(NDP) Stainforth Neighbourhood Development Plan 2019 - 2032 Issues and Options Consultation V1.5 March 2019 2032 ...
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Stainforth Neighbourhood Development Plan
(NDP)
2019 - 2032
Issues and Options Consultation
V1.5 March 2019
How to Comment
I'm delighted to welcome you to the Issues and Options document for the Stainforth Neighbourhood
Development Plan (NDP). This document is published for informal public consultation from Monday
1st April 2019 until Tuesday 30th April 2019.
Public consultation is a very important part of preparing Neighbourhood Development Plans. This
Issues and Options document builds on the responses to the household questionnaire survey which
was undertaken earlier in 2018, and a stakeholder workshop held in the library on Saturday 27th
October 2018.
An NDP steering group of local residents and town councillors has prepared this Issues and Options
document to identify the key planning issues for Stainforth NDP and to consider how we might
influence them through possible planning policies and site allocations up to 2032 - the same time
scale as the new emerging Doncaster Local Plan.
We need to know the following:
● Do you as local people and stakeholders agree with the key planning issues we have
identified?
● Which of the policy options suggested would you support?
We also need to know:
● Is there anything important that you think we have missed?
Overall, we hope you will support our proposed approach help to guide new development in a
positive way so that changes are responsive to local people’s needs, ambitious, transformational and
achievable.
You can respond to this consultation in the following ways:
● Downloading the response form from our NDP website
www.stainforthneighbourhoodplan.org.uk
● Completing using a paper copy of the response form which can be found at the following
locations: Stainforth4ALL, Church Road, DN7 5PW; Stainforth Town Council Office, Church
Road, DN7 5AA
● Coming along and completing a response form at one of our events:
Tuesday 16th April 11.00am - 2.00pm at the Library
Monday 22nd April 11.00am - 3.00pm at the Resource Centre
● Please return completed forms by post to 1 Police Houses, Church Road, Stainforth,
Doncaster DN7 5AA, or email at kirsty@stainforthtc.plus.com or
peter@stainforthtc.plus.com
Next Steps: After this initial consultation we will consider all submitted responses and start
preparing our first Draft Neighbourhood Development Plan. We hope to have this ready for further
informal consultation in Spring 2019.
Phill Bedford, Chair of Neighbourhood Plan Committee, Stainforth Town Council
Contents How to Comment 2 Summary 4 1.0 What is a Neighbourhood Development Plan? 5 2.0 An NDP for Stainforth 7 3.0 A Portrait of Stainforth 9 4.0 Draft Vision and Objectives 11 5.0 Protecting and Enhancing Local Mining Heritage 12 6.0 Improving Housing Choice 17 7.0 Improving Accessibility for All 23 8.0 Supporting Health and Wellbeing 27 9.0 Local Development Opportunities 33 10.0 Next Steps 36 Appendix 1 Household Questionnaire, 2018 37 Appendix 2 Issues and Options Stakeholder Workshop, October 2018 40
Summary
This is the Issues and Options document which has been prepared as a first step in writing the
Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) for the town council area of Stainforth.
NDPs are planning policy documents, and once made (adopted) by the local planning authority
(here, Doncaster Borough Council) they are used to help determine planning applications in the area.
They are therefore powerful tools for communities who wish to have a stronger influence in
planning decisions.
The Issues and Options document sets out a draft vision and objectives and the key planning issues
identified so far from our public consultations, together with a range of possible policy options and
site allocations for addressing these issues. The issues are identified under the following themes:
● Protecting and Enhancing Local Mining Heritage
● Improving Housing Choice
● Improving Accessibility for All
● Supporting Health and Wellbeing and
● Local Development Opportunities.
The preparation of NDPs is complex and lengthy because the documents are "statutory" ie they carry
legal weight in decision making. Therefore the NDP will go through several more stages of
preparation and consultation, then an examination and finally a local referendum before it is
completed. The NDP has to be "in general conformity" with the strategic planning policies in
Doncaster's Local Plan and to have regard to the Government's national planning policies.
Following this consultation and careful consideration of all submitted comments, a Draft Plan will be
prepared setting out our Draft planning policies to help guide development in Stainforth up to 2032.
We hope to consult on this later in 2019.
1.0 What is a Neighbourhood Development Plan?
1.1 Neighbourhood Development Plans (NDPs) were introduced through the Localism Act 2011
to give local people a greater say in planning decisions that affect their area. NDPs are
neighbourhood level planning policy documents with policies designed to reflect the needs
and priorities of local communities.
1.2 NDPs can identify where development should take place, set out local design principles so
that buildings respond positively to local character and protect important facilities, historic
buildings, the natural environment and open spaces. They are an important part of our
planning system because planning applications are determined in accordance with the
development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Made (adopted) NDPs
are part of the local statutory development plan for their area.
1.3 A Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) can cover a range of planning related issues or
just have one, single policy. This document has been prepared as a first step in setting out
the possible scope and range of planning issues the Stainforth NDP could address and
potential policy options for addressing these issues.
1.4 It is important to remember that NDPs cannot be prepared in isolation. They have to be ‘in
general conformity’ with local strategic planning policies - in this case, the strategic policies
1
in the Doncaster Unitary Development Plan (UDP) 1998 Saved Policies and Doncaster Core
2
Strategy 2011 - 2028 . We will also need to have regard to the policies and proposals in the
new emerging Doncaster Local Plan and the evidence base supporting this document. NDP
Policies also have to have regard to national planning policy, as set out in the National
3
Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which was revised in February 2019 and other National
Planning Practice Guidance, Ministerial Statements and Government advice.
