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Strategic Consulting Report: 644-00206a

FEBRUARY 2010

Middleport Regeneration Masterplan Options Health Impact Assessment EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FINAL

Report prepared by: Dr Salim Vohra, Centre for Health Impact Assessment Gifty Amo-Danso, Centre for Health Impact Assessment Dr Marcus Chilaka, University of Salford

IOM Background

Page i Executive Summary SC Report: 644-00206a

The IOM is a major independent centre of scientific excellence in the fields of

occupational and environmental health, hygiene and safety. We were founded as a

charity in 1969 by the UK coal industry in conjunction with the University of Edinburgh

and became fully independent in 1990. Our mission is to benefit those at work and in the

community by providing quality research, consultancy and training in health, hygiene and

safety and by maintaining our independent, impartial position as an international centre of

excellence. The IOM has more than one hundred scientific and technical staff based in

Edinburgh, Chesterfield, London, and Stafford. Consultancy work is undertaken through

IOM Consulting Limited which is a wholly owned subsidiary.

IOM’s ethos is: Integrity | Independence | Authority

The CHIA was setup in September 2007 to bring together the HIA work at IOM.

The vision of IOM CHIA is to be a Centre of Excellence in:

• Health impact assessment theory and practice

• Healthy public policy

• Evidence-based analysis and evaluation of the impacts

of policies and programmes on health

• Researching the wider determinants of health and

wellbeing

• Tackling environmental and health inequalities

• Healthy urban planning and development

• Urban and rural regeneration and health

Acknowledgements

Page i Executive Summary SC Report: 644-00206a

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank and acknowledge the feedback and contribution of:

• The HIA Steering Group

• BDP

• Stoke-on-Trent Knowledge Management Unit

Table of Contents

Page ii Executive Summary SC Report: 644-00206a

Table of Contents

1 Introduction ............................................................................................... 1

2 What is Health Impact Assessment?.......................................................... 2

3 Background to the Middleport Masterplan Design Options ....................... 3

4 Policies Relevant to the Middleport Masterplan Design Options ............... 5

5 Summary Baseline and Community Profile................................................ 7

6 Health Impacts of Housing Led Regeneration Schemes ............................ 8

7 Health Impacts of the Final Preferred Middleport Masterplan Design Option .......................................................................................................10

8 Measures to Optimise the Potential Health Outcomes..............................20

9 Conclusion................................................................................................30

Page iii Executive Summary SC Report: 644-00206a

1 Introduction to the Middleport Masterplanning HIA

Page 1 Executive Summary SC Report: 644-00206a

1 Introduction

This Health Impact Assessment is one of four which have been commissioned by RENEW

North Staffordshire, Stoke NHS and North Staffordshire NHS. This HIA assessed the

potential health and wellbeing impacts of the Middleport Masterplanning Design Options

being developed and identifies opportunities for maximising the potential positive and

minimising any potential negative impacts of the Final Preferred Design Option.

The specific objectives of the HIA were to:

i. Identify health and wellbeing impacts of the Three Draft Masterplan

Options and the Final Preferred Masterplan Option.

ii. To identify and prioritise the potential direct and indirect health impacts

on existing and new residents of Middleport.

iii. Develop a set of recommendations for optimising the impacts on health

and wellbeing.

iv. Identify possible monitoring and evaluation indicators.

v. Prepare an innovation and learning research paper on the feasibility, and

merit of combining HIA with Strategic Sustainability or Environmental

Assessment.

The HIA drew on past and current work on developing a sustainable and viable Masterplan

Design to physically regenerate the Middleport Area.

2 What is Health Impact Assessment?


2 What is Health Impact Assessment?

HIA is a key systematic approach to identifying the differential health and wellbeing impacts,

both positive and negative, of plans and projects.

HIA uses a range of qualitative and quantitative evidence that includes public and other

stakeholders' perceptions and experiences as well as public health, epidemiological,

toxicological and medical knowledge. It is particularly concerned with the distribution of

effects within a population, as different groups are likely to be affected in different ways, and

therefore looks at how health and social inequalities might be reduced or widened by a

proposed plan or project.

The aim of HIA is to support and add value to the decision-making process by providing a

systematic analysis of the potential impacts as well as recommending options, where

appropriate, for enhancing the positive impacts, mitigating the negative ones and reducing

health inequalities.

HIA uses both a biomedical and social definition of health, recognising that though illness

and disease (mortality and morbidity) are useful ways of understanding and measuring

health they need to be fitted within a broader understanding of health and wellbeing to be

properly useful.

Figure ES1: The determinants of health and wellbeing1

1 Adapted by Salim Vohra and Dean Biddlecombe from Dahlgren G and Whitehead, Policies and strategies to promote social equity in health; Institute of Future Studies; Stockholm; 1991

3 Background to the Middleport Masterplan Design Options


3 Background to the Middleport Masterplan

Design Options

The Middleport neighbourhood is located within the district of Burslem, which is one of six

towns along with Tunstall, Hanley, Stoke, Fenton and Longton which make up the wider City

of Stoke-on-Trent. Stoke-on-Trent forms part of the North Staffordshire Conurbation, a sub-

region located at the northern edge of the West Midlands region (See Figure ES2).

