1. health and fitness

City Centre and Etruria Road Corridor
Area Action Plan
Health Impact Assessment
Final Report March 2011
Report Authors:
Alexandra Moores, Stoke Healthy City Programme, Stoke-on-Trent City Council
Vicky Cheshire, Planning Department, Stoke-on-Trent City Council
Salim Vohra, Centre for HIA, Institute of Occupational Medicine
Gifty Amo-Danso, Centre for HIA, Institute of Occupational Medicine
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank and acknowledge the feedback and contribution of:
Joanne Mayne, Planning Policy Department, Stoke-on-Trent
Katy Phair, Climate Change Team, Stoke-on-Trent
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
1
Introduction ............................................................................................... 1
2
What is Health Impact Assessment............................................................ 2
3
Methodology and Scope of this HIA........................................................... 3
4
Background to the City Centre and Etruria Road Corridor AAP................. 6
5
Policy Context............................................................................................ 8
6
Baseline and Community Profile...............................................................11
7
Evidence about Health Impacts.................................................................15
8
Health Impacts of the City Centre and Etruria Road Corridor AAP ...........24
9
Analysis of the AAP Vision and Policies...................................................36
10
Recommendations ....................................................................................40
11
Monitoring & Evaluation of Health Impacts...............................................45
12
Conclusion................................................................................................48
Executive Summary
Executive Summary
Introduction
This section summarises the Health Impact Assessment (HIA) of the Stoke-on-Trent City
Centre and Etruria Road Corridor Area Action Plan (City Centre AAP) undertaken as part of
the 2010-11 Stoke-on-Trent Healthy City HIA training and mentoring programme.
The City Centre AAP is a strategic document that provides detailed planning policies to guide
and help deliver the sustainable regeneration of Stoke-on-Trent City Centre. The HIA’s
objectives were to assess the potential positive and negative health and wellbeing impacts of
the strategic issues and options outlined in the document, their implementation and operation
during the life of the City Centre AAP.
The HIA also developed recommendations for mitigating potential negative impacts,
enhancing potential positive impacts and suggested health and wellbeing indicators that can
be used to monitor the implementation and operation of the City Centre AAP.
Methodology and Scope of the HIA
The rapid desktop HIA was qualitative and focused on residents in the City Centre AAP area
and communities outside the AAP area within Stoke-on-Trent. It also highlighted specific
impacts on vulnerable groups including older people, people with disabilities, children and
young people, people with existing health conditions, women, unemployed and low income
groups and people from minority ethnic groups.
It considered the following key determinants of health: income and employment; education;
transport; crime; access and accessibility; services and amenities; social capital; lifestyle and
health needs; environment; social cohesion and social capital and housing.
Baseline and Community Profile
The health and wellbeing profile developed for the City Centre AAP area revealed that the
population is young and the ethnic profile mainly White British. It also showed that the health
of residents in these areas is generally worse than the national average. For example, the
proportion of people with long term limiting illness is 27% in the City Centre area compared
Page i
Executive Summary
to 23% in Stoke-on-Trent and 19% in England and Wales as a whole. Other key emerging
issues include:
• the City Centre area being the most deprived of the 54 neighbourhood zones
in Stoke-on-Trent in terms of Multiple Deprivation;
• low educational attainment;
• high unemployment rates;
• high crime rates;
• limited housing with majority of accommodation being terraced housing; and
• a high proportion of residents working in the manufacturing sector though
there is a declining trend in manufacturing industries.
Health impacts of the City Centre and Etruria Road Corridor Area Action Plan
Overall, the AAP has the potential to improve health and wellbeing particularly in the
operation phase for residents within the AAP area and the wider Stoke-on-Trent
communities. However, there is also a potential for short term adverse health impacts during
the implementation/construction phase especially for those who live, work and shop close to
opportunity sites being developed. The potential health and wellbeing impacts identified
through the key determinants of health are summarised in Table ES1.
Recommendations
Some of the key recommendations suggested by the HIA were:
• Ensure all partners are included in the planning/consultation phases from the
beginning to encourage ownership of the developments and to ensure stakeholders
do not feel it is tokenistic.
• Universal design principles should be at the heart of building and public space
design i.e. that spaces and buildings are inherently accessible to able-bodies and
physically and sensory impaired people.
• Ensure that all or the vast majority of housing is built to high housing standards e.g.
Level 4 Code for Sustainable Homes, Decent Homes and Lifetime Homes or
equivalent.
• Ensure that traffic management measures are more in favour of pedestrians, cyclists
and public transport users during peak time travel in the mornings and evenings.
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Executive Summary
• Ensure all businesses in the City Centre develop a green travel plan and develop a
green travel forum where businesses can come together to share problems and
successes in getting workers, clients and customers to use active travel modes.
Conclusion
Overall, the AAP proposals are likely to have beneficial health and wellbeing impacts with a
few adverse impacts. The beneficial impacts are likely to be experienced by local residents
and those outside of Stoke-on-Trent who visit the AAP area. The adverse impacts are likely
to be temporary and greater for residents, workers and visitors close to development sites.
Page iii
Executive Summary
Table ES1: Summary of potential health impacts of the City Centre and Etruria Road Area Action Plan
S/T stands for Short Term; L/T stands for Long Term
Determinant of
Health
Potential Positive (+)
Potential Negative (-)
Income &
Employment
Construction jobs created in building of new housing, school, retail
and leisure amenities (S/T)
Potential widening of inequalities as majority of local residents
with lower skills set are likely to miss out on the
administrative/office type jobs created. (L/T)
Employment opportunities in retail, leisure and culture, office
businesses/sectors (L/T)
New office and other business developments have the potential to
attract new businesses and visitors into the City Centre and boost the
local economy (L/T)
Education
Transport
Increased capacity and choice of education for children in the local
community which is likely to increase educational achievement (L/T)
Disruption to movement and access of residents in the area
during the construction of the school (S/T)
Potential for increased social capital and community cohesion
through school and extra curricula activities organised through the
school facilities (L/T)
Potential increase in house prices in the area if parents see
school as an attractive one and there is an increase in families
trying to move into the school catchment area. (L/T)
School in the local area is likely to be closer to some residents and
encourage a modal shift in car school trips to walking and cycling.
(L/T)
Increased traffic linked to peak time school runs, staff, visitors
and deliveries to the school. Potential to increase congestion and
air pollution in the area. (L/T)
The transport provisions in the AAP, public transport, cycling,
pedestrian access, park and ride and car parking are likely to support
the health and wellbeing of residents particularly if active travel and
sustainable transport modes are prioritised and the infrastructure for
them is adequate and well maintained to encourage their long term
use. (L/T)
Construction of new transport infrastructure is likely to lead to
some nuisance and disruption of access. (S/T)
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Executive Summary
Determinant of
Health
Potential Positive (+)
Potential Negative (-)
Crime
Vacant sites, boarded up buildings in the development stage
may become hotspots for criminal and antisocial behaviour (S/T)
Developing the night time economy has the potential to increase
crime levels through alcohol related offences and antisocial
behaviour (L/T)
Access &
Accessibility
The links between parks and greenspaces to the City Centre; better
connections between leisure facilities; improvement of active travel
infrastructure; improved public transport system have the potential to
enhance accessibility to jobs, services and amenities located within
the City Centre (L/T)
There is a potential for disruption to access because of the
combination of proposed developments such as a new bus
station, new road construction and road improvements (S/T)
Service & Amenities
Enhanced local service provision of education and training facilities;
health care; places of worship and facilities for voluntary and
community groups (L/T)
Construction work will affect local residents in the AAP area (S/T)
Lifestyle & Health
Needs
Provisions for health facilities and public open and greenspaces are
likely to have substantial health benefits for local residents (L/T)
Environment
Improved traffic conditions through improved public transport
provisions, connectivity and the public realm (L/T)
Increased levels of temporary air and noise pollution through
increased lorry traffic and construction dust as well as reducing
the quality of the urban environment in the construction phase
(S/T)
Social Capital &
Cohesion
The regeneration is likely to have positive health and wellbeing
impacts (L/T)
Construction work is likely to reduce social capital and
community cohesion (S/T)
Housing
The provision of a variety of housing is likely to attract a range of new
residents (L/T)
Existing residents might not have the opportunity and means to
rent/buy improved and new houses (L/T)
Page v
1 Introduction
1
Introduction
1.1.1
This Health Impact Assessment (HIA) was undertaken as part of the 2010-11 Stokeon-Trent Healthy City HIA training and mentoring programme that involved staff from
Stoke-on-Trent City Council, NHS Stoke-on-Trent, Government Office for the West
Midlands and Staffordshire University.
1.1.2
The aim of this HIA was to assess the potential positive and negative health and
wellbeing impacts of the City Centre and Etruria Road Corridor Area Action Plan (City
Centre AAP).
1.1.3
The objectives of the HIA were to:
• identify the key likely negative and positive health and wellbeing impacts of the
proposed options and their implementation and operation during the life of the City
Centre AAP;
• develop, where feasible, recommendations for mitigating the potential negative and
enhancing the potential positive health and wellbeing impacts identified;
• suggest possible health and wellbeing indicators that can be used to monitor the
implementation and operation of the Area Action Plan.
Page 1
2 What is Health Impact Assessment
2
What is Health Impact Assessment
2.1.1
HIA is a key systematic approach to identifying the differential health and wellbeing
impacts, both positive and negative, of plans and projects.
2.1.2
HIA uses a range of qualitative and quantitative evidence that includes public and
other stakeholders' perceptions and experiences as well as public health,
epidemiological, toxicological and medical knowledge. It is particularly concerned with
the distribution of effects within a population, as different groups are likely to be
affected in different ways, and therefore looks at how health and social inequalities
might be reduced or widened by a proposed plan or project.
2.1.3
The aim of HIA is to support and add value to the decision-making process by
providing a systematic analysis of the potential impacts as well as recommending
options, where appropriate, for enhancing the positive impacts, mitigating the
negative ones and reducing health inequalities.
