The Masterplan: Adopted – July 2012
NOTE: All maps and plans used and reproduced by RPS under © Crown Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Licence number 10003993 unless otherwise noted. All photos & drawings: © RPS Planning & Development unless otherwise noted. All maps, plans and drawings are not to scale unless otherwise noted. White grid on framework plan @ 1km intervals. N unless otherwise noted.
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CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background 6 1.2 Purpose and Role of this Masterplan 6 1.3 Structure of this Document 7 1.4 Implementation 7 1.5 Study Area 7
2.0 CONTEXT 2.1 History 10 2.2 Physical Context 12 2.3 Planning Policy Context 14 2.4 Previous Studies 15 2.5 Timeframe 18
3.0 ENGAGEMENT & CONSULTATION 3.1 Methodology 20
4.0 VISION 4.1 Forming the Vision 22 4.2 A Self Sufficient Town 26 4.3 A 21st Century Transport System 33 4.4 A University of Daventry 39 4.5 The Vision 41
5.0 FRAMEWORK 5.1 Building the Framework 44 5.2 A Green Town 45 5.3 Ease of Movement 50 5.4 A Strong and Vibrant Community 54 5.5 A Place to be Proud 60 5.6 The Framework 66
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APPENDICES
A ENGAGEMENT & CONSULTATION REPORT *
Section
1.0 Introduction 2.0 Engagement Session Methodology 3.0 Engagement Session Response Analysis 4.0 Public Consultation Methodology 5.0 Public Consultation Response Analysis
Appendices
1. Sample Invitation to Engagement Session 2. Invitees to Engagement Sessions 3. Engagement Session Roller Banners 4. Engagement Session PowerPoint Presentation 5. Daventry Futures: Future World Scenarios 6. Engagement Session Group Response Sheet 7. Engagement Session Mapping Sheets 8. Completed Engagement Session Mapping Sheets 9. Engagement Session Photos 10. Website Pages 11. Public Consultation Exhibition Boards 12. Public Consultation Feedback Form 13. Notes of Meetings – 1st December 2011 & 12th December 2012 14. Responses Received to Public Consultation on Draft Masterplan November 2011
*Bound separately.
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1.0 Introduction
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
Over recent decades much masterplanning work has been undertaken in relation to the town of Daventry and its immediate surroundings and whilst this work has enabled development to take place in a co ordinated manner, none of this work has sought to establish a long term view – or Vision – for how the town will develop, not just physically, but also in terms of economy, society and the environment.
This document has been the subject engagement and consultation which has informed this final document which was adopted by Full Council on 19th July 2012. Further information regarding the engagement and consultation undertaken to inform this Masterplan can be seen in section 3 of this document.
1.2 Purpose and Role of this Masterplan
The many reports and studies that have been Previous studies have undertaken to date provide a solid grounding for this focused on the ‘what’, ‘how’ Masterplan (see Section 2.4). However, none of these and ‘where’ rather than the reports and studies has set out a clear and robust vision ‘why’. for the town or set out what type of place Daventry should become; they have focused on the ‘what’, ‘how’ and ’where’ rather than the ‘why’.
This Masterplan has a more conceptual and strategic outlook, and looks further into the future, than any of the work undertaken previously. It provides ambition and drive for the physical, social, community, economic, and environmental growth of the town over the decades to come.
This Masterplan enables the town planning processes in place at any time over the next three decades to determine the appropriate strategies and processes necessary to deliver the established Vision under the umbrella of a consistent and flexible Masterplan Framework.
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1.3 Structure of this Document
Part 2 describes the context, the purpose and role of this Masterplan, and its timeframe.
Part 3 summarises the results of the engagement and consultation exercises.
Part 4 establishes a coherent and robust Vision for the next 30 years founded on sound research and evidence collected through the engagement and consultation processes.
Part 5 sets out a Framework that explains how the Vision can be achieved.
1.4 Implementation
With this Masterplan having established a flexible long term Vision for Daventry, and the Framework having set out ways by which this can be achieved, it will be for the prevailing town planning system to develop appropriate policies and proposals for delivery of this on the ground.
This includes (in 2012) the emerging West Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy, Settlements and Countryside Local Plan, any review of the Core Strategy, or any other town planning document subsequently introduced (see more at Section 2.3).
1.5 Study Area
The focus of this Masterplan is the town of Daventry, however, no town exists in isolation. Thus whilst the focus of this Masterplan is the town of Daventry, a study area was identified extending up to 7km from the town centre, that encompassed the closest settlement in every direction, and any other key location (for instance Long Buckby railway station) that was considered to relate directly to the future development of the Daventry. The Aerial photo on the following page shows the study area boundary.