Historically, this area has been an important hub for the pottery manufacturing industry.

However, this has declined and many areas are now characterised by vacant and derelict

sites, which affects the image of the area.

RENEW North Staffordshire commissioned BDP, King Sturge, JMP and FSquared to

produce a comprehensive Masterplan for the Middleport and Burslem area.

Initially three baseline papers were prepared on: 1: Planning, Design and Sustainability

(BDP); 2: Property Market Review (King Sturge); and 3: Movement and Accessibility (JMP).

These papers validated key baseline information collected as part of the North Stoke Area

Regeneration Framework (ARF) and provided the context within which the Masterplans were

developed.

In the next stage, May 2009, BDP developed Three Masterplans Design Options which were

then presented to professional stakeholders in a series of pre-community consultation

workshop. These three options were refined and then presented at a series of community

exhibitions to gather community feedback through discussions and questionnaires in line with

the Community Engagement Plan developed by FSquared.

The final stage focused on developing the Preferred Masterplan Design Option for Middleport

and Burslem based on robust testing of the alternative options in terms of economic viability

as well as careful consideration of the feedback received from the community consultations

and other key stakeholders.

4 Background to the Middleport Masterplan Design Options


Figure ES2: Map of the Middleport Area, boundary identified by thick white line [Source: Google Maps]

5 Policies Relevant to the Middleport Masterplan Design Options


4 Policies Relevant to the Middleport

Masterplan Design Options

The Middleport Masterplanning process is very strongly aligned with national, regional and

local policies both in relation to improving housing and building sustainable and healthy

communities.Introduction

National policy

Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder Programme (2002)

Homes for the future: more affordable, more sustainable - Green Paper (2007)

Ends and means: the future roles of social housing in England (2007)

Strong and Prosperous Communities - The Local Government White Paper (2006)

Choosing Health: Making Healthy Choices Easier, Department of Health (2004)

Public Service Agreement (PSA) Floor Targets

Planning Policy Statement 1: Delivering Sustainable Development (2006)2

Planning Policy Statement 3: Housing (2006)

Lifetime Homes, Lifetime Neighbourhoods: A National Strategy for Housing in an Ageing

Society (2008)

Sustainable Futures: building for the future (2003)

Planning Policy Statement 4: Planning for Sustainable Economic Development –

Consultation (2007)

2 Planning Policy Statements (PPSs) set out the Government’s national policies on different aspects of land use planning in England. The policies set out in PPSs need to be taken into account by regional planning bodies in the preparation of regional spatial strategies and by local planning authorities in the preparation of local development documents. They can be a material (important) consideration in individual planning applications.

5 Policies Relevant to the Middleport Masterplan Design Options


Planning Policy Statement 6: Planning for Town Centres (2006)

Regional policy

West Midlands Spatial Strategy (2008)

West Midlands Regional Housing Strategy (2005)

West Midlands @2021 Planning for a Healthier West Midlands (2005)

Local policy

Stoke-on-Trent Community Strategy

Stoke on Trent Primary Care Trust (PCT) Local Delivery Plan (LDP) 2008/09

Stoke-on-Trent PCT: Annual Report of the Director of Public Health (2007/08)

5 Summary Baseline and Community Profile


5 Summary Baseline and Community Profile

This chapter provides a brief health profile of the Middleport area. It is from this baseline

understanding that the predictions on the potential health and wellbeing impacts of the Draft

Final Preferred Masterplan have been considered.

Middleport and Longport has a young population with a greater proportion of residents aged

0-44 years and fewer people aged 45 years and over.

The ethnic profile of Middleport and Longport is mainly White British with a significant

minority of residents from an Asian/Asian British/Pakistani background.

Middleport has a higher proportion of one person household compared to Stoke-on-Trent as

a whole though married people still form the largest group of residents.

A greater proportion of residents have a limiting long term illness with all age groups over 16

years having levels proportionally higher than Stoke-on-Trent and national averages. The

provision of unpaid care is similar to and in some cases lower than national averages

therefore it is likely that some residents with long term illnesses don’t have family support

and are reliant on themselves and support from social services.

Middleport and Longport is one of the most deprived areas in Stoke-on-Trent.

The majority of accommodation in Middleport and Longport is terraced housing. Majority of

residents live in privately owned/rented housing with the remainder renting from Stoke-on-

Trent Borough Council or local housing associations. The majority of homes have five rooms

excluding bathrooms and shared kitchens (40%).

The educational attainment of children in Middleport and Longport remains well below

regional and national averages.

Unemployment is higher than for Stoke-on-Trent and England and Wales.

Residents are generally working in less skilled/non-professional jobs and the manufacturing

sector.

The rates of crime particularly nuisance and disorder, criminal damage, violence, burglary

and theft from motor vehicles is well above the Stoke-on-Trent average.

Prostitution and drug dealing is a major issue in Stoke-on-Trent and Middleport.

