6 Sustainability Appraisal

53 Sustainability Appraisal

Sustainability Appraisal - Developing SA objectives; and A Sustainability appraisal has been carried out by White Young Green, the appraisal can be found in the accompanying appendices 9. - Testing the Southwick Master Plan objectives against the SA objectives.

Southwick is a residential area in North which suffers from high levels of The SA objectives were derived from the North East Integrated Regional Framework (IRF) socioeconomic deprivation. The area has a large proportion of housing in poor condition. objectives. These objectives were used to assess the social, economic and environmental This housing is both physically and economically unsound. Sunderland Housing Group effects of the Southwick Master Plan. (SHG) owns a large number of properties in Southwick. In response to the poor condition of the existing housing SHG has produced a Master Plan for redevelopment of housing in The SA compared two options: implementation of the Master Plan as set out by SHG and central Southwick. the ‘do nothing’ scenario. The SA identified that implementation of the Master Plan is considered to be the most sustainable option. This is because of the significant The renewal area is known as the Central Southwick Renewal Area. opportunities it offers towards improving the physical environment in Southwick and the It is proposed that the Southwick Master Plan will be adopted as an Interim Planning Policy potential knock on effects of this upon tackling the high levels of deprivation in the area. (IPP) by (SCC) under their Unitary Development Plan. Once adopted as an IPP the Southwick Master Plan will be a material consideration when The SA identified the following significant beneficial effects of the Southwick Master determining planning applications in the area. In due course the IPP will be incorporated Plan: into the Local Development Framework (LDF) being developed by SCC to replace their existing Unitary Development Plan. - Provision of better quality housing which will meet the needs of the community in Southwick; White Young Green Environmental (WYGE) has been commissioned by SHG to undertake a combined Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the - Improvement in the quality of the built environment in Southwick; draft Southwick Master Plan. The combined approach to Sustainability Appraisal and SEA adopted by WYGE is simply referred to as Sustainability Appraisal (SA) and the process - Improved access to open space and health, educational and community facilities; undertaken has resulted in the production of this Sustainability Report. The purpose of the SA process is to identify the likely significant social, economic and environmental effects of - Encouragement of walking and cycling through provision of safe and attractive footpaths the Southwick Master Plan and the extent to which the Southwick Master Plan will meet and cycleways; and sustainability objectives. - Environmental improvements through the use of sustainable design and construction in In order to appraise the Southwick Master Plan a SA framework was developed. This accordance with the BREEAM Eco Homes Excellent standard. involved the following activities:

- Consultation with key stakeholders via a questionnaire;

- Reviewing other plans and programmes of relevance to the Southwick Master Plan;

- Collecting key social, economic and environmental data on Southwick;

- Identifying the current social, economic and environmental situation in Southwick;

- Identifying key sustainability issues;

54 The SA also identified the following significant adverse effects of the Southwick Master Plan:

- Potential for current homeowners in Southwick to be unable to buy new homes in the area due to an increase in house prices; and

- Environmental and social issues associated with the construction phase of the Southwick Master Plan.

Mitigation measures to maximise beneficial effects and minimise adverse effects of the Southwick Master Plan have been developed. These mitigation measures should be incorporated into the development of the Southwick Master Plan and future planning applications.

A set of targets and indicators have also been developed. These should be used to monitor performance of the Southwick Master Plan against the SA objectives.

55 . 7 Urban Design Analysis

57 Urban Design Analysis - Land Use

Land use The predominant land use is residential, (with housing stock and its environment varying with age and quality). Older housing exists in the form of single storey, terraced "Sunderland cottages", which are located in the historic townships and villages of Southwick, , , Fulwell and Castletown. Due to historic development the range of land use is narrowly defined with the wider context of facilities being provided outside the large central development zone as illustrated by figure 67.

Housing Fig.64 In designing new places, what North Sunderland has a wide-ranging spectrum of housing and environmental Renewal Boundary role is the centre to have when all the conditions. To the east of Southwick, Fulwell provides tree-lined avenues of well mixed use elements are sucked to the edge maintained 1930’s semi-detached housing. There are also a number of traditional terraced streets in the area with strong character, for example those to the south of Thompson Road.

Carley Hill is located to the north of Southwick. It consists of a range of private and social housing with integral landscaped areas and easily accessible open space. Marley Potts, to the west of Southwick, is made up of inter-war council housing similar in nature to those in Central Southwick. The streets close to the central retail core contain little landscaping or open space, and the housing here tends to be in a poor state of repair.

