To inform the preparation of the South Gloucestershire Core Strategy we are collecting evidence about the area from a variety of sources. The evidence base is continually being updated and documents will be added to this page as they become available - see 'Read more' on the right hand side of this page.
Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) – The Updated December 2011 SHLAA together with December 2010 SHLAA (including the December 2010 Summary Report) can be viewed by clicking on the relevant report in the “Read More” box on the right.
Justification for the Strategy for Housing to 2026 This document sets out the rationale behind the approach to the overall level of housing provision and the spatial distribution of growth in the submission South Gloucestershire Core Strategy.
West of England Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) A joint study with 5 other authorities (Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset, North Somerset, South Somerset and West Wiltshire). The final report was completed in June 2009 and can be viewed and downloaded from the West of England Partnership website.
Economic Viability Assessment Affordable Housing Policy Study
This study meets the requirement, set down in PP3:Housing, to undertake an informed assessment of the economic viability of the proportions of affordable housing, and the site size threshold levels, being proposed in the Core Strategy. The Study was commissioned from District Valuer Services (DVS). It looked at hypothetical development schemes on 18 sites across South Gloucestershire, making assumptions about gross development costs and development values. The resulting residual land values were then used to judge the likely economic viability of the developments. The study was completed in August 2010, following a stakeholder event on the draft findings.
Employment Land Review This report, which is made up of three stages, has been prepared in line with national guidance. The first two stages of the report were prepared for the Council by GVA Grimley. The three stages are:
• Stage 1 – The Supply of Employment Land - taking stock of the existing situation.
• Stage 2 – Demand for Employment Land in the period to 2026 - creating a picture of future requirements.
• Stage 3 – Developing a new portfolio of sites – recommendations for future policy for employment land including the safeguarding of existing employment sites and the possible allocation of new sites.
Town Centre and Retail Study for South Gloucestershire (April 2010) This study by Roger Tym & Partners (3 volumes) establishes the scope and likely future investment required for retail and leisure provision in South Gloucestershire's town centres, including exploring new opportunities. The household survey data can be provided on request.
The Mall Regional Shopping Centre Report by Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners (Dec 2010) Report on the catchment area and role of The Mall Regional Shopping Centre, to support NLP's representations to the Pre-Submission Core Strategy.
Appraisal of the Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners Report (July 2011) Report by Roger Tym & Partners/Hollissvincent, which includes advice on the implications for Policies CS14 and CS26 of the Core Strategy.
Retail Study Update and Impact Assessment (December 2011) This report by Roger Tym & Partners is an update to the Town Centre and Retail Study 2010 and a retail impact assessment of potential growth in floorspace at The Mall Regional Shopping Centre.
Infrastructure Delivery Plan February 2011 is the first Infrastructure Delivery Plan produced by South Gloucestershire Council. It has been prepared in accordance with Planning Policy Statement 12: Local Spatial Planning, and forms part of the evidence base to support the Core Strategy. The February 2011 version supersedes the previous version published in June 2010.
Infrastructure Delivery Plan Update December 2011is the first update to the February 2011 Delivery Plan.
New Neighbourhoods Delivery Statement This document demonstrates that the strategic housing sites in the Core Strategy are available for development, are capable of being developed, and that the development can be delivered within the timescale of the Core Strategy. The document should be read in conjunction with the Core Strategy Sustainability Appraisal and the Infrastructure Delivery Plan.
New Neighbourhoods Delivery Statement - Cribbs/Patchway Update December 2011 This update supports amendments to Policy CS26, which have been necessary in response to questions raised by the Examination Inspector and the change in the status of Filton Airfield.
South Gloucestershire Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA), Level 1 Report, February 2009 The Report will assist the delivery of sustainable development by providing technical advice on the avoidance, reduction and management of flood risk which will inform the Council’s decisions, on both the land allocation process (through the preparation of development plans) and planning applications. It will also inform the wider community in matters relating to development and flood risk. The Report was prepared by Scott Wilson, in accordance with the government guidance contained in Planning Policy Statement 25 (Development and Flood Risk). The Environment Agency has reviewed the Report and confirmed in writing that it is satisfied with the scope and content of the document.