6 Health Impacts of Housing Led Regeneration Schemes


6 Health Impacts of Housing Led

Regeneration Schemes

The health and wellbeing impacts of regeneration schemes are complex and can lead to both

positive and negative health and wellbeing impacts. A causal pathway diagram as shown in

Figure ES3 has been developed showing the likely pathways through which a housing led

regeneration scheme could impact on health and wellbeing.

The key pathways of health and wellbeing impact are:

• Housing (New Housing and Housing Improvements)

• Land Use Mix

• Services

• Connectivity

• Employment Sites

• Green Space

• Climate Change

Regeneration as a whole is generally beneficial to new and existing residents and overall has

positive impacts on health and wellbeing. However, the implementation of a regeneration

programme is important in ensuring that potential negatives are minimised and positives

maximised.

The seven themes described above should be simultaneously implemented in order to

produce the maximum benefits from a regeneration programme.

In order for any housing-led regeneration to be successful, both physical infrastructure and

community development should be considered concurrently as new developments cannot by

themselves create ‘communities’ but they can encourage or discourage the formation of

social cohesion and capital.

Regeneration also needs to take into account ongoing adaptation to climate change.

6 Health Impacts of Housing Led Regeneration Schemes


Figure ES3: Causal pathway diagram for the potential health impacts of the Middleport Regeneration Masterplan

R E G E N E R A T I O N

Key residents to consider:

• Children • Women • Older people • Ethnic

minorities • People with

disabilities

Middleport Masterplan Regeneration

Improved resilience/immune

functioning

Improvement in physical fitness and

functioning

Decrease in obesity

Reduction in hypothermia related

deaths

Decrease in cardiovascular

disease

CONTEXTUAL FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE REGENERATION

Access to high number of local amenities along/near

bus route

How construction phase is managed

Long term maintenance and management of improved physical infrastructure

Community development projects and activities i.e. social and

physical regeneration

High quality and detailed urban design and masterplanning

Decrease in some cancers

Decrease in osteoporosis

Decrease in exacerbations of

respiratory

Increased land use mix

New housing and housing

improvements

New local services and amenities

Adjacent employment sites

Encourages long term walking and cycling

Improve thermal comfort/ reduce heating costs Less damp and mould/less particulates

No or weak evidence

Reasonable or strong evidence

Improved connectivity

Involvement, support and ownership of the process

by local residents

Reduce home accidents

Improvement in mental health and wellbeing

Improved educational attainment

Less overcrowding

Financial hardship/poorer residents forced out

Disruption to social networks

Reduction in outdoor air pollution

Reduction in congestion

Improved access to jobs, education, services, cultural and leisure amenities

Traffic injury

Increase in community severance

Greater flexibility in managing work and family

Reduces social mix as higher income groups are discouraged from settling

Reduction or increase in anti-social behaviour

Increase in income & self esteem

Increased and improved open and

greenspace Positive impact

Negative impact

Uncertain impact

Efficient heating and insulation

Improved building fabric

More and better quality indoor space

Modern safety devices and appliances

Increase in costs of renting/ buying homes

Relocation (temporary likely to be negative)

Increase in social interaction/ play

Increase in neighbourhood pride

Social exclusion for those not benefiting

Less car trips

Improved social contact and increased opportunities for community activities

Improved access to services and amenities

Improved public transport, cycling and walking routes

Increase in local job opportunities

Lowers visual, aesthetic, monetary value of residential neighbourhood

Restorative and relaxing – visually and through using open/greenspace

Reduction in ambient heat, flood risk and filters air/noise/soil pollution

Increase in cars/lorry traffic

Increase in noise/air pollution

More nuisance noise

Lowers house values

Increase in community cohesion & self esteem

Increase in social capital

Improved access to fresh food/ recreation

Physical regeneration overall

Mitigation/adaptation to climate change

7 Health Impacts of the Final Preferred Middleport Masterplan Design Option


7 Health Impacts of the Final Preferred

Middleport Masterplan Design Option

The analysis of health impacts examined the likely effects during the implementation and

operation (short term and long term) of the Final Preferred Masterplan Design Option. The

main areas of focus were:

Figure ES4 shows the Final Preferred Masterplan Option.

Factors influencing the implementation phase

The implementation phase includes demolition and construction however in Middleport the

demolition work will have a relatively small impact because most of the demolition work

(except for a few houses and businesses in and around Slater and Shirley Street) has

already taken place and no adverse negative impact have been reported. The residents yet

to be relocated include of elderly people who are likely to remain until the Extra Care

Housing development has been constructed.

The regeneration is likely to be a phased project with some areas being started and

completed before others.

In areas where housing improvements have been proposed, (e.g. the Newport Lane and

Burgess Street areas) the improvements will be on external areas and limited to windows,

frontages and back walls. Hence, these residents will not need to be relocated.

Relocation can have both positive and negative health impacts for the residents depending

on how it is managed. In this case it has mainly had positive impacts because the principle

has been to not have any temporary moves but to provide one permanent move that the

household is happy with. This means residents are spared from potential double disruptions

and able to carry on with their lives in a new neighbourhood of their own. Also there is an

option through the open housing market for relocated residents to move back into the area if

they so wished.