Fig.65 Uses are still being zoned and roads desinged as strategic routes at the expense of the creation of more local relationships based on walking and cycling

Fig 68-70 Variation of housing styles within North Sunderland Fig.67 Illustration showing land use The need for a mixed use - Sustainability As Southwick has developed community facilities and access to services predominantly council provision.This trend, coupled with economic has become further widespread and overlooked, leaving the area with deprivation has led to a progressively reduced retail offer within the green, declining opportunities and quality of environment. Successful accelerating the economic decline. New investment in housing, education communities require a full range of services and facilities, including health and leisure will encourage re-population and re-invigorate the retail commercial, educational, health, spiritual and civic uses. These need to hub. Fig.66 A more vibrant and sustainable be conveniently sited and connected to residential areas by safe and Public Service Agreement 2 - Government target form results from bluring the distiction comfortable routes. A more integrated approach of development and “By 2010, bring all social housing into decent condition with most of this between uses and designing places provision of services will see a wide range of social, economic, welfare improvement taking place in deprived areas, and increase the proportion that make walking to the local centre, and bus stop or station as conveinient and environmental improvement. Over the years Southwick has lost its of private housing in decent condition occupied by vulnerable groups”. and comfortable as possible original diversity. Housing has become mono-cultural, being (SR2000 target rolled forward and amended) 58 Urban Design Analysis - Transport

Key Transport Central Southwick is predominately made-up of non-car owning households, which rely on public transport. The area is served by the number 4 and 18 ‘Superroute’ bus services, which run every ten minutes during daytime hours. In addition, the Metro line is located approximately

Traffic congestion 1.5km to the east of the renewal area, with services running every twelve to fifteen minutes

Traffic routes in Recent provision of the Tyne & Wear metro to the South bank may be seen as a direct threat to the retail core of the green and better integration of the service to the community should be considered. Enhanced public transport must be provided to reconnect Southwick with its hinterland, and assist it to compete with neighbouring retail cores.

The importance of bus services to the Green is vital in its viable future. However, traffic calming measures need careful consideration so that heavy traffic does not threaten its very lifeline.

Although the area is well served by its North / South axis and the East / West route which provide strong focus to the area, the routes cause problems of heavy traffic which bounds and thru-flows Southwick.

At present Faber Road is a 7.3m wide carriageway with footways to either side. It forms a simple cross- road junction with Old Mill Road and has two further existing crossroad junctions at Beaumont Street and Shakespeare Street. The properties to the north of Faber Road do not possess driveways and therefore must park their vehicles on the carriageway, thereby narrowing the effective width of the carriageway. Faber Road is at present a bus route, and is traffic calmed by a mixture of road humps and cushions.

Faber Road terminates west of Carley Hill Road at the site of an old Bowling Green. At present, the existing carriageway construction between Old Mill Road and Shakespeare Street is of bituminous macadam over a granular sub-base; between Shakespeare Street and the eastern end of Faber Road, the carriageway is of Concrete Construction and is in poor condition.

Fig.71 Main Transport routes * Reconnecting the retail hub with neighbouring communities * Enhancing the ‘Green’ as a retail destination

59 Urban Design Analysis - Transport

Local services A number of bus services run frequently and directly past the renewal area to various locations around the City, including Doxford International Business Park. Although Metro services bypass the development they are a considerable distance away and require support in the form of bus / taxi connections. Regular bus servies run from Southwick to the City Centre where connections can be made to the Tyne & Wear Metro system.

Fig.72 Bus route services Source : Public transport map 2004 / 05 Nexus

60 Urban Design Analysis - Transport

Fig.73 Frequencies of Metros to and from Sunderland 61 Urban Design Analysis - Vehicular Movement

Existing traffic calming in the form of speed humps, a more attractive and environmental friendly approach would have been to introduce homezones

Fig.74 alternative east west traffic route

Fig.80

Main traffic routes flow throughout Central Southwick and its retail core

Fig.81

Fig.75 Fig.78 Fig.76 - Homezone example Fig.77 Fig..79

Fig.82

* An enhanced East / West traffic route, executed in combination with increasing pedestrianisation of the green, could relieve traffic pressure and enhance the green as a retail destination

62 Urban Design Analysis - Pedestrian Permeability

Pedestrian permeability

Ease of walking Local facilities bring residents together, reinforce community and discourage car use. The first component of Southwicks movement framework should be walking distances and ease of access. Quality of route is important where obstructions of busy roads exist.