From time to time the Flood Zone Maps included in the SFRA Report will be updated following the acceptance of new information by the Environment Agency. Updates can be viewed in the South Gloucestershire Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA), Level 1 Updates document, October/November 2010,
South Gloucestershire Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA), Level 2 Report, December 2011. This Report focuses on the strategic development and housing opportunity sites identified in the South Gloucestershire Core Strategy. The Report provides technical guidance and information on the avoidance, reduction and management of flood risk to developers and sets out requirements for Flood Risk Assessments. The Level 2 Report will inform the Council’s decisions on planning applications. The Report was prepared by JBA Consulting, in accordance with the government guidance contained in Planning Policy Statement 25 (Development and Flood Risk). The Environment Agency has reviewed the Report and confirmed in writing that it is satisfied with the scope and content of the document.
Avonmouth-Severnside Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) Level 2 The council, together with Bristol City Council and the Lower Severn Drainage Board, commissioned this study for the Avonmouth-Severnside area as it is at risk from flooding. The Study provides flood risk information to inform the land allocation process, assist with development control decisions and inform the wider community in matters relating to development and flood risk. The summary report of the work is available from the link on this page.
Flood Risk - Sequential Test Information Note This information note sets out how the Council has complied with the requirements of the PPS25 Sequential Test in relation to the identification of locations for strategic development in the Core Strategy.
Habitats Regulations Assessment - This document comprises the Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) of the pre-submission draft of the South Gloucestershire Core Strategy, in accordance with Regulation 61 of the Habitats Regulations 2010. Natural England considers the Habitats Regulations Assessment “fit for purpose” and concurs with its conclusions that implementation of the Core Strategy is not likely to result in a significant effect on the integrity of European Sites, either alone or in combination with other plans or projects.
Study of Potential for Renewable and Low Carbon Energy in South Gloucestershire
Open Space Audit The Council has completed a study of open spaces, outdoor sport and recreation facilities across South Gloucestershire in accordance with the requirements of Planning Policy Guidance Note 17: Planning of Open Space and Recreation (PPG17). It includes an audit, a local needs assessments and a set of local standards for open spaces, outdoor sport, recreation and play facilities. The audit identifies all types of open space and recreation facilities, assessing each type in terms of quantity, quality and accessibility. The local needs assessment gathered evidence through a comprehensive engagement programme (recorded in the Consultation Report) on the levels of resident satisfaction regarding open space, outdoor sport and recreation facilities. This information was then used, in combination with the findings of the audit, to set out locally specific standards for the quantity, quality and accessibility of the different types of open spaces, outdoor sport and recreation facilities found across South Gloucestershire.
Community Profiles for South Gloucestershire These profiles were originally published as part of the Inital Sustainability Appraisal that accompanied the Issues & Options document in 2008. As of February 2011, references to the South West Regional Spatial Strategy have been removed to reflect changes in the national planning context. References to specific developments which have been completed since 2008 have also been updated where relevant.
Sub-Regional Apportionment of Aggregates - Technical Note This note set out how the West of England guideline figure for crushed rock for 2005 - 2020 has been sub-divided between South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.
Supporting Documents
Residential Land Survey An annual survey, the most recent of which is 2011
South Gloucestershire Transport: Annual Progress Report 2005
Joint Local Transport Plan Delivery Report 2006
Town Centres and Retailing in South Gloucestershire An annual survey, the most recent of which is 2011
Shopping Parades and single shops survey The summary data on shopping parades is in the Town Centres and Retailing report for August 2006. The single shops survey was also carried out in August 2006
Employment Land Survey An annual survey, the most recent of which is 2011.
- Green infrastructure in the West of England These datasets can be accessed via the website link under 'Other websites'
- West of England Strategic Green Infrastructure (GI) Framework A joint framework with the West of England Partnership, Bath & North East Somerset Council, Bristol City Council, the Forestry Commission, the Environment Agency and Natural England. The framework can be taken into account in the preparation and delivery of the Council’s Local Development Framework and is a material consideration in the determination of planning applications
Annual Reports by the South West Regional Aggregates Working Party (SWRAWP) Available on the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) website -see link under Other Websites.
Strategic Green Belt Assessment In 2006 the Council carried out an assessment as to how the existing Green Belt in South Gloucestershire fulfils the statutory purposes and objectives identified in the government's Planning Policy Guidance note on Green Belts (PPG2). The assessment was subject to consultation in March/April 2006.
NB Earlier versions of annual surveys are available on the Planning policy monitoring reports web pages which can be accessed from the Planning Policy web page