2.1.4
HIA uses both a biomedical and social definition of health, recognising that though
illness and disease (mortality and morbidity) are useful ways of understanding and
measuring health they need to be fitted within a broader understanding of health and
wellbeing to be properly useful (See Figure 2.1).
Figure 2.1: The determinants of health and wellbeing1
1
Adapted by Salim Vohra and Dean Biddlecombe. (2006). From Dahlgren G and Whitehead, Policies and
strategies to promote social equity in health. Institute of Future Studies. Stockholm. 1991.
Page 2
3 Methodology and Scope of this HIA
3
3.1
Methodology and Scope of this HIA
Introduction
3.1.1
This section summarises the methodology used and the scope of this HIA.
3.1.2
The rapid desktop HIA was undertaken between September and November 2010.
3.1.3
The key tasks for this HIA were to:
• develop a summary health and wellbeing focused baseline and community
profile of the City Centre, Etruria Road and Festival Park Neighbourhood
Zone which includes the AAP boundary area;
• identify relevant scientific evidence from past HIAs and other literature;
• assess the potential impacts of the proposed AAP strategy on health and
wellbeing and the nature and likelihood of the potential impacts;
• develop recommendations for minimising the potential negative and
maximising the potential positive health and wellbeing impacts; and
• suggest health and wellbeing indicators that can be used to monitor the
implementation and operation of the AAP.
3.2
3.2.1
Screening
A screening was undertaken by the HIA Training and Mentoring Group to identify a
proposal on which a rapid HIA could be undertaken.
3.3
Scoping
HIA Steering/Advisory Group
3.3.1
The HIA Training and Mentoring Group facilitated by the Centre for Health Impact
Assessment, Institute for Occupational Medicine acted as the steering and advisory
group for this HIA.
Page 3
3 Methodology and Scope of this HIA
Study area
3.3.2
The geographic scope of this HIA was the City Centre and Etruria Road corridor (See
Figure 4.1 in Section 4).
Study population
3.3.3
The population scope of this HIA was:
• City Centre and Etruria Road corridor residents
• Residents in communities outside the AAP
3.3.4
The main vulnerable groups that were considered were:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
children and young people
older people
people with disabilities
people with existing health conditions
women
unemployed and low income groups
people from minority ethnic backgrounds
Determinants of health considered
3.3.5
The key determinants of health and wellbeing that were considered were:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
3.4
3.4.1
Income and employment
Education
Transport
Crime
Access and accessibility
Services and amenities
Lifestyle and health needs
Environment
Social cohesion and social capital
Housing
Baseline assessment and community health profile
The baseline assessment and community profile was developed from existing
Neighbourhood Zone information.
3.5
3.5.1
Consultation and involvement
There was no community consultation undertaken as part of this rapid desktop HIA. A
formal public consultation will take place as part of the adoption of the AAP.
Page 4
3 Methodology and Scope of this HIA
3.6
3.6.1
Evidence
The evidence base was developed from three recent HIAs that were undertaken in
North Staffordshire:
• Middleport Regeneration Masterplan Options HIA
• City Waterside East Regeneration Masterplan Options HIA
• Leek Town Centre Regeneration HIA.
3.7
3.7.1
Analysis
As stated previously, the analysis was qualitative and used a health impact table to
analyse the potential positive and negative health and wellbeing impacts.
3.7.2
For each potential health impact five key issues were considered
• How will the determinants of health be influenced?
• Which population groups will be affected?
• Does the effect occur during the implementation/construction or operation
phase?
• Does the effect occur over the short, medium or long term?
• Is it beneficial, neutral or adverse?
3.8
3.8.1
Recommendations
A set of mitigation and enhancement measures were identified to reduce the potential
negative and enhance the potential positive health and wellbeing impacts of the City
Centre AAP.
3.9
3.9.1
Follow up
Possible indicators were identified from previous work in Stoke-on-Trent to develop
health and wellbeing indicators as part of Sustainability Appraisal/ Strategic
Environmental Assessment of AAPs in general.
3.10 Limitations of this HIA
3.10.1 This HIA was undertaken within a very short period of time which meant that no
community consultation and no extensive literature review were possible.
Page 5
4 Background to the City Centre and Etruria Road Corridor AAP
4
Background to the City Centre and Etruria
Road Corridor AAP
4.1
4.1.1
Introduction
This chapter provides a summary of the City Centre AAP (See Figure 4.1 for the area
the AAP covers).
4.2
4.2.1
Background to the proposed scheme
Stoke-on-Trent City Centre is located in the North Staffordshire conurbation and is
accessible to a large number of residents of Stoke-on-Trent and surrounding cities
and towns: 500,000 people within 20 minutes drive time and 1 million people within
45 minutes drive time.
4.2.2
The City Centre is an important regional centre with a primary focus for new
commercial development; however currently the city is performing badly in terms of
employment and income.
4.2.3
If the City Centre is to compete with other major regional centres, it will require better
transport links, a more diverse range of shops and provision of opportunities for
people to live and work in the heart of the city.
4.3
4.3.1
Aim of the proposal
The City Centre AAP is a strategic document that provides detailed planning policies
to guide and help deliver the sustainable regeneration of Stoke-on-Trent City Centre
in line with the Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stoke-on-Trent Core Spatial Strategy.
4.3.2
The aim of the City Centre AAP is to make the City Centre more attractive for people
to move back into the City Centre to shop, eat, work, live and be entertained by
identifying areas where there are opportunities for significant change and the
development of new uses.
Page 6
4 Background to the City Centre and Etruria Road Corridor AAP
Figure 4.1 City Centre and Etruria Road Corridor Area Action Plan Boundary [Source: City
Centre and Etruria Road Corridor Area Action Plan Pre Publication Stage Document]
Page 7
5 Policy Context
5
5.1
5.1.1
5.2
5.2.1
Policy Context
Introduction
This chapter summarises the key policy context in relation to the City Centre AAP.
National policy
Planning Policy Statement 1: Sustainable Development2
PPS 1 states that plans and proposals should:
• ensure that the impact of development on the social fabric of communities is
considered and taken into account;
• seek to reduce social inequalities;
• address accessibility (both in terms of location and physical access) for all
members of the community to jobs, health, housing, education, shops, leisure
and community facilities;
• take into account the needs of all the community, including particular
requirements relating to age, sex, ethnic background, religion, disability or
income;
• deliver safe, healthy and attractive places to live; and,
• support the promotion of health and well being by making provision for
physical activity.
5.2.2
Planning Policy Statement 4: Planning for Sustainable Economic Growth
PPS 4 states that planning bodies and authorities (local and regional) should set
flexible policies for their centres which are able to respond to changing economic
circumstances and encourage, where appropriate, high density development
accessible by public transport, walking and cycling.
It also encourages planning bodies and authorities to ensure that any extensions to
centres are carefully integrated with existing centres in terms of design e.g. including
2
Planning Policy Statements (PPSs) set out the Government’s national policies on different aspects of land use
planning in England. The policies set out in PPSs need to be taken into account by regional planning bodies in
the preparation of regional spatial strategies and by local planning authorities in the preparation of local
development documents. They can be a material (important) consideration in individual planning applications.
Page 8
5 Policy Context
the need to allow easy pedestrian access and also strengthening the centres by
seeking to focus on providing a wider range of services, promoting the diversification of
uses and improving the environment.
It also highlights the need to promote centre environments that provide consumer
choice by: a) supporting a diverse range of uses which appeal to a wide range of age
and social groups including leisure developments and complementary evening and
night time uses but also takes into account the impacts of these on the centre,
antisocial behaviour, crime and safety issues; and b) recognising that smaller shops
can significantly enhance the character and vibrancy of a centre.
Accessibility and parking standards should take into account amongst other things the
need to:
• promote sustainable transport choices e.g. cycling and walking
• reduce carbon emissions and work towards the attainment of air quality
objectives
• tackle congestion and public transport accessibility
• provide appropriate disabled access
• cater for different business types and sizes
5.2.3
Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder Programme (2002)
People living in areas affected by low demand often have limited housing choices.
Their homes are typically valued at prices significantly below local averages, making it
difficult to move. The stock available to them is often unpopular, and in poor condition.
These neighbourhoods have typically experienced long periods of economic decline,
as job patterns have shifted and people have moved away to take up new
opportunities. Despite being within cities where the economy is growing, these
neighbourhoods remain disconnected from new jobs, with residents experiencing low
skills levels, worklessness, high levels of crime or fear of crime, and poor facilities.
In 2002, nine such areas were identified by the Government as needing specific
housing market renewal support through the pathfinder programme. The pathfinder
programme is about housing and a much wider concerted effort to revitalise
communities and economies across the North and West Midlands. North Staffordshire
is one of these areas.
Page 9
5 Policy Context
5.2.4
Planning Policy Statement 6: Planning for Town Centres
PPS 6 states that:
The Government is seeking to reduce the need to travel, to encourage the use of public
transport, walking and cycling and reduce reliance on the private car, to facilitate
multipurpose journeys and to ensure that everyone has access to a range of facilities.
Good access to town centres is essential. Jobs, shopping, leisure and tourist facilities
and a wide range of services should therefore be located in town centres wherever
possible and appropriate, taking full advantage of accessibility by public transport.
5.3
5.3.1
Regional policy
West Midlands Spatial Strategy (Government Office for West Midlands, 2008)
POLICY QE3: Creating High Quality Living and Working Environments
Past urban regeneration activity has tended to focus on the “worst areas” but has failed
to change people’s perception of them. It has also failed to provide urban areas which
are attractive to a broad range of people’s expectations and lifestyles. This guidance
takes a more comprehensive approach, targeting radical change on selected areas, but
aiming to raise the overall quality across the Major Urban Areas (MUAs).
5.4
5.4.1
Local policy
Stoke-on-Trent Community Strategy
This is a 10 year plan from 2004-2014, which is currently under review, and is based
on the following vision and six pillars: “By 2014 Stoke-on- Trent will be a thriving and
diverse city where people want to live, work and study”:
• A Healthier City
• A Green City
• A Safer City
• A City with a Strong Sense of
Community
• A Learning City
• A Wealthier City
5.5
Policy analysis
5.5.1
Overall, the AAP is well aligned with health and wellbeing aspects of national,
regional and local policy.