Access for all Within Southwicks current context there is little provision for disability groups. Problems exist within: Walking up and down kerbs Segregated pathways Quality of pavement (fig.83) Pedestrian and cycle (Toucan) crossings

Solutions * Re-siting new facilities at the centre of the regenerated Southwick will encourage walking, cycling and sustainable modes of transport Fig.83

* Ideally key facilities should be sited within 400m or 4minutes walking distance from the majority of the community

* Safe routes to school, and linear parks must be permeable and traffic calmed to be popular and successful

* Popularity will enhance usage, with attendant benefits regarding safety and health

Fig.84 Fig.85

Pedestrian permeability needs to refocus upon provision to safe routes to school, employment, retail and recreational facilities

63 Urban Design Analysis - Green Spaces & Recreation

Green Spaces and recreation The previous section set out several issues relating to the provision and use of recreational space in Southwick. The following points provide possible solutions to these existing issues:

Landscaping Aims Fig.86 1 Improve quality and use of open space 8 Provision of safe environments for children to play 2 Create green corridors linking communities to their parks, riverside, services and employment 9 Landscaping considered within locality and provision wider context

3 Create an open space framework that is acces- * Enhanced provision of green spaces for sible to all, serving the needs of local people offer- recreation creates the opportunity of “early links” ing a wide range of recreational activities in training and employment

4 Provision of safe routes to school * Urban stewardship schemes, will offer training and job potential for local growth 5 Linkage of cycle / pedestrian routes to metro Fig.87 and retail centre In densely developed residential areas defined in NA8 the council will seek to maximise 6 Enhance view corridors in which open space, environmental and land use benefits, in the form pedestrian uses, or a new avenue can run of additional open space and community facilities, where sites are to be developed or re-developed. 7 Create a sense of place both in overall and local (Sunderland North UDP) terms

Fig.91

Fig.92 Provision of safe environments for play Fig .88 Use of green space - Fig.89 Provision of safe routes Fig.90 Accessible routes for all areas safe routes between streets to school and parks 64 Urban Design Analysis - Block Structures

* Replanning a potential east-west relief road requires an active frontage to new houses overlooking this arterial road.

Fig.93 potential east - west relief road

Fig.95 Indicative block - (Didsbury, Manchester)

Fig.94 Perimeter blocks * Perimeter blocks will encourage passive surveillance of these areas. New blocks will offer vehicular access from the rear, and separate residents cars from passing traffic

* Rear accessed areas will be traffic calmed in home-zone groupings 65 Urban Design Analysis - Visual Character

Fig.96

Visual character Southwick suffers from a lack of public art which is important for defining the surrounding environment and 1 creating a sense of place or arrival. Fig.97 Art opportunities exist within the riverside route, or within main transport routes which can be traffic calmed Fig.101 1

2 Areas of significant character 5 and architectural interest: 34 3/4 1. Tree lined streets at Fulwell 2 2. The Green - Central hub

3&4. Strong architectural character on road

5. Traditional housing Fig.98 Fig.99

Fig.104 Areas considered of significant character importance 5

Fig.102 Fig.103 Fig.100 66 Urban Design Analysis - Disproportionate Disrepair

This Southwick Masterplan report identifies a wide range - New landscape measures will cut noise and pollution of issues which need to be addressed. These socio-economic factors can be identified as follows: - Provision of the new Community school and Sure-Start centre will play a crucial role in neighbourhood renewal, - Economic and financial issues providing a stable centre of community life. The opportunity to develop new skills is essential to the people - Physical and environmental aspects (fig.106) of Southwick to find employment and help build a stronger local economy. Naturally the Southwick masterplan - Social and community issues supports the role and importance of this education zone, placed at the heart of the community with ‘Safe routes to - Employment, education and training school’. Fig.105 - Housing issues (fig.105)

The Southwick development proposal aims to re-address the malaise which has influenced the decline of Southwick. Through a holistic vision the Masterplan re-addresses the outlined socio-economic factors by:

- Improving current housing stock which will help attract further investment and people into the area

- Creating a new educational zone which will provide new opportunities to the socially excluded Fig.106 - Placing an emphasis upon pedestrian usage, encouraging healthy living

- Providing clear landscaped links to recreation space, which provides community involvement opportunity, and providing a clear alternative to anti-social (street) behaviour (vandalism, drug and alcohol abuse etc).

