Social, Community and Education Provision
Adopted Unitary Development Plan
Introduction (Part I)
11.1 A city's social and community facilities include day centres, community centres, homes for the elderly and disabled, education facilities, museums, libraries, hospitals, and health centres. They play an important part in daily life and can be an important component in urban regeneration through links between education and economic development or between cultural assets and tourism. They also influence people's perceptions of the city as a place in which to live and work. The plan is obliged to have regard to social considerations, including social needs and problems. The likely impact of the plan's provisions on different groups in the population, such as ethnic minorities, disabled people and the elderly, has also been taken into account.
11.2 Several factors have affected the way in which facilities have been provided within Salford in recent years. Of particular importance have been the City's changing population structure, national trends such as the move towards community-based health care, and tighter controls on public expenditure.
11.3 Salford's population has undergone a significant decline in the last 30 years. As mentioned elsewhere in the UDP, the City is expected to have lost some 69,000 people or 22% of its population over the period 1961 to 1996. Population losses in inner urban areas have undermined the viability of some social and community facilities. This is particularly the case in education provision where falling pupil rolls have precipitated the amalgamation and closure of several schools. Population forecasts for the UDP period, however, point to the stabilisation of the City's population at around about the current level but with increased numbers of young people (aged 0-14), the very elderly (over 75), and people in the middle age groups. Such changes may well have an impact on social and community provision during the plan period, placing increased demands on education, welfare and health facilities.
11.4 The Regional Health Authority and Hospital Trusts have extensive land holdings in the City. In recent years the Health Authorities have moved increasingly towards community-based health care provision. This trend is likely to continue throughout the plan period and it will have an impact on the City through the development of small health care facilities within established residential areas and the rationalisation and possible closure of some larger hospitals and institutions.
11.5 The City Council is a major provider of welfare, cultural and education facilities. Increasing restrictions placed on Local Government expenditure have had a limiting-effect on the City Council's abilities to respond to changing demands, particularly in welfare provision. The private and voluntary sectors play an increasingly important role in service provision and a number of self-help groups have evolved in response to local needs. Salford University and the University College of Salford make a significant contribution to education and training in a national context, and their continued development over the plan period will be encouraged.
Strategy (Part I)
11.6 Provision of social and community facilities requires a broad and flexible strategy to build on the existing network, and to respond to changes in the City's population. The plan's strategy is geared towards:
- safeguarding and improving community resources
- increasing awareness of, and access to, facilities by the whole community
- developing new facilities which meet local needs and
- supporting community development and involvement
11.7 Restrictions placed on Local Government finance are likely to limit welfare development programmes for the foreseeable future. This is reflected in the UDP by the lack of large scale development proposals. The approach adopted in the plan is one of improving the quality of existing provision and, where appropriate, encouraging greater involvement by private and voluntary organisations. In this way the City Council will seek to foster the development of local communities and will ensure that local needs are both understood and catered for.
11.8 As for education provision, there will be a continuing requirement to meet the needs of Salford's residents by improvement, and in some cases, replacement of older schools, by building new schools in areas of population growth, and by the continued development of the City's adult, further and higher education establishments. There are currently 10 schools in the City which were built in the 19th Century and a further 8 schools which were built before the First World War. Most of these schools are in densely built up areas like Eccles where there is little land available with which to provide new or improved schools. The City Council will continue to encourage close links between education and the business community in order to ensure that Salford's residents can compete effectively in the jobs market and that education can continue to play an important part in the urban regeneration process. The plan will also promote the City Council's existing policy of developing schools as community resources. The phased development and expansion of Salford University and University College of Salford will be supported by the City Council, particularly where it helps to open up areas for public access and achieve wider environmental objectives.
11.9 The City Council's strategy for cultural provision is geared towards the continued development of the Crescent as a cultural centre for the City as a whole. Cultural facilities offer considerable potential as outlined in the Tourism section of the UDP.