Figure ES4: Middleport Final Preferred Masterplan Design Option



Factors influencing the operation phase

The regeneration will help improve the perception of the area among residents that wanted to

see more action being taken to improve the area they are therefore more likely to use the

local services and amenities that will be provided.

There will be an increase in the number of good quality homes plus a wider range of retail

premises, including potentially a small supermarket, and a community space/centre.

New residents moving into the area will have good quality new homes that are built to the

latest standards.

Existing residents are free to move into the new developments through the open housing

market.

There may be a sense of ‘us’ and ‘them’ between existing residents and new residents

moving into the area.

New and improved community/retail areas, the new community space/centre and the health

centre are likely to provide focal points for community activities and social interactions. The

new employment sites may provide local jobs.

Increased influx of people into the area may mean increased vehicular traffic as well as some

pressure on existing amenities and services.

Over the long term the health centre and community space/centre will need to be maintained

and after 5-10 years some refurbishment and renovation, to avoid them being rundown

especially if there is high usage.

Over the long term the local employers are either likely to move out of the area or close

down. This will need careful monitoring to ensure that there is no long term abandoned and

derelict sites that could work against the otherwise improved neighbourhood environment.

Health impacts on existing residents

Most residents who faced relocation have already been relocated as a large proportion of the

demolition work has already occurred.

The health impacts on existing Middleport residents are therefore from living in areas close to

where construction work is taking place.



Over the short term, during the implementation phase, there is likely to be minor to moderate

negative health and wellbeing impacts on:

Lifestyle and daily routines: disruption to residents’ daily routine especially those

living close to construction sites. Noise disruptions may also affect residents’ sleep

patterns (especially babies, preschool children and the elderly who are likely to have

naps in the daytime).

Social capital and community cohesion: the relocation of residents prior to the

regeneration brought about a loss of existing social networks of family, friends and

neighbours and it is possible that the implementation phase may further weaken what

is left of the social networks and community cohesion as movement and ability to

intermingle may be limited with all the ongoing work.

Retail shops and amenities: loss of easy access to the shops along Newcastle Street

particularly for those older residents or those with young children.

Transport and connectivity: disruption to residents’ access to local buses and

potential road closures limiting the ability to walk to and from services and amenities

in and around the area.

Over the short to medium term, during the implementation phase and early operation phase

there is likely to be minor to moderate negative health and wellbeing impacts:

These impacts are similar to those that may affect all local residents. The only

difference would be that because the redevelopment work is phased, different

existing residents at different locations are likely to be affected at different times

during the implementation phase.

Over the long term, during the operation phase, there are likely to be positive health and

wellbeing impacts:

Health and social care services: The provision of a new health centre as well as Extra

Care Housing gives residents easy access to a more localised service especially for

those with long term limiting illnesses, children, the disabled and the elderly.

Shops and retail: There will be improved access to new and existing retail facilities.

With the provision of a new supermarket, there is likely to be a wider choice of goods

including healthy foods.



Transport and Connectivity: Better transport networks including improved roads

cycleways and footpaths, pedestrian crossings are likely to increase accessibility to

open and greenspaces, connect different modes of transport and encourage active

travel.

Land and spatial: Environmental improvements, the design and layout of the area are

likely to enhance the visual appeal of the area and encourage social interactions and

more time spent outdoors.

Jobs and economy: With an increase in the number of opportunities created with the

new employment sites, the new health centre and a wider range of retail/community

uses, existing residents seeking employment are likely to benefit particularly if local

residents are given priority in filling vacancies.

Over the long term, during the operation phase, the health and wellbeing impacts are

likely to continue to be positive especially if potential neighbourhood issues such as

litter, graffiti, vandalisms etc are well managed.

Health impacts on new residents

The health impacts on new residents will occur during the operation phase though there may

still be some construction work taking place when new residents move in due to the phased

nature of the redevelopment.

Over the short to medium term, new residents are also likely to experience the positive

health and wellbeing impacts affecting ‘existing residents in the long term during the

operation phase’ as described above.

Over the long term, during the main operation phase, the health and wellbeing impacts are

likely to continue to be positive especially if potential neighbourhood issues such as litter,

graffiti, vandalisms etc are well managed.

Health impacts on children and young people

Over the short term, during the implementation phase, there is likely to be health and

wellbeing impacts from:



Transport and connectivity: disruption to access across the area, by bus or car,

especially for children when getting to and from schools which are outside the area.

This is likely to increase journey times.

Land and spatial: the development sites and wider neighbourhood would be visually

unattractive due to the presence of scaffolding and construction machinery. Parents

of children and young people are less likely to let them spend time outdoors.

Arts and leisure: there is likely to be some disruption and potential barriers to

accessing Grange and Middleport Parks and the canal making walking and playing in

and around them more difficult.

Physical injury: there is a potentially higher risk of physical injury because of the

construction site activities and the construction/refurbishment lorry traffic moving in

and around the area.

Social capital and community cohesion: there is the potential for additional disruption

to family and friendship networks as it is likely to be more difficult, or perceived to be

more difficult, to get about with possible road closures and large vehicles/equipment

in local streets.