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STUDY AREA
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2.0 Context
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2.0 CONTEXT
2.1 History
Daventry’s ancient name of ‘Daintree’ derives from a tree planted by Danish settlers on the Iron Age hill fort at Borough Hill. The town itself was established as a market town in 1255 following the establishment of a Cluniac priory (now long gone) and became the centre of its own borough in 1576. Initially well connected, Daventry flourished as an important coaching stop on the main road from London to the north west and Wales.
In 1838 the London to Birmingham railway was opened a few miles to the east of the town. As a result, the coaching trade and the business and prosperity it generated fell away dramatically and the town lost its principal raison d’être.
Between the 1840s and 1960s, Daventry experienced a long period of economic and social stagnation and decline. The industrial revolution largely bypassed the town and by the mid 1950s the population had grown to only around 4,000 people, less than one fifth of its current level. Despite attempts to reconnect Daventry (a railway branch line was constructed and a railway station opened in 1888 – it closed in 1960, and a branch of the Grand Union Canal authorised in 1793, but never built) the town has remained effectively off the beaten track.
In the 1960s Daventry was designated as an ‘overspill’ town for Birmingham and significant growth was planned, with a projected population of 36,000 by 1981.
However, in reality growth was much slower with the population reaching only around 16,000 by 1981 (and only 22,000 by 2001). Whilst industrial, commercial and social infrastructure was provided to support the increase in population, this served only to somewhat swamp and dilute the town’s original character.
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DAVENTRY TOWN CENTRE IN 1887, 1955 & 1973
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The starting point for the latest raft of growth stems from the early 2000s, when first Milton Keynes was designated as one of three growth areas for the south east of England and then, in 2003, when the growth area was redefined as ‘Milton Keynes South Midlands’, encompassing Northamptonshire and Daventry. By 2005 over 10,000 new homes were allocated to Daventry district, the majority of which were allocated at Daventry town itself. Whilst initially being built at around only half the intended rate, these new homes should see the towns population reach around 40,000 by 2026; around double its size at the start of the century.
2.2 Physical Context
The town of Daventry lies approximately 5km to the west of the M1, alongside which also runs the A5, the West Coast Main Line railway and the Grand Union Canal, which also runs to the north of the town adjacent to the edge of the urban area.
The town is accessed via the A45 from the east (from Northampton) and west (from Coventry and Rugby), the A361 from the north and south (from Banbury) and the A425 from the west (from Warwick and Royal Leamington Spa). The nearest railway station is at Long Buckby, approximately 7km from the town centre.
Daventry lies within a natural bowl, with land rising away from the town in most directions. Immediately to the east of the town is Borough Hill, a scheduled ancient monument, from where there are long distance views across the town and surrounding countryside.
Beyond the hills immediately surrounding the town the topography is undulating and well wooded with the area to the south of the town being especially noted for its high quality landscape.
Ironstone villages are scattered throughout the landscape on all sides of the town, with the largest in close proximity being Long Buckby to the north east and Weedon to the south east.
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DAVENTRY IN CONTEXT
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2.3 Planning Policy Context Previous Planning Policy documents include: THE 2010 SITUATION 1974 to 1990: No district wide planning In 2012, the emerging West Northamptonshire Joint document; an Core Strategy set out the basis of a development assemblage of various strategy for Daventry to 2026. The Core Strategy formal and informal reflected the District Council’s ‘Agenda for Growth’, local plans and which would see the town reach a population of around supplementary planning 40,000 by 2026, and which thus proposed substantial guidance new residential development. 1990 to 1997: This Masterplan has been prepared in the context of the Preparation and Agenda and Core strategy but without seeking to revisit adoption of the Daventry the issues addressed in these documents other than in District Local Plan the context of this Masterplan being a longer term 2004 +: Preparation of document that must at least be complementary to the the West District Council’s starting position. Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy THE FUTURE 2011: Publication of the ‘Pre Submission Draft’ of This Masterplan is intended to remain as robust and the Joint Core Strategy applicable as possible for as much as possible of its 30 year timeframe (see Section 2.5). As such it needs to allow for changes to the planning policy context and even substantial changes to the underlying town planning system. A sufficient degree of flexibility is therefore required in the implementation of the measures that this Masterplan advocates.
It is for this reason that the Council intends only to adopt this Masterplan as an Informal Planning Document (IPD). The relationship of the Masterplan to other planning policy documents and whether it is considered relevant in the determination of planning applications will depend on the prevailing town planning system and the judgement of those making the decision.
In 2012 this would include the emerging Core Strategy, Settlements and Countryside Local Plan, any review of the Core Strategy, or any other town planning document subsequently introduced.