1.5 All the Neighbourhood Development Plan planning policies have to be underpinned by a
clear and robust evidence base of local opinion and technical resources and, overall, the Plan
has to meet a set of ‘basic conditions’ set out in national guidance.
1.6 Preparing an NDP is a complex and lengthy process. We are hoping to have a First Draft NDP
ready for further informal consultation with you in Spring 2019 and then to finalise our
Stainforth Draft NDP for the required 6 weeks formal consultation in Summer 2019.
Following this, the Plan will be further revised and submitted to Doncaster Council who will
check it and publish it for another 6 weeks consultation.
1.7 The Plan then will be examined by an independent Examiner, who is likely to recommend
further changes before the Plan is subjected to a local Referendum within the town. If there
is a majority Yes vote (50% of turnout + 1), the Plan will be made by Doncaster Council and
used to help determine planning applications alongside Doncaster’s planning policies and
national policies.
1.8 This process is set out in Figure 1.
1
http://www.doncaster.gov.uk/services/planning/doncaster-unitary-development-plan
2
http://www.doncaster.gov.uk/services/planning/ldf-core-strategy-development-plan-document-dpd
3
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-planning-policy-framework--2
Figure 1 Stainforth NDP Process
1.9 There are therefore several stages of public consultation and engagement throughout the
process and the Neighbourhood Plan can only be made if, at the very end, local people
support it.
1.10 We hope to achieve all this and have a Plan in place by the end of 2019 or early 2020. We
need your help and ideas to achieve this.
2.0 An NDP for Stainforth
2.1 Preparing an NDP is a lengthy and complex process, with several stages and periods of public
consultation which have to be followed to help ensure the NDP is successful at examination.
This Issues and Options document is the first of several versions of the NDP which you will be
invited to comment on over the next year to 18 months.
Designation
2.2 Stainforth Town Council applied to Doncaster Council for designation of the neighbourhood
area as shown on Map 1 on 9th November 2017. The Stainforth Neighbourhood Plan area
covers the whole of the parish of Stainforth and was approved by Doncaster Council on 11th
June 2018.
Map 1 Stainforth NDP Area
2.3 A steering group of town councillors, business representatives and community
representatives was set up September 2017 to oversee the preparation of the NDP on behalf
of the town council. The group meets approximately monthly and reports back to the town
council on progress and for decision making at key stages.
2.4 A dedicated NDP website was set up in Feb 2018 and this provides up to date information for
all about the progress of the NDP and details of how local people can be involved. The
website address is https://www.stainforthneighbourhoodplan.org.uk/ .
Household Questionnaire Survey, December 2017 - July 2018
2.5 The survey was conducted in public by local residents in public spaces, predominantly at the
3 local primary schools, Stainforth Library and ASDA supermarket in the central business
district, ensuring the capture of a wide array of people’s age, gender and ethnicity. There
have been 702 completed surveys, representing approximately 10% of Stainforth’s
population, the detailed results of which may be found in Appendix 1. The survey addressed
the 13 key issues raised by the neighbourhood plan committee. There has been largely
favourable responses, backing almost all with the exception of car parking, which received
only 61%.
Issues and Options Stakeholder Focus Event, Saturday 27th October 2018
2.6 Representatives of local stakeholder groups (see Appendix 2) were invited to attend a short
focus event to consider the results of the household questionnaire survey and agree the key
themes and priorities for the NDP. The event included a brief introduction and background
to the NDP, an update on the new Local Plan for Doncaster Council, headline results of the
questionnaire and workshops considering the key planning issues in more detail.
3.0 A Portrait of Stainforth
3.1 The Stainforth neighbourhood area lies between the Stainforth and Keadby Canal to the
north and a rail line to the south. Stainforth is a small town located about 7.5 miles to the
north east of Doncaster within the local authority area of Doncaster Council. The town is a
former mining community and the neighbourhood area includes built heritage assets
associated with the former Hatfield Main Colliery.
3.2 The neighbourhood area extends over 898 hectares in total and comprises the largely built
up area of the town and spoil heaps, and undeveloped areas of open countryside to the
north east and south west. The M18 slices through the east of the area but access to J5 (1.5
miles away) and the M180 is currently poor. Hatfield and Stainforth Station lies just within
the neighbourhood area boundary with rail services to Doncaster and on to Sheffield,
Scunthorpe and Hull.
3.3 Stainforth had a population of 6,282 usual residents on Census day 2011, with a median and
mean age of 38 years; which is slightly younger than the national average age of 39.4 (mean)
and 39.0 (median). There were 2,683 dwellings on Census day and of these 44.8% were
semi-detached and 32.3% were terraced. Since 2011 there have been several areas of new
housing development especially the significant King’s Park development by Gleesons Homes,
which has brought in many new affordable homes into Stainforth.
3.4 The following has been taken from the 2016 Public Health England Report1 for the Stainforth
Ward: The deprivation indices for Income, child poverty and older people are all significantly
worse than the England average. Child development and GCSE achievement in Stainforth are
both significantly worse than the England average. The general bad and very bad health
indicators, including long term illness and disability are all significantly worse than the
England average.
3.5 The town is relatively well provided for in terms of education facilities. Local schools include
Kirton Lane primary, Long Toft primary, and Holy Family primary. There is a well-used library
and several community centres and halls such as Stainforth Resource Centre, Poulton Close
community bungalow, and Stanley Gardens community bungalow. However, many of the
community centres are very small in size or aimed solely for the use of the elderly, and it is
recognised by the plan that Stainforth actually needs more community centre space,
especially for children and young people.
3.6 Shopping facilities are provided in small local parades around the residential areas, for
instance One Stop, and the town centre area along Church Road where there is a
supermarket (ASDA) and a range of local shops, cafes and other businesses.
