Housing Site Assessment Task Group

Housing Site Selection Report No. 2.1

Scope of Report

This report has been prepared for the Malmesbury Neighbourhood Plan by the MNSG Housing Site
Assessment Task Group, comprising of Cllr. Kim Power (Malmesbury Town Council), Cllr. Bob Tallon
(Brokenborough Parish Council) and Cllr. Roger Budgen (St. Paul Malmesbury Without Parish Council).

The scope of the report is to show the number of dwellings to be developed by 2026, as stipulated by
the emerging Wiltshire Core Strategy and the area to be covered by the Neighbourhood Plan and site
selection criteria. Amended criteria, as a result of consultation on Housing Site Selection Report No.1
dated 07/06/2012 and Housing Site Selection Report No.2 dated 20/6/2012 are listed below together with
an explanatory note of the Analysis Process. These will be tabled for agreement by MNSG at the next
meeting on 2nd July 2012 and endorsement by Malmesbury Town Council, Brokenborough Parish Council
and St. Paul Malmesbury Without Parish Council.

Contents

1. Scope of report (Pg.1)

2. Extract from the emerging Wiltshire Core Strategy (Pg.1)
3. Map of Designated Boundary Areas and Definition of Built Up Area (pg. 2)
4. Introduction re Site Selection Criteria (pg.3)
5. Site Selection Criteria Table (pg.3)
6. Analysis Process (pg.9)
7. Information, References and Evidence Base (pg.9)

The Wiltshire Core Strategy Submission Document - February 2012

Extract: Spatial Strategy Malmesbury Community Area: Development in the Malmesbury Community
Area should be in accordance with the Settlement Strategy set out in Core Policy 1.

Market Towns: Malmesbury

Large Villages: Ashton Keynes, Crudwell, Great Somerford, Oaksey and Sherston
Small Villages: Brinkworth, Charlton, Corston, Dauntsey, Lea, Luckington, Milbourne, Minety and
Upper Minety.

Table 5.7 Delivery of Housing 2006 to 2026 - Malmesbury Community Area

Requirement Housing already provided for Housing to be identified

Area
2006-26
Completions Specific Strategic Remaining to be
2006-11 permitted sites sites identified
Malmesbury
760 405 85 0 270
Town
Remainder 440 215 90 0 135
Community Area
1,200 620 175 0 405
Total

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 Map showing Malmesbury Neighbourhood Plan
Designated Area and Parish Boundaries

Definition of the built up area of Malmesbury: For the purposes of the Core Strategy it is proposed
that the built up area of Malmesbury is defined as comprising the areas within the framework boundaries
identified on this map around Malmesbury, Burton Hill, Swindon Road including Cowbridge and Foxley and
Common Roads.
Burton Hill, Swindon Road including Cowbridge and Foxley and Common Roads are included as they
function as part of the main town. Milbourne is not included within the definition of the built up area of
Malmesbury as it functions as a separate Small Village. (Information per Jane Macey, Spatial Planning
Officer, Economy and Enterprise, Wiltshire Council).

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Housing Site Selection – Introduction
United Nations General Assembly (Resolution 24/187) defined sustainable development as meeting the
needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The Right Hon. Greg Clark MP expanded on what this means in terms of UK planning in the introduction to
the “National Planning Policy Framework” specifically mentioning our natural environment, our historic
environment and higher standards of design, all of which are very relevant for Malmesbury. He states
“…planning must not simply be about scrutiny. Planning must be a creative exercise in finding ways to
enhance and improves the places in which we live our lives.”

Further to this is a broad explanation of the three dimensions to sustainable development:

 an economic role – contributing to building a strong, responsive and competitive economy, by

ensuring that sufficient land of the right type is available in the right places and at the right time
to support growth and innovation; and by identifying and coordinating development
requirements, including the provision of infrastructure;
 a social role – supporting strong, vibrant and healthy communities, by providing the supply of
housing required to meet the needs of present and future generations; and by creating a high
quality built environment, with accessible local services that reflect the community’s needs and
support its health, social and cultural well-being; and
 an environmental role – contributing to protecting and enhancing our natural, built and
historic environment; and, as part of this, helping to improve biodiversity, use natural resources
prudently, minimise waste and pollution, and mitigate and adapt to climate change including
moving to a low carbon economy.

Our Housing Site Selection Criteria have been based on these fundamental concepts.