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2.4 Previous Studies Previous Studies Include Daventry District Local A significant amount of masterplanning work was Plan (DDC, 1997) undertaken during the 1990s and 2000s. Daventry Town Centre The Daventry Strategic Development Options Study Vision 2021 (Civic Trust, (Atkins, 2005) is the document considered most 2004) comparable to the Daventry 2040 Masterplan, the Study Daventry Design Codes providing a comprehensive assessment of various SPD (DDC, 2005) constraints and opportunities and considering a range of Daventry Master Plan – growth scenarios. Interim Draft (MCA, 2006) However, it is then restrained by its need to ultimately A Sustainable propose a number of strategic development options to Community Strategy for cater for the physical growth of the town including the Daventry District 10,000 new homes allocated in the Sub Regional (Daventry LSP, 2006) Strategy. This focused objective draws the Study away from more conceptual matters and prevents it from Daventry Development being a visionary document. Transport Study (Colin Buchanan, 2007) Despite initially appearing to be quite broad in its scope, Energy & Development the Daventry Master Plan Interim Draft quickly moves SPD (CCD, 2007) on to concentrate on the design and layout of a limited Daventry PRT Scoping number of key areas. Whilst being a useful tool to Study (SKM, 2008) encourage and guide the development of these areas, Strategic Northampton only limited regard is had to social, economic and shire Economic Action environmental considerations and no overall vision for Plan (NCC, 2008+) the town is established. Daventry Infrastructure Similarly, whilst widely respected and again useful in Strategy (URS, 2008+) promoting regeneration, the Daventry Town Centre West Northamptonshire Vision 2021 focuses on the physical aspects of only the Retail Study2008 to 2026 central area and the practical aspects of bringing sites in (WNJPU, 2009) this area forward for development. West Northamptonshire LDF Joint Core Strategy More recently, documents such as the Daventry Design Pre Submission Draft Codes and Energy & Development SPDs provide detailed (WNJPU, 2010) guidance for those designing new buildings, whilst those such as the Daventry Development Transport Study, the Northamptonshire’s Strategic Northamptonshire Economic Action Plan and Environmental Character the Daventry Infrastructure Strategy provide useful and Green Infrastructure background technical information. Suite (NRRP)
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KEY CONSTRAINTS
The map opposite provides an indication of some of the Note: key environmental constraints affecting the area The constraints shown are surrounding Daventry. These constraints, which reflect based on data that, in most some of the technical work carried out in previous cases, did not relate to the studies, serve to indicate just how the area surrounding entire study area for this the town is constrained: Masterplan, thus should To the east, Borough Hill, a Scheduled Ancient only be considered as an Monument stands as an impermeable physical indication of the various barrier to further development; constraints. Full details of the constraints summarised To the south, a combination of inaccessible here, along with others, can gradients, archaeological assets, publicly be found collectively in the accessible greenspace and planning policy previous studies referenced designations (see below) serves to discourage any on the previous page. further development; To the west, a combination of employment areas, planning policy designations, potential additional environmental designations (wildlife sites not shown) and inaccessible gradients counter any suggestions of further development; whilst To the north, the Country Park, Canal, inaccessible gradients and various other constraints make any further development in this direction difficult.
In addition to these environmental constraints, there are various other constraints on the area such as: Planning policy designations: In particular, the land to the south and west of the existing built up area is currently designated as high quality landscape in the Daventry District Local Plan; Movement barriers: In addition to Borough Hill and the western employment areas, the highway network – in particular the A45 to the west and south and the A425 to the east act as barriers to any further development; and Visual Impact: For example, land to the east, west and south of the town has been identified as being highly visually sensitive to any further development.
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KEY ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRAINTS
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2.5 Timeframe
An important aspect of this Masterplan is its timeframe. Any masterplan must be as relevant at its end as at its beginning – to look forward only 20 years risks a masterplan becoming out of date as it becomes 10 or 15 years old. The start date of this Masterplan has therefore been set at 2011 and the end date as 2040, 30 years on. This should ensure that for at least several decades this Masterplan will remain relevant, a document with life left in it.
This timeframe is challenging. People tend to think about ‘now’, or the near future, and about things that might influence their day to day lives; to think 30 years into the future requires a sense of detachment from everyday reality. To demonstrate this, go back 30 years and look forward to the present; back … Through 2000, the introduction of the Euro, the burst of the dotcom bubble and Tony Blair’s election as Prime Minister, Through 1990 the end of the Soviet Union, poll tax riots and the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, and To 1980, Margaret Thatcher’s election as Prime Minister, Ronald Reagan’s election as President of the USA and the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana.
To prepare a masterplan that will be as relevant in 2040, as it is in 2011, is the same as preparing a masterplan in 1980 that remains relevant in 2011.
This is why this Masterplan is only at a conceptual and strategic level. This is why it must be flexible, provide for changing circumstances, and be capable of adapting to the emergence of new technologies, ideas and ways of life. Yet, despite all this, it has to be grounded in reality and practicality, or it will become an aspirational yet ultimately undeliverable plan, simply gathering dust on a shelf.
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3.0 Engagement
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3.0 ENGAGEMENT & CONSULTATION
3.1 Methodology
The term ‘consultation’ means more than being www.daventry2040.info. presented with a virtually complete document, on only Provides information on the discrete aspects of which the opportunity to comment is Masterplan. afforded.