3.7 Stainforth has 13 Listed Buildings, all Grade II, and the neighbourhood area includes several
areas of wildlife value including part of a Local Nature Reserve, several Local Wildlife Sites
and part of a Nature Improvement Area.
3.8 There is a strong local sense of community and there have been several major projects in the
recent years to help redevelop and regenerate Stainforth. These include S4ALL, a community
regeneration group operating from the local library; SERV volunteer group, helping to uplift
the town’s image by street cleaning and planting flowers around the town. There is also a
Stronger Stainforth community group that has been established by DMBC to consult the
residents on local issues and how DMBC and Stainforth Council can help to tackle them. The
NDP will provide an opportunity to continue this approach of community led regeneration
by allowing the local people to have a say in the town’s development.
3.9 A new Local Plan for Doncaster is at an early stage or preparation, but the evidence base of
the new emerging Local Plan is relevant for the Stainforth NDP. For planning purposes, the
adopted Core Strategy links Stainforth with the neighbouring settlement of Hatfield as a
Potential Growth Town in need of physical and economic regeneration. The emerging new
Local Plan identifies a cluster of settlements, Dunscroft, Dunsville, Hatfield and Stainforth as
one of 7 Main Towns. The proposed Unity development includes an area to the south west
of Stainforth neighbourhood area, and this will be a major regeneration scheme comprising a
mix of uses including housing and a new direct link to J5 of the M18.
http://www.localhealth.org.uk/GC_preport.php?lang=en&codgeo=E05010744&nivgeo=ward_2016&id_rep=r034.0 Draft Vision and Objectives
4.1 An NDP is required to have a Vision and Objectives. Our Draft Vision and Objectives for
Stainforth NDP are set out below:
Vision for Stainforth
In 2032 Stainforth will be a vibrant and sustainable community. Residents will enjoy a
high quality of life with good access to attractive open spaces, waterways and recreational
areas, as well as community facilities and local employment opportunities. There will be a
choice of affordable and energy efficient house types and sizes for existing and new
residents. Stainforth will enjoy good accessibility for all, with public and private transport
linkages to neighbouring settlements and larger towns and cities including Doncaster, and
a safe network of walking and cycling routes linking communities across the area.
NDP Objectives
Objective 1: To protect and enhance local mining heritage through the creation of a
heritage centre and country park linked to the old pithead site.
Objective 2: To support a wider range and choice of housing in the area through high
quality residential housing development on the former pit head slag heaps.
Objective 3: To improve accessibility for all, including provision of a new footbridge
linking residential areas to Hatfield and Stainforth Station and a new network of walking
and cycling routes throughout the area.
Objective 4: To support the provision of a new country park and to enhance existing local
green spaces as part of health and wellbeing initiatives.
Objective 5: To support new community and leisure development for the benefit of all.
Objective 6: To support suitable new development or uses for derelict and abandoned
sites and buildings.
Questions for Public Consultation
Q1A: Do you support the Draft Vision for Stainforth NDP?
Q1B: Do you have any suggestions for how it could be improved?
Q2A: Do you support the Draft Objectives for Stainforth NDP?
Q2B: Do you have any suggestions for how they can be improved?5.0 Protecting and Enhancing Local Mining Heritage
5.1 Stainforth's history is intrinsically linked to coal mining and this heritage is highly valued by
local residents. Prior to the sinking of the pit, Stainforth was primarily an agricultural area.
Once the colliery was sunk in 1911, Stainforth expanded with people coming from Durham,
Staffordshire, Lancashire, Derbyshire and indeed all over the country to work in the pit. By
1930 there were 3600 people working in Stainforth, and many houses, shops and
entertainment facilities were built. The colliery was indeed the most significant development
in Stainforth in recent times and its closure brought about massive deprivation and led to
generations of unemployment. Whilst the mining heritage itself remains strong in the
community, there is precious little to show its history.
5.2 The remaining structures from the former Hatfield Main Colliery site include No.1 and No. 2
headstocks, Former Hatfield Main Colliery which are Grade II Listed Buildings. Historic
4
England provides details about the listing and heritage assets at Hatfield Main Colliery :
"Hatfield Colliery was built by the Hatfield Main Colliery Company, initially to work the
Barnsley seam, with its two shafts sunk between 1911 and 1921, work being interrupted by
the First World War. The shafts were constructed using the Francois Cementation Process to
overcome the difficulties posed by sinking through shifting sands and the very porous,
waterlogged sandstone. Hatfield was the first mine in the country to employ this process
which had been developed on the continent, shaft sinking was supervised at Hatfield by the
4
See https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/inventor, Mr M Francois. The colliery went into production in 1921, using the shaft sinking
headgear whilst the permanent headstocks and winding engine houses were being
constructed, these completed in 1922. Number 1 Headstocks, for the downcast shaft, was
constructed by Naylor Brothers Ltd. of Lancashire using lattice steel framing; Number 2, for
the upcast shaft, was constructed by the colliery workers to the design by the Trussed
Concrete Steel Company employing Khan System ferro-concrete beams. Both headstocks
were designed for twined, double-decker cages. The winding gear (including the headstocks)
were described in detail in the Colliery Guardian published 6th October 1922. The lattice
frame headstocks at Hatfield were used as an example of the type by G Poole in his 1935
treatise “Haulage and Winding”.
By the mid-1930s the colliery had been deepened to also work the High Hazel seam. The
worst accident at Hatfield Main Colliery occurred in 1939 when the cage lifting miners in the
upcast shaft overshot and crashed into the headgear, killing one and injuring fifty more.