- Allow a safe traffic calmed environment via use of homezones

- Designing crime out by use of active and passive surveillance Fig.107 67 . 8 Vision

69 Vision - Context

Fig 108

70 Vision - Aims & Objectives

In order to correctly respond to latest government policy and design Creating a sense of place guidance as outlined in the earlier section 4 (See: By Design, DETR; - Giving the area a heart and Better Places, CABE) It is important that proposals meet the - Developing a balanced community relevant criteria and objectives. - Providing a wide range of housing opportunities - Delivering a wide range of densities- low, medium, high Within this section they are focused upon: - Providing a legible environment to residents “Creating a sense of place” - Assisting residents to ‘take ownership’ “Travel, Desire routes and Transport” - Delivering defensible space “Defensible space” - Create places of distinction and that make sense as a and “Architecture” network of settlements Fig.111

Fig.109 Fig.110

Fig.112

71 Vision - Aims & Objectives

(All illustrations indicative) Travel, Desire routes and transport - Accommodate desire lines across the site (fig.113) - Deliver pedestrian primacy (fig.116&117) - Provide a controlled vehicular speed environment - Provide a legible road and path system (fig.112) - Deliver road hierarchy, primary, secondary, and tertiary - Boulevard as a primary (fig.114) - Provide safe routes to school (fig.118) - Provide cycleways and walkways to key destinations on desire lines Fig.113 (fig.115) - Provide ‘pocket parks’ linking to centralised green space (fig.114)

Fig.112

Fig.117

Fig.114

Fig.115

Fig.118 Safe routes to school Fig.116 72 Vision - Aims & Objectives

Defensible space - Differentiate between public, semi-private and private space (fig.121 & 122) Fig.120 - Reduce road widths and enhance surface materials along the route to ‘home’ (fig.123 & 124) - Provide courtyards, mews and closes of circa 20 units - Accommodate cars in curtilage - Provide secure parking, garages or yards - Create active streets to enhance passive surveillance on major desire routes - Incorporate art in the environment - Incorporate community open space

Fig.119 Fig.121

(All illustrations indicative) Fig.122 Fig.123 Fig.124

73 Vision - Aims & Objectives

(All illustrations indicative)

Architecture Fig.129 - Kissing the kerb (fig.131) Fig.127 - Perimeter blocks providing containment - Flatted accommodation providing high density (fig.128) - Variety of 1,2, 2 1/2, and 3 storey building types - Entry points celebrated (fig.129) - Main entry point predominant (fig.127)

Fig.125

Fig.130

Fig.126 Fig.128 Fig.132

Fig.131 74 Vision - Urban Sustainability

Transport and pollution General health The Masterplan focuses upon safe pedestrian permablity with The proposed scheme aims to improve the legacy of heavy landscaped access and rights of way to public open space, industry and a high level of unemployment, by creating a healthy recreational facilities, employment and leisure pursuits reducing environment in which recreational use and access to leisure the need to travel, seeking to create an environment which is as provision is capitalised upon. energy efficient as possible. A range of traffic calming measures The use of green lungs and linear parks will not only create an not only aim to make Southwick an environment which is environment in which healthy living is promoted, but will also have pedestrian friendly but also take emphasis away from the car and the potential to raise community spirit and improve employment focus upon public transport, green walkway routes and cycling, and education opportunities. Fig.133 Future Cities Future Lives lowering air pollution and creating a healthy living environment Traffic calming measures will help reduce the number of road accidents, and will therefore assist the Council’s target of reducing Community Safety road casualties by 10%. The scheme aims to tackle crime through a wide range of An improved environment in which healthy living is promoted will measures. It will create an environment in which residents can also see community rates of cancer, heart disease, mental health play an active part in crime reduction via both active and passive etc, reduced. visual surveillance. However, the scheme also seeks to tackle the causes of crime by Noise introducing - better access and opportunities to By the introduction of traffic calmed environments and pursual and : employment promotion of public transport, noise levels within Southwick will be : leisure reduced. By redefining the North/South traffic route pressure upon : education the town’s retail provision will be relieved. : recreation : community spirit and participation The emphasis upon pedestrian routes and access will reduce the : and social interaction need for car access to work, leisure, and retail provision. Fig.134 Charter 2000 Built Environment The Southwick masterplan looks to improve and enhance transport measures, community safety and provide a renewed landscape. It also looks to meet the City’s leisure, education and employment needs, by identifying opportunities for change, which have the potential to have a major positive impact on the City’s sustainability.