In contrast, especially with such an important issue as this Masterplan, which will inform and guide aspects of the evolution and development of the wider town for decades to come, it was considered absolutely necessary for this Masterplan to be grounded on the results of ‘engagement’ with stakeholders and public consultation to ensure that there was sufficient ownership of the resulting document and its contents.
As such, engagement with stakeholders representing the town’s residents, workers and visitors, along with various authorities, organisations, bodies, groups and agencies has, together with an assessment of the solid technical analysis carried out in previous studies and the responses received from public consultation, has formed A full report on the the backbone of this Masterplan. engagement and A full analysis of the results of this engagement and consultation process is consultation is contained within Appendix A, contained at Appendix A to Engagement & Consultation Report. this Masterplan. PROCESS
A two stage approach to involving people and organisations in the preparation of this Masterplan was adopted:
The first stage was ‘engagement’ with stakeholders, a description of which is contained on the following pages of this Masterplan along with an assessment of the results obtained from the exercise; and The second stage was a public consultation exercise.
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4.0 VISION
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4.0 VISION
4.1 Forming the Vision
The Vision for Daventry in 2040 has been developed from a combination of research, investigation and discussion and incorporates the views, desires and aspirations of those that live, work and visit the town as collected via the stakeholder engagement.
The need for this Masterplan to be robust and achievable, combined with the 30 year timeframe, means that it has to be flexible – capable of adapting to changes, many unexpected and some unpredictable, potentially equivalent in nature and effect to those that have occurred over the past 30 years.
The Vision must therefore establish objectives that are clearly defined, have substantial support, and can thus be achieved, to some extent irrespective of whatever administrative, technical or political hurdles might placed in their path over time. Some of these objectives might be short term, some long term, but the one common factor is that they must all work together.
EXPECTATIONS
It is expected that in 2040: Subject to the vagaries of the future, housing, employment, education and community development will remain of high importance, although whilst remaining high, the importance of employment development might decrease. Leisure and tourism development will remain of relatively low importance, albeit become the only form of development that will increase in importance. Office and high tech employment will remain of upmost and increasing importance, with industry and warehousing employment also remaining of high and increasing importance. Employment in retail, education, leisure and tourism employment
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will be of decreased, albeit still moderate, importance. Shopping will remain by far the most important aspect of the town centre, although its importance might decrease. The business community will continue to remain of high importance whilst, subject to the vagaries of the future, entertainment and social aspects of the town centre will remain of moderate importance. All aspects of housing space, security, safety, access to (public) transport and affordability – will, subject to the vagaries of the future, remain of moderate importance. Public transport will consistently remain the mode of travel of upmost importance that should be most encouraged, with walking and cycling also being seen as of high importance. Subject greatly to the vagaries of the future, the private car will remain the mode of travel that should be least encouraged. The ease and availability of travel will remain of upmost importance; although time will increase in importance to become almost as important. Other aspects of travel – safety, security and cost – will remain of high and increase importance. Subject greatly to the vagaries of the future, all aspects of energy supply will remain of high importance with availability becoming of upmost importance.
These expectations serve as a background for the Vision. They do not, in themselves form the Vision that residents, workers and visitors see for Daventry in 2040, but rather the expected context within which the Vision that is formed and the Masterplan Framework that is built must comfortably sit.
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IDEAS
There is a widespread view that Daventry should not: Stagnate; Become a clone town full of branded shops; or Become an overdeveloped sprawling commuter town reliant on other surrounding towns and cities for the provision of jobs, facilities and/or services.
Equally, there are three possible ideas that have widespread support: A town self sufficient in jobs, social and community facilities and services, and energy, water, recycling and waste infrastructure; A town with a 21st Century transport network; and/or A new University.
LOCATIONS
In general, potential locations for development fall into two categories: areas for potential regeneration and redevelopment – predominantly brownfield sites, and areas for potential new development – predominantly greenfield sites, and include: Significant housing development to the north east of the town centre, with some additional development within and around the periphery of the existing urban area, potentially including mixed use redevelopment of existing employment areas; Regeneration, and potential redevelopment, of the existing employment areas with significant additional employment development between Daventry and Long Buckby alongside the A5 / M1 / Railway, also incorporating new renewable energy generation, water, recycling and waste infrastructure.
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The regeneration of the central area of the town, incorporating the town centre, including some housing but predominantly shopping, offices, leisure, tourism and civic development; Additional leisure, tourism and civic development in association with an expanded network of public open and accessible greenspace and woodland through and around the periphery of the town connecting the country parks, the canal, and the wider surrounding countryside.
VISIONARY OBJECTIVES
Combined, technical evidence and constraints together with the views, desires and aspirations of those that live and work in and visit Daventry come together to describe three objectives that will provide focus to development over the next 30 years.