Education and learning: although there are no schools within the area, the noise from

the construction work may have a slight negative impact on children’s learning

particularly with satisfactorily completing assignments and other extracurricular

activities if they live close to the construction sites.

Mental health and wellbeing: the disruption may through the above effects also affect

mental health and wellbeing particularly of children.

Chronic disease and pollution: Generation of dust particles from construction related

activities is likely to be relatively low and therefore may only pose a low risk to

residents including those with underlying respiratory conditions and long term limiting

illness.

Lifestyle and daily routines: Disruptions to local streets, noise, and dust is likely to

disrupt children’s lifestyles and daily routines outside of school.

Over the long term, during the operation phase, the health and wellbeing impacts are from:



Land and spatial: the provision of some potentially enhanced play area and

greenspace will offer new things to explore and be attractive for children to visit.

Mental health and wellbeing: improved self esteem i.e. that things can change in the

area for the better and they are living in a nice area.

Transport and connectivity: Improved road networks, footpaths, cycleways makes the

area more accessible thus children and young people can easily go to and make full

use of the parks. The improved Eturia Valley bus corridor will also enable integration

of different transport modes and there will be easier access for children to get to

school and access leisure facilities along Newcastle and Woodbank Streets.

Health impacts on women

Over the short term, during the implementation phase, the health and wellbeing impacts are

from:

Lifestyle and daily routines: disruption to their daily routine particularly those women

with childcare responsibilities. There will be disruption to taking children to school,

getting access to shops, health, social care and other related services in the

surrounding areas especially as such facilities are limited in Middleport.

Transport and connectivity: disruption to their access to buses and walking to and

from the area.

Mental health and wellbeing: the noise from the construction/refurbishment activities if

they live around construction sites, the perceived unsafeness of the area especially in

the evening and at night and the disruption to access identified above may impact on

mental health and wellbeing.

Social capital and community cohesion: the greater time taken to do carry out daily

activities may reduce the time taken to visit family and friends or to make the effort to

go particularly if it involves going through/around the construction areas.

Over the long term, during the operation phase, the health and wellbeing impacts are

likely to be positive in line with the general impacts of the operation phase described

earlier particularly if the detailed design of the area includes good accessibility for those

with pushchairs, a good range of shops and amenities and clean litter free environments.



Health impacts on older people

Older people are likely to have a similar set of health and wellbeing impacts to women

though the significance of the negative impacts in particular are likely to be greater for this

group of residents particularly if they live close to the construction work.

They are also more likely to reduce going outdoors, find it more difficult to shop for

themselves and more easily lose contact with friends and family during the implementation

phase because of the general disruption and difficulties in terms of going by bus, walking, by

scooter/buggy across and around the area.

Health impacts on people with disabilities

People with disabilities would also have a similar set of health and wellbeing impacts to

women and older people and again depending on their disability the significance of the

negative impacts in particular is likely to be greater on this group of residents during the

implementation phase particularly if they live close to the construction work.

Health impacts on black and minority ethnic groups

Residents from black and ethnic minority backgrounds are likely to have a similar set of

health and wellbeing impacts to existing and new residents.

Health impacts on low income/unemployed people

There is no specific health impacts on unemployed people provided there is a policy in place

that local residents will be targeted first and supported with training to enable them to take on

these locally generated jobs. The new jobs created during both the implementation (building

jobs) and operation phases (new employment sites, health centre, and retail/community

facilities) could have a positive impact on health and wellbeing. It is likely that more men

would take on the building jobs during the implementation phase and more women the

operation phase jobs.

Long term and cumulative impacts

Due to the nature of the redevelopment being phased, long term impacts may arise from the

extended construction phase in some areas running concurrently to operation phase in other

areas.



These long term impacts are likely to be minor to moderate negative health impacts for both

existing residents and new residents who move in at the early stages of the operation phase.

Cumulative impacts could arise from other proposed developments that may be carried out in

and around the Middleport area. These include:

• The extension of the Burslem canal arm,

• The Burslem South Reilly Road scheme which is proposed to run via

Woodbank Street which is in the Bournes Bank redevelopment area

• The Etruria Valley Employment Scheme

• Rebuild of nearby Brownhill Secondary School into an Academy

• Furlong Passage Residential Scheme

For most residents this is likely to amplify any of the negative and reduce any of the

positive health and wellbeing impacts experienced from the main Middleport

redevelopment. These cumulative impacts will also affect new residents in the area

especially those who move in at the early stages of the operation phase.

The resident groups likely to be increasingly affected by cumulative impacts from other

proposed developments are:

• People with long term limiting illnesses whose poor health makes them more

prone to the exacerbation of their existing condition leading to an increase in

the magnitude of the negative health and wellbeing impact on them.

• Older people especially those living in the Extra Care Housing Development

because of the location of the developments close to Newport Lane and

Newcastle Street, the Residential Scheme along Furlong Passage and the

rebuild of the Brownhill Secondary School which is on the other side across

Newcastle Street.