Page 10
6 Baseline and Community Profile
6
Baseline and Community Profile
6.1
Introduction
6.1.1
This chapter provides a rapid health and wellbeing focused baseline and community
profile of the City Centre and Etruria corridor. It is from this baseline understanding
that the predictions on the potential health and wellbeing impacts of the City Centre
AAP have been considered.
6.1.2
The data presented in this profile is for the City Centre, Etruria Road and Festival
Park Neighbourhood Zone. This is because data is aggregated by neighbourhood
zones in Stoke-on-Trent and there is little data specific to the City Centre AAP area.
Although the City Centre AAP covers a much smaller area the demographics are
likely to be broadly similar to this area.
6.2
Stoke-on-Trent City health and wellbeing profile3
6.2.1
The health of the people of Stoke-on-Trent is generally worse than the England
average.
6.2.2
Many areas of Stoke-on-Trent are among the most deprived fifth of areas in England,
although there is a small area that is in the least deprived fifth.
6.2.3
Death rates from all causes and early death rates from heart disease and stroke are
higher than the England average. However, it is worth noting that for heart disease
and stroke the gap is narrowing.
6.2.4
In terms of the ‘Our Communities’ domain deprivation, children in poverty, teenage
pregnancy, statutory homelessness, GCSE achievement (5 A* - C) and violent crime
are significantly worse than the England average.
6.2.5
In terms of the ‘Children’s and Young People’s Health’ domain, smoking in pregnancy
is significantly lower than the England average but breast feeding, physical activity in
children, children’s tooth decay and teenage pregnancy is significantly worse than the
3
Stoke-on-Trent Health Profile 2007, 2008, 2009. Association of Public Health Observatories
Page 11
6 Baseline and Community Profile
England average. Levels of childhood obesity are higher but not at a statistically
significant level.
6.2.6
In terms of the ‘Adult’s Health and Lifestyle’ domain, the proportion of adults who
smoke, have unhealthy eating habits and are physically inactive and obese (1 in 4) is
significantly higher than the England average. Evidence suggests that only 8% of
adults exercise five times a week. Levels of binge drinking are higher than the
England average but not at a statistically significant level.
6.2.7
In terms of the ‘Disease and Poor Health’ domain, rates of recorded and self-reported
ill-health are higher than the England average. Rates of incapacity benefit for mental
illness, hospital stays related to alcohol, drug misuse and people diagnosed with
diabetes is significantly higher than the England average. Rates of new cases of
tuberculosis and hip fractures in the over 65s is similar to the England average.
6.2.8
Overall, the estimated percentage of obese adults is high whilst the estimated
percentage that eat healthy (fruit and vegetables) and are physically active is low.
6.2.9
In terms of the ‘Life Expectancy and Causes of Death’ domain, life expectancy for
men and women is significantly less than the England average and rates of infant
mortality are significantly higher. Men from the most deprived areas have almost 6
years and women 7 years less life expectancy than those from the least deprived.
Data for the 1998-2005 period indicates that the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in Stokeon-Trent is one-third higher than the regional rate and two-thirds higher than the
England & Wales rate. Deaths from smoking are significantly worse than the England
average. Deaths from all cancers are more than 30% above regional and national
averages. Deaths from heart disease are above the regional and national rates; more
than 55% in men, and 40% in women. Similarly, the death rate from circulatory
disease is 40%, above regional and national averages. In contrast rates of road
injuries and death are lower than the England average.
6.3
City Centre, Etruria Road and Festival Park Health and Wellbeing profile
6.3.1
Figure 6.1 provides a summary of some key health and wellbeing statistics in the City
Centre, Etruria Road and Festival Park neighbourhood zone compared to other key
areas whilst the text below focuses on the City Centre, Etruria Road and Festival
Park neighbourhood zone compared to Stoke-on-Trent as a whole.
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6 Baseline and Community Profile
Figure 6.1 Summary table of community health and wellbeing profile [Source: Stoke-on-Trent
City Council]
City Centre, Etruria
Road and Festival
Park
Trentham East
53%
75%
66%
26%
21%
17%
Households with no
car
47%
7%
31%
In receipt of incapacity
benefit
16%
5%
9%
15%
1%
12%
27%
13%
20%
Hospital admissions –
aged under 75 per
1,000 population
298
159
198
Birth rate – per 1000
population
19
8
13
Economically active
(all persons 16-74)
Main industries of
employment
(manufacturing)
In receipt of housing
benefit & council tax
benefit
Long term limiting
illness
6.3.2
Hartshill &
Penkhull
City Centre, Etruria Road and Festival Park has a young population with a greater
proportion of residents, 26% aged 25-44 years followed by 25% aged 16-24 years
old.
6.3.3
The ethnic profile of City Centre, Etruria Road and Festival Park is mainly White
British, 86% with a significant minority of residents from an Asian background, 7%.
6.3.4
City Centre, Etruria Road and Festival Park has a higher proportion of single people
and single person households compared to Stoke-on-Trent as a whole.
6.3.5
In terms of Multiple Deprivation, City Centre, Etruria Road and Festival Park is the
most deprived of the 54 neighbourhood zones in Stoke-on-Trent.
6.3.6
The proportion of residents with a limiting long term illness, 27%, is higher than 23%
of Stoke-on-Trent and 19% of England and Wales.
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6 Baseline and Community Profile
6.3.7
The majority of accommodation in City Centre, Etruria Road and Festival Park is
terraced housing. The majority of residents live in privately owned housing with the
remainder renting from Stoke-on-Trent City Council or local housing associations.
6.3.8
Housing in the City Centre itself is limited and essentially commercial in nature.
6.3.9
The number of households in the wider area is 381, compared to 2557 in Penkhull
and Hartshill or 1494 compared to Trentham East. So for the AAP area the number
would be even smaller.
6.3.10 Educational attainment of children in the City Centre, Etruria Road and Festival Park
neighbourhood is generally lower than in Stoke-on-Trent as a whole.
6.3.11 Unemployment is higher than for Stoke-on-Trent and England and Wales. There is a
higher proportion of the City Centre population that are receiving more benefits and
not working compared to other areas of the city
6.3.12 A high proportion of residents are working in the manufacturing sector.
6.3.13 Stoke Railway Station is located approximately 2 miles from the City Centre
boundary.
6.3.14 The rates of crime are significantly higher than the Stoke-on-Trent average. Out of
eight categories of crime and disorder, the City Centre AAP area ranks highest in
seven of the eight categories: violent crime; theft of a motor vehicle; theft from a
motor vehicle; nuisance and disorder-anti-social behaviour; wounding/common
assault; criminal damage and burglary of other buildings.
6.3.15 The area contains the Potteries Shopping Centre and the Octagon Shopping Park,
two major retail developments in the past 20 years. It also includes the museum and
art gallery, library, the Regent Theatre and in another part a range of bars and clubs.
Page 14
7 Evidence about Health Impacts
7
Evidence about Health Impacts
7.1
Introduction
7.1.1
This chapter provides a summary of the key evidence on the health impacts likely to
arise from the proposed strategic options for the City Centre AAP.
7.1.2
Based on the strategic issues and options explored in the development of the City
Centre AAP, the following are key elements that are likely to have health and
wellbeing impacts:
• Retail and employment
• Transport and connectivity
• Increase and improve access to public and open spaces
• Housing (New housing and housing improvements)
• Leisure, tourism and culture
• Climate change and sustainability
7.2
Retail and Employment
7.2.1
Research on five retail-led regeneration case studies - with differing socio-economic
characteristics, geographical locations and neighbourhood types - identified nine
positive impacts on local communities:4
• Accessibility to jobs and training for local people
• Living in neighbourhoods
• Better quality of life
• Improved pride of place
• Accessibility
• Connectivity
• Better integration and cohesion
• Cleaner and safer environment
• Opportunity for supporting small to medium sized enterprises and local
business
4
Retail-led regeneration why it matters to our communities. DTZ, Business in the Community, BCSC Educational
Trust. 2008
Page 15
7 Evidence about Health Impacts
7.2.2
A recent literature review on policies that support retail sector regeneration and the
impact of such regeneration on town centres and high streets found that:5 6
• Key dimensions of a healthy town centre include being places: with identity
and legibility; which are well connected, convivial and where retailing is
conspicuous; with a compatible range of functions; that are competitive; and
that have a coordinated strategy. A healthy retail sector includes a good retail
mix, choice, diversity, anchor stores and preferred shopper formats and
fascias,
low
vacancy
rates,
low
turnover,
good
physical
fabric,
competitiveness and capacity for change.
• Employment impacts will depend on the employment needs of an area (but
aspects such as job security and skills must be part of the equation). The jobs
generated may also provide a stepping stone back into other work.
• Retail-led regeneration has a catalyst effect on getting regeneration started
through the rapid injection of capital and site reclamation.
• There is no guarantee that retail-led regeneration will attract other uses but
there are examples where it has done so very successfully.
7.2.3
There is little evidence about whether new retail developments create new
employment or merely displaces it; case study findings show that there is some
success in cases where retailers specifically set out to provide employment
opportunities for long-term unemployed local residents.7 There is also a suggestion
that training and employment schemes with strong retailer commitment have the
potential to contribute to a reduction in unemployment.
7.2.4
Environmental improvements and quality urban design in retail areas in the form of
refurbishments and new developments improve retail vitality as well as contribute to
enhanced quality of life through the creation of quality public spaces and community
facilities.8 However, in many cases developments achieve retail vitality at the expense
of environmental improvements and quality urban design.
5
Literature Review: Policies adopted to support a healthy retail sector and retail led regeneration and the impact
of retail on the regeneration of town centres and local high streets. Scottish Government. 2009.