By 2040, Daventry should become: A safe town of at least 40,000 self sufficient in terms of energy, water waste, employment and social and community facilities and services; A town with significantly improved external connections and an integrated 21st Century transport system; and A town with a significantly improved and diversified education and employment base including a new University.
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4.2 A Self Sufficient Town
DAVENTRY IN 2010
Daventry is a relatively compact market town. Identified for tranches of growth over the past half century, it has expanded rapidly, the population growing fivefold from 4,000 in the 1950s to 22,000 in the 2000s.
It is clear from the research and engagement undertaken for this Masterplan that this rapid growth has led to a perception, common amongst many residents, workers and visitors, that the town lacks a sense, not of identity, but of self worth – a belief that it is overly reliant on other surrounding towns and cities for its day to day needs, particularly: Energy water and waste; Employment; and Society and community.
Energy, Water and Waste
During the late 20th Century consumerism took hold with energy and water consumption, and waste production, all dramatically increasing. Following this, the early 21st Century saw a drive towards energy efficiency, water conservation, recycling and more latterly energy generation from renewable sources and waste reduction.
At the same time, the term ‘sustainability’ arose from the increasing recognition of the need for environmental responsibility, the term being used to mean: “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Global economics and politics now mean that it is practicably impossible, and also socially undesirable, for an individual town, or for that matter any individual Country, to seek to become entirely self sufficient: every town or Country has ‘needs’ that cannot be met locally
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without compromising the expectation and aspirations Recycling of its residents. By 2010 Daventry recycled over 50% of its waste, far in However, self sufficiency does not just relate to the excess of national targets. consumption of natural resources and environmental responsibility, but to other aspects of life – employment and society and community.
Employment
During the 20th Century, town planning embraced the approach whereby people are provided with the ability to live near to where they work – in other words it sought to balance the location of housing with employment development and social and community facilities and services, a locational relationship that had disintegrated during the early 20th Century as it became increasingly easy and cheap to travel long distances. This approach was described by the term ‘reducing the need to travel’.
Many of Daventry’s perceived weaknesses relate to a lack of self sufficiency: people travelling elsewhere to work, to shop and to enjoy themselves.
Contrary to many assertions, Daventry provides a large number of jobs for its residents and for people in area surrounding Daventry. However, these are heavily focused in the industrial and warehousing sector, with the town having a relatively weak office and high tech employment sector, which might serve itself to explain the perceived importance of this latter sector, in both 2010 and 2040.
Whilst the retail, education, leisure and tourism sectors are seen as being of decreased importance in the future, this is likely due to them being seen as less able to deliver the large number of jobs that Daventry needs whereas the traditional ‘employment’ sectors – industry, warehousing and offices – are seen as being more able to deliver the necessary number of jobs.
That Daventry, and the surrounding area, offers so many jobs, but is perceived as having insufficient jobs is
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therefore due to the absence of a cross sector employment balance: residents working in many sectors are forced to travel elsewhere to work as Daventry only provides a limited range of employment opportunity.
Society and Community
The overwhelming impression is that the leakage of employment and society to surrounding towns and cities serves to undermine the strength of the local community, this in turn reducing Daventry’s sense of identity.
The town centre’s retail offering comprising individual shops and two major food chain stores is highly valued, but with few national retailers many residents choose to travel elsewhere, particularly for their irregular comparison shopping.
Whilst the business community element of the town centre is also highly valued, this is not sizeable and thus does not provide the customer base that it might do otherwise.
However the town centre does accommodate the District Council offices and various County Council controlled facilities and services including the police and fire stations, social services office, library and the like, with Danetre Hospital then being located to the south of the central area.
Whilst the entertainment, leisure and nightlife aspects of the town centre are, again, valued, these also suffer from a limited offering, with many desired elements, such a cinema or theatre being absent.
Daventry as a safe place and ensuring community safety and security are also see to be of key importance to the town’s residence.
DAVENTRY IN 2040
To satisfy their desires and aspirations, by 2040 Daventry will have to offer more to its residents, workers and
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visitors. The town’s collective sense of worth will need to have increased, and it should have become less reliant on others.
This collective sense for increased self sufficiency Self Sufficiency manifests itself into an aspiration for the town to be Environmentally, viewed as more environmentally self sufficient, to be economically and socially. more economically self sufficient in the provision of a broad range of employment opportunities for its residents, and to be more socially self sufficient in the provision of civic and community facilities and services for its residents, workers and visitors.
Whilst it is possible to address these three aspects of self sufficiency independently, as expressed in relation to Daventry, it is possible to address them in combination, within an ‘EcoPark’.
Energy, Water and Waste
People generally support energy efficiency, minimisation of water use, recycling and waste reduction measures in principle, it being the practical application of this principle that can require the encouragement offered by fiscal incentives and potentially penalties.
