West Midlands and Chilterns Route Utilisation Strategy identifies the stretch of line through Aston station as congested and a constraint on future network growth, both for passengers and freight. The track bed between Aston South Junction and Proof House Junction, to the east of the Plan area, is largely a four track formation. However, the existing double track line through Aston station will remain a bottleneck until the extension of the four track section. The extension of four tracking to Aston North Junction would allow the future operational segregation of the Walsall and Cross City North services, and allow service growth on both these routes.

6.15 Car parking standards are set out in Birmingham City Council's Draft Parking Guidelines SPD (August 2010). Car park management plans should be prepared to promote shared use of car parking and to include appropriate charges to encourage modal shift.

6.16 The Serpentine site (which forms part of the proposed RIS) currently provides 800 match day parking spaces. Aston Villa FC is required, as part of the planning agreement for the North Stand, to ensure an identified level of matchday car parking is available. The AAP supports this principle and proposes that future occupiers of the RIS site work with Aston Villa to provide alternative match-day parking facilities in the locality or on the RIS site.

A34 (North) Urban Boulevard
6.17 The A34 (North) Corridor runs through the neighbourhoods of Newtown, Aston, Lozells and Birchfield forming a key movement corridor and gateway into the City Centre, alongside which are a number of potential development sites and gateway opportunities. A Regeneration Framework for Perry Barr/Birchfield Local Centre and the A34 (North) Corridor is being prepared that will identify investment and development opportunities to realise its growth potential and successfully transform it into a thriving and desirable place.

6.18 Perry Barr/Birchfield Centre is proposed for retail and office growth. Perry Barr/Birchfield Centre suffers from a poor pedestrian environment and there is a need to create better linkages between One Stop, Perry Barr Railway Station, BCU and Birchfield Road/ Aston Lane and reconfigure the highway to support growth of the centre.

6.19 Substantial improvements have been made to public transport along the corridor over the last 15 years through the Bus Showcase programme. Rapid transit options along the A34 from Birmingham City Centre to Great Barr will be considered for the future to provide a fast, frequent link from the City Centre to Perry Barr and Walsall.

6.20 Significant public transport improvements are required at Perry Barr/Birchfield Local Centre, including improvements to the existing bus/rail interchange at Perry Barr. South of Birchfield Island, the rapid transit route will be delivered largely within the existing highway boundary.

6.21 The A34 also hinders pedestrian movement due to limited crossing facilities and unpopular subways. It is recognised that the replacement of subways at Six Ways and Birchfield Island would be particularly challenging.

Encouraging cycling and walking

Newtown and Lozells
6.22 The Newtown and Lozells areas will provide the majority of the new homes and the transport implications of this have been assessed. The proximity of the location to the City Centre provides significant opportunity to encourage the use of sustainable modes of transport. The Transport Strategy therefore recommends the following.

Highway improvements/ maintenance projects
6.23 Three projects are planned to take place during the Area Action Plan period (2011-2026). Whilst they are not directly related to the land use proposals set out within this Plan, they are likely to have an impact on the Plan area.

6.24 Aston Lane/Witton Road Roundabout - as part of the S106 agreement for the Tesco Store on Aston Lane that opened in 2008, funding was provided to make improvements at this junction. This project will reduce local congestion by improving traffic capacity at the junction. It is anticipated that this project will be completed by 2014.

6.25 Tame Valley Viaduct - it is anticipated that major structural maintenance works to the Tame Valley Viaduct (which carries the A38 through the area) will be required during the plan period. This will be a significant construction project that may cause some traffic disruption whilst works are underway.

6.26 Managed Motorways - it is envisaged that the Highways Agency will implement Birmingham Box Phase 3 between Junctions 5 and 8 of the M6 Motorway during the plan period. This project is supported and will see the introduction of 'hard shoulder running' along with other measures to reduce congestion and improve journey time and reliability.

Environment, open space and sport

7.1 One of the overall aims of the Plan is to protect and enhance Aston, Newtown and Lozells' built and natural environment. This includes their open spaces, waterways, historic buildings and environments which all add to the distinctiveness of the local area and provide visual and leisure amenity. An open space strategy has been prepared that seeks to enhance the network of green linkages in the area and improve the quality of the green spaces based on Policy SP11 of the Core Strategy Consultation Draft regarding Green Infrastructure Network. Further guidance on green infrastructure will also be contained in the City's emerging Green Infrastructure Strategy.