11.10 Health care provision remains primarily the responsibility of the Regional and Area Health Authorities but the maintenance of health care standards throughout Salford is of concern to the City Council. The various Health Authorities will be encouraged to maintain and improve facilities. The City Council will also seek to make land available for new, expanded or replacement facilities, to promote new uses for redundant facilities and land, compatible with the needs of the surrounding area, and to support the provision of community-based health care facilities relevant to local needs.
11.11 Priorities will focus on:
- the Investment Priority Area
- areas of significant population growth
- schemes which assist urban regeneration, for example, through links between education and business or which promote tourism development
- schemes which meet local needs
11.12 This approach is compatible with Strategic Planning Guidance in that it will help to promote urban regeneration, one of the key objectives for the conurbation as a whole.
Provision of Social and Community Facilities
Policy (Part I)
SC1 - The City Council will maintain and improve the quality and distribution of social and community facilities and will promote greater awareness and use of these facilities. Priority will be given to the development of new and improved facilities in the Investment Priority Area, areas of significant new housing development and population growth, and in locations where there is local need and a lack of current provision.
Reasoned Justification (Part II)
The maintenance and improvement of a network of social and community facilities will help to improve the overall quality of life for Salford residents and will assist in the process of urban regeneration. Promoting increased awareness and use of facilities and giving priority to areas of the City where needs and demands are greatest will make the best use of limited resources. Priority will be given to the following areas:
- The Investment Priority Area
- Boothstown
- Irlam and Cadishead
Provision of Social and Community Facilities by Private and Voluntary Agencies
Policy (Part I)
SC2 - The City Council will generally support the provision of social and community facilities by private and voluntary agencies where these complement the services and facilities provided by the City Council and do not conflict with the policies and proposals of the Unitary Development Plan.
Reasoned Justification (Part II)
In addition to the facilities provided by the City Council, development of social and community facilities by the private and voluntary sectors, including the provision of places of worship, will help broaden the range of facilities available to Salford residents and will improve access and choice.
Education Land and Buildings
Policy (Part I)
SC3 - The City Council will safeguard land and buildings in education use. Where land and buildings become surplus to education requirements and can be released without detriment to the quality of education provision, consideration will be given to alternative uses, having due regard to the policies and proposals of the Unitary Development Plan. In particular, priority will be given to the retention of surplus school playing fields for public use and the re-use of school buildings to provide social facilities where an identified need exists.
Reasoned Justification (Part II)
The City Council recognises the need to maintain and improve education provision. However, in some instances, falling pupil rolls will result in surplus education land and buildings, and the re-use of these surplus facilities will maximise the use of existing resources. In those parts of the City where there is inadequate public open space and recreation provision, the use of surplus education playing fields by the public will help to offset such deficiencies.
Improvement/Replacement of Schools
Policy (Part I)
SC4 - The City Council will endeavour to make good any deficiencies in school facilities both through the improvement of old schools and the development of new, or replacement facilities, subject to the availability of adequate resources.
Reasoned Justification (Part II)
This policy seeks to ensure that the supply of school buildings and support infrastructure is sufficient to meet local needs and also that the condition of buildings and educational facilities is compatible with current requirements. Priority will be given to the improvement or replacement of primary schools within the Eccles area where there is a concentration of ageing sub-standard schools suffering from considerable site deficiencies.
Provision of School Sports Facilities
Policy (Part I)
SC5 - Where a school lacks sports facilities, the City Council will seek to identify land in close proximity to the school for the provision of such facilities. Where vacant land is not available, the City Council will make nearby public sports facilities available to the school on a scheduled basis.
Reasoned Justification (Part II)
The City Council wishes to relieve the site deficiencies of schools within the City and maximise access to, and use of, existing recreational facilities.
Schools in the Community
Policy (Part I)
SC6 - The City Council will support and promote the community use of schools and other public buildings wherever possible. The City Council will provide community facilities at new schools and will continue its existing policy of permitting the dual use of education pitches as far as practicable and subject to the requirements of good management.
