LDF Evidence Base

Knowsley Evidence Base

Housing and Employment Evidence Base

Various studies and reports have been undertaken relating to housing and employment in Knowsley, including a Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment; Employment Land and Premises Study; Strategic Housing Market Assessment and a Housing Needs Assessment. More information on these studies is available on the Housing and Employment Evidence Base page.

Knowsley Council has also participated in a Green Belt Study to support its LDF. More Information about this study is available via the Knowsley and Sefton Green Belt Study – Knowsley Report page.

Flood Risk Evidence Base

Knowsley Council has undertaken various studies in relation to flood risk and water management. This includes Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) and Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (PFRA) work. More information about these studies is available on the Flood Risk and Water Management page.

Town Centres and Shopping Study

The Knowsley Town Centres and Shopping Study was completed by Roger Tym & Partners on behalf of the council. The study reflects national guidance and regional policy, and forms part of the evidence base for the town centre and retail policy aspects of the council’s LDF. The study includes an assessment of the quantitative and qualitative need for retail and other town centres in the future. A first report (stage 1) was published in November 2009 while a second report (stage 2) was completed in May 2010.

Delivering a new future for Knowsley Industrial Park – Strategic Framework

Knowsley Council, in partnership with the Northwest Development Agency (NWDA), commissioned DTZ in conjunction with ARUP and Taylor Young to review the role of Knowsley Industrial Park (KIP) and Business Park. The overall aim of the study was to provide a clear physical development and investment framework to drive future increased business growth at KIP, reinforcing its role as a major city region and regional business and employment hub. The final version of the study was completed in August 2010.

Delivering a new future for Knowsley Industrial Park – Strategic Framework (PDF, 6MB)

Knowsley Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Options Study

The Knowsley Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Options Study was completed by ARUP on behalf of Knowsley Council. The role of the study was to identify opportunities and constraints to the potential development of renewable or low carbon technologies in Knowsley, including biomass, combined heat and power, wind energy, solar thermal, photovoltaic and ground source heat pumps. The study was finalised in July 2009.

Knowsley Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Options Study (PDF, 4.4MB)

Knowsley Open Space, Recreation and Sports Needs Assessment and Strategy

The Knowsley Open Space, Recreation and Sports Needs Assessment and Strategy was completed by PMP on behalf of Knowsley Council. The study includes an audit of all open space provision throughout the borough and also provides a clear vision, priorities for future open space, recreation and sport provision and a direction for the allocation of future resources. The study was finalised in April 2005.

Knowsley Open Space, Recreation and Sports Needs Assessment and Strategy (PDF, 4.3MB)

Knowsley Core Evidence Base

Knowsley Council commissioned Regeneris Consulting Ltd. to undertake a study which comprehensively examined economic, social and environmental conditions in the area, including recent changes across a wide range of issues, and assessed the likely future direction of the area. It provided data and analysis for Knowsley Council and the Local Strategic Partnership to help them plan their activities by identifying key challenges and opportunities. The study was completed in November 2007.

Regeneris "Core Evidence Base" Report (PDF, 4.1MB)

Plan Knowsley Workshops

The Plan Knowsley Workshops were a series of interactive stakeholder engagement workshops facilitated by Vision Twentyone on behalf of Knowsley Council during July 2008. The primary objective of the ‘Plan Knowsley’ workshops was to establish an initial understanding of the views of key local stakeholders, working towards the creation of a vision for the emerging Core Strategy. Reports summarising the findings of the wokshops were published in August 2008.

Sub-regional Evidence Base

Liverpool City Region Renewable Energy Capacity Study (Stage 1 and 2)

The Liverpool City Region Renewable Energy Capacity Study is a joint study between the districts within Liverpool City Region, and in addition West Lancashire and Warrington. The study was completed by Arup on behalf of the council. The study supports Knowsley’s commitment to a low carbon economy and minimising the impacts of climate change and forms part of the evidence base for Knowsley’s LDF.

The study should be read in conjunction with Knowsley’s Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Options Study and Delivering a New Future for Knowsley Industrial Park – Strategic Framework (see above).

The study consists of two reports. Stage 1 demonstrates how the sub-regional renewable energy targets set be the Regional Spatial Strategy for the North West can be met. Stage 2 provides a common policy framework for the study area. It also provides more detailed guidance for each local authority, and identifies a series of potential “priority zones” for combined heat and power and areas of least constraint for wind energy.

LCR Renewable Energy Capacity Study (Stage 1 Report) (PDF, 5Mb)
LCR Renewable Energy Capacity Study (Stage 2 Report) (PDF, 7Mb)
Appendix G of the LCR Renewable Energy Capacity Study is available on request from the Places and Neighbourhoods Team (0151 443 2326 or LDF@knowsley.gov.uk)

Liverpool City Region Housing and Economic Development Evidence Base Overview Study

Knowsley Council (along with seven other local authorities in the Liverpool City Region) has undertaken an "overview" study of development land needs and supply. This study provides a picture of land supply and requirements for new development (both housing and employment) across the whole City Region. The study was finalised in mid 2011.

Liverpool City Region Housing and Economic Development Evidence Base Overview Study (PDF, 5.5Mb)
Appendices (PDF, 3Mb)

Merseyside Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment

This research and report were commissioned by four authorities within Merseyside (including Knowsley) in June 2007. The purpose of the study was to undertake an objective assessment regarding the need for provision of accommodation for Gypsy and Traveller communities across the sub-region. The study was undertaken by Salford Housing and Urban Studies Unit, and was completed in February 2008.

The Evidence Base for Minerals Planning on Merseyside

Merseyside Environmental Advisory Service (MEAS), on behalf of the 6 Merseyside Authorities (including Knowsley) contracted Greater Manchester Geological Unit (GMGU), part of the Urban Vision Partnership, to establish a minerals vidence base to support the development of a minerals policy framework to meet the requirements of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act (PCPA) 2004. This study was completed in August 2008.