Site Selection Criteria

The following table lists criteria to be considered in the site selection process.

1. Site Access: location (roads, connecting services and waste removal) - to be considered for
feasibility of developing the site (Sustainability:Recycling is considered as part of waste collection). CW:2
a) adjacent to public roads and domestic services c) access greater than 100m to roads and domestic
i.e. utilities and main drainage system, accessible services and for waste removal, requires additional
for waste removal and requiring no additional infrastructure to be provided and access issues to be
infrastructure. addressed.
b) access within 100m to public roads and d) access difficult greater than 500m to roads and
domestic services and for waste removal, requiring domestic services and for waste removal, involves
some additional infrastructure to be provided and property demolition, major excavation and will
access issues to be addressed. require major provision of new infrastructure and
serious access issues to be addressed.

2. Site Access: viability - to be considered for feasibility of developing the site. CW:2

a) adequate existing maintained roads c) new roads need to be built

b) existing road needs upgrading or widening d) new roads plus extra infrastructure to be built e.g.
roundabout, bridge

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3. Designation – Site choice to ensure the most efficient & effective use of land and the use of
previously developed land and buildings; also to consider feasibility of developing the site and conserve
and where possible enhance the landscape of the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. CW:10
a) brownfield uncontaminated c) brownfield heavy contamination

b) brownfield some contamination d) greenfield

e) other e.g. SSSI, AONB, or other locally significant

site

4. Topography – site choice to be suitable for building works to ensure the most efficient & effective use
of land; to be environmentally sustainable; to avoid the hazard of unstable land slippage. CW:5
a) ground is mostly level c) over 15 degree slope/unstable
b) between 5 and 15 degrees of slope d) requires a great deal of landscaping or levelling

5. Rights of Way – to be considered for feasibility of developing the site CW:2

a) No rights of way on or accessing the site that
are apparent from a visual inspection
b) potential rights of way on or accessing the site
require investigation and may involve legal access
issues being addressed
c) limited rights of way on or accessing the site
require investigation and will involve some legal
access issues being addressed
d) major rights of way on or accessing the site
require investigation and will involve some legal
access issues being addressed

6. Features of site that are unlikely to be resited or removed - To be considered for feasibility of
developing the site. Pylons and electrical power lines are considered very unlikely to be resited or
removed. Telephone lines, telegraph poles, and street lamps are considered to be more feasible to resite.
Other features to be judged per site. CW: 5
a) there are no features which have to be resited c) there is a feature (or features), which may be
or removed from the site. feasible to resite or remove from the site after
further research.

b) there is a feature (or features), which it is d) there is a feature (or features), which is unlikely
feasible to resite or remove from the site. to be resited or removed from the site.

7. Unneighbourly sites - to be considered for feasibility of developing the site and for promotion of
healthy life styles. CW: 5
a) there are no unneighbourly factors affecting this c) the site is situated less than 100m from an
site. electricity pylon/line, a source of industrial, highways
or otherwise pollution (e.g chemical, air, noise or
light, resulting in nuisance or ill effects).
b) the site is situated within 300m from an d) the site is situated less than 50m from an
electricity pylon/line, a source of industrial, electricity pylon/line, a source of industrial, highways
highways or otherwise pollution (e.g chemical, air, or otherwise pollution (e.g chemical, air, noise or
noise or light resulting in nuisance or ill effects). light, resulting in nuisance or ill effects).

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8. Flood Risk: ground water saturation and surface water drainage – avoidance of flood risk on
sites, adjoining and other areas in order to protect people and property from the risk of flooding. CW: 10
a) well drained soil c) poorly drained soil saturated after any rain
b) mostly drained soil d) no drainage of soil

9. Flood risk: fluvial – avoidance of flood risk on sites, adjoining and other areas in order to protect
people and property from the risk of flooding. CW: 10
a) no risk c) flood zone 2 (medium risk between 1000 to 1 &
100 to 1 fluvial)
b) flood zone 1 (low risk 1000 to 1 chance per d) flood zone 3 (high risk 100 to 1 chance fluvial)
annum)

10. Flood risk: land height – avoidance of flood risk on sites, adjoining and other areas in order to
protect people and property from the risk of flooding. CW: 10
a) on or above 75m land height (above contour b) below 75m land height (below contour line -
line – minimal flood risk) higher flood risk)