Reasoned Justification (Part II)
It is the policy of the City Council to provide for community facilities at all new schools as part of the basic design brief. The provision of such facilities, coupled with greater community use of existing school buildings and land as well as other appropriate public buildings, will help to maximise the use of existing resources, increase public access to recreation facilities, and also provide for maximum community involvement in the development of schools in the City.
The Education Reform Act, 1988 gives responsibility for the use of school buildings and facilities, including school playing fields and sports pitches, outside of the school day, to school governing bodies. Community use of school buildings and facilities will therefore be subject to the appraisal of the relevant governing body.
Adult, Higher and Further Education
Policy (Part I)
SC7 - The City Council will support the continued development of adult, higher and further education within the City and will continue to make land and premises available for this purpose.
Reasoned Justification (Part II)
Adult, higher and further education play an important part in the urban regeneration process. In addition, Salford University and the University College of Salford are of national importance and the continued development and expansion of these facilities will be encouraged over the plan period. Wherever possible, such developments will be linked to the achievement of environmental and public access objectives.
Cultural Facilities
Policy (Part I)
SC8 - The City Council will safeguard existing cultural facilities and will continue to identify land for their expansion and for the development of new and support facilities. In particular, it will seek to promote the Crescent area as the cultural centre of Salford.
Reasoned Justification (Part II)
This policy aims to maintain and improve the range of cultural facilities throughout the City, thereby facilitating greater public access to, and use of, those facilities. It also seeks to maximise the contribution that cultural facilities can make to the quality of life in the City. Whilst Salford has many cultural assets, these are spread throughout the City. Salford has no single, recognised focus of cultural provision but the Crescent area has the potential to become the cultural centre of the City.
Health Care Facilities
Policy (Part I)
SC9 - The City Council will encourage the safeguarding, maintenance, and improvement of health care provision throughout the City and especially in the Investment Priority Area. The City Council will also continue to identify land for the development of new or replacement facilities. Where land and facilities become surplus to requirements, the City Council will encourage re-use or redevelopment in accordance with the policies and proposals of the UDP.
Reasoned Justification (Part II)
The City Council recognises the importance of maintaining and improving comprehensive health care provision for its residents particularly in areas where social deprivation is concentrated. In cases where facilities are no longer required, their re-use or redevelopment should benefit the community, for example, by providing education, recreation or other social and community facilities.
Care in the Community
Policy (Part I)
SC10 - The City Council will encourage the provision of community based care facilities to cater for those with special needs, subject to compliance with other policies and proposals within the UDP.
Reasoned Justification (Part II)
The importance of community care is embodied in the Community Care Plan for Salford. This is a statutory document produced annually by the City Council, and Salford and Trafford Health Authority, under the provisions of the National Services and Community Care Act 1990. The Community Care Plan seeks to:
- help people live as normal a life as possible in their own homes or in a homely environment in the local community
- provide the right amount of care and support to help people achieve maximum independence and their full potential
- give people a greater choice in the services they need to help them
The Community Care Plan has a number of land use implications, particularly the provision of community based facilities, and this policy aims to help their implementation. This policy also complements other policies in the UDP which seek to improve accessibility to a broad range of amenities for all Salford residents by ensuring that such amenities are locally based and easily accessible by public transport.
Statutory Undertakers and Emergency Services
Policy (Part I)
SC11 - The City Council will continue to identify land for use and development by statutory undertakers and emergency services where this is to improve the provision of services and does not conflict with other policies in the UDP.
Reasoned Justification (Part II)
Statutory undertakers and the emergency services provide important services for residents and employers in Salford. It is therefore important that, as far as possible, land is made available for their continued development and for the improvement of the services and facilities that they provide.