• Children and young people in the Middleport area who attend the Brownhill

Secondary School are also likely to be greatly impacted. Disruptions to their

educational facilities and the access to it because of disruptions to bus services

as well as disruption within their community is likely to compound the potential

negative health and wellbeing impact on them.



Equity impacts

Most of the new housing and facilities are grouped to one side across Newport Lane and

most of the existing housing to the opposite side. This may create a ‘physical divide’ and

bring about a sense of ‘us and them’. This may further widen the present inequalities faced

by existing residents.

Summary of health impacts

The proposed redevelopment has overall positive health impacts for most residents of

Middleport.

However, those living close to key development sites; existing residents; older people,

children and young people, those with disabilities and those with young children are likely to

be most adversely affected during the construction phase.

Over the long term if there is no maintenance, investment and renovation then the positive

health and wellbeing benefits of the redevelopment will be lost and replaced by potentially

significant negative health and wellbeing impacts.

8 Measures to Optimise the Potential Health Outcomes


8 Measures to Optimise the Potential Health

Outcomes

The recommendations described in this section if properly applied and reviewed will ensure

that the majority of the negative health and wellbeing impacts of the Final Preferred

Masterplan Option are mitigated and the positive health and wellbeing benefits enhanced.

Design aspects

Design of health centre building

The design and provision of healthcare facilities is crucial for the development within

Middleport.

In addition to the main health centre service the building could house a one-stop shop

service with a range of social care and welfare advice services.

Design of the Extra care Housing

The design of the extra care housing facilities should be adapted to the needs of

elderly people and people with disabilities and ensure they can maintain their

independence and ability to do things for themselves.

Such designs should include ramp access to the buildings to enable wheelchair

access. In cases where there are steps or stairs designed into the facilities, there

should be provision of hand railings or stair lifts.

Security and health devices that will enable older people to alert internal staff, the

police and emergency services should also be considered. This can help reduce the

perception of fear amongst older people.

Rooms should also be designed to facilitate ease of use through incorporating of

support rails and possible hoist facilities that are user friendly and could be easily

operated by the residents.



Designing and investing in high quality housing

All the new housing should meet Code for Sustainable Homes (a minimum of Level 4)

and Lifetime Homes standards. There are some potential differences between these

standards in some specific areas e.g. most notably in relation to car parking and the

different requirements for flats and homes generally. However, the additional costs

attached to meeting these standards are very likely to be offset by the greater

desirability, value and comfort provided by these homes to residents who move into

these new homes.

National Government has expressed a desire to see a more ambitious Decent Homes

Plus Standard to supersede the current 2010 standard potentially for 2015-2020.

Decent Homes Plus should be better aligned to the wishes and expectations of the

occupants and would include:

• An ambitious thermal comfort criterion (insulation).

• Accessibility standards for elderly and disabled people.

• Internal noise insulation within and between dwellings.

• Standards for the external environment (i.e. communal areas) that

integrate Decent Homes Plus with Sustainable Communities policy.

All homes should enable wheelchair (and hence push chair) access without

modification.

Ensuring that the new housing caters for single people, couples and families and that

there is a range of housing including 1, 2, 3 and ideally four bedroom housing.

Design of diverse and flexible employment buildings

The development of an Employment Space Allocations Policy and

Communication Plan which would set the broad strategic direction for the kinds of

uses that would be favoured. E.g. no proliferation of fast food takeaways.

Shopping amenities should be high quality as well as affordable.

An indication of how much the retail space would be rented out for and the likely

leasehold obligations should be in place.



It will be important to encourage local grocery and butcher stores who source fresh

produce as locally close to Middleport as possible. The open air street market in St.

John’s Square could be potentially developed to include a farmer’s market. Provision

of such a wide variety of high quality sourced foods will need to be balanced with

accessibility, needs and affordability of the shops and amenities.

The design of the retail spaces needs to ensure that the buildings are suitable for

modern retailers and are flexible in terms of their different potential uses over a 25

year period e.g. from grocer, butcher, baker, café, restaurant, hairdresser, bookshop,

mini supermarket, etc.

Ensuring safe, diverse and high quality open public and green spaces

There should be provision of useable biodiverse greenspace, e.g. parks that includes

play areas for children and young people wherever possible and sheltered seating for

adults and older people. Public open spaces that are inviting and attractive for people

to gather stand and sit in.

Develop an integrated landmark use of the canal and canal ‘arm’ with adjacent

Middleport and Grange parks to encourage diverse uses.

Integrate the management and maintenance of the public open and green space into

the existing Public Open and Greenspace Management and Maintenance Plan for

the area.

Home Zones and Secure by Design approach to neighbourhood design

A commitment to developing the majority of the development using Home Zone

design principles to create an active community and walkable neighbourhood, allow

local people - especially children, older people and those with disabilities - to be

physically active, to use street spaces and reduce the potential for road traffic

incidents and injuries. This could be through a range of crossing points e.g. zebra

crossings, paved raised areas that help slow down traffic, pedestrianisation, etc.

Using Secure by Design principles in the development of the final design that works

with the concept of a walkable neighbourhood.