Hatfield Main Colliery underwent modernisation in the 1970s with the conversion to electric
winding. Number 1 Shaft was converted from tub to skip winding with the removal of its
heapstead and the introduction of a conveyor, with the lower portion of the main legs of the
lattice steel headstocks encased in concrete. The heapstead for Number 2 Shaft was also
rebuilt although photographs published in the Colliery Guardian in 1922 suggest that this was
a modification of the existing structure, rather than a complete rebuilding.
The colliery was closed by British Coal in 1993, the RCHME carrying out a rapid historic
building recording survey of the complex in 1994. Hatfield was reopened under different
ownership in 1994 and worked through until final closure in June 2015, the shafts being
subsequently in-filled."
5.3 Today, the area lies vacant and unused and is closed off to public access. The former
buildings are located to the south east of the site, on land adjoining the rail line and with
access off Waggons Way. There are other areas of slag heaps to the north, west and south.
Due to the low-lying character of the surrounding area, the headstocks and winding houses
are a local landmark, visible from the M18 motorway, railway, other neighbouring villages
and the wider countryside.
5.4 The Town Council considers that there are significant opportunities for the development of
the site to provide improved local facilities and employment, subject to securing funding and
investment. Hatfield Main Heritage Trust was formed in April 2017 with the aim of
developing the Pithead site into a heritage centre and country park. The plan for the site
includes various workshops, business incubation, conference centre, and a local mining
heritage museum. The group has been crowdfunded through Just Giving and Paul Heaton,
lead singer from Beautiful South, has donated the royalties from his song “Coal Train to
Hatfield Main”. The land is currently classed as Crown Land and the debt has been recently
bought by Hargreaves Lansdown plc. DMBC have conducted a visual survey in 2018 and a
representative from English Heritage has concluded that the pitheads are safe to remain for
at least 10 years and there are no current plans for demolition.Map 2 Pithead Site
5.5 The responses to the questionnaire survey demonstrated a very strong degree of local
support for the idea of having a heritage and craft centre on the old pithead site, with 93% of
respondents supporting this. In addition, 90.4% of respondents wished to preserve the old
headgears of Hatfield Main as a monument to mining heritage.
5.6 At the Issues and Options event ideas for the pithead buildings included:
● A heritage centre with workshops
● A small recording studio
● A sports hall
● Conference centre
● Use of the winding houses for a museum and restaurant
● A flexible space for theatre productions, films, shows etc and
● Using the railway sidings for old trains.
5.7 Clearly these ideas are ambitious at this stage and there will be a need to firm up proposals,
work with landowners and Doncaster MBC, and secure funding. The role of the NDP is to
help provide a supportive local planning framework, perhaps through a site allocation and /
or planning policies to guide development proposals which may come forward over the plan
period.
5.8 Any proposals will require careful and sensitive design which recognises the importance of
the listed buildings and seeks to protect and enhance them.5.9 Relevant Doncaster strategic planning policies include the following, and any policies and
proposals in the Stainforth NDP will have to be in general conformity with these:
Doncaster Council Core Strategy 2011-2028
Policy CS15: Valuing Our Historic Environment
" A) Proposals and initiatives will be supported which preserve and, where appropriate,
enhance the heritage significance and setting of the borough’s heritage assets, especially
those elements which contribute to the distinct identity of the borough. These include:
5. early twentieth century suburban developments, including planned colliery villages.
B) Proposals will be supported which protect or enhance the heritage significance and setting
of locally identified heritage assets such as buildings of local architectural or historic interest,
locally important archaeological sites and parks and gardens of local interest."
The Doncaster Unitary Development Plan (UDP) - the Plan for Doncaster's future
Adopted July 1998
ENV 32
Listed building consent and applications for planning permission will not be granted for
alterations or additions to a listed building which would adversely affect its architectural or
historic features or detract from its overall character or appearance. Where unsuitable
alterations have already taken place the borough council will encourage reinstatement, or a
more satisfactory solution as and when the opportunity arises.
ENV 34
Planning permission will not normally be granted for development which would adversely
affect the setting of a listed building by virtue of its nature, height, form, scale, materials or
design or by the removal of trees or other important landscape features. Outline planning
permission will not normally be granted for proposals likely to affect the setting of a listed
building. Development proposals within the grounds of a listed building must demonstrate
that the land to be developed is surplus to the requirements to the listed building.
Questions for Public Consultation
Old Pithead Site Planning Policy Options
Q3: Which of the following Policy Options do you support?
Option 1 - A site allocation in the Stainforth NDP which identifies an area of the old
pithead as suitable for the range of uses set out above.
Option 2 - Your suggestions for other ideas for this area (please explain).
Option 3 - The NDP is silent on this issue and we leave it to Doncaster MBC.6.0 Improving Housing Choice
6.1 Stainforth is a modest sized town with around 2,600 houses (Census 2011 recorded 2,596
households). Housing in the area was largely developed to provide accommodation for
workers at the former Hatfield Main Colliery and much of it dates from the 1930s to the
1950s. More recent developments include King’s Park by Gleesons Homes, which has
brought in many new affordable homes into Stainforth.
6.2 The 2011 Census also provides information about house types and tenure in Stainforth.
Table 1 shows that 12.1% of households lived in whole houses and bungalows in 2011 and
the most common house type was semi-detached (44.8%). 32.3% of households lived in a
terraced or end of end of terrace property. The average number of bedrooms per household
was 2.7.Table 1 Dwellings, household spaces and accommodation types
Household spaces with no usual residents 87 3.2
Whole house or bungalow: Detached 325 12.1
Whole house or bungalow: Semi-detached 1,202 44.8
Whole house or bungalow: Terraced (including end-terrace) 867 32.3
Flat, maisonette or apartment: Purpose-built block of flats or tenement 179 6.7
Flat, maisonette or apartment: Part of a converted or shared house (including 10 0.4
bed-sits)
Flat, maisonette or apartment: In a commercial building 27 1.0
Caravan or other mobile or temporary structure 73 2.7
6.3 In terms of tenure, Table 2 shows that just under half of households (46.9%) were in owner
occupied accommodation and 36.3% were in socially rented accommodation in 2011. 14.4%
were privately renting their house.