Fig.135 Moving forward 75 Vision - Sustainable development

‘Two centuries of industrial development have made life better for many people in ways that would have been unimaginable even a Fig.136 generation ago. But it has also brought increasing damage to the physical systems and social fabric on which our wellbeing depends. It is clear we cannot continue in this way indefinitely. Indeed the call for change of direction is urgent. What we need now is a different kind of development, one which meets people’s needs without compromising our future. For this to be sustainable, we must take full account of the social, economic and environmental impacts of our decisions, over the long term.’ Sustainable Development Commission, 2001

The UK government sets a national definition within its Strategy for The potential benefits of Sustainable development are vast. They Sustainable Development 1999: include: - reduced running costs through energy and water efficiency ‘... ensuring a better quality of life for everyone, now and for - achieving affordable warmth for residents generations to come.’ - demonstrating a sustainability commitment to partnering organisations, residents, communities and funding bodies It aims to achieve this change through four key objectives: - supporting a healthy and comfortable internal environment - Social progress that meets the needs of everyone - increased levels of resident satisfaction - Effective protection of the environment - reduced maintenance costs - Prudent use of natural resources - developing housing that outperforms market housing and can Fig.137 - Maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and improve the reputation of an area employment. - developing homes that reduce reliance on private car ownership

Many residents within Southwick have low incomes and little or no The development proposals for Southwick are based upon Eco- choice in housing. They are likely to live in their homes for a long homes recommendations which include: time. Southwick residents, therefore, have a clear interest in Energy sustainabillity. - Reduction in CO2 emissions within homes - Improvement to fabric of building Looking to the future, standards of living will rise across the nation. - Provision of secure drying space Many residents may well hope for a similar improvement to the - Provision of low energy external lighting systems physical fabric of their homes and tenancies over the years. Many households will aspire to improvements in their general life Transport Fig.138 chances. - Access to public transport - Provision of a cycle store It is important that the provision of housing remains in demand, - Proximity to local amenities plays a useful function in the community and has a good - Provision for home office environmental performance. Pollution The cost of empty houses, hard to let estates, vandalism, anti- - Reducing ozone depleting substances (materials) social behaviour and the devastating impact of criminality within - Specifying low NOx emitting boilers Southwick has already been experienced. This demonstrates why development within Southwick must be sustainable.

76 Vision - Sustainable development

Materials Eco Homes - Sustainably managed timber The Group’s latest development site ‘Carley Hill phase 1’ houses are achieving a ‘good’ eco - Storage of recyclable waste homes pass rating. The Group is, however, looking to improve this rating and has set itself - Obtaining an A rating for materials the target of a good to excellent rating on future schemes.

Water - Reduction of water consumption

Land Use and ecology - Enhance the Ecological Value of site - Building Footprint efficiency

Health and Well being - Provision of adequate daylighting - Improved soundproofing - Provision of open space

It is also viewed that development should go beyond the pre-set criteria and:

- Support local employment and community re-investment opportunities through local environmental action (eg.community enterprises). These activities can help strengthen community cohesion, through better used and more attractive local environments, boosting civic pride and furthering the capacity for communities to help themselves.

- Bring forward early infrastructure investment in recycling and waste management so it becomes an established and accepted part of the neighbourhood.

- Recognise the scale of the task and understand that long term sustainable effectiveness will be dependent on many individuals and organisations. Capacity and skills issues must be addressed. This applies to the public agencies promoting regeneration, and the communities willingness or desire to engage with the process.

Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Sunderland Housing Group is currently investigating modern techniques such as timber frame construction and hopes to make significant progress over the coming months in developing some of its standard house types using alternative modern methods. An in-house working group has been set-up led by architects in the design and build unit.

77 Vision - Design Strategy Modern design solutions to slow traffic speed in built up areas with various control measures, currently centre around the creation of “Homezones”. These homezones are designed to be safe environments offering pedestrian primacy while creating varying opportunities such as art, natural landscaping, and parking. By using homezones as a guideline, the outlined design objectives can be succesfully met.

Defining the Homezone 1 Homezones can be streets, squares courtyards or cul-de-sac

2 It is the buildings, trees, planting and surface treatments that should define the homezones spaces

3 Each homezone should be unique, depending on building heights, setbacks, its overall architectural character and the communities use of the street

Making the change in character 1 Front gardens in homezones could be absent or minimal

2 However, there should be clear distinction between public and private space

3 Homezones should be designed to encourage vitality in residential streets

Fig.139

78 Vision - Design Strategy

Basic Principles 1 Homezones are residential street in which the road space is shared between drivers of motor vehicles and other road users

2 The aim is to change the way that streets are used and to improve the quality of life in residential streets by mak- ing them places for people by removing traffic barriers to neighbourliness

3 Encourage a greater diversity of activity and use of the street by residents

4 Reduce social isolation and increase natural survailance

Place making 1 An appreciation and understanding of the homezone “space” is very important

2 Public space is potentially one of the communities great- est assets

3 The best public spaces are those that not only cater safely for play, exercise and relaxation, but also provide an area with a sense of identity and community.