6
Retail led urban regeneration. Retail Planning Knowledge Base Briefing Paper No 11. University of Stirling. 2008
7
Carley M, Kirk K and McIntosh S. Retailing, sustainability and neighbourhood regeneration, 2001
8
Retail-led regeneration why it matters to our communities. DTZ, Business in the Community, BCSC Educational
Trust. 2008
Page 16
7 Evidence about Health Impacts
7.2.5
Retail vitality that does not incorporate and promote sustainable modes of transport,
such as walking, cycling and public transport but draws in a majority of shoppers who
come by car, generally increases traffic and air pollution.7
7.2.6
There is some evidence that the economic sustainability of retail areas can only be
maintained when they are easily accessible from outside the neighbourhood and can
draw on potential customers from a wider population catchment area.9
7.2.7
A separate follow up study examined four case studies and found that:10
• Even in relatively strong regional economies, areas of extreme poverty can lie
next to very prosperous areas and fail to benefit from any ‘trickle down’ from
the economic growth in these prosperous areas. Considerable wealth may
pass through an area without it benefitting residents.
• Securing business-led regeneration is key to achieving the goals of
neighbourhood renewal, productivity growth and sustainable communities.
However,
issues
associated
with
the
decline
of
industries
and
neighbourhoods can work against the very social and economic investment
that may serve them.
• Businesses (in deprived areas) do not appear to innovate enough and they
are not involved sufficiently with organisations that might help them to do so.
• Property related factors are of central importance in improving the business
performance in deprived areas.
• The links between businesses and the other key players in their local area
(including local authorities but also the full range of business related support
agencies and Local Strategic Partnerships) is often very weak. Deprived
areas do not tend to house enough support agencies: Business Link, Job
Centres, and Centres of Manufacturing Excellence.
• Businesses (in deprived areas) are often involved with their communities to
some extent but they often appear to recruit their employees from adjoining
areas.
• People who live and work in deprived areas appear to have little sense of the
industrial structure or business strengths of the area.
9
Jones P, Roberts, M. and Morris, L. Rediscovering mixed-use streets: the contribution of local high streets to
sustainable communities. 2007
Business-led regeneration: case studies of four urban areas. ODPM. 2005
10
Page 17
7 Evidence about Health Impacts
7.3
Transport and Connectivity
7.3.1
There is evidence that the availability of public transport makes it possible for people
to access jobs further away.11
7.3.2
Provision of subsidised, frequent and reliable public transport, and improved road
connectivity, provides improved access to a range of opportunities and services such
as retail, education, recreation and health and social care services. These in turn can
improve individual quality of life and reduce social isolation.12 13
7.3.3
Improved connectivity can bring with it increased risks of injuries and casualties
particularly for cyclists and pedestrians especially when major roads are close to
houses and schools. However, overall, studies have shown that the provision of cycle
and footpaths reduces cycle and pedestrian casualties and can lead to long term
increases in levels of cycling and walking and thus an increase in physical fitness and
functions.14
7.3.4
Inaccessible and unreliable public transport tends to be found in deprived areas
leading to greater social and health inequality. Those who benefit most from improved
public transport and connectivity are women, children, disabled people, people from
minority ethnic groups, older people and people on low incomes.15
7.3.5
Increased connectivity can lead to increased noise. A number of studies point to the
negative health impacts of noise levels associated with transport. Key noise effects
include
annoyance,
sleep
disturbance
and
in
children
lower
educational
16 17
performance.
7.3.6
Increased connectivity can also lead to increased traffic and congestion. These can
cause an increase in local levels of exhaust emissions. The adverse health effects of
11
Kjellstrom T, and Hill S. New Zealand evidence for health impacts of transport: background paper prepared for
the Public Health Advisory Committee, 2002
12
On the move, Informing transport health impact assessment in London October 2000
Central Lancashire Primary Care Trust, West Lancashire District Council. Skelmersdale Town Centre ReDesign Proposals Health Impact Assessment. 2008
14
Physical activity and the environment Review One: TRANSPORT NICE Public Health Collaborating Centre –
Physical activity 2006
15
Cave B, Cooke A, Benson K. Urban Renaissance Lewisham health and social impact assessment; March 2004
16
Jones P, Roberts, M. and Morris, L. Rediscovering mixed-use streets: the contribution of local high streets to
sustainable communities. 2007
13
17
Thomson, H. Jepson, R. Hurley, F. Douglas, M. Assessing the unintended health impacts of road transport
policies and interventions: translating research evidence for use in policy and practice
Page 18
7 Evidence about Health Impacts
air pollution from motor vehicles have been well documented and include small but
measurable increases in:18
• Premature deaths from cardio-respiratory disease
• Exacerbation of existing respiratory illnesses
• Increase in respiratory symptoms e.g. coughing, shortness of breath
7.4
Public and open spaces
7.4.1
Public spaces (including high streets, street markets, shopping precincts) play a vital
role in the social life of communities. They act as a ‘self-organising public service’, a
shared resource in which experiences and value are created.19
7.4.2
Public spaces offer many benefits for different groups of people such as the ‘feelgood’ buzz from being part of a busy street scene or the therapeutic benefits of quiet
time spent on a park bench. Public spaces create opportunities for social inclusion
and interaction and contribute to people’s attachment to their locality.20
7.4.3
Poor design and management of public spaces such as poor signposting, poor
lighting can cause people to under utilise public spaces as these can suggest that
there is little of interest in an area and can reduce the sense of safety especially for
vulnerable groups and pedestrians.20
7.4.4
Direct and indirect contact with nature e.g. gardens and greenery in general can have
restorative effects that improve wellbeing.21 22
7.4.5
It has been suggested that the likelihood of being physically active can be up to three
times higher in environments that contain high levels of greenery and the likelihood of
being overweight or obese can be up to 40% less.23
18
World Health Organization. 2005. Health effects of transport related air pollution
19
Joseph Rowntree Foundation, The social value of public spaces.
20
Physical activity and the environment Review One: TRANSPORT NICE Public Health Collaborating Centre –
Physical activity 2006
21
Hartig T, Mang M, Evans G. Restorative Effects of Natural Environmental Experiences, Environment and
Behaviour; 1991 23: 3-26
22
st
Murphy L, Mental Capital and Wellbeing: Making the most of ourselves in the 21 century, National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health
23
Ellaway A, Macintyre S, Xavier B. Graffiti, greenery, and obesity in adults: secondary analysis of European
crosses sectional survey. BMJ 2005; 331:611-612.
Page 19
7 Evidence about Health Impacts
7.4.6
A variety of landscape features and their attractiveness can encourage higher levels
of walking.24
7.4.7
Apart from encouraging higher levels of walking other reported impacts of attractive
and well maintained greenspaces include reducing stress and mental fatigue;
pleasurable sensory experiences and increased social interactions. 25
7.4.8
There is also evidence of the ability of greenspace to provide direct protection from
environmental exposures, for example providing shade from hot weather conditions,
improving air quality through their filtering of particles and reduction in the risk of
flooding by reducing surface water runoff especially in flood prone areas.26
7.5
New housing and housing improvements
7.5.1
The health impacts of new housing and housing improvements are similar except that
in the case of housing improvements, there is a need to temporarily or permanently
re-locate residents. Housing relocation is considered to be a stressful event and it has
been linked to the loss of community cohesion and the disruption of social networks.27
7.5.2
The number of people living in ‘Decent Homes’ has been recognised as being not just
of benefit to these residents but also to the wider community and to society.28
7.5.3
Improvements in physical housing conditions particularly in relation to central heating
systems and improved insulation can improve thermal comfort, reduce heating bills
and improve physical and mental health and wellbeing.27 28
7.5.4
There is a well established link between improved housing design and a reduction in
home accidents through better location of appliances and the installation of safety
devices such as smoke alarms and child safe windows.29
7.5.5
Housing costs and/or rents can increase with new and improved housing. This can
affect people on low incomes by reducing their disposable income which in turn can
24
Greenspace Scotland :The links between greenspace and health: a critical literature review, October 2007
Thomson H, Kearns A, Petticrew M. Assessing the health impact of local amenities: a qualitative study of
contrasting experiences of local swimming pool and leisure provision in two areas of Glasgow J Epidemiol
Community Health 2003;57;663-667
26
Forestry Commission. Determining the benefits of woodland on air quality:
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/forestresearch.nsf/ByUnique/INFD-62DFHK
27
Teresa Lavin et al Institute of Public Health in Ireland. Health Impacts of the Built Environment a review. July
2006
28
Chartered Institute of Environmental Health. Good housing leads to good health: a toolkit for environmental
health practitioners. September 2008
25
Page 20
7 Evidence about Health Impacts
affect buying food, clothing, educational resources and recreational activities.30 In
addition it can lead to the gentrification of an area where poorer people are forced out
as people on higher income move in.
7.5.6
Poor indoor air quality from short term increases in indoor particulates produced from
environmental tobacco smoke, cooking gases and certain heating appliances are
associated with increased mortality and morbidity and acute cardio-pulmonary
diseases particularly in vulnerable groups such as the elderly or people with
asthma.31
7.5.7
Dampness is associated with encouraging the growth of mites and moulds which can
act as allergens and immuno-suppressors that can lead to sneezing, coughing and
the exacerbation of asthma. People living in damp homes have been known to suffer
from persistent respiratory symptoms e.g. sneezing, runny nose, coughing which
reduces general health and wellbeing.32 In old homes this is often because of poor
damp proofing and too little ventilation. In new housing this is generally because of
too little ventilation.