11. Impact upon archaeological sites - site choice should seek to protect, maintain and enhance the
historic environment and archaeological assets. CW: 5
a) no evidence known of archaeological features, c) some evidence of archaeological features,
groundworks or deposits groundworks or deposits
b) possibility of archaeological features, d) strong evidence of archaeological features,
groundworks or deposits groundworks or deposits

12. Impact upon heritage view and setting of Malmesbury Abbey – development should be below
the 85m contour line to preserve the historic sight line of Malmesbury Abbey and to avoid a negative
impact on Malmesbury’s historic environment. CW: 10
a) not in sight line of Abbey c) at or below 85m land height and interrupts view
of Abbey
b) at or below 85m land height and does not d) above 85m land height and interrupts view of
interrupt view of Abbey Abbey

13. Impact on the historic environment and heritage buildings of MalmesburyTown and the
adjacent area - negative impact to be avoided to preserve historic environment. CW: 10
a) enhance a conservation area or an historic/ c) some impact on a conservation area or on an
heritage area, or historic/ heritage building(s) with historic/heritage area or historic/heritage
a positive impact, e.g. improve derelict or run down building(s)
site
b) no impact on a conservation area, nor on an d) major impact on a conservation area or on an
historic/ heritage area, nor on historic/heritage historic/heritage area or on historic/heritage
building(s) building(s)

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14. Urban sprawl – to avoid the loss of the green corridor of land around the town/villages, to protect
from urban sprawl. CW:10
a) the site is wholly within a built up area of a c) the site is in the region of a built up area, does
village or town not adjoin and but is close to a village or town
b) the site adjoins a built up area of a village or d) the site does not adjoin and is not near a built up
town area and stands alone apart from a village or town

15.The natural environment: biodiversity and ecology - site choice should ensure protection and
enhancement of all ecological and biodiversity features where possible and avoid irreversible losses. CW:5
a) very little or no plant life, animal life, bird life or c) plant life, animal life, bird life or insect life of
insect life of significance on this site medium significance on this site
b) some plant life, animal life, bird life or insect life d) plant life, animal life, bird life or insect life of major
of minor significance on this site significance on this site

16. The natural environment: geodiversity - site choice should ensure protection and enhancement
of all geological features where possible and avoid irreversible losses. CW:5
a) no geological, soil conservation interests or c) geological, soil conservation interests or mineral
mineral deposits in this site deposits in this site of medium significance
b) geological, soil conservation interests or mineral d) geological, soil conservation interests or mineral
deposits in this site of minor significance deposits in this site of major significance

17. The natural environment: landscape settings, views and natural features - site choice should
ensure protection and enhancement of all biodiversity, geodiversity and landscape features where
possible and avoid irreversible losses and should seek to protect and enhance the quality of Wiltshire's
rural and urban landscapes plus maintain and strengthen local distinctiveness and sense of place. CW:10
a) no impact on surrounding natural landscape c) medium impact on surrounding natural landscape
setting and views of landscape including river and setting and views of landscape including river and
water courses, wooded areas and other natural water courses, wooded areas and other natural
features features
b) minor impact on surrounding natural landscape d) major impact on surrounding natural landscape
setting and views of landscape including river and setting and views of landscape including river and
water courses, wooded areas and other natural water courses, wooded areas and other natural
features features

18. Other natural environment constraints - site choice should ensure protection and enhancement
of all biodiversity and geological features where possible and avoid irreversible losses and should seek to
protect and enhance the quality of Wiltshire's rural and urban landscapes plus maintain and strengthen
local distinctiveness and sense of place. CW:5
a) there are no environmental constraints affecting c) medium amount of significant hedgerows or trees
this site. with or without Tree Preservation Orders, fields,
meads and natural areas, ditches, watermeadows,
water courses, meanders, riparian or other features
affecting this site.
b) small amount of significant hedgerows or trees d) large amount of significant hedgerows or trees
with or without Tree Preservation Orders, fields, with or without Tree Preservation Orders, fields,
meads and natural areas, ditches, watermeadows, meads and natural areas, ditches, watermeadows,
water courses, meanders, riparian or other water courses, meanders, riparian or other features
features affecting this site. affecting this site.