Sustainable links 1 Homezones should be integrated within the wider area, so that they are permeable and accessible to pedestrians, cyclists and local traffic

2 There should be a continuous network of routes for pedestrians, cyclists linking the homezone area with schools, public transport stops, green spaces shops and other services

3 Connectivity and permeability are important features within all residential areas

4 A grid of connected streets will provide direct and safe routes for pedestrians to local destinations

79 Vision - Design Strategy - Perimeter Blocks Perimeter blocks allow courtyard areas which provide areas of good visual surveillance where the domination of the car is contained and well overlooked; this also ensures a more flexible building threshold where architecture can “kiss the kerb” and allow pedestrian primacy. A contained area which permits soft landscaping opportunity also provides good access to household services (eg.waste).

80 Vision - General Principals of Urban Design

81 . 9 Proposals

83 Proposals - Design Strategy

Grassroots approach Neighbourhood renewal is about reversing the spiral of decline in our most deprived neighbourhoods. It involves working from the grassroots to deliver economic prosperity and jobs, safer communities, efficient transport, good education, decent housing and better health, as well as fostering a new sense of community among residents.

The Government’s long-term strategy for achieving this “A New Commitment to Neighbourhood Renewal”, recognises that the most disadvantaged parts of the country often have to rely on below average public or ‘mainstream’ services, even though they are more urgently needed than in other areas.

“Mainstreaming” looks to re-focus police, education, health, social housing and transport resources towards failing neighbourhoods.

From the modernisation of local government agenda there is a growing emphasis placed upon the closer working between local authorities and the people of an area through community involvement. The Southwick Masterplan proposal seeks to address community engagement across a wide range of social, economic and recreational needs, in order to unlock the areas prosperity and potential.

Knowledge and understanding Shifting technologies and lifestlyes towards a locally sustainable economy will need significant support through awareness raising; the development of new skills; and the provision of training and employment opportunities.

Leadership and commitment (Fig. Design strat1) The Southwick Masterplan aims to address a multitude of inter-related problems. In order to “ One of the most depressing aspects of… urban regeneration is the incidence enable the implementation of a long-term solution, it is deemed essential to collaborate with of wheel re-invention and the failure properly to absorb the lessons of and gain the trust of local communities. While the Masterplan sets out sustainable solutions to experience.” long term issues, strong leadership is required during the transitional period in order to ensure Joseph Rowntree research report the future success of the area.

Proposals Sunderland Housing Group propose the construction of 384 dwellings in the Central Southwick Area, to be developed over three phases. In addition, the City Council intend to build a new Primary School within the renewal area. A new east-west relief road is also proposed, which will follow the current route of Faber road, and provide a link between Old Mill Road and Carley Hill Road. The strategic proposals are outlined in the following pages.

84 Proposals - Strategic Master Plan

Pedestrian route

Bus route

Green route

85 Proposals - Strategic Master Plan - Phase One

86 Proposals - Strategic Master Plan - Schedules

(Fig. Mpln1) Note: Red line indicates boundary of planning application for phase one

(Fig. Scd 1) Phase one schedule of accomodation

87 Proposals - Strategic Master Plan - Road Hierarchy

Roads and footpaths A 2m 5.5m 2m

B 1.5m 5.5m 1.5m verge verge A C A C B 1.5m 4.8m 1.5m service service verge verge D C D 1.9m 5.1m 2m service verge E A E C A 2m 5.5m 1.5m

Shared surfaces

88 Transport Proposals - Faber road

Transport proposals - Faber road Pedestrians During early discussions with the Highways Authority, it was stated that the Authority would at Roundabouts provide fewer opportunities for controlled pedestrian crossing facilities to be some stage desire an East-West Relief Road between Old Mill Road and Carley Hill Road. incorporated. Pedestrian facilities can more easily be incorporated into a signalised layout. The Masterplan therefore allows for future widening of Faber Road as well as extending This could be of significant benefit to children walking to school and compliment any Safer Faber Road eastwards to form a new junction with Carley Hill Road. Routes to Schools Scheme.