Residential Care Homes and Nursing Homes
Policy (Part I)
SC12 - The City Council will only grant planning permission for the conversion of an existing property or a new building development, in primarily residential areas, for residential care homes and nursing homes where the following criteria can be satisfied:
- the site and/or building is located within an established residential area, has convenient access for less mobile persons and is close to the ordinary amenities of town life, i.e., public transport, shops, post offices, churches and social and community facilities
- the property should normally be of a large detached type no longer suitable for single family occupation, but applications to convert other types of property may be considered, if the other criteria in this policy are satisfied
- the proposal would not have an unacceptably adverse effect on the amenity of local residents, or on the character or appearance of the surrounding area by reason of:
i. noise and general disturbance
ii. loss of privacy
iii. the visual appearance of any external alterations or extensions
iv. the cumulative effects of the over concentration of such uses and the intensity of occupation or
v. the parking, servicing and access requirements - the proposal would not have an unacceptably adverse effect on amenity or highway safety by reason of traffic generated by the use
- adequate provision is made for access, car parking and servicing and
- adequate provision is made for private amenity/open space within the curtilage of the site
Reasoned Justification (Part II)
Residential care homes and nursing homes are in general compatible with residential areas. However, it is necessary to impose, where appropriate, certain restrictions upon those uses in order to protect the amenity of local residents and the character of the area. The location of these uses close to local facilities such as shops, post offices and other local amenities is considered important for the benefit of residents who may have impaired mobility.
The provision of amenity space around the building is important for the enjoyment of residents and also for the protection of the character of the area. The larger Victorian and Edwardian properties in the City are likely to be most suitable for conversion since they are likely to be able to provide the required facilities without significant external alterations to elevations and their curtilages.
Inappropriate extensions or alterations to the building in terms of scale, design, siting and appearance, can cause unacceptable overlooking, overshadowing and loss of privacy to adjoining dwellings, and can detract from the visual character of the area.
The over concentration of homes within an area, and the intensity of use of a property, can have a profound effect on the character of the area. Control of such uses needs to be exercised, particularly in certain areas of the City, in order to protect the residential character of the area and the amenity of its residents.
The change of use to a care home, or development of a new home, often results in increased traffic generation to and from the site. On-site parking provision is essential to accommodate this potential increase and to prevent excessive on-street parking which may create a traffic hazard or disturb nearby residents. The effect of car parking and servicing provision on the character or appearance of the area will need to be carefully considered.
The City Council has developed this policy from an existing document entitled `Development Control Policy for Residential Care Homes and Nursing Homes' which has been used in the assessment of applications for such uses. The City Council will, as necessary, update and review this document which will supplement and be consistent with the criteria of this policy, in order to provide a guide to those submitting applications for such uses.
Sites for Travelling Showpeople
Policy (Part I)
SC13 - In addition to the existing permanent sites for use by travelling showpeople at John Street/Kent Street, Blackfriars; Broadway, Ordsall; Balfour Street, Pendleton; and Cleggs Lane, Little Hulton, the City Council will identify other permanent sites, as required, for use by those travelling showpeople who are currently occupying temporary sites in the City. In identifying such sites the City Council will have regard to the following criteria:
i. the need to ensure that sites are reasonably accessible to a range of social and community facilities, including schools, health care facilities and local shops
ii. the need to ensure that the sites are capable of meeting the needs of travelling showpeople, in terms of providing for a combination of residential, storage and maintenance uses without causing an unacceptable nuisance to neighbours or unacceptable harm to the local environment
Reasoned Justification (Part II)
The travelling showpeople have a long history of association with the city of Salford and the City Council recognises that there is a need to identify suitable sites for use by Salford showpeople on a permanent basis. There are already a small number of permanent sites for travelling showpeople in the City but in addition, some showpeople currently occupy land which is allocated for alternative development in the plan.