Table 2 Tenure
Households
Stainforth
Parish
count %
All households 2,596 100.0
Owned 1,217 46.9
Owned outright 561 21.6
Owned with a mortgage or loan 656 25.3
Shared ownership (part owned and part rented) 4 0.2
Social rented and 942 36.3
Rented from council (Local Authority) 834 32.1
Other 108 4.2
Private rented 374 14.4
Private landlord or letting agency 343 13.2
Other 31 1.2
Living rent free 59 2.36.4 These figures demonstrate a very different offer in Stainforth from housing tenure and types
5
in Doncaster Borough as a whole. The Doncaster Housing Need Assessment sets out that
"the majority of housing in Doncaster is privately owned (82%) with 16% of stock being
Council-owned. 65% of households are owner occupiers, 15% are privately rented, and 18%
are in social rent. Most dwellings have 3 bedrooms (55%) or 2 bedrooms (24%); and almost
half (45%) of all housing is semi-detached houses or bungalows; with terraced and detached
houses/bungalows accounting for 24% and 23% respectively".
6.5 The new emerging Local Plan for Doncaster identifies a larger area, Hatfield - Stainforth
(including Dunscroft and Dunsville) as a Main Town in the settlement hierarchy with a
relatively high local need requirement of 575 new houses up to 2032. Deliverable and
developable planning permissions already account for 805 units over the first 15 years of the
plan period.
6.6 Current planning permissions, proposed site allocations and constraints are show on Map 3
which was provided in the Doncaster new Local Plan Summary document for Main Town
Hatfield - Stainforth. In addition to several smaller sites, there is a major allocation for a
mixed use site (including housing) site (DN7 Initiative / Unity Project). This site includes that
area of the former Hatfield Main Colliery which lies within the Stainforth NDP area. Overall
the scheme forms a very large urban expansion site extending to 428.4 hectares The Local
6
Plan - Site Selection Methodology Consultation published Summary Document for Main
Town Hatfield - Stainforth indicates that the site is capable of accommodating 3,100
dwellings and a number of employment units as part of a mixed use scheme. Unity is a
priority for the Sheffield City Region (SCR) and the project forms part of the £320m SCR
Infrastructure Fund and will also deliver a 2.9km link road from J5 of the M18.
Masterplanning work has been carried out involving Doncaster Council, the Homes and
Communities Agency and the principle developer.
5
http://www.doncaster.gov.uk/services/housing/our-housing-plans-2
6
http://www.doncaster.gov.uk/services/planning/local-plan-site-selection-methodology-consultationMap 3 Doncaster New Local Plan Consultation September 2018,
Map 1 Stainforth and Hatfield (north)
6.7 The triangular area of spoil to the north east of the Unity site in Stainforth, between the rail
line and Thorne Road as shown on Map 4 is considered suitable for new residential
development. Discussions have taken place between Stainforth Town Council and
Hargreaves regarding developing high quality residential housing in that area and building a
country park on the spoil heaps to the west.Map 4 Proposed Housing Site
6.8 The responses to the residents’ questionnaire indicated a high level of local support for such
a scheme with 81.6% of respondents supporting a housing development on the far end of
the old pit head slag heaps (between the railway line and Kirton Lane).
6.9 At the Issues and Options workshop, stakeholders suggested that the NDP should identify a
site allocation for new housing in this area and require that housing schemes should focus on
a quality mix of 3- and 4-bedroom houses across Stainforth.
6.10 The 2011 Census information shows that Stainforth already has a relatively high proportion
of terraced and semi-detached houses and a relatively low proportion of detached
properties. The Town Council would like to see a wider range of housing choice provided in
Stainforth in the future, including more expensive, larger, detached units suitable for higher
earners and larger families, which are currently difficult to find in the area. There are
concerns that some residents are leaving Stainforth when they are unable to find the type
and size of house needed. In addition, the Town Council would like to attract new residents
to the area to support local shops and services and to support a sustainable future for the
town.
6.11 This approach contrasts to the approach set out in the new emerging Local Plan. The 2015
Housing Needs Assessment suggests that "The type of housing and size of housing required is
changing in that more single person and smaller units will be required, more shared
accommodation and more bungalows (or properties suitably adapted for older people) across
the whole borough. The impact of welfare reform will mean more people need to downsize to
be able to cover their rent with reduced housing benefits, and the ageing population willmean more people will want to downsize (more often, to bungalows) to help keep their
homes stay manageable for longer; and thus allow them to live independently for longer. "
6.12 The Town Council would like to argue that existing housing provision in Stainforth provides
for smaller households' needs already. New housing proposals should therefore contribute
to the future economic prosperity and social sustainability of the town, providing larger units
for local families and also those wishing to move into the town to support shops and
services.
6.13 Relevant Doncaster strategic planning policies include the following, and any policies and
proposals in the Stainforth NDP will have to be in general conformity with these:
Doncaster Council Core Strategy 2011-2028
Policy CS11: Housing Renewal and Regeneration
The provision of high quality new housing will be required to support housing renewal programmes,
the use of brownfield and other urban sites, mixed-use development, and the re-use of empty
housing through the measures set out below….