Ensuring safe, accessible, well lighted and well connected footpaths/pavements, cycle ways

and bus stops

It will be important to have a large and wide pelican crossing, zebra crossing with the

crossing area raised a little to ensure that there is good connectivity in the area and

also into the wider neighbourhood.

There should be good lighting during the evening and night with the street lighting

linking into the existing street lighting programme in the area.

Formal cycleways and footpaths introduced should be integrated in with existing ones

and easily connect key services and amenities to residential areas for improved

accessibility.

Additional bus stops should provide with modern high quality sheltered bus stops with

seating. This should link into a wider programme to upgrade all the bus stops in the

area.

Sustainable management of waste and recycling

Ensure appropriate provision of residential waste bins and bin sheds and recycling

provision.

Ensure appropriate provision of public litter bins and consider the provision of smaller

public recycling bins alongside litter bins.

Ensure the provision of larger collective recycling bins for paper, glass and aluminium

cans in the area.

Consider the provision of cigarette smoking and chewing gum poles.

Implementation phase

Health and safety in and around the redevelopment site

Appoint a Main Contractor and Sub-Contractors with excellent safety records, low

complaints record and a good history of working with residents living nearby.



Ensure that the Main Contractor and Sub-Contractors are part of the Considerate

Constructors Scheme and the project is registered with the Scheme

(www.considerateconstructorsscheme.org.uk).

Develop and agree on a site specific Code of Construction Practice (CoCP) to deal

with potential nuisance issues resulting from the construction site and its operation.

This should include a clear line of communication, for example a dedicated helpline

phone number, to enable local people to report issues and clear responsibilities for

how the main construction contractor will respond to these issues.

Ensure adherence to the new Construction (Design & Management) Regulations

2007 (CDM 2007) that has come into force and aim to integrate health and safety into

project management process. The Health and Safety Executive has produced an

accompanying Approved Code of Practice document ‘Managing Health and Safety in

Construction’ which sets out the implications of the new legislation for developers,

contractors, designers and workers.

As most of the demolition work has already taken place, the current Demolition

Phase Health and Safety Management and Communication Plan should be

continued for the remaining demolition and extended to include a construction phase

plan (see also Demolition/Construction Traffic Route and Timing Management

and Communication Plan). This should cover likely health and safety risks as well

as potential risks such as exposure to sewage and contaminated water and soil.

This will be especially important as there are plans for a phased construction work

with services and residents still living in the area while work takes place in other

parts.

Secure the perimeter of the construction sites and consider regular patrols after dark

either by local police/community wardens or a private security company. This is

particularly important given the high incidence of crime and antisocial behaviour in

Middleport.

Ensure that best practice is used in dealing with construction related noise, dust and

materials. For example, the appropriate removal of asbestos or other hazardous

material found on site using approved contractors and equipment.

Loss of access to play areas should be marked out in the designs and plans for the

construction phases.



Having a named Contractor Community Liaison Lead/s from the main contractor/s

who have responsibility for listening to any community issues/complaints and the

power/authority to resolve them will enhance the relationship between them and the

local residents.

Set up monthly meetings between resident’s representatives and the Contractor

Community Liaison Lead/s.

Dust and noise from the site and lorries

Although dust generation will be minimal due to the small scale of the remaining

demolition work, it is important to ensure that dust minimising measures such as

constant wetting of rubble (and other dust generating materials) is done.

It is also important to reduce noise from site activity and site equipment using noise

barriers, switching off machinery and enclosing certain activities to reduce sound

travel.

Pavements and roads in and around the area should be kept clean and dirt, soil and

materials should be regularly swept away. Pedestrian routes should enable scooters,

push chairs and wheelchairs to be used along them without difficulty.

Local recruitment of construction workers

Ensure recruitment for the construction jobs starts locally through the local job

centres before being advertised more widely. This will also reduce the potential

pressures on local housing due to an influx of workers and be more sustainable in

transport terms.

Develop a plan for dealing with the accommodation and healthcare needs of

construction workers moving into the area from elsewhere. This will need to be

developed once construction recruitment has started and there is a clearer idea of the

number of workers likely to move into the area. Housing construction workers in

existing permanent dwellings is always preferable to temporary ‘porta cabin’ type

accommodation even for a short period.

Protecting access to public transport, pedestrian routes and emergency vehicles

Develop a Construction/Refurbishment Phase Bus, Pedestrian and Emergency

Access Management and Communication Plan in liaison with local bus operators



identifying alternative safe bus routes and alternative safe sheltered bus stops in, and

near to, the Middleport area depending on the boundaries of

construction/refurbishment activities.

Ensure that pedestrian routes (footpaths and pavements) are maintained of an

adequate width for scooters, push chairs and wheelchairs and that there is good

access through and around the redevelopment.

Have discussions with Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, Ambulance Service

and the Main Contractor to ensure that emergency vehicle access is maintained to all

parts of the estate.

Ensure regular, wide and early communication, including large print and audio

material, of any new route and temporary new bus stops (including a location map),

any potential changes to the route times and alternative walking routes in and around

Middleport targeting all the residents of the estate.

