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A Sustainable urban extension to melton mowbray: the Direction of Growth

 

In January 2008, Melton Borough Council published the Melton Local Development Framework (MLDF) Core Strategy (Preferred Options). The Core Strategy document sets out the vision, objectives and strategic policies for the Borough to 2026. The Core Strategy presented 4 housing and 2 employment growth options for the development of land on the edge of Melton Mowbray.

 

On the 18th November 2009 an Extraordinary Council meeting was held to decide which of the growth options should be the Council's preferred option.  In reaching a decision Councillors have taken into account representations received on the Preferred Options version of the Core Strategy and a range of evidence as set out below.  Councillors agreed to support the building of 1,000 new homes as an urban extension to north of Melton Mowbray and an employment development to the west of the town.  

 

Councillors also looked at the best route for the long-awaited Melton bypass.  Development to the north of the town will provide for a partial bypass solution between Nottingham Road and Melton Spinney Road. This new road would be provided as part of the development and would not only deal with the new housing but would also provide significant relief to traffic congestion in the town centre. This road could then be incorporated into a three-quarter bypass between the A607 (Thorpe Road) and the A606 (Burton Road).

 

The Council has commissioned Halcrow Ltd to prepare a masterplan for a development ‘sustainable urban extension’ to the north of Melton Mowbray has commissioned Halcrow Ltd to prepare a masterplan for a development ‘sustainable urban extension’ to the north of Melton Mowbray.

 

Details of the Masterplan are available on this website. 

 

The Core Strategy will be considered later this year before a further round of consultation and submission to an independent Government Inspector.  

 

The preferred options for growth and a bypass to Melton Mowbray will be presented in the Core Strategy (Submission) DPD which will be published in Spring 2010.

 

Growth Options Plan

Supporting evidence

 

In March 2005 the Council published a 'Development Site Criteria’ discussion paper as part of a series of topic based papers.  The paper looks at a criteria based methodology for the identification of potential development sites.  Interested parties submitted a range of comments on the factors that should be used to decide the location of new development and the importance to be attached to them.  These factors, and their weighting, form the basis of our assessment framework to help us choose the best directions of growth for Housing and Employment development. 

 

FACTOR Why Important Available evidence

Natural resources

Minerals and geology Minerals deposits are a finite resource which should be safeguarded from development which prevents future extraction. Minerals Consultation Areas Plan
Water Supply New development must be capable of being serviced by appropriate infrastructure. Comments from Severn Trent Water
Farmland

The presence of the best and most versatile agricultural land should be taken into account when considering locations for development.

Agricultural Quality of Land in Melton Borough

Community

Access to community infrastructure

The creation of safe, sustainable, liveable and mixed communities with good access to jobs and key services for all members of the community is a key objective of the planning system

Accessibility Study 

Neighbouring uses Any new development will have an impact upon neighbouring uses and the planning system has a duty to ensure, as far as possible, that no negative impact results to either the existing or new development and its occupiers. Neighbouring Uses Survey
Loss of existing use Development can result in the loss uses that occupy a site.  In some cases the loss of an existing use may be desirable (such as dilapidated buildings or contaminated industrial uses) and in other cases it may be potentially harmful (such as loss of recreation space or natural habitat). Existing Uses Survey

Physical

Ground contamination

Contamination can create risks to human health, property and the wider environment, including long-term limitations on the use of soils.

Contamination Plan
Flood risk Flooding threatens life and causes substantial damage to property.  New development should not generally be permitted in areas of flood risk. Strategic Flood Risk Assessment
Unstable Land

Difficulties have been experienced in developing land in areas of past and present mining and in other areas where land is unstable or potentially unstable. The effects of ground instability vary in their nature, scale and extent. At their most extreme, they may threaten life and health or cause damage to buildings and structures.

Unstable Land Plan
Road network capacity New development can increase vehicle movements and it is important to understand the impact that this will have on the existing road network.

Ptolemy - Development Options and Bypass Alignments for Melton Mowbray

 

Melton Mowbray Development and Mitigation Tests

 

Melton Mowbray Sustainable Transport Strategy

 

Traffic modelling report (archive)

Cultural

Historic buildings and structures The physical survivals of our past are to be valued and protected for their own sake. They contribute to local distinctiveness which is important to the character and appearance of an area, and adds to the quality of our lives. Historic Buildings Plan
Historic parks The spaces and semi-natural features which people have moulded are an important part of our cultural heritage.  However, no parks or gardens are within the areas of search for new housing and employment development.  N/A
Archaeology Archaeological remains are irreplaceable. They are evidence of the past development of our civilization and in many cases are highly fragile and vulnerable to damage and destruction.  They are part of our sense of national identity and are valuable both for their own sake and for their role in education, leisure and tourism. Comments from Leicestershire County Council Archaeology
Townscape The impact development has on the setting of the town is an important consideration.  This has been considered together with the impact on the wider landscape of the growth options. Landscape Character Assessment

Environmental

Wildlife and habitat Biodiversity is the variety of life in all its forms. Conserving and enhancing biological diversity is an objective of the planning system.  Development should have minimal impacts on biodiversity and enhance it wherever possible.

Melton Borough Biodiversity and Geodiversity Study (text)

 

Biodiversity and Geodiversity Plans

Landscape Development can have a significant impact on the landscape.  Understanding the natural and man-made character of the surrounding area is important to determine how new development can be accommodated within the landscape. Landscape Character Assessment
Air quality Air quality can have an impact on human health and the location of development can be sensitive to areas of air pollution or control. Air Quality Survey
Water quality Development can have an impact on the quality of water available, particularly in areas of aquifer protection.

Groundwater protection map

 

Info to support map (Environment Agency)

Economic 

Developability To be considered developable a site should be in a suitable location for development and there should be a reasonable prospect that the site is available for, and could be developed at the point envisaged.  The viability of a site for the development proposed is a key component of developability. Viability Assessment Report  (public version, full report contains commercially sensitive information)
Contribution to improved infrastructure

An assessment of the impact of development upon existing or planned infrastructure and of any new infrastructure required is a key consideration when determining significant development proposals.

Viability Assessment Report (public version, full report contains commercially sensitive information)
Infrastructure  
Surface water and foul drainage facilities and capacity New development must be capable of being serviced by appropriate infrastructure. Comments from Severn Trent  Water
Vehicular access to a site New development can increase vehicle movements and it is important to understand the potential for a strategic development site to access the existing road network. Access to road network
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