7.5.8
Children can be particularly affected by living in overcrowded housing. The effects of
overcrowding can include increased irritability and aggression. In children it can also
lead to poor educational attainments and poor mental health due to the lack of play
and learning space and privacy.26
7.5.9
There is also the possibility of increased social exclusion and divisions between
existing and new residents when existing residents in or near a regeneration area see
no improvements to their own homes or neighbourhoods.33
7.6
Leisure, tourism and culture
7.6.1
The provision and promotion of leisure, tourism and cultural facilities are known to
have economic benefits for the host population as they create jobs and employment
opportunities for the local people.34
29
Thomson H, Petticrew M, Morrison D. Housing Improvement and Health Gain: A summary and systematic
review. MRC Social and Public Health Unit. January 2002
Moloughney B. Housing and Population Health: The State of Current Research Knowledge. Department of
Public Health. University of Toronto. June 2004
31
WHO. Guidelines for Air Quality. December 1997
32
Page A. Journal of Environmental Health Research Volume 1, Issue 1; Poor housing and mental health in the
United Kingdom: Changing the focus for Intervention, 2002
30
33
Douglas M, Thomson H, Gaughan M. Health Impact Assessment of Housing Improvements: A Guide, Public
Health Institute of Scotland, Glasgow, 2003
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7 Evidence about Health Impacts
7.6.2
With the provision of leisure, tourism and cultural facilities, there are both positive and
negative impacts on the local neighbourhood quality. Well maintained facilities can
attract both residents and visitors to use the facilities provided. However there is the
potential for increased littering and anti-social behaviour in areas with high visitor
turnouts which is likely to reduce the local neighbourhood quality.34
7.6.3
With tourism there is also a potential for an increased risk in the spread of infections
from visitors particularly international visitors which can affect the health of the local
residents.34
7.6.4
There is evidence to suggest that cultural facilties can play an important role in
promoting civic pride amongst local residents and providing residents with places to
gather for social activities. This is likely to enhance social capital and community
cohesion within the locality.35
7.7
Climate change and sustainability
7.7.1
Increasing levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases is likely to produce
significant long term changes to local, regional and global weather patterns. In the
context of the UK these are likely to be: 36
• Warmer summer (with the strong potential for heatwaves)
• Milder wetter winters
• Floods and droughts
• Extreme weather events e.g. thunderstorms and hurricanes, snowfalls
7.7.2
In temperate countries, deaths rates during the winter season have tended to be
higher than those in the summer however this could change with more deaths related
to heat stroke in some parts of the UK. 37
7.7.3
Changes in air quality from air pollutants and intense pollen seasons associated with
climate change may exacerbate existing cardio-respiratory diseases.37
34
I. Bauer. (1999). The impact of tourism in developing countries on the health of the local host communites. The
Journal of Tourism Studies.
35
Resource. Centre of expertise on culture and communities (2007). Local impacts of cultural facilities: a
preliminary literature review.
36
Health Protection Agency (2008). Health effects of climate change in the UK.
37
WHO. Climate change and human health. http://www.searo.who.int/en/Section260/Section2468_14932.htm
Page 22
7 Evidence about Health Impacts
7.7.4
Increased incidence of floods and droughts is likely to affect agricultural land use
which is likely to affect the quality and availability of affordable food production. This
has an indirect impact on levels of affordable nutrition.37
7.7.5
Issues surrounding water shortage and quality are likely to intensify in situations
where there is drought or reduced rainfall. This may have an impact on sanitation and
the transmission of water borne diseases.37
7.7.6
There is an indirect link between climate change and disease transmission as
increasing temperatures may provide opportunities for disease vectors, such as
mosquitoes and malaria, to become more prevalent in the UK.37
7.7.7
Research suggests that climate change will have its greatest effects on poorer
communities who have contributed less to the causes of climate change but have
fewer resources to cope with the effects of climate change. Climate change therefore
has the potential to increase health inequality and inequity.38
7.8
Conclusion
7.8.1
Based on the evidence gathered, the proposals in the AAP to deliver a sustainable
regeneration of Stoke-on-Trent City Centre have the potential to be beneficial for the
health and wellbeing of residents living within the AAP area and those outside who
come in to the AAP area as workers and visitors.
7.8.2
However, it is important to note that the successful regeneration of the City Centre
area will not only depend on the provision of the physical elements of regeneration
such as retail and employment, transport and connectivity, public and open spaces,
housing and leisure, tourism and culture but it will also depend on the social and
economical structures implemented to integrate these elements and the level of
community involvement and ownership of the AAP area in a way that rebuilds
confidence in the City Centre and maximises its use.
38
Lancet and UCL Institute for Global Health Commission (2009). Managing the health effects of climate change.
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8 Health Impacts of the City Centre and Etruria Road Corridor AAP
8
Health Impacts of the City Centre and
Etruria Road Corridor AAP
8.1
Introduction
8.1.1
The analysis of health impact examined the likely effects of the preferred strategic
options on the wider determinants with a focus on whether the impacts are likely
during the implementation/construction and operation phases of the AAP.
8.2
Content of the AAP
8.2.1
Overall the content of the AAP was well-aligned with public health principles and
focused on improving access to jobs and services as well as encouraging active
travel and social capital and community cohesion (See Section 9 for a more detailed
analysis).
8.3
Health impacts of the City Centre and Etruria Road Corridor Area Action Plan
8.3.1
In terms of Income and Employment, there will be direct and indirect employment
opportunities.
8.3.2
The short term opportunities will be in the construction phase of new housing and the
retail and leisure amenities. However, the implementation/construction phase
employment opportunities for City Centre and Stoke-on-Trent residents will depend
on their existing skill sets. The long term opportunities will be in the retail, leisure and
culture amenities. The new office developments have the potential to attract new
businesses into the City Centre. It is likely that some City Centre residents will benefit
from the jobs in the retail, leisure and culture amenities but jobs from new businesses
locating in the City Centre are likely to go to residents in Stoke-on-Trent and the
surrounding area (employed and unemployed). Overall, this is likely to have benefical
effects on health and wellbeing as any opportunity to increase employment
opportunities in Stoke-on-Trent is likely to increase job diversity and job security.
However, there is a potential for unemployed residents with a lower skills set in the
AAP area and Stoke-on-Trent as a whole to be less able to compete with residents
already in work both in Stoke-on-Trent and in the areas surrounding Stoke-on-Trent.
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8 Health Impacts of the City Centre and Etruria Road Corridor AAP
This could increase the health, social and economic inequalities within Stoke-onTrent.
8.3.3
In terms of Education, the proposal within the AAP for a new primary school on
Clough Street close to existing and new housing areas is likely to be beneficial for
education and potentially increase social capital and community cohesion. There is
also a potential for the construction work to link in with apprenticeship schemes in
colleges within the local area and Stoke-on-Trent and therefore improve educational
and employment opportunites for students in construction and related fields. During
the implementation/construction phase, there is likely to be some disruption to
residents in the area whilst the school is being built. During the operation phase, the
new school will provide increased capacity and choice for children in the local
community. Overall, this is likely to have beneficial effects on health and wellbeing
through improvements in educational achievements/results, raised aspirations,
potentially greater walking and cycling to school, enhancement of local pride and
contribution to social capital and community cohesion. There is though a potential for
the new school to lead to an increase in house prices if parents see the school as an
attractive one for their children and there is an increase in families trying to move into
the schools catchment area. In addition, there is also the potential for increased traffic
leading to congestion linked directly to the school through peak time school runs, staff
and visitors and deliveries. This is likely to significantly increase air pollution in the
Clough Street area.
8.3.4
In terms of Transport, the different elements of transport in the AAP, public transport;
cycling; pedestrian access; park and ride and car parking support the health and
wellbeing of AAP and Stoke-on-Trent residents. There may be some short term
negative impacts on some residents from the construction of new transport
infrastructure leading to some nuisance and disruption to access. During the
operation phase, this is likely to have beneficial effects on health and wellbeing
through better linking of communities and an improvement in active travel choices.
8.3.5
In terms of Crime, developing the night time economy has the potential to increase
crime levels e.g. during the operation phase through alcohol related offences and
antisocial behaviour and during the implementation/construction phase through
vacant sites, boarded up shops and houses in the development stage becoming
hotspots for criminal and antisocial behaviour. This is likely to affect local residents
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8 Health Impacts of the City Centre and Etruria Road Corridor AAP
within the AAP area and evening and night-time visitors and workers. Overall, this
could have an adverse effect on health and wellbeing both during the
implementation/construction phase and the operation phase.
8.3.6
In terms of Access and Accessibility, the proposed links between parks and
greenspaces to the City Centre; better connections between leisure facilties in the
City Centre; improvement of crossing points and extending pedestrian priority;
efficient and attractive entrances to the City Centre and the network of strategic park
and ride facilities linked to key centres by an improved public transport system have
the potential to enhance accessibility to jobs, services and amenities located within
the City Centre. During the implementation/construction phase, there is a potential for
disruption to access because of the combination of proposed developments such as
a new bus station, new road construction and road improvements. Those who live
close to construction sites, the elderly, children those on low income may be more
affected by this disruption. Overall, during the operation phase there are likely to be
positive health and wellbeing impacts.
8.3.7
In terms of Services and Amenities, the City Centre AAP will enhance local service
provision through the range of services and amenities proposed, that include
education and training facilities; health care; places of worship and facilities for
voluntary and community groups. During the short term, whilst the new range of
services and amenties are being introduced, the negative impacts from associated
construction work will affect local residents in the AAP area. However, during the
operation phase, both local residents and the wider population will benefit. Overall,
this is likely to have positive health and wellbeing impacts.
8.3.8
In terms of Lifestyle and Health Needs, the proposed provisions for health facilities
and public open and greenspaces in the operation phase are likely to have
substantial health benefits for local residents. Overall, this is likely to have positive
health and wellbeing impacts however attitudes towards the use of greenspace may
mean some residents will not gain full health benefits of the new open and
greenspaces.
8.3.9
In terms of Environment, in the short term, the construction work is likely to
contribute to increased levels of temporary air and noise pollution through increased
lorry traffic and construction dust as well as reducing the quality of the urban
environment and negatively affect the health and wellbeing of residents living in the
AAP area. During the operation phase, with improved traffic conditions through
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8 Health Impacts of the City Centre and Etruria Road Corridor AAP
improved public transport provisions, connectivity, the public realm and the new and
improved shops and offices there are likely to be positive health and wellbeing
impacts.
8.3.10 In terms of Social Capital and Cohesion, the construction work is likely to reduce
social capital and community cohesion but during the operation phase the
regeneration is likely to have positive health and wellbeing impacts.
