Part One: Spatial Strategy and Policies (Regulation 18)

Comment

Representation ID: 634

Received: 22/12/2023

Respondent: Canal and River Trust

PROFILE OF THE BOROUGH

The Trust requests that mention of the canal network be made within this section (either in paragraph’s 2.2, 2.3 or 2.4) given its role in Dudley’s cultural and industrial heritage (ACTION REQUEST)

More specifically Dudley has 13 canals, 1 aqueduct, 45 bridges, 25.31 km of canal length, 23 listed assets, 28 locks, 2 tunnels and 2 reservoirs and the Trust would welcome additional mention of these statistics within this paragraph (ACTION REQUEST)

Comment

Representation ID: 687

Received: 22/12/2023

Respondent: Canal and River Trust

The Trust endorses the Vision for Dudley Borough by 2041, particularly in relation to its focus of wellbeing, We specifically welcome mention of our network within ‘having a network of high-quality parks, green spaces, waterways, and nature reserves’.

Notably we support and acknowledge our allied role in delivering a number of the draft Plan’s Strategic
Objectives and Priorities (1, 2, 5, 6 and 7)

In relation to Delivery, Monitoring, and Implementation the Trust requests opportunity to engage with the Council on an on-going basis throughout the plan period to secure the benefits to the canal network envisaged by the Plan’s suite of policies (ACTION REQUEST).

Comment

Representation ID: 688

Received: 22/12/2023

Respondent: Canal and River Trust

The Trust welcomes the inclusion of the canal network within the ‘Spatial Strategy Plan: Dudley Borough, and specifically also the retention and enhancement of a canal-specific policy (Policy DLP36) within the Reg 18 DLP. As such we do not seek necessarily the addition of replica canal-specific wording within every other relevant policy wording within the DLP. However, we request cross-referencing to Policy DLP36 within relevant justification text as identified in the requests below as a means of identifying the needs and opportunities of the waterway network in delivering Dudley’s overall vision.

In Policy DLP1 Development Strategy, the Trust welcomes mention of c) Protecting Dudley’s character and environmental assets including heritage assets, natural habitats and open spaces, and d) Minimising and mitigating the likely effects of climate change as components of spatial strategy which seeks to deliver this growth and sustainable patterns of development.

Comment

Representation ID: 689

Received: 22/12/2023

Respondent: Canal and River Trust

In Policy DLP2 Growth Network: Regeneration Corridors and Centres, the Trust considers that sub-heading e) could be augmented with explicit mention of sustainable travel and encouragement of modal shift, and potential amalgamation of sub-heading g) as a mechanism for delivery.

Comment

Representation ID: 690

Received: 22/12/2023

Respondent: Canal and River Trust

The Trust requests incorporation of cross-referencing to Canal Policy DLP36 within the justification text to Policy DLP3 to identify our network’s inclusion as a suitable recipient for improvements listed in sub-heading 4. (ACTION REQUEST).

Comment

Representation ID: 695

Received: 22/12/2023

Respondent: Canal and River Trust

The avoidance of fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour reduction can also be achieved through the use of good design techniques. Future local Design Codes can also provide developers with detailed guidance encouraging high quality design, following on from the principles advocated within the National Design Guide and Design Code. Key design principles for successful canal-side developments could be outlined within them. The Trust requests consultation on any local design codes which are to be developed (ACTION REQUEST).

The Trust wishes to continue to be engaged in pre-application advice for such developments.

Support

Representation ID: 697

Received: 22/12/2023

Respondent: Canal and River Trust

The Trust welcomes mention of the canal network within para 5.33 of the justification text.

Comment

Representation ID: 699

Received: 22/12/2023

Respondent: Canal and River Trust

The Trust also requests cross-referencing to Canal Policy DLP36 within the justification text to this introductory section on infrastructure (ACTION REQUEST) to aid infrastructure improvements.

The Trust is keen to continue proactive engagement with the Council on project delivery utilising the funding sources, and others, listed within para 6.14. (ACTION REQUEST)

The Trust requests mention of the canal network in the context of the justifying text to para 6.20 of Policy DLP6 Infrastructure Provision, given the ability of our network to contribute to the successful delivery of many of these infrastructure elements (ACTION REQUEST)

Comment

Representation ID: 700

Received: 22/12/2023

Respondent: Canal and River Trust

The Trust request addition of the potential for use of canal towpaths for the provision of 5G network infrastructure, to be delivered through the reasonable use of planning conditions or S106/CIL obligations, within the policy working to Policy DLP7 Broadband and Telecommunications and its justification text. This could also be cross-referenced within the justification text to Policy DLP36 – Canals sub-section 3f. (ACTION REQUEST).

Comment

Representation ID: 702

Received: 22/12/2023

Respondent: Canal and River Trust

Given our request elsewhere in this response, that the canal network’s contribution to the broader well-being agenda be explicitly included with the wording of Policy DLP36 - Canals, the Trust requests the incorporation of cross-referencing to Canal Policy DLP36 within the justifying text to text to this section and/or Policy DLP8 Health and wellbeing (ACTION REQUEST).