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19. Scale of the potential development on the site (based upon 30 dwellings/ha) - site choice
should seek to protect and enhance the quality of Wiltshire's rural and urban landscapes plus maintain
and strengthen local distinctiveness and sense of place. CW:10

a) in scale and no impact on surrounding housing, c) medium impact on surrounding housing, built area
built area or locale or locale, due to scale of development
b) small impact on surrounding housing, built area d) major impact on surrounding housing, built area
or locale due to scale of development or locale, due to scale of development

20. Sustainability: public transport, buses - site choices should wherever possible reduce the need to
travel and promote more sustainable transport choices, promote healthy life styles and improve air
quality (reduce air pollution) by encouraging use of public transport rather than use of private cars. CW:5
a) there is an existing bus route with easy access c) there is an existing bus route within 10 minutes
on site. walk.
b) there is an existing bus route within 5 minutes d) there is an existing bus route more than 10
walk. minutes walk away or there is no bus link available.

21. Sustainability: cycle paths - site choices should wherever possible reduce the need to travel and
promote more sustainable transport choices, promote healthy life styles and improve air quality (reduce
air pollution) by encouraging use of public transport rather than use of private cars. CW:2
a) there are cycle paths/ roads for cycling c) there are no cycle paths/ roads for cycling
accessing the site. accessing the site, but a new cycle path could be
made to meet existing cycle paths/ roads.
b) there are cycle paths/ roads for cycling within d) there are no cycle paths/ safe roads for cycling
50m of the site. accessing the site and a new cycle path could not be
made to meet existing cycle paths/ roads.

22. Sustainability: footpaths - site choices should wherever possible reduce the need to travel and
promote more sustainable transport choices, in particular ‘Malmesbury Town’ site choices should be
located close to footpaths, in order to promote sustainability and to reduce car usage and congestion
within the town; also to improve air quality (reduce air pollution) by encouraging people to walk rather
than use the car. CW:5
a) there are existing footpaths/ pavements or c) no existing footpaths/ pavements or roads edged
roads edged for pedestrians accessing the site. for pedestrian use but can create a walkway to a
road edged for pedestrians use.
b) there are existing footpaths/ pavements or d) no existing footpaths/ pavements or roads edged
roads edged for pedestrians within 10m of the site. for pedestrian use and a walkway to a road edged
for pedestrians use cannot be created.

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23. Sustainability: access to retail amenities - site choices should wherever possible reduce the need
to travel and promote more sustainable transport choices and promote healthy life styles. In particular,
Malmesbury Town site choices should be located within close walking distance (approx 5 mins) to shops
and other retail amenities, in order to promote sustainability and to reduce car usage and congestion
within the town; also to improve air quality (reduce air pollution) by encouraging people to walk rather
than use the car. CW:5
a) the Site is within 5 minutes walking distance of c) the Site is within 20 minutes walking distance of
local shops and/ or amenities. local shops and/ or amenities.
b) the Site is within 10 minutes walking distance of d) the site is more than 20 minutes from local shops
local shops and/ or amenities. and/ or amenities and it is likely that people will
travel by car or bus rather than walk to them.

24. Local infrastructure: schools - site choice should take into account location of Primary and
Secondary schools with available places, site choice should not have a detrimental affect on existing
provision or facilities; site location should encourage or promote healthy lifestyles through walking or
cycling if possible. CW:5
a) there are existing schools with available places d) there are existing schools with available places
on or adjacent to the site within a 30 minute bus or car journey from the site.
b) there are existing schools with available places e) new schools will have to be
within 5 to 10 minutes walk or cycle from the site.
c) there are existing schools with available places
within 10 to 20 minutes walk or cycle from the site.

25. Local infrastructure: PCCs, health centres and hospitals - site choice should take into account
location of PCCs, health centres and hospitals with available places, site choice should not have a
detrimental affect on existing provision or facilities that encourage and promote healthy life styles and
reduce health inequalities. CW:5
a) there are existing Health Care Facilities with c) there are existing Health Care Facilities with
available places within 10 minutes walk. available places within a short bus or car journey of
not more than 15 minutes.
b) there are existing Health Care Facilities with d) new Health Care provision will be needed.
available places within 10 to 20 minutes walk.

26. Cultural, religious and recreational facilities: libraries, places of worship, cinemas, sports &
community centres, evening classes, play parks and open spaces - site choice must take into
account access to cultural, religious and recreational facilities in order to promote equality of access and
assist with engagement of local community. CW:2
a) there are existing cultural, religious and c) there are existing cultural, religious and
recreational facilities within 10 minutes walk. recreational facilities within a 15 minute bus or car
journey.
b) there are existing cultural, religious and d) new cultural, religious and recreational facilities
recreational facilities within 10 to 20 minutes walk. will be needed.