By 2010, significant progress had been made in Daventry in encouraging individual residents to reduce their energy consumption, conserve water and recycle where possible. However, the gap between generation and consumption remained and the application of renewable energy generation, minimisation of water use and recycling requirements to the commercial sector has not reflected their application to the domestic sector.
Together, there therefore exists the scope to develop, at Daventry, a unique approach whereby the town as a whole commits to generating energy from renewable sources, conserving water and recycling wherever possible; however for this to succeed the physical consequences of such an approach have to understood and accepted at the outset.
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Employment
By 2040 it is expected that industry and warehousing will continue as a mainstay of employment in Daventry. However, it is also expected that office and high tech sector will have become increasingly important and remain more so than industry and warehousing. This can potentially be explained by either an anticipated continued need for office and high tech employment, or the importance of newly created employment opportunities in this sector. In either case, there is clearly an established desire that the office and high tech sector form an increased part of the employment base in Daventry.
The iCON Centre provides support for businesses developing innovative approaches to environmental construction and engineering. There exists the possibility, over the medium to long term of significantly expanding this concept to attract existing employers and new businesses to a hub of environmental engineering excellence.
Situated alongside a centre of excellence in the practical application of such technology in the generation of energy, conservation and treatment of water, and recycling of waste, such businesses would significantly broaden Daventry’s employment base.
Society and Community
In 2040 the population of Daventry will have increased dramatically. From a population of only 4,000 in the 1950s, it rose fivefold to 22,000 at the start of the 21st Century. Planned to expand to over 40,000 over the following three decades, this would represent a further doubling in the size of the town.
It is clear that in 2010, the social and community facilities and services on offer to the town’s residents, workers and visitors were insufficient.
Concentrating social and community developments in a single location can result in that location becoming more
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than the sum of individual developments. Key individual A New Cinema uses, facilities or services can also act as a catalyst, In 2006 a Cinema opened in attracting others for their mutual benefit. Didcot, Oxfordshire. With a population similar to By 2040 Daventry will have the opportunity for such a Daventry and with leisure core to have developed a critical mass, whereby that complexes easily accessible core – the regenerated central area, will have sufficient at nearby Oxford and gravitas to draw people to it, who in 2010 might have Reading, the cinema had travelled outside Daventry. taken a long time to arrive, By 2040 investment in the central area will result in it but new housing having scope to deliver the convenience, comparison, development led to an entertainment and community needs currently aspired increase in vibrancy and the to by its residents, workers and visitors. town centres attractiveness
to cinema operators. By 2040 it is also vital that development within Daventry and the surrounding area creates places where people feel safe and secure to both live and work. Enhancing community safety through the incorporation of various design measures including crime prevention and fire safety measures is also essential.
SUMMARY
The potential for addressing, environmental, economic and social self sufficiency in combination should not be missed. Along with the continued social and economic regeneration of the town centre, the potential development of an ‘EcoPark’ offers the scope to significantly broaden the town’s employment base and provide an increased sense of worth.
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THE 2040 VISION
A Self Sufficient Town Daventry in 2040 is a lively and bustling market town that blends the old with the new. With as many jobs as it has workers, the town has a low rate of unemployment and out commuting. Self sustaining the needs of its residents, workers and visitors, the town demonstrates an enviable sense of civic society and community pride. Daventry is a place where people feel safe and secure to both live and work.
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4.3 A 21st Century Transport System
DAVENTRY IN 2010
The expansion of Daventry in the 1960s and 1970s did not reach the levels planned. Whilst this resulted in a relatively compact town, the high capacity road network, designed for the larger town that was planned, makes travelling by car the easiest way to get around. Combined with plentiful and free car parking, this has led to there being limited demand for public transport, and those services that are provided being little used.
In 2010, the ease of movement, both internally within the town and externally to the area surrounding Daventry, particularly given the key role Daventry plays as a service centre for communities in the area surrounding the town, is upmost in the minds of residents, workers and visitors alike. Aspects of travel including time, ease and availability, safety and security and cost are all considered to be of importance, with ease and availability considered of great importance.
Given Daventry’s important role as a service centre for the communities in the area surrounding the town appropriate car parking and a well appointed public transport centre are also important issues.
The most significant issues in 2010 are the substandard external connections – those to other surrounding towns and cities – and the dominance, both internally and externally, of the car as the chosen mode of travel.
The first issue – the substandard external connections – encompasses a lack of rush hour highway capacity on the A45 to the south east of the town – the principal route to Northampton, the nearest city; less than ideal highway connections to other nearby towns – via the A45 to the north west, A361 to the north and south, and A425 to the west; and the lack of a well served and easily accessible railway station.
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This issue cannot be resolved without significant commitment and investment, the like of which is unlikely in the short term.
The second issue – the dominance of the car – results from the high capacity road network, ease of parking, and partially consequential lack of accessibility to an effective public transport system.