In seeking to identify permanent sites for use by those showpeople who are occupying sites within the City on a temporary basis, the City Council recognises that there is a need to accommodate the specific requirements of the showpeople and to provide reasonable access to local social and community facilities. At the same time, the City Council also recognises that the particular nature of such sites, i.e., the combination of residential, storage and maintenance uses, may give rise to some degree of noise and traffic generation and that there is a need to ensure that sites are carefully chosen so as to minimise the adverse impact of the development in amenity and environmental terms.
Telecommunications
Policy (Part I)
SC14 - The City Council will normally grant planning permission for telecommunications development where such development would not have an unacceptable effect on:
i. visual amenity
ii. residential amenity
iii. areas of high ecological, archaeological or geological value and
iv. conservation areas, listed buildings and ancient monuments
In determining applications for telecommunications developments, the City Council will take into account the following factors:
a. the significance of the proposed development as part of a national telecommunications network
b. whether there are any satisfactory alternative sites for telecommunications development available
c. whether there is any reasonable possibility of sharing existing telecommunications facilities
d. in the case of radio masts, whether there is any reasonable possibility of erecting antennas on an existing building or structure and
e. whether the development would have an unacceptable visual impact in terms of siting and design, subject to technical and operational considerations
Reasoned Justification (Part II)
The City Council recognises that modern telecommunications are an essential and beneficial element in the life of the local community and in the national and local economy and that there is a need to facilitate the growth and improvement of telecommunications systems. The City Council also recognises that some telecommunications developments may have particular locational and siting requirements in order to work effectively and that such requirements may occasionally be at odds with environmental objectives.
The City Council will therefore seek to balance the needs of the telecommunications industry with the need to preserve residential amenity and protect environmentally sensitive areas. Exceptions to this policy may be permitted, however, where there is a clear and overriding case in favour of the proposed development and there are no alternative sites which would be more suitable in amenity and environmental terms.
Civic Uses
Policy (Part II)
SC15 - The former Albert Mill Site, Chorley Road, Swinton will be developed for civic uses (1.2ha).
Reasoned Justification (Part II)
Development of this site for civic uses will help to consolidate Swinton's role as the civic centre for Salford.
The site is suitable for development for council offices or for compatible civic uses such as new law courts. Development of the site for such purposes is likely to be a long term proposal and in the short term the site will remain landscaped.
If suitable alternative land becomes available for civic use development in the Swinton area, consideration will be given to the development of the Albert Mill site for either offices, housing or community uses.
This proposal has been brought forward from the Swinton Local Plan (proposal D2).
Sites for the Provision of Education Facilities
Policy (Part II)
SC16 - The following sites are allocated for education use in accordance with policy SC4:
- Land to the West of Craven Drive, Ordsall (3ha)
- Cromwell Road, Pendleton (4.7ha)
- Land to the North of Eccles College, Chatsworth Road, Ellesmere Park (2.3ha)
- Land to the East of Chatsworth Road, Ellesmere Park (2.0ha)
- Former Bridgewater Hospital, Green Lane, Eccles (1.4ha)
- Land adjacent to St. Andrews C. of E. Primary School, Boothstown (1.1ha)
- Land to the South and East of Vicars Hall Lane, Boothstown (2.3ha)
- Land off Newearth Road, Ellenbrook (1.5ha)
Reasoned Justification (Part II)
This policy seeks to ensure that sufficient land is made available to meet anticipated future educational needs throughout the City.
1. Land to the West of Craven Drive, Ordsall
The former Ordsall High School complex is currently being developed to create a new `Quays Campus'. It is intended that the Campus will provide a broad range of facilities including the Salford College of Further Education and youth and adult education functions.
This site is required to provide additional student accommodation. The site is owned by Salford University who have recently been granted planning permission for the development.
3. Land North of Eccles College, Chatsworth Road, Ellesmere Park
This site is reserved for future educational use. The site is owned by the City Council.
The proposal has been carried forward from the Monton, Claremont and Seedley Local Plan (proposal A5).