New development - public open space and landscape enhancement
7.2 As the area is densely developed, identifing new areas of open space is difficult. But where new residential development is proposed, new open space should be provided in accordance with policies in the UDP, Birmingham Core Strategy Consultation Draft and 'Public Open Space in New Residential Development' SPD.

7.3 All new development must consider the landscape character of the area. Frontages to developments must where possible aim to include street tree planting, screening, ease of access and quality surfacing. Where new developments are adjacent to existing landscape features e.g. canal, river corridor, or existing public open space, it is essential to generate access and to ensure that the scheme is appropriately designed in order to maintain and enhance these features.

7.4 New and improved public open space must include provision for the required revenue for the site and facilities. Currently 15 years of maintenance must be funded before any new public open space is implemented.

Open space and playing fields
7.5 Open space not only includes traditional parks and gardens, but also encompasses allotments, cemeteries and civic parks amongst other spaces. City-wide standards for open space and playing fields are identified in the UDP 2005 and the Core Strategy Consultation Draft Policy SP45. All residents should have access within 400 metres to an area of publically accessible open space. Similarly, there should be a children's play area within 400 metres of all residents. As a basic guide to the supply of open space the aim will be to provide a minimum target of 2 hectares of open space and 1.2 hectares of public or private playing fields per 1,000 population at the Constituency level. There is a presumption against development on open space unless it can be demonstrated that it is surplus to requirements.

7.6 The Wards of Aston, Nechells and Lozells and East Handsworth fall below the minimum target for public open space and playing field provision at 1.68, 1.83 and 1.15 hectares per 1000 population respectively. Within these denselypopulated areas, where open space is deficient, it will be difficult to increase provision without major redevelopment and change of land-ownership. In these areas the Open Space Strategy for the AAP looks at strengthening connections to surrounding public open space through links and ease of pedestrian movement.

7.7 Birmingham City Council's 'Parks and Open Spaces and Playing Pitch Strategies' (adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance in 2007) contain basic data regarding the open spaces in the AAP alongside policy guidance.

7.8 The Urban Living Green Space Audit and Strategy (May 2009), which covers the majority of the AAP, provides another layer of information by assessing the quantity and quality of the existing open space. A Comprehensive Assessment Tool (CAT) was used to assess the quality of the major open spaces in the UL area.

AAP Open Space Strategy
7.9 The Open Space Strategy for the AAP builds upon the Urban Living Green Space Audit and Strategy (2009) and the Birmingham Parks and Open Spaces Strategies (2007), but looks at the AAP area in more detail and provides greater links and co-ordination with the AAP proposals.

7.10 The principle of the strategy is based on the essential role that open space plays in developing sustainable communities, contributing to healthier lifestyles, encouraging movement between spaces, adding economic and social value, bringing benefits for children and young people, and their value for biodiversity.

7.11 The main objectives of the Open Space Strategy are:

• To maximise/enhance existing public open spaces for biodiversity and recreational value.
• To improve linkages from residential areas to open spaces, water courses, wildlife corridors, and Sites of Local Importance for Nature Conservation.
• To identify opportunities for the development of new open spaces, particularly within areas which are currently lacking in open space.

7.12 The Open Space Strategy for the AAP identifies a network of green streets/links and opportunities where existing open space and biodiversity can be improved. Areas within the AAP which are densely-populated and already deficient in open space have been the most challenging to address. The open space proposals are set out in the Open Space Strategy Plan (Plan 3, on page 76).

Green links and streetscape environment
7.13 A network of green routes linking the key open spaces in the area is identified in the Open Space Strategy and shown in Plan 3. This is indicated by a tree symbol on the plan and should not be taken as a specific scheme. It is merely intended to indicate the key routes where tree planting will be encouraged. Tree planting along these routes would not only help to form green links to areas of public open space, it would also improve the local environment and biodiversity of the residential areas. Any tree planting would have to be implemented in conjunction with Amey who are responsible for Birmingham City Council highways.

7.14 The north west zone of the AAP (shown hatched and numbered 6 on the Open Space Plan, page 76) in particular suffers from a lack of green space and play provision does not meet the National Playing Fields Association standard of 400m from dwellings. However, encouraging local residents to utilise Handsworth Park and Aston Park would be effective. This includes improving the ease of access across dominating highways which currently dissect neighbourhoods and inhibit pedestrian movement.