B) In accordance with Policy CS10 the selection and phasing of allocations will prioritise well
located brownfield land and Renewal sites will not be phased; other housing sites will be
required to support renewal programmes through phasing and housing mix.
Policy CS12: Housing Mix and Affordable Housing
New housing developments will be required to include a mix of house size, type, price and tenure to
address identified needs and market demand and to support mixed communities.
Questions for Public Consultation
Housing Choice Planning Policy Options
Q4: Which of the following Policy Options do you support?
Option 1 - A site allocation for new housing on land between the railway line and
Kirton Lane.
Option 2 - A housing policy in the NDP which prioritises larger (3 - 4 bedroom
family houses) in new developments in Stainforth.
Option 3 - The NDP is silent on these issues and we leave them to Doncaster MBC.7.0 Improving Accessibility for All
7.1 NDPs are required to support sustainable development. An important aspect of
sustainability includes reducing reliance on the private car by ensuring new development is
accessible to public transport and supports more walking and cycling, particularly for short
journeys. Such initiatives not only assist with reducing carbon emissions and improving air
quality but also support healthy lifestyles by promoting exercise.
7.2 Improving accessibility so that local residents in Stainforth can access employment and
training opportunities, as well as shops, community facilities and open spaces is a priority for
the Town Council. Although many local facilities within the town could be considered to be
fairly accessible to local residents, several man-made and natural barriers including the rail
line, motorway, river and canal impact on accessibility to surrounding areas, towns and
cities. Even where local facilities are located close to residential areas, residents with cars
may prefer to drive where walking and cycling routes are considered unsafe or unattractive.
7.3 Stainforth is fortunate to have a rail station (Hatfield and Stainforth Station) which has direct
and frequent services to Doncaster and from there via the East Coast Main Line to London
and via Trans-Pennine express to Manchester. Other destinations from Hatfield and
Stainforth Station include Hull, Sheffield and Scunthorpe.7.4 Local Bus services from Church Road and Thorne Road include: 84 - Doncaster – Thorne, 84a
- Doncaster – Lindholme, 84b - Doncaster – Sykehouse, 87 - Doncaster – Moorends, 87a -
Doncaster – Moorends, 457 - Stainforth - Hatfield Woodhouse and AM1 - Amazon –
Doncaster.
7.5 There are several existing footpaths and public rights of way linking the built-up area to the
wider countryside and a canal towpath runs alongside the Stainforth and Keadby Canal. The
line of a dismantled railway lies north south linking the spoil heaps to Stainforth East Ings
Drain, close to the area identified for a new marina.
7.6 A significant issue for the town is the need to make the rail station more accessible and user
friendly. At the current time problems include poor lighting, lack of natural surveillance,
poorly maintained pavement, unsafe car park and lack of a ticket office. Lack of access from
Stainforth side results in a very long walk over the railway bridge and down a poorly lit lane.
The junction itself is extremely hazardous due to a blind summit and bend over the bridge.
All these issues contribute to the station being underused. The NDP provides a significant
opportunity to highlight these problems and to promote possible solutions and
improvements to support the station and help ensure it is protected and enhanced as a local
asset for residents in the future.
7.7 The responses to the questionnaire demonstrated that 95.8% of respondents supported the
idea of a new footbridge to Hatfield and Stainforth Station from Waggons Way. At the Issues
and Options Stakeholder workshop, the stakeholders suggested that a new pedestrian bridge
should be located as near to Waggons Way junction with East Lane as possible, and should
be well lit. Station improvements should include parking and bus stops (similar to Thorne /
Adwick).
7.8 From the footbridge there are opportunities to create a new network of walking and cycling
routes linking to the shops and proposed country park and mining related heritage assets
(see Section 5) as well as the proposed new housing site to the north east. The NDP could
identify these proposed routes and support proposals which encourage higher levels of
walking and cycling and use of the station and rail services. These proposals are indicated on
Map 5.
7.9 Advisory: It is believed that the new train station interchange is already planned as part of
the Unity project.Map 5 Proposed Rail Bridge and New Pedestrian and Cycle Linkages
7.9 Relevant Doncaster strategic planning policies include the following, and any policies and
proposals in the Stainforth NDP will have to be in general conformity with these:
Doncaster Council Core Strategy 2011-2028
Policy CS9: Providing Travel Choice
Travel choice (including connectivity and affordability) will be improved within the borough, to the
wider Sheffield City Region, and beyond. Proposals will therefore be supported which make
an overall contribution to the improvement of travel choice and the transport network …
B) Proposals will be supported which improve rail transport, including:
2. upgrading of the East-Coast mainline (Leeds and York) and the Trans Pennine links
(Manchester, Sheffield and Hull); and;
F) Proposals will be supported which improve the number and quality of opportunities for
walking and cycling both as part of the highway and as part of the wider green infrastructure
network.
The Doncaster Unitary Development Plan (UDP) - the Plan for Doncaster's future
Adopted July 1998
T 24 The Borough Council will support and encourage the development of innovative
forms of public transport.Questions for Public Consultation
Accessibility Planning Policy Options
Q5: Which of the following Policy Options do you support?
Option 1 - A policy in the NDP promoting a new rail footbridge and improvements
to the station.
Option 2 - Your suggestions for other ideas for walking and cycling routes or
station improvements, or generally improving accessibility for all in Stainforth
(please explain).
Option 3 - The NDP is silent on these issues and we leave them to Doncaster MBC.8.0 Supporting Health and Wellbeing
8.1 The need to promote health and wellbeing of our residents will be at the heart of the NDP
policies and proposals. The 2011 Census provided information about limiting illnesses in
Stainforth and this information is reproduced in Table 3. The Table shows that 13.8% of the
population had day to day activities limited a lot and 10.9% had day to day activities limited a
little. 9.2% reported very bad or bad health.