This also cannot be resolved until an alternative mode of transport becomes as attractive, for whatever reason, as the car; such a transport system is unlikely to be deliverable in the short term.
DAVENTRY IN 2040
In 2040, it is expected that within Daventry the ease and availability of travel will remain of utmost importance. However, subject to the vagaries of the future, other aspects of travel – time, safety and security and cost – are all expected to increase in importance, with time becoming as important as ease and availability.
In the short term those living, working and visiting Daventry are likely to remain reliant on the car, partly due to the lack of any viable alternative, but also partly due to the car satisfying most of the important aspects of travel.
An important aspect of travel in Daventry in 2040 will be the perceived ‘sustainability’ of travel by the private car. Fossil fuels will not last indefinitely and various measures, taxation and otherwise, are already driving the move towards more fuel efficient cars, and cars powered by other means. Some of these – such as the hydrogen fuel cell – have the potential to change the way the car is perceived, with the only by products of travel being oxygen and water.
In the medium term the continued reliance on the private car means that highway improvements to increase capacity and improve journey times are unavoidable.
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However, this Masterplan is tasked with considering economic and social matters as well as environmental and physical. The over reliance on a single mode of travel is in itself unsustainable with those that, for whatever reason, are excluded from using this mode being relegated to a second rate movement network. For this reason, this Masterplan advocates the creation of a new public transport network to complement the private car. Public Transport Options In the long term, there is scope, subject to issues of cost Bus; and practicability, for a range of public transport Rail; options, each with its own advantages and Light Rail / Tram; disadvantages.
Personal Rapid Transit There are a wide number of factors against which each (PRT); or option can be judged including cost, practicality and Group Rapid Transit likely usage. This Masterplan has not sought to (GRT). investigate these in detail, however has considered each in principle.
Bus
Buses are the only public transport option that does not require some form of trackway. As such, services are both inexpensive to set up and are capable of adaption with relative ease.
However, to some extent buses can also suffer from a recent historical stigma of social divisiveness and can therefore be underused in part because of this. A lack of real time information displays and generally poor accessibility for the disabled and those with children can also serve to further reduce their attraction.
The lack of a permanent trackway also reduces the presence of the service leaving it effectively absent in the mind’s eye, and leaves it vulnerable to congestion affecting other road users (whilst priority measures can assist in reducing this vulnerability, they cannot preclude it altogether). A variation – the guided busway involves the use of a trackway for part of a route, thus enabling buses to avoid areas of significant congestion or allowing increased speed from point to point.
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Due to all other options requiring some form of trackway, it is likely that buses will continue to provide the only source of public transport within Daventry for the short to medium term.
As with the private car, buses will become more fuel efficient and have the same potential to be powered by fuels that do not cause pollution or damage the environment.
In addition, the widespread introduction of modern vehicles, that are well maintained with ease of access facilities for the disabled at both stops and on the vehicles themselves together with a comprehensive and reliable network of real time information displays can make buses an environmentally conscious and attractive form of public transport.
Rail
Whilst a branch line from Long Buckby or Northampton to Daventry town centre might initially appear attractive, the high cost of such a project that would serve only a limited function (with one stop at either end) and the likely difficulty in seeking an operator to run services suggests that such a proposal is unlikely to be viable or practicable.
Light Rail / Tram
Modern trams can be highly effective, but generally tend to highly expensive to both set up and operate. As with rail, PRT and GRT, trams require a trackway which brings with it issues of severance, safety and visual intrusion.
As with rail, the high cost of a tram network for Daventry, and the significant infrastructure required suggests that such a proposal is unlikely to be viable or practicable.
Personal Rapid Transit
PRT is a system of driverless ‘cyberpods’, each typically for no more than four people. The concept envisages
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individual cyberpods being called by users who then use the cyberpod to travel via a network of trackways to their destination.
Individually electrically powered, the cyberpods do not require the overhead cables required by trams, are quiet and do not produce pollution, and due to their automation, are safe, efficient and easy to use. As they are driverless running costs are low.
However PRT is yet to be tested on more than a single track or at a scale that would be necessary at Daventry. The requirement for a trackway raises the same issues of severance and visual intrusion as with trams, and potentially more so due to the requirement for a close knit network if the system is to offer a truly ‘personal’ point to point service.
In terms of ease of use and availability, PRT appears to offer the ideal solution, but issues of severance, visual intrusion and the high set up cost of constructing a close knit network of trackways suggests that PRT is unlikely to be a viable or practicable solution for Daventry.
Group Rapid Transit
Similar to PRT, GRT is a system of driverless ‘cyberbuses’ whereby users call a cyberbus which then proceeds directly to the desired destination unless called by other users to pick up or set down along the way, potentially making slight course deviations to do so (scheduled or on demand services are possible depending on the level of demand).
