Design & Access Statement
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DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT Land at the existing Valero Refinery, Rhoscrowther August 2019 T: 029 2073 2652 T: 01792 480535 T: 01454 203599 Cardiff Swansea Bristol F: 029 2073 2670 E: [email protected] W: www.asbriplanning.co.uk PROJECT SUMMARY LAND AT THE EXISTING VALERO REFINERY, RHOSCROWTHER Description of development: Full planning application for the development of a laboratory building, workshop building and associated works Location: Land at the existing Valero Refinery, Rhoscrowther, Pembroke, SA71 5SJ Date: August 2019 Asbri Project ref: 19.145 Client: Valero Energy Ltd. STATEMENT A C CE S S & DE S I G N Asbri Planning Ltd Prepared by Approved by Unit 9 Oak Tree Court Mulberry Drive Liam Griffiths, Dylan Green Cardiff Gate Business Park Name Cardiff Graduate Planner Senior Planner CF23 8RS T: 029 2073 2652 Date August 2019 August 2019 E: [email protected] W: asbriplanning.co.uk Revision AUGUST2 0 1 9 2 CONTENTS LAND AT THE EXISTING VALERO REFINERY, RHOSCROWTHER Section 1 Introduction 5 Section 2 Site Context and analysis 7 Section 3 Interpretation 11 Section 4 Design evolution 13 Section 5 Planning Policy 15 Section 6 The proposal 17 STATEMENT Section 7 Conclusion 21 A C CE S S & DE S I G N AUGUST2 0 1 9 3 LAND AT THE EXISTING VALERO REFINERY, RHOSCROWTHER SITE IN REGIONAL CONTEXT STATEMENT A C CE S S & DE S I G N AUGUST2 0 1 9 4 LAND AT THE EXISTING VALERO REFINERY, RHOSCROWTHER INTRODUCTION Introduction 1.6 The brief is to provide a new state-of-the-art laboratory 1.1 The purpose of a Design & Access Statement (DAS) is to and workshop for employees at the existing Valero Oil Refinery provide a clear and logical document to demonstrate and Site. The existing wider facility contains a laboratory and explain the various facets of design and access in relation to workshop although these are located within a blast zone. As the site and to appraise the proposed development against such the proposal will relocate the two buildings outside of the relevant planning policies. It also presents the details of a blast zone providing a safer and contemporary facility. planning application in a way that can be read both by professionals and the public. 1.7 The vision is to provide two contemporary buildings that reflects recent developments elsewhere within the refinery site 1.2 The diagram below, extracted from Chapter 3 of whilst also providing more efficient working space. Planning Policy Wales, summarises the five objectives of good design that should be taken into account when preparing a DAS. The circular nature of the diagram represents the equal weightings that need to be given to each of the 5 Objectives of Good Design: Access; Movement; Character; Environmental Sustainability and Community Safety. STATEMENT 1.3 The submitted Design and Access Statement adheres to guidance embodied in the Welsh Government publication, Design and Access Statements in Wales, published in April A C CE S S 2017. & 1.4 The statement is subdivided into 8 sections, commencing with an outline of the brief and vision for the project in section 2. Section 3 provides an overview of the site context DE S I G N and analysis. Section 4 interprets and applies the context of the brief and vision for the site, whilst section 5 summarises how the design has evolved. Section 6 provides a brief overview of the relevant planning policy with section 7 setting out the proposal, explores the relevant design and access facets associated with the application and provides a response to planning policy. The document then concludes, under section 8. The Brief and Vision 1.5 The proposal includes the development of a new laboratory building and workshop building located at the existing Valero Refinery site located within Rhoscrowther, Pembrokeshire. The wider refinery site occupies a position on the south bank of the Milford Haven Waterway. AUGUST2 0 1 9 5 LAND AT THE EXISTING VALERO REFINERY, RHOSCROWTHER STATEMENT A C CE S S & DE S I G N SITE IN LOCAL CONTEXT AUGUST2 0 1 9 6 LAND AT THE EXISTING VALERO REFINERY, RHOSCROWTHER SITE CONTEXT AND ANALYSIS General Location Access 2.1 The site is a rectangular shaped parcel of land located 2.7 Vehicular access to the site is via an internal highway that within the existing Valero Refinery site, Rhoscrowther, Pem- follows from the unclassified highway to the east of the site. brokeshire. The site is centred on grid coordinates E: 191519, This also acts as the pedestrian access to the site. Given the N: 202102. use of the wider site, access is prohibited to the public with a double gate at the main entrance point. 