River Tame corridor
7.15 The River Tame Corridor which runs around the northern perimeter of Salford Lake and through the Siemens site and partly alongside Brookvale Road, contributes significantly to the biodiversity of the area. It is designated as a Site of Local Importance for Nature Conservation (SLINC). Rivers and streams are identified as a national priority habitat and included in the Birmingham and Black Country Local Biodiversity Action Plan

7.16 The Environment Agency has had a long-standing aim to create a footpath along the entire River Tame to support the role of the river corridor as a recreational resource. Physical improvements along the river corridor need to be encouraged in conjunction with improved access through entrance ways from the surrounding land use and opening up views into the river. Whilst it is accepted that constraints of ownership may prevent public access to some parts of river corridor, access should be improved wherever possible. Other multi-functional benefits will be encouraged including improved flood risk management, wildlife corridors, enhanced public amenity and other measures to combat climate change and improve water quality. There are opportunities to improve access to the River Tame through the RIS development and proposals for the Siemens Site.

River Tame

Hockley Brook Corridor
7.17 The Hockley Brook Corridor runs through the south of the plan area. It is almost entirely culverted through the AAP area from the Hockley flyover through to where it discharges into the River Tame at Cuckoo Bridge. In parts of the plan area the culvert is 8 metres deep, making deculverting unfeasible. There are, however, some open sections along the line. The Hockley Brook is identified in the Birmingham Brooks Report as currently suffering from environmental degradation and pollution and poor access. Improvements along the river corridor need to be encouraged, including flood risk management, improved access for maintenance, wildlife corridors and improved water quality.

Tame Valley Canal
7.18 Within the AAP, The Tame Valley Canal is a hidden asset which runs under Spaghetti Junction, around the northern perimeter of Junction Six Industrial Estate and the back of houses in Amberley Grove. Development in these locations predominantly turns its back on the canal. The UDP 2005 proposes improved access to the Tame Valley Canal for leisure use and enjoyment of its nature conservation and wildlife habitat. The Tame Valley Canal is designated as a Site of Local Importance for Nature Conservation (SLINC) and safeguarding/improving its water quality is important. A safe environment needs to be created to encourage public use of the canal corridor.

Aston Regional Investment Site, Aston Churchyard and Salford Park
7.19 The AAP proposes Spaghetti Junction and the area surrounding Salford Park as a key gateway to Birmingham. It is essential that planning proposals for the Regional Investment Site (RIS) include a landscape master plan to ensure a high quality character of the area is achieved. The linkages and connection of the RIS to Aston Churchyard and Salford Park should be fully explored. The development would benefit from its proximity to this unique largely water-based feature, as would Salford Park Open Space benefit from improvement as part of the surrounding investment. An attractive streetscape within the RIS, combined with an improved recreational space at Salford Park, and pedestrian linkages to Aston Churchyard would help to attract investment to the RIS. Improving linkages to the park and churchyard would benefit residents in Aston East and encourage movement to these valuable resources. A crucial improvement would be the access to Salford Park and Aston Churchyard. New access points from the RIS would enable increased usage of these existing areas in conjunction with effective signage from surrounding roads.

A34 Urban Boulevard
7.20 Landscape and environmental improvements to this significant route into the City are of great importance alongside proposed developments on the A34. An Urban Boulevard, comprising improvements to the public realm and a better physical environment could be achieved through the use of high-quality materials and landscaping which would also help to reduce the impact of the road.

7.21 The redevelopment of the former Birchfield towers area will include a new play area within the proposed master plan. A play area and new public open space would effectively provide much needed recreational provision within this area.

7.22 The wide open grass areas alongside the A34 should be improved for recreation and walking as opposed to their current state as under-used grass sites adjacent to the highway. Increasing pedestrian movement will be important to help counteract the barrier of the A34 and connect developments on the A34. This would improve the use of existing facilities between neighbourhoods currently dissected by the road.

7.23 In some areas of open space dense tree canopies should be thinned to enable light to penetrate these shaded sites. Footpaths should be installed to encourage greater public use as well as railings and access gateways to the boundaries. Art sculptures that are visible from the main highway could also be included. New seating, litter bins, bulb planting and lighting would encourage greater use and improve safety. High quality materials would upgrade the neighbourhoods' image, and create an improved entrance into the City.

Key gateways

Park Circus Gateway

7.24 Park Circus is a key gateway located at the A38 entrance into the City and has great potential for environmental improvement. The barrier of the A38 currently inhibits pedestrian movement of residents from the east of the highway to Aston Park immediately west. The large area of land at this gateway is under-utilised and if improved would benefit the surrounding neighbourhoods.