Reducing crime and enhancing safety

Ensure that construction/refurbishment workers have specific contractor ID and

branded clothing e.g. high visibility jackets with the name of the contractor.

Ensure additional police and community warden patrols in and around the Middleport

during the construction phase both during the day and especially in the evening and

at night. This could be additional to the private security arrangements provided by the

Main Contractor.

Ensure that there is adequate street or temporary lighting around the development

site.

Regular monthly meetings between Police, Community Wardens, the Main Contractor

and resident representatives to ensure that crime and safety issues are deal with

promptly.



Operation phase

New residents moving onto the estate

It will be important to develop events and activities where new and existing residents

are encouraged to take part and for there to be outreach activities within the area that

enables new and established residents to come together. The new and existing

community uses can be focal points for such activities and events.

New residents, single people and families, may also have existing health and social

care issues that they will need support with. This may require detailed first meetings

to fully assess their needs.

Existing residents

There will be considerable change and some existing residents, particularly those

with health and social care needs, may find the transition and transformation difficult

to deal with. Ensuring that there is continuity of support through the

construction/refurbishment phase and through the early part of the operation phase

will be worthwhile.

Ongoing maintenance and supervision of the new and improved Central Area

Critical to the long term success of the regeneration of the Middleport area will be a

detailed and fully funded maintenance programme to include the landscaped areas

and the refurbished street furniture and lighting. If possible, local residents should be

involved in developing and helping to take ownership for ensuring that the area is well

maintained and that issues are reported to those with responsibility for dealing with

repairs and maintenance.

Having additional community warden and policy patrol in the early stages of the

operation phase are likely to ensure that any potential anti-social behaviour is

prevented early and where it does occur is dealt with appropriately to prevent

recurring incidents.

Ongoing communication and community governance

It will be important to ensure that community magazines as well as services

information sheets, that provide details of all the services and activities that are

occurring in the area, are distributed and that the future community governance



structures e.g. residents associations are supported over the short to medium terms

to become viable and embedded parts of the local community. This is likely to mean

that some funding and community development staff will continue to be needed.

Health activities allied to the operation phase

In the wider regeneration scheme, alongside plans for the physical redevelopment of

Middleport, there is also ongoing community development work being carried out.

It is important that the community development aspects and the redevelopment of the built

environment are linked and jointly considered and assessed in order to better enhance

potential benefits especially in terms of social capital and community cohesion.

These joint considerations could include investment in joint programmes that will enable

local residents, groups and organisations to a) increase their physical activity through the

development of individually tailored plans that include public transport and the green links

(cycleways and footpaths) in and around Middleport; b) organise and take part in

community events and activities; c) access culture, leisure and recreational amenities; d)

access health, social care and other services.

Climate change considerations in design, implementation and operation phases

One of the important wider considerations at the heart of the regeneration scheme is

sustainability and the implications for climate change.

All building design should take into account the likelihood of hot summer, milder winters

and more heavy rainfall.

All building designs should take into account measures to ensure energy efficient lighting

and maximise the possibility of incorporating natural lighting throughout. Other energy

efficient measures to include energy efficient supply and distribution as well as use of

energy efficient electrical appliances should be implemented.

Grange Park includes forest areas which should be properly managed in order to

contribute towards reducing greenhouse effects, providing the natural filtering of air

pollutants as well as acting as a heavy downpour/flood sink. Greening of the local roads is

also important in reducing the ‘heat island’ effect and providing shade as well as a filter for

some pollutants.



Waste management measures with the potential for combined heat and power (energy

from waste) facilities could be implemented to reduce the amount of emissions into the

environment.

9 Conclusion


9 Conclusion

Overall, the regeneration of Middleport is likely to have a significant positive health and

wellbeing impact on existing and new residents. It will be a powerful demonstration that

things can and have changed for the better in Middleport.

Existing residents however are faced with having to live on a ‘building site’ especially as it is

a phased development that may go on for about 5-6years depending on how the housing

market picks up in the current financial climate. This may be further compounded by other

developments which have been proposed in surrounding neighbourhoods in terms of the

wider Stoke-on-Trent regeneration. Therefore some detailed planning needs to be carried out

to ensure that the implementation phase does consider the potential cumulative negative

impacts of physical disruptions, noise, dust and lorry traffic through Middleport and the

surrounding areas.

The masterplanning process is limited to the spatial relationship of housing blocks, new

employment sites; green and public open spaces and road networks. Key issues that need to

be considered alongside the masterplanning design process are:

• Standards to which the housing will be built

• Detailed design of the employment/retail spaces and open and green spaces

• The mix of tenure in new housing

• Detailed planning for the health centre and other potential uses to be housed in the building

• Design of management plans for community space

• Detailed plans outlining public transport re routing plans and access routes around key development sites and in and out of the Middleport area

It is important to note that there will need to be a continuing investment in publicly owned

amenities at least in 10 years time and ongoing maintenance including that of street furniture,

lighting and open spaces to ensure that the positive benefits of the redevelopment carry on

long term.

In the long term there will need to be a reassessment of the needs of the changing

community to identify when and what further developments may be required.

9 Conclusion



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