2.2 The wider refinery site occupies a position on the south bank of the Milford Haven Waterway and it is noted that a 2.8 There are no cycle routes within close proximity to the site section of the wider site is located within the Pembrokeshire with the nearest located within Pembroke. There are no bus Coast National Park. Rhoscrowther is located on the penin- stops located within close proximity to the site. sula extending to the west of Pembroke which is located approximately 7.44km to the east of the site. Local Land Uses 2.9 As previously highlighted the site is located within the Site Features existing Valero Refinery site, as such, the predominant uses 2.3 Given that the site is located within the Valero Refinery surrounding the site are related. The primary use of the wider grounds, the predominant use surrounding the site is associ- site is to make products including gasoline, diesel fuel, kero- ated with the refinery. At present this is predominantly use sene, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and petrochemical feed- STATEMENT for informal car parking. The site is bounded to the north by stocks. Further uses surrounding the site includes Pembroke an internal road, to the east by an existing car park, to the Power Station approximately 1.30km to the north east of the west by an existing fire hall (pictured, left) and to the south site; by a grass verge separating the site and the unclassified A C CE S S highway. Pembroke Power Station is approximately 1.45km 2.10 The nearest town with significant facilities is Pembroke & to the north east of the site. located approximately 10km to the east of the site. Facilities includes Pembroke train station; shops; post office; bank; and 2.4 As the site consists of hardstanding, there are minimal a doctor’s surgery. existing natural features on the site itself. Vegetaiton adja- cent to the site comprises of a strip of young trees and over- Planning History DE S I G N grown vegetation which runs along the southern boundary 2.11 There is no planning history relevant to the site although adjoining the agricultural land. the accompanying Planning Statement provides further detail on applications which relate to the wider refinery site. 2.5 A review of the TAN 15 flood maps produced by NRW identifies the site is located within Zone A as such is consid- ered to be at little or no risk of fluvial or coastal/tidal flood- ing. 2.6 A review of the historic wales maps identifies there are no listed buildings or structures within the site boundaries. The nearest listed building is approximately 800m to the north east of the site and is Grade II listed ‘Stone Building’. AUGUST2 0 1 9 7 LAND AT THE EXISTING VALERO REFINERY, RHOSCROWTHER OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS PLAN OPPORTUNITIES AND STATEMENT CONSTRAINTS PLAN A C CE S S & DE S I G N AUGUST2 0 1 9 8 LAND AT THE EXISTING VALERO REFINERY, RHOSCROWTHER INTERPRETATION Interpretation Design 3.1 The concept for the development of the site has derived Recent construction within the refinery site has established a from the following; material palette considered to be acceptable in terms of its relationship with the wider context. • Full site analysis including a full desktop study of the site and its surroundings; Constraints Existing Tree Line – the existing mature tree line to the south • A site visit and a general visual assessment of the of the site has ecological and amenity value, as such, is surrounding area including the built form and also how favoured to be retained. residents and visitors interact with the area; and • Discussions with the client and a full understanding of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park – the Pembrokeshire the brief and vision of the project. Coast National Park is located approximately 1km to the east of the site. Consideration must be given to this allocation in 3.2 The above steps have presented the key opportunities the design of the buildings. and constraints for the site, which are outlined below; Sustainable Transport - Given the location of the proposal Opportunities there is limited transport options available other than the car. STATEMENT Brownfield land – the site, as existing, comprises of Notwithstanding, the development will not generate any brownfield land where there is a presumption in favour of additional pedestrian movement. development. This has been agreed during pre-application discussions with the local planning authority. A C CE S S Existing Use (Refinery) - The proposal relates to the & ongoing operations associated with the existing wider refinery site. The facilities will eventually replace existing, older facilities elsewhere within the site. As such, this provides an opportunity to progressively expand. DE S I G N Site Allocation - The Valero Refinery is allocated as an employment site under ref no. EMP/000/00002 - Valero Refinery and is identified in the adopted Local Development Plan as a new waste management facility.