7.25 The hardscape and grassed areas within Park Circus could be made more attractive to users through the creation of a surface level crossing. This would generate greater movement in the area and lead to a safer environment.

7.26 Land to the east of Park Circus forms an existing linear green space leading to a multi-use games area at Sycamore Road. The grassed area is overgrown and densely planted which creates a dark and shaded space inaccessible to the public. With some tree reduction and the installation of a footpath this would help to link the gateway to the surrounding estate.

Enhanced open space and landscaping

Villa Cross Gateway

7.27 The Lozells Masterplan (EDAW on behalf of Urban Living) 2009 proposes the creation of new public open space/public square in the heart of Villa Road Centre at the junction of Villa Road and Lozells Road. This would transform the degraded appearance of the area through the removal of poor buildings and replacement with high-quality development and provide much needed open space in the area. However, significant land assembly would be required to deliver this long-term proposal.

Newtown
7.28 The neighbourhood of Newtown is well served by public open space with Burbury Park, Yellow Park, New John Street West, Great King Street and Newtown Row open spaces amounting to 13.71 hectares. The redevelopment of North Newtown Estate will bring an additional 0.8 hectares of public open space into the area. Masterplanning of areas 2 and 3 in the Newtown masterplan will deliver further housing regeneration including refurbishment and redevelopment of housing resulting in a net increase of approximately 124 net new dwellings. The Newtown masterplan proposes development on some of the open space at Burbury Park but open space gains will result elsewhere so that there will be no net loss of open space. Houses on Melbourne Avenue currently back on to the park. The masterplan proposes redevelopment of these to allow development to overlook the park.

7.29 Houses currently back onto Yellow Park. The Newtown masterplan proposes the redevelopment of the houses on the western perimeter of the park to allow overlooking onto the park. The link between these series of parks is important and the Newtown masterplan shows how this could be achieved. This is consistent with the AAP Open Space Strategy Plan.

7.30 New John Street is a large well-used open space for walking with a good stock of mature trees. There are however, no other facilities and the community would benefit from the introduction of play and sport facilities which would complement development proposals in the area. Improvements could also include seating, more planting, an improved footpath network, and public sculpture.

Lozells
7.31 There are minimal recreational facilities within the denselypopulated area of Lozells. Carlyle Road play area is to be improved by March 2011 but would require further investment to achieve greater impact and benefit to the community. Within this area green routes are identified to encourage movement to nearby public open space through tree planting, resurfacing and new lighting.

Biodiversity
7.32 Biodiversity is the variety of life we see around us. Planning policies at national and local level aim to conserve and enhance biodiversity, in particular, sites which have been designated for their wildlife value. Biodiversity value within the AAP however is low, evidenced by the designation of the Handsworth Wood-Newtown-Lozells-Birchfield Wildlife Action Area which covers a large portion of the AAP. Wildlife Action Areas are defined in the Birmingham's Nature Conservation Strategy (1997) as parts of the City where people do not have access to a 'known site of quality within 500m of their home.' (A 'site of quality' is any SSSI, SINC, LNR or SLINC).

7.33 There are three designated Sites of Local Importance for Nature Conservation (SLINC) within the Plan area:

• River Tame.
• Tame Valley Canal.
• Birmingham and Fazeley Canal.

7.34 There are also areas that are not designated and play a vital role in the 'stepping stones' between designated sites, which should also be enhanced and protected. In terms of species, Salford Lake provides an important wildlife habitat for wintering waterfowl and Black Redstarts have been recorded in the area, as have Peregrine Falcons which may utilise disused towers for breeding. Bats are recorded throughout the area, though generally at low density.

7.35 The area also contains a number of sites where a mature tree structure exists such as Aston Park. It is essential these are retained and enhanced for biodiversity.

7.36 The major constraints on biodiversity within the AAP are:

• The heavily urbanized character of some of the areas.
• The lack of consideration of biodiversity within previous landscaping schemes.
• The heavily-lit character of much of the area together with the excessive use of flood-lighting.

7.37 To raise the biodiversity value of the area, existing open spaces can be enhanced to improve wildlife habitats by planting new woodlands and hedgerows or creating new ponds and wetlands.

7.38 Within all proposed future landscaping schemes within the AAP, biodiversity should be a key consideration. Opportunities to improve the biodiversity of this area should focus on:

• Reinforcement of existing wildlife corridors and features.
• Creation of bio-diverse rich landscapes through selection of appropriate species within landscaping schemes.
• Allowing complex vegetation structures to develop.