The Housing Group are proposing to maintain the existing width of Faber Road, but to allow Buses for future widening by setting the frontages of the southern properties sufficiently back from Provision of a signalised junction could potentially operate under SCOOT (Spilt Cycle Offset the carriageway as to enable Faber Road to be widened to a 7.3m carriageway with a Optimisation Technique) with a SVD (Selective Vehicle Detection) for a bus priority system to parking lay-by to the northern edge. assist in the effective operation of buses travelling along Faber Road.

To minimise disruption to adjacent properties and to underground utilities the new junction at Traffic control and movement Carley Hill Road and the improved Junction at Old Mill Road are shown as signalised Although it is recognised that a roundabout design would accommodate a higher capacity of junctions, The reasons for this are set out below: vehicles, a traffic signal junction would provide for greater control over the flow and movement of traffic, especially in light that Faber Road is proposed to become an East-West link road, It is generally accepted that traffic signal controlled junctions have benefits over roundabouts connecting Old Mill Road and Carley Hill Road. for a number of classes of road users such as Pedestrians, Cyclists/Motorcyclists and Public Traffic signals can be linked together to co-ordinate the time given to traffic at adjacent sites Transport. It is also recognised that signal controlled junctions offer greater scope to control in order to control movements over a section of road network, the basis of urban traffic flows of traffic through use of co-ordinated traffic systems, and that a Signalised Junction can control (UTC) schemes. be incorporated within a smaller area of existing land than an adequately designed ‘normal’ ‘Transport In The Urban Environment’ published by the Institution of Highways and roundabout with a minimum ICD of 28m. Transportation suggests that traffic signals are often selected as the preferred means of intersection control in urban areas because of the benefits which can be derived from their Cyclists co-ordination with other traffic signals. It also states that it is expected that around 40% of The report 'Cyclists and Roundabouts, A review of Literature' commissioned by the Cyclists traffic signal installations in Britain, including pedestrian crossings, will eventually be part of Touring Club in 1990 and compiled by Allott and Lomax Consulting Engineers has co-ordinated traffic systems. conclusions and recommendations that include: Roundabout geometry 'In general, roundabouts pose very considerable accident risks to cyclists, both in absolute The existing road layout at the junction of Faber Road and Old Mill Road is bounded on 3 terms and when compared to other junction types. The decision to install a roundabout sides by properties outside of the masterplan area, a suitable geometric design for a new instead of traffic signals is based on criteria which give insufficient weight to the needs of roundabout could not be achieved without both diverting all existing services and acquiring cyclists, motor cyclists, pedestrians and bus users.' for demolition, a number of occupied dwellings. Preliminary design indicates that a signalised junction could be designed within the existing Other items of interest in the report include the following: highway boundaries therefore minimising disruption to properties outside of the masterplan Small roundabouts (5m-40m in diameter) with flared entries are the most dangerous for area. cyclists. Roundabouts affect the safety, enjoyment and route choice of cyclists with 28% of cyclists reporting having avoided using a route because it involved using a roundabout. (Watkins 1984) Roundabouts may also deter cyclists from choosing to travel by cycle at all.

89 Proposals - Strategic Master Plan - New school

Proposed Southwick Primary School

On 24 September 2003 the School Organisation Committee approved a recommendation from the Council’s Cabinet that Carley Hill Primary School be closed in August 2004 and that the existing Southwick Primary School be replaced with a new extended school, which would cater for both Southwick and Carley Hill. The new school and its location have been the subject of extensive community consultation.

The Department for Education and Skills sets out the Government’s aims to see more schools at the heart of their community, providing learning and cultural experience for all and offering help and support where it can be easily accessed. The proposed site is ideally placed to provide such an opportunity and is the only site within Central Southwick large enough to accommodate and deliver on the Government’s Extended Schools Agenda.

The new Southwick Primary School will be the site of a designated Children’s Centre that will be housed within the existing Sure Start building. Government guidance on Children’s Centres advised that the Centres should be on school sites in order that day care and education can be fully integrated. It is therefore planned for the Sure Start building to be physically integrated with the proposed primary school.

The new school site will include state of the art education provision, a 2-court sports hall, a People First Service Area, and community rooms. The external spaces will consist of playing fields and recreation areas, a landscaped garden for environmental studies, reserved space for a children’s play facillitiy and multi-use games area, and car parking. The layout has a number of other benefits, including a pedestrian / cycle route to maintain a link between the Central Southwick Renewal Area and Southwick Green.