8.3.11 In terms of Housing, the provision of a variety of housing is likely to attract a range of
new residents. However, it will be important to address the conflict between residents
and the night time economy and enhance community cohesion by ensuring that
existing residents also have an opportunity to have improved and new houses.
Overall, this is likely to have positive health and wellbeing impacts.
8.4
Equity impacts
8.4.1
For children, during the implementation/construction phase there is likely to be
disruption to their access to and from school especially if their travel involves going
via the City Centre for connecting public transport. During the operation phase, they
are likely to benefit from the expansion of leisure and culture facilities if this
expansion is likely to provide more facilities suited to young and older children as this
is likely to increase the choice of activities available to them and increase physical
activity amongst children who use the new leisure and culture facilities.
8.4.2
Women, older people, people with disabilities and people with existing health
conditions are likely to experience similar health and wellbeing impacts although the
significance of the negative impacts are likely to be greater for older people and
people with disabilities. During the implementation/construction phase, there is likely
to be disruption to daily routines as things are likely to to take longer to do, e.g.
shopping, etc., leaving less time for other personal/family activities. Older people and
people with disabilities are therefore more likely to reduce going outdoors because of
the disruptions and more easily lose contact with friends. During the operation phase,
the health impacts are likely to be the same for these groups as the rest of the
population.
8.4.3
For the unemployed and those on low incomes, both the implementation and
operation phases are likely to have a positive health and wellbeing impact provided
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8 Health Impacts of the City Centre and Etruria Road Corridor AAP
there is a local policy in place that local residents will be targeted and supported first
to take on locally generated jobs.
8.5
Long term and cumulative impacts
8.5.1
The proposals for the AAP area are likely to be phased, therefore long term impacts
for residents, workers and visitors may arise from an extended construction phase as
different opportunity sites start development at different times alongside cumulative
impacts from two or more opportunity sites being developed at the same time.
8.5.2
There are also likely to be public realm improvements and enhancement of transport
corridors and provision. These include the new and improved network of public
spaces, the provisional routes for a Streetcar, a new bus station, road extensions and
highway environmental improvements. These also will exacerbate adverse impacts
on residents in the AAP area during the implementation/construction phase.
8.5.3
In addition, there is likely to be the development of the Inner Urban Core AAP which
is the area around the City Centre and Etruria Road AAP. One of the proposed
developments for the Inner Urban Core AAP as mentioned in the City Centre AAP is
a further expansion of the Business District area. Such developments are likely to
increase the duration in which residents, workers and visitors are exposed to the
negative impacts associated with the implementation/construction phase especially
those who live, work, shop and play near the boundaries of these two AAPs and their
developments
8.6
Conclusion
8.6.1
Overall, the proposals in the AAP have the potential to improve health and wellbeing
especially during the operation phase for residents of both the AAP and Stoke-onTrent as well as workers and visitors to the City Centre from outside Stoke-on-Trent.
8.6.2
The adverse health and wellbeing impacts during the implementation/construction
phase are likely to be more significant for those who live, work and shop close to the
opportunity sites being developed particulary children and young people, older
people, people with disbilities and women.
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8 Health Impacts of the City Centre and Etruria Road Corridor AAP
8.6.3
The potentially biggest beneficiaries of the regeneration are likely to be those on low
income/unemployed if there is local targeting of the new job opportunities that are
generated by the AAP new developments
8.6.4
Multi-use buildings/ mixed developments have the greatest potential to maximise the
positive health and wellbeing impacts with clustering of key uses as described in the
AAP.
8.6.5
Over the long term, if there is no maintenance and investment in the City Centre,
vitality and viability generated by the AAP and the new developments are likely to be
lost.
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8 Health Impacts of the City Centre and Etruria Road Corridor AAP
Table 8.1 City Centre and Etruria Road corridor Health Impact Table
What
How – how will the
determinant be
influenced?
When & How Long For –
implementation/construction
and operation phases (short
and long)
Who – distribution of
effect
Potential Effect – adverse /
beneficial
Further Study/
Action – is it
necessary?
Income &
employment
Direct & indirect
employment opps
S/T opps for construction of
new housing, retail and leisure
facilities.
Construction employment in
the S/T allowing dependent
upon skills available.
L/T opps for retail, leisure and
culture. New offices to attract
new business to City Centre.
L/T Local employment
thereafter in
retail/leisure/culture.
Potentially regional
employment for new
businesses in the area as
Stoke may not have skills
Adverse: low skill base so attract out
of area workers therefore increasing
inequalities gap. Also lack of relevant
jobs can negatively affect health,
must retain lower skilled jobs to
protect lower skilled residents whilst
at the same time attracting higher
skilled jobs to area. Beneficial: any
opps to increase employment are
positive. Job security and
employment alone can increase
health & wellbeing.
Ensuring the local
skills market is
equipped to deal
with higher skilled
jobs. Work with the
LSP, job centres,
schools, colleges
and universities in
area to ‘up skill’
workforce.
Engaging with
existing business
and potential new
businesses to
increase potential for
local employment
particularly of long
term unemployed
people.
Ensuring proactive
engagement of local
Chamber of
Commerce,
BusinessLink and
other business
support services in
the City Centre.
Page 30
8 Health Impacts of the City Centre and Etruria Road Corridor AAP
What
How – how will the
determinant be
influenced?
When & How Long For –
implementation/construction
and operation phases (short
and long)
Who – distribution of
effect
Potential Effect – adverse /
beneficial
Further Study/
Action – is it
necessary?
Education
Building a new primary
school in the area
increase social capital
S/T construction impacts
S/T disruption whilst the
school is built.
Beneficial: a new school can have
positive impact on the health of an
area. Improved results can raise
aspirations, improve lifestyles and
contribute to community cohesion.
Ensure new primay
school is part of the
community and has
afterschool and
weekend activities
that involve adults
and children.
Can lead to house price rises if the
school is an excellent performer.
Ensure the school is
a ‘Healthy School’
and a ‘Sustainable
School’.
Beneficial: need to keep students in
the area to enhance local skill base
and for general economy.
Ensure local
colleges and
universities are
working with each
other.
Encouraging the
growth of higher and
further education
Once built the school will
provide additional spaces for
local people
Develop a Safe
Routes to School
and Green Travel
Plan for the new
peimary school.
Transport
Having good transport
links can have a
positive effect on the
health of a city.
Different elements of
transport in this plan:
•
Construction of new
infrastructure may result in S/T
impacts.
Whole population in short
term. Residents and local
shops could be affected.
Park and ride
Adverse: in the s/t as construction
gets underway. Potential adverse
effects for local businesses in short
term as roads are closed etc.
Beneficial: once the improvements
Page 31
Planning Department
to lead on the
development and
actioning of a
Communication and
Dissemination Plan
to inform residents
and businesses
8 Health Impacts of the City Centre and Etruria Road Corridor AAP
What
How – how will the
determinant be
influenced?
•
•
•
•
Crime
When & How Long For –
implementation/construction
and operation phases (short
and long)
Who – distribution of
effect
Car parking
Public transport
Cycling
Pedestrian access
Crime can have a
considerable impact on
communities. Consider
the emerging night
time economy as set
out in the AAP and
impact on crime levels
(alcohol related
arrests, ASBOs, public
order offences etc)
Need to consider boarded up
shops/houses in the
development/regeneration
stage as can impact on crime.
Local residents/night time
revellers
Potential Effect – adverse /
beneficial
Further Study/
Action – is it
necessary?
have been made can improve
communities as they will be better
linked, improving mental, physical
and social health.
about when potential
disruptions are likely
to take place. This
should include a
variety of media.
Adverse: increased crime during the
development stage with boarded up
shops/houses seen as the ‘norm’
Encourage
considerate
hoardings.
Increased crime/ASB problems with
an improving night time economy
‘Design out crime’
measures to be
implemented during
the construction
phase.
Beneficial: ensure the night time
economy can adjust to increased
numbers of people, good for
attracting new people to City Centre.
Access &
Accessibility
Having a well
connected city can
have a significant
impact on health.
S/T accessibility issues whilst
the re developments take
place
For those living nearby and
the elderly/economically
deprived may be effected
more so than other
members of society.
Page 32
Adverse: in the short term whilst
there is disruption to access
Include all partners
to ensure the
emerging night time
economy doesn’t
have a negative
impact on crime
statistics.
Encourage
developers to
develop a
Communication and
Dissemination Plan
8 Health Impacts of the City Centre and Etruria Road Corridor AAP
What
How – how will the
determinant be
influenced?
When & How Long For –
implementation/construction
and operation phases (short
and long)
Who – distribution of
effect
Beneficial: Having an open, well
connected city will prove beneficial to
the health of the local residents.
Having a poorly
connected community
can increase health
inequalities.
Services, &
amenities
The regeneration plans
for the City Centre will
enhance local services
and improve social
capital. Different types
of facilities Have been
identified:
The process of introducing
new amenities and services
into the area will be an
ongoing process
In the short term it will be the
local population, once
completed will have an
effect on whole population of
Stoke-on-Trent.
Anticipated that the
work will have a
positive effect on
people’s health through
the provision of green
space in public realm
areas and improved
Health facilities
Improving the availability of services
and amenities is likely to improve the
quality of life and resilience of Stokeon-Trent residents.
Further Study/
Action – is it
necessary?
and inform the local
population of any
disruptions to
minimise risk of
disruption.
Ensure all partners
are included in the
planning/consultation
phases.
If all the services listed are built
social capital and cohesion will be
improved by bringing people
together.
Education and training
facilities; Health care
facilities; Places for
religious worship and
for use by faith
communities; Facilities
for voluntary and
community groups
Lifestyle &
health needs
Potential Effect – adverse /
beneficial
The long term plans will have
substantial health benefits
The distribution of effect will
be evenly spread
Page 33
Beneficial: Through the
improvement of the areas public
realm & green spaces and the
introduction of new health facilities
the Benefits should be felt throughout
the community. However, there are
issues with the general health of the
population who may not utilise the
green spaces to their capacity
Ensure that walking
and cycling routes
are maintained
during the
construction works
particularly those
relating to transport
infrastructure in and
around the City
Centre.