(N.B. It may be required that the criteria listed above be amended, deleted or added to, if so this will be
carried out in accordance with MNSG TOR).

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 Analysis Process

In order to compare sites, a (copyrighted) system based on weighted criteria was devised. It permits
attributes to be converted to variables by using a points system.

The criteria have been weighted according to their significance. The most significant criteria have a
weighting of 10 whereas the least significant have a weighting of 2. (See individual criterion for weighting
e.g. CW: 2). This weighting has been determined after reference to the Wiltshire Council Core Strategy
(latest submission), NPPF and various other assessments and evidential works and the major references
are listed at the end of this report.

The variables are uniformly designated a) to d) and have loadings of 1, 2, 5, and 10 or a) to e) 1, 2,

5, 7, and 10, where 10 represents the maximum loading.

There are two exceptions:

 criteria no.10 which is a) 1, b) 10

 criteria no.12 which is a)1, b)1, c)5, d)10

Criteria weightings and variables are then multiplied together and compared.

NOTICE The Criterion Scoring System presented here was devised by and is Copyright © Roger Budgen, John Gundry, Simon Killane,
Kim Power and Bob Tallon, 2012. All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted for its reproduction and not-for-profit use for UK
Neighbourhood Planning purposes only providing this notice is attached. Any other use, including any commerical or for-profit
reproduction or use, is prohibited without prior permission in writing. Contact John Gundry gundry@knowab.co.uk 01666 826654

Some Main References, Information Sources And Evidence Base

National Planning Policy Framework

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/nppf
http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/2116950.pdf

Wiltshire Core Strategy Submission Document – January 2012

http://consult.wiltshire.gov.uk/portal/spatial_planning/wcs/pre-
subconsult2012?pointId=2099976#document-2099976

Joint Strategic Assessment For Malmesbury Community Area 2011 (Wiltshire Council)
http://www.intelligencenetwork.org.uk/joint-strategic-assessment/

Wiltshire Local Development Framework - Wiltshire Infrastructure Delivery Plan 2011 - 2026
http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/wcs-wiltshire-infrastructure-delivery-plan-2011-to-2026.pdf

Wiltshire Local Development Framework - Wiltshire Infrastructure Delivery Plan 2011 - 2026
Appendix 1: Community Area Delivery Schedules – Malmesbury
Wiltshire Core Strategy Consultation January 2012
http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/wcs-infrastructure-delivery-plan-appendix-1-malmesbury-
feb-2012.pdf

Wiltshire Local Development Framework - Wiltshire Green Infrastructure Strategy update

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/wiltshire-green-infrastructure-update-2012-january.pdf

Wiltshire Council Strategic Housing Market Assessment – December 2011

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http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/planning-policy-wiltshire-shma.pdf

Wiltshire Strategic Flood Risk Assessment High Level Executive Summary - June 2009
http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/wiltshire_strategic_flood_risk_assessment_high_level_execu
tive_summary_june_2009.pdf

Malmesbury Conservation Area Management Plan

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/20101025_malmesbury_camp_ref_feb_2010.pdf

Malmesbury Community Planning Workshop Report - The Prince’s Foundation for Building
Community
http://www.malmesburyneighbourhood.com/uploads/1/8/3/2/1832978/__malmesbury_fi
nal_princes_foundation_report_-02-05-12.pdf

Strategic housing land availability assessment - Output report Dec 2011 (Wiltshire Council)
http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/wiltshire-shlaa-output-report-feb-2012

Strategic housing land availability assessment Malmesbury – Dec 2011 (Wiltshire Council)
http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/planning-shlaa-2011-dec-appendix-3-malmesbury.pdf

State of the Environment report for Wiltshire and Swindon 2012

http://www.intelligencenetwork.org.uk/environment/

Environment Agency
www.environment-agency.gov.uk

Government Planning Advisory Service

http://www.pas.gov.uk/pas/core/page.do?pageId=1

Cllr. Kim Power (Malmesbury Town Council) Cllr. Bob Tallon (Brokenborough Parish Council)

Cllr. Roger Budgen (St. Paul Malmesbury Without Parish Council) 28/06/2012

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