Table 3 Health and Provision of Unpaid Care
Persons
Stainforth
Parish
count %
All usual residents 6,282 100.0
Day-to-day activities limited a lot 868 13.8
Day-to-day activities limited a little 686 10.9Day-to-day activities not limited 4,728 75.3
Day-to-day activities limited a lot: Age 16 to 64 420 6.7
Day-to-day activities limited a little: Age 16 to 64 386 6.1
Day-to-day activities not limited: Age 16 to 64 3,108 49.5
Very good health 2,600 41.4
Good health 1,998 31.8
Fair health 1,103 17.6
Bad health 447 7.1
Very bad health 134 2.1
Provides no unpaid care 5,693 90.6
Provides 1 to 19 hours unpaid care a week 249 4.0
Provides 20 to 49 hours unpaid care a week 107 1.7
Provides 50 or more hours unpaid care a week 233 3.7
Source: ONS - 2011 Census (KS301EW)
In order to protect against disclosure of personal information, records have been
swapped between different geographic areas. Some counts will be affected,
particularly small counts at the lowest geographies
8.2 The 2016 Public Health England Stainforth Ward Report1 shows the following: The
percentage of people with bad or very bad health is significantly worse than England
average, including over 24% of people with a limiting long-term illness or disability. There are
significantly more emergency hospital admissions for COPD and incidences of Lung Cancer
than the England average. There are also significantly more hospital stays for alcohol related
harm and injury than the England average. There are significantly more cases of premature
mortality relating to cancer and respiratory diseases than the England average. All these
factors point to significant alcohol and smoking related issues in Stainforth.
http://www.localhealth.org.uk/GC_preport.php?lang=en&codgeo=E05010744&nivgeo=ward_2016&id_rep=r03
8.3 It is increasingly recognised that planning policies can make a positive contribution to
supporting healthy environments and promoting healthy lifestyles. This can be for instance
through promoting walking and cycling (see section 7), protecting valued green spaces and
identifying new areas suitable for recreational activities, and protecting local community
facilities.
Green Spaces and Recreation
7
8.4 Existing green spaces in Stainforth are considered in Doncaster's Green Space Audit 2013.
Map 6 below identifies existing green space in the town, together with their category of use.
7
http://www.doncaster.gov.uk/services/planning/green-space-documentsMap 6 Doncaster Green Space (Stainforth area)
8.5 The community profile for Stainforth notes that there are a lot of amenity (in housing) sites
which when well managed provide a positive appearance to an area. There is also 1 formal
green space, 6 informal green spaces, a woodland, a greyhound stadium and a marina /
mooring. East Lane, New Park Estate and Back Lane have play equipment. The desktop
analysis identifies the priority as the provision of additional informal and formal provision
and possibly play equipment and the priority site is Stainforth Miners Welfare / Buntings
Wood.
8.6 Overall the audit identifies deficiencies in informal, formal and public provision in Stainforth.
8.7 The responses to the residents' questionnaire demonstrated support for improvements to
open space provision in Stainforth. 88.2% of respondents supported more green space and
93.4% wanted to see a country park created on part of the slag heaps - see Map 7. At the
Issues and Options stakeholder event, there were suggestions that a new country park could
include such facilities as a miniature sized railway, tennis courts, picnic space, a mini maze,
ponds, lakes and trees and a scenic walk. The committee is happy for the area in section 6.7
to be flattened for the development of new housing, whilst leaving the spoil on the country
park area to be used for landscaping.
Map 7 Proposed Country Park Site8.8 Other suggestions at the Issues and Options event included investment to provide a skate
park similar to the facility at the Miners’ Welfare and to create a health and leisure campus
on the Miners’ Welfare. The health and leisure campus could include a new community
centre with a soft play facility, community hall and a healthy eating café. There will also be a
dog walking area, and new football pitches suitable for full size and 5 a side football to bring
in revenue to the Town Council. S4ALL is currently in the process of securing funding for a
new community centre and Stainforth Town Council will be looking to secure funding for the
pitches at a later date.
Community Facilities
8.9 Stainforth also has a range of local community facilities. These include: Town Council office,
the community library, the Resource Centre, Long Toft sports centre, the Credit Union, the
Post Office, Poulton Close community bungalow (Phoenix Centre), The Hope Centre, catholic
community hall, Tae Kwon Do club, the Youth Club, Hatfield Main Club, Central Club, Stanley
Gardens community bungalow, Field Road Surgery, and Doncaster College training rooms.
8.10 90.2% of respondents to the questionnaire supported more community and leisure space in
Stainforth. The NDP could include a policy which identifies these facilities and protects them
for future community and health type uses.
8.11 Relevant Doncaster strategic planning policies include the following, and any policies and
proposals in the Stainforth NDP will have to be in general conformity with these:
Doncaster Council Core Strategy 2011-2028
Policy CS1: Quality of LifeAs a means to securing and improving economic prosperity, enhancing the quality of place, and the
quality of life in Doncaster, proposals will be supported which contribute to the Core Strategy
objectives, and in particular:
B) Strengthen communities and enhance their well-being by providing a benefit to the area in
which they are located, and ensuring healthy, safe places where existing amenities are
protected.
The Doncaster Unitary Development Plan (UDP) - the Plan for Doncaster's future
Adopted July 1998
RL 5 The following sites will be developed as open space for recreation purposes:
UDP AREA 9
46) Land to north of New Park Estate, STAINFORTH, Playground To be provided as part of
proposed housing development.
