Environmental considerations
Environmental issues have a central role in the Unitary Development Plan and are an important consideration when determining planning applications. Environmental considerations include strategies, development guidelines and land use plans related to greenspaces, derelict and contaminated land, nature conservation and biodiversity, flooding, air and water quality, green design and climate change.
Urban Green space and Urban Fringe
Salford has a great deal of open land ranging from high grade agriculture, to key recreation areas, country parks, playing pitch complexes, allotments and small areas of informal open space.
It is important to understand how much green space we have, where it is located, how it is connected and whether it meets accepted standards. A detailed audit and assessment has been undertaken against local standards to form Salford Greenspace Strategy SPD, which was adopted in July 2006.
Consultants completed a review of the Playing Pitch Assessment & Strategy in December 2007 to identify and recommend strategic opportunities for improvement, investment and protection of Salford's play pitch facilities. Additional assessment and guidance is planned on Indoor Recreation Facilities and the Green Access Corridors that connect the largest green spaces.
Nature conservation
The city has many nature conservation assets that it is important to protect and enhance: UK Priority Habitats and Species; Local Priority Habitats and Species; and 33 Sites of Biological Importance (which are all protected by planning policies) and a number of legally protected species. In Salford, the Mosslands have a particular importance. Additional detail and guidance is provided in the Nature Conservation and Biodiversity SPD and a Biodiversity Trigger List has also been produced to assist planning officers when initially considering planning applications. Greater Manchester Ecology Unit (GMEU) holds the most up to date ecological information and provides an advisory service to and on behalf of the ten local authorities in Greater Manchester.
Flooding
Approximately 10,000 properties across Salford are at risk of flooding. The planning process seeks to ensure that areas prone to flood risk are properly identified and that new development does not increase the risk of flooding elsewhere.
- Strategic Flood Risk Assessment
- Salford's guide to flooding for householders
Derelict land
The city council has made great strides in recent years to tackle the legacy of derelict land. Tackling the problem is important in order to improve the image of Salford, to support wider regeneration, to improve citizen confidence and investment and to create safer, healthier local neighbourhoods.
A derelict land survey is completed periodically to monitor the quantity of derelict, neglected and reclaimed land. Salford is benefiting from major investment opportunities such as the North West Development Agency funded Newlands programme (New Economic Woodlands) to support large scale improvements associated with the urban fringe, community forestry and waterside regeneration.
Pollution
It is vital to ensure that new development does not create pollution and plays its part in cleaning up problems from the past. The planning process is integral to this and planning officers work closely with colleagues in the Greater Manchester Geological Unit to improve air quality, reduce land and water contamination and minimise disturbance by noise.
Greater Manchester Geological Unit
The Greater Manchester Geological Unit deals with many environmental issues. The unit is funded by the ten Greater Manchester local authorities and is jointly managed by Salford City Council and the University of Manchester.
The unit provides multidisciplinary support to the Greater Manchester Authorities such as:-
- Strategic Planning & Representation
- Site Investigations
- Environmental Monitoring
- Enforcement Surveys
- Topographical Surveys
- Mine and Quarry Tip Inspections
- Landfill Searches
- Historic Land Use Searches
- Urban Land Uses
- Contaminated Land Strategies
All enquiries may be sent to:
Greater Manchester Geological Unit
Environment Centre
Williamson Building
University of Manchester
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PL
Tel: +44 (0)161 275 7150
Fax: +44 (0)161 275 7151
Email: gmgu@gmgu.org.uk
Web: www.gmgu.org.uk
Who to contact
- Name
- Nick Lowther
- Address
- Spatial Planning
Housing & Planning Directorate
Civic Centre
Chorley Road
Swinton
SALFORD
M27 5BY - Telephone
- 0161-793 3798
- nick.lowther@salford.gov.uk
This page was last updated on 03 July 2008
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