Top Lock and Cottage Pewsham Locks, Wilts and Berks Canal Document Ref: WBCT/ 9.1 0020 rev 03 DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT 1. Summary

1.1 The key project elements include the restoration of : The Top Lock of a flight of 3 locks Former Lengthman’s Lock Cottage Formation of Bywash Weir and Outfalls for lock

1.2 This proposal follows the comprehensive proposal submitted in February 2013 (LPA ref 13/00330/F) which remains undetermined due to the possible presence of Great Crested Newts at bottom lock within a small pond of standing water. Due to the unavoidable delays the Wilts and Berks Trust are submitting this proposal for Top Lock in order that these proposals can be approved in advance and thereafter developed to a construction level.

Figure 1 – Site Location Plan

This drawing and any work executed from it is copyright of the WBCT or its Agent. The drawing is only to be scaled for planning purposes. For setting out refer to the construction issue drawings. Any discrepancies found on this drawing must be reported immediately to the contract administrator/project manager. Location of Top Lock Rev By Chkd Apprvd Date Description

Application Site 0 FIRST ISSUE

1

2

3 .dwg

WILTS AND BERKS CANAL TRUST

Wilts & Berks Canal Trust PO Box 3630, Swindon, SN4 4AN Tel. +44 (0) 845 226 8567 & Fax +44 (0) 845 094 3653 www.wbct.org.uk

Project

Pewsham Lock Restoration

Drawing

Location Plan pm 4:12

Drawn by: DS Date: 30.10. 2013 30:12:+2012 -

Checked by: XX Date: : /Users/david/Documents/simul/wbct/Pewsham Locks/Final Drawings/ Pewsham_9_1_0001_0002_0003_0004 /Users/david/Documents/simul/wbct/Pewsham Locks/Final Drawings/ Approved by: XX Date: : : : name

Drawing No. Revision & path Date path WBCT/9.1/0033 0 file Plot and Drawing Scale:1:10,000 @ A3 User Drawing file Reproduced from Ordnance Survey Mapping Map Explorer OL13 Scale 1:25000 by permission of Xreference Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. 1

2. Policy

2.1 The Government Policy for Canal Restoration is outlined in the Defra policy document ‘Waterways for Tomorrow’ and British Waterways ‘Vision 2025’. The National Planning Policy Framework para 28 supports rural tourism and leisure developments that benefit communities and visitors in appropriate locations. The Canal is also considered a heritage asset and its re-use and repair is consistent with para 126 of the Framework.

2.2 planning policy for this site currently relies on the saved Local Plan for North Wiltshire District. The Project accords with key policies of the Local Plan- in terms of Core Policies for example it: C1 ii): Is community based, so promotes inclusive communities and access to infrastructure, C1 iii) and C3 i): Protects and enhances the quality of the natural environment, C3 vi) and vii): Enables and encourages leisure transport by boat, cycle and foot.

The Project accords with Transport Topic Area Policy T4, by its focus on transport modes other than the car (see above).

The Project is also consistent with Tourism Topic Area Policy TM2 with regard to the adopted route of the W&B Canal (which this scheme follows)

The emerging Wiltshire Council Core Strategy Policy 53 supports the restoration of Wiltshire’s Canal network as part of Objective 5 “protecting and enhancing the natural, historic and built environment”

2.3 The Wilts & Berks Canal Partnership Restoration Strategy for the Completion and Future Development of the Wilts & Berks Canal (2009) identifies this site as one of the key standalone sections of the waterway to be restored in advance of connection to the Kennet & Avon Canal and the remainder of the national waterways network.

2

3.0 Site History and Context

3.1 The Wilts & Berks Canal linked with the Kennet and Avon south of Melksham and with Abingdon on the River Thames. It was opened in 1810. The Wilts & Berks Canal was closed by Act of Parliament in 1914.

3.2 The site at Pewsham Locks was originally created by the Wilts & Berks Canal Company to provide repair and maintenance facilities for the craft navigating the waterway. A lengthsman’s cottage was also built adjacent to the to the top lock.