8 Health Impacts of the City Centre and Etruria Road Corridor AAP
What
How – how will the
determinant be
influenced?
When & How Long For –
implementation/construction
and operation phases (short
and long)
Who – distribution of
effect
Potential Effect – adverse /
beneficial
Further Study/
Action – is it
necessary?
Ensure child,
disabled and
elederly friendly and
multi-functional
public realm and
green spaces e.g.
seating, free public
toilets, street events.
Environment
The environment is a
key determinant of
health. Air quality;
Noise; Quality of urban
environment can all
impact on people’s
health
Any construction work will
impact on the short term.
Evenly distributed
throughout the regeneration
area
Adverse: If the regeneration is over
a number of years it may start to
effect people’s health and well being
in terms of noise, pollution, increased
traffic/lorries on the road.
Long term impacts should be
improved air quality
EIAs will be done as a matter of
process.
Consider reduced
noise surfaces and
higher noise
insulation standards
for new buildings.
Provide advice and
support for further
insulating existing
buildings.
Green the whole City
Centre and Etruria
Road Area with
mature and young
planting.
Consider lighting is
downward facing
and minimise
leakage of light
sideways and into
the sky.
Page 34
8 Health Impacts of the City Centre and Etruria Road Corridor AAP
What
How – how will the
determinant be
influenced?
When & How Long For –
implementation/construction
and operation phases (short
and long)
Who – distribution of
effect
Potential Effect – adverse /
beneficial
Social
capital and
cohesion
With all the work
planned for the City
Centre area, improved
social cohesion will be
one area to benefit.
During the
implementation/construction
phase
Local and communities from
outside the regeneration
area
Beneficial: The regeneration work will
have a largely positive impact on the
communities in this and the wider
area.
Further Study/
Action – is it
necessary?
See also Services and Amenities.
‘The success of a
community often
depends on its social
cohesion’
Housing
The crucial element of
the regeneration
challenge is to
introduce a variety of
new residential
accommodation on a
larger scale within the
City Centre,
Short term impacts
Needs to be a range of
housing but in certain areas
so distribution of effect may
be limited.
Beneficial: need to increase the
different types of housing in the City
Centre to attract higher wage earners
into the City Centre.
Housing needs to be good quality
and long lasting to ensure a
developing community.
Page 35
Ensure housing built
to high housine
standards e.g. Code
for Sustainable
Homes, Decent
Homes, Lifetime
Homes, CABE
guidance.
9: Analysis of the AAP Vision and Policies
9
Analysis of the AAP Vision and Policies
9.1
Vision and Policy Aims
9.1.1
The vision statement for the City Centre [AAP pg.29] is consistent with improving the
health and wellbeing of the residents, visitors and workers in the City Centre. Key
statements from a health and wellbeing perspective are:
• “To create a thriving, diverse…City Centre.”
• “…developments…will be set within a network of accessible, attractive, safe
and largely traffic free open spaces well served by all forms of public
transport.
• “Linkages to and from the City Centre to outlying areas will be capitalised
upon through the creation of specific boulevards and welcoming gateways.”
• “Destined to grow the City Centre will grow to serve the needs and aspirations
of all its user groups.”
9.1.2
The eight policy aims PA1 to PA8 divided into three themes, ‘Place and Image’,
‘People’ and ‘Prosperity’, are also consistent with improving the health and wellbeing
of the residents, visitors and workers in the City Centre. PA1-3 on ‘Place and Image’
are likely to a) enhance local residents self esteem and neighbourhood and civic
pride as well as minimise nuisance and thereby positively influencing mental health
and wellbeing and b) encourage outdoor activities and reduce the potential for
negative physical exposures thereby positively influencing physical health and
wellbeing. PA4-6 on ‘People’ are likely to encourage social mixing, improved
availability and access to key services and amenities (including housing) and use of
non-car based transport thereby improving both mental and physical health and
wellbeing. PA7-8 on ‘Prosperity’ are likely to increase Cty Centre job opportunities
and enhancing self esteem and incomes and thereby influence both mental and
physical health and wellbeing.
9.1.3
The Core Spatial Strategy ASP1 for the City Centre is also consistent with improving
the health and wellbeing of the residents, visitors and workers in the City Centre. In
particular it highlights the importance of high density and mixed land uses; the
creation of key quarters for shopping, cultural activities, business and housing;
improvement of public transport, walking and cyclining links; enhancement of the
Page 36
9: Analysis of the AAP Vision and Policies
public open and green spaces; and reducing the severance caused by the new Inner
Ring Road.
9.2
Strategic Issues
9.2.1
Shopping: the preferred option will extend the Primary Shopping Core so that there is
one concentrated area of shopping and services which is much closer to the City
Centre bus station. This is likely to increase the amount of walking people are likely to
do through visiting shops as well as improve access to shops and services for those
who travel by bus and also make it more attractive for those who currently do not
travel by bus to and from the City Centre to travel by bus.
9.2.2
Offices: the preferred combinination all three options, is likely to increase the
attractiveness of the City Centre to new coming in and existing business expanding.
This has the potential of both attracting new people into Stoke-on-Trent both to live
and/or work and increase the job opprtunities for City Centre and Stoke-on-Trent
residents.
9.2.3
Homes: the preferred combination of both options, is likely to enable the City Centre
to cater for a range of different housing tenures and preferences so it is likely that
people of all age groups and at different stages of life can be accommodated in the
City Centre e.g. young single people and couples are likely to enjoy living in the
busier shops, bar and cultural quarter areas while families and older individuals and
couples are likely to prefer the housing only sites.
9.2.4
Leisure,Tourism and Cultural: the preferred options of enhancing the cultural parts of
the City Centre and of introducing food and entertainment facilities with restrictive
opening hours throughout the City Centre AAP area to try to encourage a more active
‘early evening economy’ while controlling the number of ‘late night and early hours’
bars and clubs within and around Trinity Street is likely to help minimise nuisance,
anti-social behaviour and crime whilst maximising the recreational and job
opportunities found within the City Centre.
9.2.5
Public Places and Green Spaces: the preferred option of linking Central Forest Park
with a green link and network of public spaces with Hanley Park, developing new
green playspaces and increasing the availability of commercial leisure and indoor
sports provision is likely to increase outdoor and indoor recreational physical activity.
Page 37
9: Analysis of the AAP Vision and Policies
9.2.6
Transportation: the preferred option is to reduce the number car journeys and cars
coming into the City Centre by improving walking and cycling routes and facilities,
improving public transport and creating a network of strategic park and ride facilities.
There is a strong emphasis on ensuring equality of access for all residents, visitors
and users of the City Centre.
9.2.7
Climate Change and Sustainability: the preferred option seeks to promote energy
efficiency measures and adaptation techniques in the short term and focus on
delivering decentralised energy (a wide range of technologies that do not rely on the
high-voltage electricity transmission network or the gas grid) which is likely to address
the potential local and global climate change related health impacts of fossil fuel use.
9.3
Strategic Issues Policies
9.3.1
Shopping Policies: the five policies (SS1 to SS5) are likely to improve the health and
wellbeing of the residents, visitors and workers in the City Centre. Key positive health
aspects are: an extended shopping centre that reaches south to an improved bus
station, limiting Hot Food Takeaways in the primary shopping frontages and
encouraging alternative uses for persistently vacant shop units.
9.3.2
Community and Housing Policies: the two policies (SS6 and SS7) are likely to
improve the health and wellbeing of the residents, visitors and workers in the City
Centre. Key positive health aspects are: a range of housing types and incorporating
housing in with other development uses and encouraging accessible developments
that provide a range of community facitlies such as schools, health facilities, places of
worship and facilites for community groups.
9.3.3
Employment Policies: the two policies (SS8 and SS9) are likely to improve the health
and wellbeing of the residents, visitors and workers in the City. Key positive health
aspects are the potential increase in job opportunities, entertainment and shopping
opportunities and wider boost to other associated businesses. Key potential
negatives already identified include nuisance, anti-social behaviour and crime.
9.3.4
Leisure Tourism and Cultural Policies: the two policies (SS10 and SS11) are likely to
improve the health and wellbeing of the residents, visitors and workers in the City
Centre. Key positive health aspects are: integration of leisure, tourism and cultural
development with enhanced public realm and transport infrastructure that encourages
walking, cycling, public transport and spending time outdoors.
Page 38
9: Analysis of the AAP Vision and Policies
9.3.5
Conservation and Design Policies: the four policies (SS12, SS13, SS14 and SS15)
are likely to improve the health and wellbeing of the residents, visitors and workers in
the City Centre. Key positive health aspects are: protecting key vistas and historic
character of the City Centre; developing a network of open spaces, pedestrian and
cycle routes, and public transport stops; and enhancing safety.
9.3.6
Transport and Accessibility Policies: the two policies (SS16 and SS17) are likely to
improve the health and wellbeing of the residents, visitors and workers in the City
Centre. Key positive health aspects are prioritising the provision for sustainable
modes of transport by protecting bus routes, promoting walking and cycling, e.g.
through dedicated pedestrian areas, and providing park and ride facilities.
9.3.7
Environment and Climate Change Policies: the two policies (SS18 and SS19) are
likely to improve the health and wellbeing of the residents, visitors and workers in the
City Centre. Key positive health aspects are: promoting sustainable design and
construction through attainment of key targets e.g. Code for Sustainable Homes
Level 4; demonstration of how developments will cope with a changing climate; and
developing a biodiverse set of green spaces, routes and links.
9.3.8
Development Opportunity Sites Policies: the two policies (SS20 and SS21) are likely
to improve the health and wellbeing of the residents, visitors and workers in the City
Centre. Key positive health aspects include strengthening the core shoping are and
developing a wider range and mix of business, residential, community, cultural and
leisure facilities.
9.4
Key Development Opportunity Site Policies
9.4.1
The Key Development Opportunity Site Policies that flow out of the Strategic Issues
Policies focus on the health aspects identified in the previous section.