7.39 There is an opportunity to combine landscape improvements with ecological enhancement strategies for major developments through planning conditions relating to planning permissions.

7.40 Further opportunities to enhance biodiversity exist through the opening up of culverted streams and rivers. The 'Sustainable Management of Urban Rivers and Floodplains' SPD (2007), and UDP, encourage the opening up of culverted streams and rivers in order to enhance biodiversity, water flow and water quality. Three water courses run through the Plan area, two of which are designated SLINC in the Nature Conservation Strategy. These are the River Tame and the Tame Valley Canal.

7.41 The Hockley Brook runs east to west through Newtown and South Aston. It is not a designated site of quality and is predominantly culverted through the Plan area. The potential for opening up the culverted part of the Handsworth Brook in the north western part of the plan area should be investigated for its water quality, biodiversity and flood risk mitigation benefits.

7.42 The Birmingham Brooks Report (2010) and the Humber River Basin Management Plan (2009) identify the watercourses in the area as being of poor water quality, with the Hockley Brook being a priority for improvement. Reducing artificial reinforcement, de-culverting, debris removal, new tree planting and reducing misconnections are all proposed in tackling water quality and enabling biodiversity improvements. Developers should be aware that details of the specific actions required to meet the requirements of the Water Framework Directive and Humber River Basin Management Plan will be published in 2015.

7.43 Where development schemes affect water corridors, sites designated for their nature conservation value and nondesignated sites, an ecological impact assessment is likely to be required in support of any planning applications. Assessments will need to consider potential impacts on protected and notable species as well as important habitats, designated sites and ecological functionality. All development proposed adjacent to the river corridors and their tributaries shall be designed to take account of its proximity to the river.

7.44 The Nature Conservation Strategy also identifies five "Key Wildlife Corridors" in the AAP which form part of a city wide network of open space corridors. These are the Cross City Line: New Street - Blake Street; Main Section: Wolverhampton - Gravelly Hill Railway; Tame Valley Canal - Rushall Canal; Birmingham and Fazeley Canal and the River Tame. Research shows that links between sites of quality help species to spread from one site to another and sustain genetic variability. The Open Space Strategy therefore sets out a green network linking open spaces, wildlife corridors, watercourses and allotments.

Enhancing public open space

7.45 There is also potential for cross-boundary partnership working to achieve enhancements along water and wildlife corridors. This approach is supported by the Government's recent Natural Environment White Paper. Mechanisms by which this could be achieved include the Local Biodiversity Partnership and the emerging Green Infrastructure Strategy.

Flood risk
7.46 The floodplain provides natural storage of floodwater and by reducing the floodplain (through development) without compensatory flood storage elsewhere, will lead to increased flooding problems downstream. The NPPF emphasises the importance of assessing flood risk in plan-making. Development proposals will also need to take regard of Policy SP10 Managing Flood risk in the Core Strategy Consultation Draft which sets out the Council's policies in regard to flood risk and sustainable urban drainage systems in line with the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment carried out in support of the Draft Core Strategy and the Council's Draft Surface Water Management Plan (2011) which maps areas susceptible to surface water flooding.

7.47 A map of flood zones produced by the Environment Agency (EA) show the different flood risk zones for areas near to rivers (Plan 4, page 78). Parts of the AAP fall in Flood Zone 2 (medium risk) and Flood Zone 3 (high risk) floodplains. This includes the entire length of the Hockley Brook and the River Tame. The River Tame has been prone to flooding in the past and a River Tame Flood Risk Management Strategy (2010) has been adopted which proposes a range of flood defence measures. In particular, the Tame Road area of Witton will benefit from the new measures.

Sport
7.48 Sport is important to the health and well-being of people as well as providing economic benefits to an area. There are a range of sporting facilities in Aston, Newtown and Lozells including the Aston Villa Football Stadium, Newtown Leisure Centre, Powerleague Soccer Pitches and Perry Barr Stadium. On ongoing review of sports facilities in the City is taking place to inform the Council's "Sport Facilities Strategy". The Playing Pitch Strategy is also in the process of being updated.

7.49 Paragraph 3.63 of the Unitary Development Plan and Policy SP46 of the Core Strategy Consultation Draft states that sports facilities will be protected from development unless it can be demonstrated that they are surplus to requirements. Any replacement provision should be at least as accessible to current and potential users as the facility to be replaced.

