DRAFT Sustainability Appraisal Report for the Emerging Local Plan ...

Runnymede Urban Area Character Appraisal 2009
13.13 This document is intended to aid urban design policy formulation for the development and
improvement of Runnymede Borough where the built environment primarily consists of
housing development
Current Baseline Condition
13.14 The SEA Directive and UK SEA Regulations require that an account be given of the current and
likely future composition and condition of the environment in the area covered by the
proposed plan. The environmental baseline presented in this section has been compiled from
available sources of primary and secondary data that in the main relate to RSF Indicators that
have been monitored by the Council in one form or another since 2004.
13.15 The built environment in Runnymede is dominated by a selection of small towns on the fringe
of London. It largely comprises of residential and commercial development, plus supporting
infrastructure, of which transportation is the most prominent. There are slightly more
detached and semi‐detached properties in the borough than flats and terraced houses, with
more detached properties located in the affluent areas of in Virginia Water, Ottershaw,
Woodham, and Thorpe, and more semi‐detached in New Haw, Egham and Addlestone. In
general, the condition of Runnymede’s housing stock is in good state of repair.
13.16 There is a number of Industrial and Business Parks located throughout the borough. These
are generally situated close to and with easy access to the M25. This is reflective of the
general reliance of transportation by vehicle for both workers and goods.
13.17 In terms of housing provision, latest available data for Runnymede shows that 201 housing
completions occurred in 2011/12 to include 94 affordable housing units. Runnymede records
a low number of non‐decent homes per 1000 dwellings.
13.18 Runnymede also records high levels of development on previously developed land against a
low amount of land that has been vacant or derelict for more than five years. Runnymede
also records no built heritage assets of grade 1 and 2 at risk (see Section 15).
13.19 However Runnymede has recorded increasing levels of commercial and residential properties
at risk of flooding.
13.20 Table 82 provides a summary of the key environmental issues and challenges that have been
identified as having particular relevance to the Council’s emerging Local Plan on this receptor.
Those issues and challenges have been identified from the baseline environmental
information as well as through discussion with various officers within the Council and
external statutory and non‐statutory consultees.
Table 82 – ER08 Summary Key Environmental Issues and Challenges
Receptor
[ER08] Built Environment
Key Issues, challenges and potential responses for the Local
Plan
Summary: In Runnymede 172 additional net dwellings built in 2010/11. In
2009 133 affordable housing units were completed within Runnymede.
In June 2011 there were 2,672 households on the housing register indicating
a demand for housing within the borough.
The combined number of commercial and residential properties in Runnymede
at risk of flooding is 21,603.
Issues and Challenges: Runnymede’s population has increased annually and
the trend of population growth is expected to continue 70 . Car ownership is
also higher than the national average, at 1.5 cars per household 71 , and its
road network is extensively used for private and business travel, as well as
moving significant volumes of freight. As with the rest of Surrey, the type of
freight moved, the need to safeguard the rail network for passenger services,
and the lack of interchange facilities, limits the scope for moving freight by
70 ONS Midyear Population Estimates
71 2001 Census – Key Statistics (Cars or Vans)
Page | 173 Runnymede BC FINAL Sustainability Appraisal Report – Feb 2013