Page 39
10: Recommendations
10 Recommendations
10.1
Introduction
10.1.1 The recommendations described in this chapter if properly applied and reviewed will
ensure that the majority of the negative health and wellbeing impacts of the AAP are
mitigated and the positive health and wellbeing benefits enhanced. The measures are
likely to ensure that health inequalities are not widened.
10.1.2 Table 10.1 outlines recommendations in 10 key areas and the lead departments
responsible for implementing them.
10.1.3 The recommendations have been prioritised according to those which are most likely
to be taken forward by the AAP as informed by Stoke-on-Trent Planning Department.
10.1.4 The recommendations identified as being outside the remit of the AAP also have the
potential to enhance the implementation of the AAP however they are linked to wider
cross departmental/sector issues which are most appropriately dealt with through
multi partnership working links between the Planning Department and the suggested
lead departments through other avenues.
Page 40
10: Recommendations
10.2
Recommendations
Table 10.1: Recommendations prioritised according to those which are most likely to be taken forward by the AAP
Area
Recommendation
To be taken
forward by AAP
Lead Department
Yes
Planning – Planning Policy;
Development Management
Yes
Planning – Planning Policy;
Development Management
Planning – Planning Policy and Urban
Design
Planning
Ensure all partners are included in the planning/consultation
phases from the beginning to encourage ownership of the
developments and to ensure stakeholders do not feel it is tokenistic
Include all partners to ensure the emerging night time economy
doesn’t have a negative impact on crime statistics
Universal design principles should be at the heart of building and
public space design i.e. that spaces and buildings are inherently
accessible to able-bodies and physically and sensory impaired
people
Construction
Encourage considerate hoardings
Planning Department to lead on the development and actioning of a
Communication and Dissemination Plan to inform residents and
businesses about when potential disruptions are likely to take
place. This should include a variety of media
‘Design out Crime’ measures to be implemented during the
construction phases
Encourage developers to develop a Communication and
Dissemination Plan and inform the local population of any
disruptions to minimize risk of disruption
Ensure that walking and cycling routes are maintained during the
construction works particularly those relating to transport
infrastructure in and around the City Centre.
Page 41
Yes
Yes
Planning – Development Management
Planning Policy and Urban Design
No
Communications / Senior Management
Team; City Regeneration
No
Planning – Development Management
No
Planning – Development Management;
Planning Policy
Statement of Community Involvement
Highways
No
10: Recommendations
Area
Recommendation
To be taken
forward by AAP
Lead Department
Engage with existing and new shops to increase potential for local
employment particularly of long terms unemployed people
No
Proactively monitor and coordinate the kinds of shops to ensure a
diverse and high quality mix of shops
No
Economic Development
City Centre Partnership
City Regeneration
Planning – Planning Policy
Annual Monitoring Report to monitor
retail planning permissions
Shopping Developments
Involve Job Enterprise Training centres to ensure local people who
need jobs are given the opportunity for employment
Office Developments
Ensuring proactive engagement of local Chamber of Commerce,
Business Link and other business support services in the City
Centre
No
Economic Development
Jobs and Enterprise Training
Yes
Planning – Planning Policy
Consultation on AAP
Statement of Community Involvement
Ensure the local skills market is equipped to deal with higher skilled
jobs. Work with the LSP, job centres, schools, colleges and
universities to area to ‘up skill’ workforce
Engage with existing business and potential new businesses to
increase potential for local employment particularly of long term
unemployed people
Engage with existing businesses and potential new businesses to
increase the potential for local employment
No
Economic Development
Jobs and Enterprise Training
No
Economic Development
Jobs and Enterprise Training
No
Economic Development
Jobs and Enterprise Training
Yes
Planning - Development Management;
Planning Policy
Core Spatial Strategy and AAP
Yes
Planning – Planning Policy and Design;
Development Management
Planning – Planning Policy; City
Regeneration
Housing Developments
Ensure that all or the vast majority of housing is built to high
housing standards e.g. Code for Sustainable Homes, Decent
Homes and Lifetime Homes or equivalent
Introduce homezones in the proposed residential areas within the
city centre
Make sure that community facilities are built early on and that they
are open to existing as well as new residents (i.e. that they are not
Page 42
Yes
10: Recommendations
Area
Recommendation
new resident only facilities) so that they can start to be used and
foster social capital and community cohesion between new and
existing residents early on in the life of a development
Ensure that there is a mix of housing types and tenure
Consider higher noise insulation standards for new buildings near
busy roads. Provide advice and support for further insulating
existing buildings.
To be taken
forward by AAP
Lead Department
Yes
Planning – Planning Policy; Housing
No
Planning – Development Management;
Building Regulations; Planning Policy
Sustainability and Climate Change SPD
Environmental Health
School Development
Ensure that the new primary school is part of the community and
has after school and weekend activities that involve adults and
children
Ensure the school is a ‘Healthy School and ‘Sustainable School’
No
Education
No
Education
Ensure local colleges and universities are working with each other
No
Education
No
Sport and leisure
Ensure child, disabled and elderly friendly and multi-functional open
and green spaces e.g. seating, free public toilets, play areas, street
events
No
Sport and Leisure
Access Team
Planning – Design; Development
Management
Incorporate natural surveillance and clear lines of sight into the
design of open and green spaces
No
Planning – Design; Development
Management
Ensure downward lighting to minimize leakage of light sideways
and into the sky
No
Planning – Development Management
Leisure, Tourism and Cultural Developments
Ensure that commercial leisure and cultural amenities are
accessible to those on low incomes
Open and Green Space Development
Page 43
10: Recommendations
Area
Recommendation
To be taken
forward by AAP
Lead Department
Environmental Health
Ensure adequate provision of public litter and recycling bins
No
Housing and Enabling; Area
Implementation Teams; Waste
Management
Yes
Planning – Planning Policy
Highways – Local Transport Plan
Yes
Planning – Planning Policy
Highways – Local Transport Plan
No
Education
No
Highways
Encourage developers to use sustainable building materials and
building techniques
Yes
Planning – Planning Policy;
Development Management; Design
Sustainability and Climate Change SPD
Encourage the use of renewable energy and energy efficient
measures to power new buildings
Yes
Planning – Planning Policy;
Development Management; Design
Sustainability and Climate Change SPD
Green the whole City Centre and Etruria Road Area with mature as
well as young drought resistant planting
No
Highways – Landscape Team
Transport Developments
Ensure that traffic management measures are more in favour of
pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users during peak time
travel in the mornings and evenings
Ensure all businesses in the City Centre develop a green travel
plan and develop a green travel forum where businesses can come
together to share problems and successes in getting workers,
clients and customers to use active travel modes
Develop a safe route to school for the new primary school
Consider using noise minimizing road surfaces for new roads and
resurfacing on existing roads in and around residential areas of the
City Centre
Climate Change and Sustainability
Page 44
11 Monitoring & Evaluation of Health Impacts
11 Monitoring & Evaluation of Health Impacts
11.1
Introduction
11.1.1 This Section suggests some useful indicators that could be used to monitor and
evaluate the health impacts.
11.1.2 In general, it is difficult to identify routine monitoring health and wellbeing indicators
that are:
• sensitive enough to detect the localised changes and
• easy to collect.
11.1.3 This report therefore identifies some possible indirect as well as direct health
indicators however some are unlikely to be sensitive enough to detect changes while
others will require financial, time and staff resources to collect.
Page 45
11 Monitoring & Evaluation of Health Impacts
11.2
Suggested monitoring and evaluation indicators
Indicator
Data collected
Recommended Lead
Agencies
Physical injury
Levels of traffic related incidents and injuries within the AAP area
Police
Wellbeing
Percentage of residents perceived to be in good physical and mental
health
NHS Stoke-on-Trent
(NHS SOT)
Stoke City Council
(SCC)
Obesity
Number and rates of obesity and overweight in children
NHS SOT
Cardiovascular disease
Number and rates of cardiovascular disease
NHS SOT
Housing
Percentage of affordable housing in the AAP area
SCC
Number of dwellings completed within the AAP area
Crime and antisocial behaviour
Levels of crime per 1000 population
SCC
E.g. Violent crimes, buglaries, vehicle crimes, antisocial behaviour,
criminal damage
Access to a wide range of services and
amenities
Number of services and amenities per 1000 of population
SCC
Community facilities and public services
Number of new community facilities and public services provided
SCC
Page 46
11 Monitoring & Evaluation of Health Impacts
Indicator
Data collected
Recommended Lead
Agencies
Traffic and car use
Patterns and levels of congestion within the AAP area
SCC
Walking
Level of walking within the City Centre area
SCC
Cycling
Number of cycle trips to the City Centre
SCC
Bus use
Level of access to the City Centre by bus
SCC
Energy and waste
Tonnes of waste sent to EfW/CHP facilities versus landfills versus
recycling
SCC
Employment and economic inclusion
Changes in the percentage of the population who are economically
active
SCC
Green space
Percentage of quality useable/used greenspace in the AAP area
SCC
Local ownership
Percentage of people satisfied with the AAP area as a place to live,
work, shop and play
SCC
Air quality
Levels of air pollution within the AAP area
SCC
Severance
Number of safe crossing points per km of road
SCC
Average speed and volume of traffic per km of road
Page 47
12 Conclusion
12 Conclusion
12.1.1 Overall, the proposals of the AAP, if they are implemented in the way envisaged, are
likely to have beneficial health and wellbeing impacts with a few adverse health and
wellbeing impacts. The majority of the potential negative health and wellbeing
impacts are likely to be temporary and occur during the implementation/construction
phase.
12.1.2 The significance of the adverse impacts is likely to be greater for residents, workers
and visitors close to opportunity/development sites within the City Centre. For this
group of people, depending on the number of opportunity sites around them, they are
likely to be faced with nuisance and annoyance issues which in some cases may lead
to negative physical and mental health and wellbeing impacts.
12.1.3 Over the long term, if there is no maintenance and continued investment in the City
Centre, vitality and viability generated by the AAP and the new developments are
likely to be lost.
Page 48