East Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy 2005/06

Data Analysis
8.30 Although time series data is reported for
economic activity rates and employment rates, care
needs to be taken when interpreting the data as two
different sources have been used. Up until the end of
May 2005 the Labour Force Survey (LFS) has been
used and for the whole of 2005 the Annual
Population Survey (APS) (the successor to the LFS)
which uses a different methodology for collecting
data has been used.Thus although in most cases the
data shows an increase in activity rates this is largely
due to different data sets being used. The
employment rate data for the Northern Sub-area as a
whole shows a slight decrease, but again care needs
to be taken in comparing the APS data with that
from the LFS.
8.31 The APS data shows that, with the exception of
Bolsover and Mansfield, the local authorities in the
Northern Sub-area have activity rates and
employment rates similar to that for the East
Midlands as a whole.
8.32 The Index of Deprivation 2004 shows that in
the Northern Sub-area five out of the seven local
authority districts are in the top 25% most deprived
local authorities in England.
Policy Commentary
8.33 The draft Northern Sub-Regional Strategy has
now been prepared and is included in the draft
Regional Plan.
8.34 Employment rate data shows that the Northern
Sub-area has shown greater improvement than the
region as a whole, both for the period 2001-05 and
for the last year (using APS data).This is consistent
with the target, although it is unclear how much of
this may be due to in-migration, as the same period
showed increased population growth.The greater
improvements have generally been in proportion to
lower activity rates in 2001, although Chesterfield
and Newark and Sherwood had the greatest
improvements. (NB.The relationship is less strong
when considering 2001-2005 LFS data only).
8.35 The Index of Multiple Deprivation cannot at
present show change over time and the results are
unchanged from last year.
Policy 10: Spatial Priorities for Development
in the Peak Sub-Area
Plans should secure the conservation and
enhancement of the Peak District National Park;
policies should pay attention to business and
affordable housing provision. Emphasis should be
on improving non-car and public transport access
Targets:
• None
Indicators:
• Number of new affordable houses built (regional
figure equates to approximately 25% of total stock)
• Employment rates
• Visitor spending
• Number of jobs, particularly related to creative
industries
Results:
8.36 The Peak District National Park Authority
Annual Housing Report 2006
(www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/ahr-1.pdf) shows that there
are an estimated 17,600 dwellings (residential and
holiday units) in the National Park. In the last five
years the average rate of completion has been 110
per annum. 109 new dwellings were built in 2005/06,
of which 42% were on previously developed land. If
conversion of agricultural buildings were to be
included as ‘brownfield’, 78% of dwellings would be
on previously developed land.
8.37 28% of residential dwellings completed over
the past 15 years have been tied to an occupancy
restriction.The proportion for 2005/06 was 39%. Two
affordable housing schemes (10 units) for elderly
people were completed in 2005/06. Surveys of local
authorities with areas in the National Park suggest
that there is a need for 50 new affordable dwellings a
year in the National Park. In 2005/06, 47 out of 71
residential dwelling commitments (66%) had an
occupancy restriction attached. 36 of the
commitments were put forward by social housing
providers.
East Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy Annual Monitoring Report 2005/06
149