4. Land to the East of Chatsworth Road, Ellesmere Park
This land is reserved for the provision of a primary school. The site is owned by the City Council.
5. Former Bridgewater Hospital, Green Lane, Eccles
This site is reserved for the provision of a new Primary School to serve the needs of the surrounding community. The City Council will seek to acquire the site.
6. Land adjacent to St. Andrew's C. of E. Primary School, Boothstown
This land is required to facilitate the replacement and expansion of playing fields for St. Andrew's School and to compensate for the loss of part of the existing school site which will result from the highway works associated with the proposed adjacent housing development (see proposal H9/40).
The extension to the school site must be provided prior to the proposed highway works, and at the expense of the housing developer. This proposal is carried forward from the Worsley and Boothstown Local Plan (proposal A4).
7. Land to the South and East of Vicars Hall Lane, Boothstown
This site is reserved for the development of a new primary school. The plan allocates a considerable amount of land for residential development to the east of the site (see proposal H9/40) and it is intended that this proposal will satisfy the primary school education requirements of new residents whilst helping to relieve the existing pressure on nearby schools.
Vehicular access to the school will be via the new loop road between Booths Hall Way and Leigh Road which is required as part of the proposed adjacent housing development.
This proposal supersedes proposals A13 and A14 of the Worsley and Boothstown Local Plan.
8. Land off Newearth Road, Ellenbrook
This site is reserved for the provision of a new primary school which will be required to serve the existing proposed housing development at Ellenbrook (see proposal H9/39).
The proposal has been carried forward from the Worsley and Boothstown Local Plan (proposal B10).
Provision of Land for Cemeteries and Burial Grounds
Policy (Part II)
SC17 - The following sites are allocated for the provision of cemeteries and burial grounds:
Reasoned Justification (Part II)
This policy seeks to relieve deficiencies in cemetery and burial ground provision within the City.
Planning permission has been granted for the use of this land as an extension to the adjoining Jewish Cemetery.
The site is within the Croal Irwell Valley and is allocated as a recreation area and car park in the Croal Irwell Valley Local Plan (proposal 19) and the Kersal and Pendleton Local Plan (proposal B1). In laying out the land for burial purposes the developer will be required to provide a car park to serve users of the adjacent open land.
This site also adjoins the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal, which at this point is a Site of Biological Importance. Any development of the site as a cemetery must therefore be in accordance with policies EN5 and EN27 of the Unitary Development Plan.
Development of the land as a cemetery will ensure that it retains its open aspect.
2. Land to the North of Swinton Cemetery, Swinton North
Swinton Cemetery is reaching its capacity and there is a need to identify additional land for burial purposes.
In the event of ground conditions preventing the use of this site as an extension to the cemetery, consideration will be given to the improvement of the site for recreational purposes. It may also be possible to allow for a small amount of housing development off Ardens Close.
Provision of Emergency Facilities
Policy (Part II)
SC18 - Land at the junction of Green Lane and Liverpool Road is allocated for the provision of a new fire station.
Reasoned Justification (Part II)
It is anticipated that the existing Eccles Fire Station at Liverpool Road, Patricroft will need to be relocated during the plan period in order to improve operational efficiency. Land at Green Lane is well suited to provide a replacement facility offering direct access to the A57, Liverpool Road and proximity to Eccles Town Centre. Development of the site for this purpose will help to meet the future needs of the emergency services.
Territorial Army Development
Policy (Part II)
SC19 - Land at the junction of Eccles New Road and Thurlow Street is allocated for the development of a Territorial Army Centre (1.4ha).
Reasoned Justification (Part II)
The site has been acquired by the Territorial Army for development purposes. It lies close to the Regional Centre and is therefore accessible to a large number of people. The City Council will encourage close links between the Territorial Army and the surrounding community in order to encourage community use of the buildings and the protection of residential amenity.
NEXT: Minerals and Waste
This page was last updated on 4 October 2009