3.3 When originally constructed a branch of the canal linked the main line to Town.

3.4 The route for this application is along the historic route and in that sense the proposal complies with the Local Plan Policy and the emerging Core Strategy. The buildings and structures on the route have been researched and the designs are close to very similar buildings that either exist elsewhere or interpreted from plans and contemporary photographs; and as would historically have existed on the same footprint until about 60 years ago.

3.5 Consequently, the proposed canal and buildings are compatible with the historic site would add both interest and enhance the rural setting.

Scan of Lengthsman’s Cottage as proposed for alteration 3

4.0 Public Consultation

4.1 The public have been consulted during initial clearing works at the weekly work parties organised by the Canal Trust. A web based information and consultation conduit is in place to further gauge local opinion.

4.2 Youth groups, restoration groups and schools have contacted the Canal Trust project organisers, and have engaged on an number of countryside studies and archaeological visits

4.3 Wiltshire College Lackham final year students (2009) have been engaged on an assignment based project investigating various aspects of the canal and its eventual restoration.

4.4 ‘Walk the Wilts & Berks’ has been an annual event since 2005 for the community, attracting over one hundred individuals, and groups each year.

4.5 In connection with the comprehensive scheme submitted in February 2013 (LPA ref 13/00330/F) the restoration of this section received considerable public support.

5. Proposed Use

5.1 The project is intended to demonstrate heritage skills and crafts used by to operate and maintain the waterway and its craft in a working canal environment.

5.2 The project is part of the full restoration of the Wilts & Berks Canal as an operational waterway and long distance footpath and cycleway.

5.3 Locally National Cycle Route 4 has used the former canal towing path since 2004 as part of the Rivers Route Lacock-Chippenham to cycleway.

5.4 The project will initially attract visitors from the nearby towns of Chippenham and Melksham as a recreational and educational facility.

6. Development and Scale

6.1 The project is primarily one of restoration of lost features, and a ‘ground level’ scheme involving relatively few buildings and structures that will be prominent in the landscape. The canal is contained within the existing embankment on the escarpment of the River Avon valley and was created when the canal was constructed in the late eighteenth century. .

4

6.2 There is one buildings proposed in this application- The Lengthman’s Cottage: to be rebuilt as an information/interpretation centre and tourism accommodation. Within the larger scheme it is also proposed to re-builld: Carpenters Workshop: Dry Dock cover; and Roofing over saw pit

6.3 An environmental and tree report has been commissioned and is included with the application.

7. Access

7.1 The scheme is accessible by encouraging the use of transport modes other than the motor car- by cycle, foot, and eventually boat.

7.2 The physical access needs of all sections of the community have been taken into account, and every part of the project is disabled accessible.

7.3 The Project is remote and only accessible by foot or cycle from the nearest road but where possible is integrated and linked to existing transport infrastructure- not only roads, but also public transport and the remainder of the national Cycle Network.

7.4 Car access will be allowed for tourism use of the Lengthman’s cottage and for construction and maintenance vehicles.

8. Landscaping and Ecology

8.1 Landscaping is shown indicative and the Trust would anticipate submission of details of planting as a condition. Protecting and enhancing the landscape within the project is a key objective. Although the canal will alter existing landscape, such intervention is modest and the new landscape, including extensive tree and hedge planting, will be a key feature, and will be carefully integrated. There is opportunity to create increased ecological habits within the broader proposal.

8.2 Due to possible disruption caused by construction works an Amphibian Mitigation Method Statement is included with the application.

9. Community Involvement

9.1 The Canal Trust has been working with the Local Authority, Sustrans and other partners for more than ten years to assess the needs defined by stakeholders and the community.

Full list of members of The Wiltshire, Swindon and Oxfordshire Canal 5

Partnership. Wiltshire Council Swindon Borough Council Vale of White Horse District Council Oxfordshire County Council Wilts & Berks Canal Trust Cooper Tires Nationwide Building Society Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Thames Water British Waterways Canoe Chippenham Vision Cotswold Canals Trust Cricklade Town Council Environment Agency Inland Waterways Association Kennet & Avon Canal Trust Melksham Community Area Partnership Melksham Town Council Melksham Without Parish Council Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council Sustrans The Waterways Trust Wiltshire College

6