TRAFFORD GREEN PARTY POLICY STATEMENT

DEVELOPMENT AND GREEN SPACE

INTRODUCTION

This is a local policy statement, produced by Trafford Green Party. It reflects national Green Party policy on planning and focuses on specific areas for local action in Trafford.

Green policies should seek to ensure that wherever such development takes place it has as little negative impact on the environment as possible. Overall planning policies should therefore:

Minimise the encroachment onto undeveloped "greenfield" sites, by re-using previously developed sites which have fallen into disuse wherever possible.

Reduce the need for people to travel excessively, by ensuring that the necessary facilities are provided at a local level wherever possible - provided that there is no excessive nuisance, all types of building can mix as they have done in the most vigorous communities in the past.

Encourage the use of ecologically sustainable building practices.

The planning process is a crucial function of a Local Council. Green Councillors will seek to influence and implement policies in the new Local Development Framework that build environmental sustainability and social justice into the heart of the planning system.

General Planning Principles

The need for urban green spaces, both formal and informal, should be recognised and these spaces should be protected.

Housing densities should be increased by high quality design incorporating a reduction in road and parking space, keeping vehicles to the edge of site wherever possible. Car-free developments should also be encouraged, especially in areas close to amenities or with good public transport.

Local planning documents should encourage traditional local designs and innovative energy saving technologies.

Close proximity of workplaces, homes and services cuts down commuter movement and saves energy and time.

By allowing small part-time businesses, workshops, etc., to spring up in housing areas, incentives will be available for people to use their leisure time for useful part-time work at home, all of which will add to the national stock and to the character of the community.

New building developments and road systems should be designed and existing systems adapted in order to provide convenient safe and pleasant access for pedestrians and cyclists; convenient and safe access to affordable public transport; and measures to control dangerous and unsociable driving, (especially speeding).

New residential developments should be designed as 'home zones', where pedestrians have priority and other forms of transport must travel at a maximum of 10mph.

Parking space for bicycles should be provided in all new developments. Residential developments should also provide secure bicycle storage, either communally or in each dwelling.

Shopping

A wide range of local shops and services within walking distance is essential to a sustainable community. Yet local shops are closing or being replaced with chain-store 'clones' and formula retailers every day, and just a few supermarkets dominate the market for groceries.

Retailing is a highly visible part of the business sector with a huge influence on society, local communities and employment. Almost half of UK shops are owned and managed by a sole trader, and many more have fewer than five employees. Retail also provides routes to self employment. Our policies relating to shopping are, therefore:

Using national planning guidelines, we will encourage a wide range of services in a good environment, accessible to all – in order to promote local and independent shops.

Reject all supermarket planning applications that threaten independent shops and services.

Housing

The housing market nationally has been wrecked by the sale of social housing and a reliance on market forces to determine the supply of the housing stock. The escalating house building programme is providing houses that are out of financial reach of first time buyers. Houses also account for 30% of all CO2 emissions. We will aim to ensure that:

All new housing developments include 50% affordable houses.

All new houses are built to the Building Research Establishment’s “Excellent” Eco-Homes Standard or higher.

Car free housing developments are created and ensure that larger new developments include a live/work area.

More diverse tenures are encouraged (such as housing co-operatives and community co-housing) along with the use of more innovative design, such as self-build schemes and zero energy buildings.

Green Spaces

Our limited countryside is vital for our quality of life and must be managed sustainably and treated with respect. We support organic and environmental stewardship of the countryside. Green spaces within the Borough should be treated in a similar way. We aim to:

Ensure that planning proposals protect existing wildlife habitats and include public open space where appropriate.

Enhance the biodiversity at all public open spaces, where this would not conflict with its recreational use, and ensure they are appropriately managed in the future.

Support use of parks and green spaces by the local community, and encourage input from local residents into the running of parks.

Encourage the development of “green corridors”.

Reduce the Council’s use of herbicides and pesticides in public parks, open spaces, tennis courts, streets, etc. Organic weed control methods should be adopted wherever possible.

Promote the benefits of organic, locally produced food, and local distribution networks or box schemes.

Encourage schools and other institutions to use organic, GM-free and Fairtrade ingredients and to provide more vegetarian and vegan options.
- Encourage local shops and supermarkets to sell a greater proportion of food that has been produced locally, organically and ethically.

Develop an Allotments Strategy – to protect existing sites, provide new sites in new large development, ensure that they are well maintained, promoted, and have areas set aside for organic production.

Work with charities to plant new woods and establish new wildlife habitats around the borough with public access.

Have planning policies that protect all rivers, wetlands and their vicinities from any negative developments.

Leisure and Culture

Opportunities for entertainment, play, creativity and social interaction are vital for the well-being of local communities. We have many good venues, projects and festivals in the Borough, but more is needed – especially for young people. We will aim to:

Provide community centres in all areas that do not currently have them - for meetings, skills workshops, games and entertainment, equipment hire, child care, access to the internet and information about local services.

Ensure that green spaces, sports pitches, tennis courts, skate parks, children's play areas, etc., are protected in development plans.

Fight to protect local cultural centres (museums, theatres, cinemas, libraries and other venues) from threats of closure or cuts to services.

John Westbrook for Trafford Green Party - February 2007