7.50 The following developments (currently being progressed/ recently opened) will provide new and additional sports facilities for the area:

• Holford Drive Community Sports Hub - £1.2 million has been secured to develop a Local Community Hub and improve access and use of the site by schools and the community.
• My Place, Newtown - work has started on site in North Newtown on this £5 million world class youth facility for 13-19 year olds. Facilities include an indoor sports hall, performing arts space, ICT suite, broadcasting and recording studios, multi-functional rooms and workshop area.
• Birmingham Futsal Arena, Great King Street North - has recently opened in Newtown providing 12 five-a-side futsal pitches including 4 international FIFA futsal pitches. This is supported by a range of ancillary uses such as under 7's football, netball, dodgeball, indoor hockey, handball and martial arts.
• Holte, Mayfield and Lozells School - a Building Schools for the Future Project which will deliver upgraded indoor and outdoor 'dual use' sports facilities. The new school to due to open in September 2011.
• Broadway School - a Building Schools for the Future project including newly refurbished indoor and outdoor sports facilities for 'dual use'.

Excellent education facilities

8.1 In line with Birmingham's Core Strategy Consultation Draft, the AAP Plan aims to promote opportunities for all to achieve high educational standards and raise the skill base of the local population. This will involve supporting Birmingham City University's (BCU) City North Campus in Perry Barr and the local schools in the area.

Birmingham City University City North Campus
8.2 Birmingham City University has prepared a draft masterplan (February 2008) for their City North Campus which proposes the consolidation of teaching and accommodation facilities, improved student services, improved and expanded parking areas, and a sports village on the campus. Central to the proposals is the 'greening' of the campus through a programme of environmental improvements.

8.3 Land at the northern end of the campus has been identified in BCU's masterplan as surplus to their requirements and therefore an opportunity site for future disposal. The AAP supports the designation of this land for employment uses that could facilitate the rationalisation of existing uses at the University's campus, in particular, the relocation of the bus depot on Wellhead Lane. Any redevelopment will need to take account of proposals for a junction improvement at Holford Lane/ Aldridge Road. The line of a Roman road and potentially other roadside structures runs through the western sports ground. Archaeological evaluation will be required as part of any development proposals. Depending on the results of the evaluation, archaeological remains will be required to be preserved in situ or excavated in advance if preservation in situ is not feasible.

8.4 A further aspect of the masterplan is the improvement of linkages to the Perry Barr/Birchfield District Centre from the campus, including improved pedestrian access to Perry Barr Railway Station, the One Stop Shopping Centre, and access to local shops and facilities on Birchfield Road.

Holte, Mayfield and Lozells School
8.5 Two out of the four secondary schools in the Plan area have already benefitted from Phase 1 BSF investment. Broadway School has recently been refurbished and Holte, Mayfield and Lozells schools will be merging and occupying a new building on the Holte School site which is due to open in March 2011.

8.6 The new Holte School will be a 'dual use' school meaning that the building and sports facilities will be accessible to the local community. The new school will make a significant contribution to the regeneration of the Newtown area.

8.7 The two development plots (0.7 hectares) in front of the school are proposed for new housing.

8.8 Mayfield School Annexe will be retained by the City Council's Children's, Young People's and Families Portfolio in order to address the shortfall in pupil places in the area.

Broadway School Annex
8.9 Broadway School's three campuses were consolidated and upgraded on its main site in Broadway Road as part of the BSF programme in 2010. The improved Broadway School, which has been designed to the highest eco standards, will provide extended use benefitting not only the school but also the wider local community.

8.10 The Broadway School Annexe on Whitehead Road will continue to provide school provision in order to address the shortfall in pupil places in the area. The buildings are statutorily Grade II Listed so proposals will need to ensure that their historic and architectural quality is preserved. Adjacent to the Annexe is the recently statutory listed Aston Fire Station - any development proposals must respect both the architectural and heritage value of both sets of buildings.

Other school provision
8.11 There are four secondary schools and seventeen primary schools in or near the Plan area. These schools are currently coping with demand but some are very close to being at full capacity. With new and emerging developments coming forward it is necessary to ensure that additional education provision is made where there is an identified need. Funding will be secured by way of planning obligations for improvements or extensions to existing schools or contributions towards the building of a new school if required. This approach is supported through the City Council's adopted policies for planning obligations and calculated by application of a standard formula.

8.12 This will be especially relevant in Newtown and Handsworth Wood where schools already run at capacity.

8.13 Dual use facilities within schools provide a useful contribution towards the recreational and leisure requirements of the City and will be encouraged.

Birmingham City University

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