Pre-Deposit Plan (Revised Preferred Strategy)

6 Sustainable Settlement Hierarchy Comment

6.1 A fundamental role of the 2RLDP is to consider the need for growth and development and make appropriate provision for this growth. The 2RLDP should put forward a clear Spatial Strategy identifying where this growth should be located. An assessment of Caerphilly County Borough's settlements has been used to inform and generate options for the location of future development. The settlements considered in the adopted LDP have been reassessed for the purposes of establishing a settlement hierarchy for the 2RLDP. Settlements were assessed on a number of criteria including their size, the services they provide, their accessibility and their transport links.

6.2 A tiered approach has been used to group settlements with similar characteristics in terms of facilities and services. Further information is provided in the Evidence Base Document "Functional Analysis of Settlements" The settlement hierarchy is defined as follows:

• Principal Settlements - Settlements that exhibit the highest level of services and facilities and have the greatest level of sustainable transport. Settlements: Bargoed, Blackwood, Ystrad Mynach, Risca/Pontymister, Caerphilly
• Local Settlements - Settlements with a moderate level of services and facilities and are accessible by sustainable transport. Settlements: Rhymney, Nelson, Newbridge, Bedwas
• Residential Settlements Suitable for Accommodating Growth - Settlements that have a lower level of services and facilities but are sustainably located and are appropriate for some growth to support the Principal and Local Settlements. Settlements: Aberbargoed, Abercarn, Abertridwr, Britannia, Cefn Fforest, Cefn Hengoed, Croespenmaen, Crosskeys, Crumlin, Cwmcarn, Fleur-de-lis, Gelligaer, Gilfach, Glan-y-nant, Hengoed, Hollybush, Llanbradach, Llechryd, Machen, Maesycwmmer, New Tredegar, Oakdale, Penallta, Penmaen, Pengam, Penpedairheol, Pentwynmawr, Penybryn, Pontllanfraith, Pontlottyn, Pontywaun, Princetown, Senghenydd, Tir-y-Berth, Trethomas, Trinant, Wattsville, Woodfieldside, Wyllie.
• Residential Settlements Not Suitable for Accommodating Growth – Settlements that have a low level of services and facilities and are not sustainably located and are not appropriate for accommodating future growth. Settlements: Abertysswg, Argoed, Brynawel, Cwmfelinfach, Deri, Fochriw, Graig-y-rhacca, Hafodyrynys, Markham, Rudry, Ynysddu

6.3 Welsh Government's approach in respect of growth is focussed on its cities and large towns, enabling the co-location of housing, jobs and services and enabling green infrastructure enhancement. A number of the Future Wales policies reinforce this position, in particular:

• Policy 2 - Shaping Urban Growth and Regeneration – Strategic Placemaking: This policy sets out the requirement for the growth and regeneration of towns and cities to be based upon strategic placemaking principles that positively contribute towards building sustainable places.
• Policy 6 - Town Centre First: This policy seeks to locate significant new public sector developments within existing town centres.
• Policy 9 - Resilient Ecological Networks and Green Infrastructure: This policy sets out the requirement for development to deliver Biodiversity Net Benefit and the Nature-Based approach to planning.
• Policy 33 - National Growth Area: Cardiff Newport and the Valleys This policy seeks to promote national levels of growth in the towns and cities within the CCR.
• Policy 36 - South East Metro: This policy seeks to maximise development around major transport nodes, which are generally located within the larger towns.

6.4 The settlement hierarchy is an important factor in the consideration of where new development will be identified to accommodate the projected levels of growth in the County Borough. The hierarchy identifies the most sustainable locations in terms of co-located services and facilities and accessibility via sustainable transport. Consequently, the hierarchy will need to be considered to inform the appropriate locations for new development as part of the strategy.