(52) DISUSED COLLIERY RAILWAY LINE STAINFORTH Informal public open space. To provide
link between Stainforth and the Stainforth Keadby Canal and complement environmental
improvements that have been made to the land. The Borough Council will explore ways with
the landowners of formalising the use of the open space.
CF6
New community facilities, or change of use to community facilities, in existing areas will
normally be allowed, provided:
a) the development would not be likely to have a significantly detrimental effect on
amenity, including traffic impact;
b) the location would allow the needs of the community to be adequately served or
would be suitable for community use by virtue of its environment and accessibility
CF8
The Borough Council will promote the wider and more efficient use of all community facilities
where this can be achieved without detriment to the interests of the principal users of the
facilities.
Questions for Public Consultation
Supporting Health and Wellbeing Planning Policy Options
Q6: Which of the following Policy Options do you support?
Option 1 - A site allocation and policy in the NDP for a new country park on the
slag heap.
Option 2 - Your suggestions for other ideas for improving green spaces in
Stainforth (please explain).
Option 3 - Planning policies which identify and protect local community facilities
and support investment in new provision.
Option 4 - The NDP is silent on these issues and we leave them to Doncaster MBC.9.0 Local Development Opportunities
9.1 Stainforth has a number of vacant sites and buildings which detract from the town's
attractiveness and can be targets for vandalism and fly tipping. However these sites could
also be seen as investment opportunities for new development which contributes to the
town's regeneration and renewal.
9.2 82.0% of the respondents to the questionnaire saw derelict buildings and waste land in
Stainforth as a problem. At the Issues and Options Stakeholder workshop the following were
identified as potential development opportunities:
● Pumping Station, Thorne Road
● East Lane House
● Station Road shops
● Site next to Asda
● Area off East Lane / Kenneth Avenue
● Hall Road Crook Barn (suspected to be still in use for storage)
● Site next to New Inn
These are shown on Map 8.Map 8 Development Opportunities
9.3 The Town Council would like to see pressure put upon site owners to bring the sites forward
for development, or at the very least tidied up and maintained so that they do not cause a
negative visual impact on the surrounding area. The sites could be suitable for a range of
uses including housing, business and community uses and the through NDP further work
could be done to investigate possible site allocations and criteria based policies to guide
their redevelopment and reuse.
9.4 Relevant Doncaster strategic planning policies include the following, and any policies and
proposals in the Stainforth NDP will have to be in general conformity with these:
Doncaster Council Core Strategy 2011-2028
The Doncaster Unitary Development Plan (UDP) - the Plan for Doncaster's future Adopted
July 1998
Policy CS2: Growth and Regeneration Strategy
Growth and regeneration will be supported in accordance with the principles set out below.
D) Distinctive and vibrant communities will be supported through:
1. provision of local facilities and improved access to these by creating walkable
neighbourhoods;
2. physical regeneration including housing renewal and environmental improvement
schemes;
3. preservation and enhancement of the distinctive local character of the historic builtand natural environment, a commitment to high quality design; and;
4. protection and enhancement of the green infrastructure network (including key green
wedges).
The Doncaster Unitary Development Plan (UDP) - the Plan for Doncaster's future
Adopted July 1998
PH 9 T he Borough Council designates residential policy areas as shown on the proposals map.
(Including Stainforth)
PH 17
Within priority residential policy areas when opportunities for the improvement of existing housing
areas arise or involve new development (as appropriate) special attention will be given to:-
a) the improvement of dwelling stock;
b) environmental improvements, including landscaping;
c) improved layout and land use arrangements in the locality;
d) better access to recreation, shopping and community facilities;
e) the potential for a community based approach in introducing new
development proposals and initiatives;
f) the availability of programme, grant aided and project based funding.
Questions for Public Consultation
Development Opportunity Sites Planning Policy Options
Q7: Which of the following Policy Options do you support?
Option 1 - The NDP identifies the above development opportunity sites and sets
out criteria for their re-use and redevelopment.
Option 2 - Your suggestions for any other vacant sites and buildings in Stainforth
which could be developed (please explain).
Option 3 - The NDP is silent on these issues and we leave them to Doncaster MBC.10.0 Next Steps
10.1 Following consideration of the comments and responses to this Issues and Options
document, the steering group will start preparing the Draft Neighbourhood Development
Plan for Stainforth.
10.2 We hope to have a draft plan ready for informal public consultation later in 2019 and then
progress to the 6 weeks formal consultation on the Stainforth NDP in Autumn / Winter 2019.Appendix 1 Household Questionnaire, 2018
Appendix 2 Issues and Options Stakeholder Workshop, October 2018
Attendees:
1. A. Abbott - Stainforth Town Council (Mayor)
2. P. Bedford - Stainforth Town Council (Neighbourhood Plan Chair)
3. J. Waggitt - Stainforth Town Council
4. I. Moore - Stainforth Town Council
5. D. Moore - Stainforth Town Council
6. L. Crosby - Stainforth Town Council
7. S. Cook - Stainforth Town Council
8. A. Sylvester - Labour Group (Chair)
9. D. Butcher - Labour Group (Deputy Chair)
10. K. Allsopp - Labour Group (Secretary)
11. C. Hall - DMBC
12. J. Stimson - DMBC
13. F. Turner - S4ALL (Chair)
14. R. Squires - S4ALL (Trustee)
15. B. Segal - S4ALL
16. J. Manifield - S4ALL
17. J. Keegan - Stainforth Resource Centre
18. K. Hays - Roeville Computers
19. J. Roe - Roeville Computers
20. L. Kirkup - Kirkwells
21. K. Sylvester - Local self-employed business
22. C. Sylvester - Local resident
23. K. Sylvester - Local residentYou can also read