90 Proposals - Strategic Master Plan - Landscaping

(Illustrations indicative)

Recreational land adjacent to Hahnemann court

91 Proposals - Strategic Master Plan - Phasing

92 10 Assessment of the Proposal

93 Assessment of the Proposal

The analysis in the previous chapters has highlighted that there is a requirement for At the time of the adoption of the UDP the housing stock was in the control of the City the restructuring of the existing housing mix and clearance in Sunderland. Council and very limited funding was available for the improvement of the stock. This is identified by: However, since transfer to the Group took place in 2001 significant funding has now been secured to improve the 28,000 socially rented dwellings within the City either through * The adopted Sunderland UDP (1998); modernisation or where necessary, through clearance and new build. The previous * reconfirmed in the 2002 Housing Alteration Paper and Interim Housing Strategy chapters have identified that the most effective solution to problems with the Group’s (September 2004) and; stock in Southwick is demolition and replacement. * Reflected in the Sunderland Strategy, which commits to improve the quality, choice and range of housing across the City * The overall masterplan proposal will provide an extensive area of public open space, where there is currently under provision, which will significantly improve the environment * The proposal involves the re-use of existing brownfield land for housing purposes to and benefit both existing and proposed households. create a sustainable urban community which fully accords with national and regional planning policy and supports the aims of the City Council’s Community Strategy.

* The proposed redevelopment of Central Southwick and the site of Hahnemann Court to provide a more sustainable urban community which is centered around excellent educational, leisure, health and shopping facilities is wholly consistant with policy encouragement at all levels. The proposed development will widen the range and choice of dwellings in terms of size, and redress the current stock imbalance of type and tenure within Southwick.

* Moreover, the proposal to demolish 345 dwellings and replace with a mix of 384 new houses, apartments and bungalows accords fully with alteration no.1 Housing (January 2002) and the ‘Interim Strategy for Housing Land (ISHL Sept 2004) which encourage the re-use of previously developed sites.

* Central Southwick is ideally positioned to take advantage of its very close proximity to the City Centre and the Park Lane Public Transport Interchange, located just 2km south across the River Wear. It has excellent links with The Green and it is located within walking distance of a proposed new school, excellent healthcare and leisure facillities. Moreover, employment opportunities along the River Wear, at Hylton Riverside and within the City Centre can be reached within minutes either by bicycle or bus.

* The proposed renewal boundary for Central Southwick broadly conforms with the statutory development plan in force for the area i.e. the Adopted Sunderland UDP (1998) and sits comfortably within the emerging review documents i.e. the Interim Strategy for Housing Land (September 2004). Since the adoption of the UDP problems in Southwick have worsened and spread from the improvement area initially identified on the proposals map to adjoining streets.

94 Assessment of the Proposal

* The development would accord with housing densities as prescribed in PPG3, the Adopted UDP and the Interim Strategy for Housing Land

* The redevelopment and renewal of Southwick would follow the sequence of development advocated in both PPS1 and PPG3 being a brownfield site within an existing urban area and having excellent access to public transport, employment, shopping, education and health facillities

* Paragraph 3.20 of the Council’s ISHL acknowledges that the plans of Sunderland Housing Group “will regenerate large areas of the City through the improvement and replacement of existing stock”. In line with the aims of the Draft Regional Spatial Strategy and the Draft Regional Housing Strategy, the Group’s plans will help achieve a reduction in the overall amount of lower / medium cost housing.

* The Group’s plans will assist in achieving the City Council’s objective of providing new houses in suitable locations so as to help reduce net population loss through out-migration and ultimately help reverse the City’s population decline.

* The proposals will help in meeting objective 6 of the ISHL by achieving a better balance of housing type and quality within the City. There is currently an over supply of lower cost hous- ing. None of the properties within the renewal area have been abandoned. The Group has managed the stock in such a way that as properties become available they are held as voids so as to assist in clearing the area

* Paragraph 4.4 of the ISHL advises that dwellings will be additional to housing that replaces losses from demolition and conversion but not to empty dwellings resulting from abandonment. As outlined in earlier sections of this document, properties in Southwick have been identified for renewal largely because they are not fit for purpose and costs associated with their modernisation far exceed the cost of demolition and new build.

* The proposals put forward in this masterplan, if approved by the City Council, would not only involve the replacement of obsolete housing and the creation of a better quality living environment but would also bring forward plans for a new school, community and leisure facilities. The Group does not see its proposals to renew properties within Southwick as being developed in isolation to plans for a new school, new leisure facility and ‘People First Centre’.

In fact, the Group embraces the City Council’s plans to provide facilities that have been missing in Southwick for a number of years. Only by ensuring a co-ordinated approach for the provision of facilities, which have previously been missing from Southwick, will the Masterplan be successful.

95