In comparison to PRT, GRT has advantages and disadvantages. Whilst PRT relies on conveying individuals from point to point, GRT can be restricted to a more restricted network. Fewer vehicles and less trackway are therefore required, thus set up and running costs are lower and issues of severance and visual intrusion more easily dealt with; however a less personal, and potentially less attractive, service is offered.
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As with PRT, GRT is re quiet, does not produce pollution, and due to its automation, is safe, efficient and easy to use with relatively low running costs.
Personal safety is comparable to PRT, potentially better as the system is more ‘public’ and with improved waiting facilities at stops, shorter waits and central monitoring
In some ways GRT can be viewed as an automated version of the standard bus; however with centralised control and no commitment by an individual cyberbus to a predetermined route (subject to scheduling and demand), the system can be tailored far more easily to users, thus significantly reducing waiting times and the time taken to reach a destination.
SUMMARY
GRT appears to offer the best long term Advanced Public Transport System (APTS) for Daventry that satisfies all the important aspects of travel – time, ease and availability, safety and security and cost.
However, the practical application of such a costly system to the entire town means that an enhanced bus based public transport network with new low carbon vehicles, ease of access facilities and reliable real time information displays is likely to remain the best available option in the short to medium term.
THE 2040 VISION
A 21st Century Transport System Whilst benefitting internally from virtually no traffic congestion, and with good connections to neighbouring towns and cities, the ease and efficiency of the recently completed APTS network offers residents, workers and visitors alike the ability to move freely and safely around the town and connect further afield to long distance rail and air services without the need for personal transport.
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4.4 A University of Daventry
DAVENTRY IN 2010
Education provision in Daventry is, in 2010, inadequate and unable to meet the needs of the town’s residents, with many schoolchildren having to travel to other surrounding towns and cities. This does not assist in the sense of self worth discussed earlier.
That education is viewed as one of the least important types of development, is likely due to this poor provision.
DAVENTRY IN 2040
Described in the past as the Daventry Learning Quarter, he objective of developing a University in Daventry is two fold: the existence of such a high education institution, together with appropriate related employment opportunities, will not only contribute to the self sufficiency of the town, but should also assist the provision of improved education facilities and services at other levels – primary and particularly secondary levels.
The planned expansion of the town will create the demand for additional educational facilities at all levels, with the potential for tertiary and non mainstream elements to be focused on a single new campus.
The expansion of the town’s employment base to provide a focus for academic research and the practical application of environmental engineering excellence has the potential to provide an added catalyst for the development of a new University.
SUMMARY
The creation of a new University appears to offer an opportunity to address issues of social, educational and economic self sufficiency that the town currently lacks.
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THE 2040 VISION
A University of Daventry The newly designated ‘University of Daventry’, founded 30 years ago as the iCON Centre, combines academic and vocational excellence in providing a leading light in the teaching of environmental technologies and sustainable engineering and construction.
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4.5 The Vision
Daventry in 2040 is a lively and bustling market town that blends the old with the new. With as many jobs as it has workers, the town has a low rate of unemployment and out commuting. Self sustaining the needs of its residents, workers and visitors, the town demonstrates an enviable sense of civic society and community pride. Daventry is a place where people feel safe and secure to both live and work. Whilst benefitting internally from virtually no traffic congestion, and with good connections to neighbouring towns and cities, the ease and efficiency of the recently completed Advanced Transport System offers residents, workers and visitors alike the ability to move freely and safely around the town and connect further afield to long distance rail and air services without the need for personal transport. The newly designated ‘University of Daventry’, founded 30 years ago as the iCON Centre, combines academic and vocational excellence in providing a leading light in the teaching of environmental technologies and sustainable engineering and construction.
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5.0 Framework
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5.0 MASTERPLAN FRAMEWORK
5.1 Building the Framework
The Vision has established clear objectives for Daventry for the period to 2040.
Whether these objectives will be delivered will depend on the practical application of various measures on the ground by the populace, authorities and developers over the forthcoming decades. These measures will comprise the adoption of policies, proposals for and the implementation of physical development, and the provision of encouragement and incentives.
To remain pertinent and robust over the decades, the Framework described in this Masterplan must be flexible and thus, to some extent, imprecise and unspecific, however it can provide a skeleton on which the flesh of these measures can be hung.
THEMES
The Framework is structured around four ‘themes’, created specifically for this Masterplan, which cover all issues potentially of importance to Daventry over the next 30 years and will remain robustly relevant over the decades:
A Green Town addressing issues relating to the natural and built environment Ease of Movement addressing issues relating to travel and the built environment A Safe, Strong and Vibrant Community addressing issues relating to society, community, safety, security, the economy and the built environment A Place to be Proud addressing issues relating to society, community, the economy and the natural environment
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5.2 A Green Town
CARBON REDUCTION
There exists, at Daventry, the scope to develop a unique approach whereby the town as a whole commits to generating energy from renewable sources, conserving water and recycling wherever possible.
Whilst this ‘self sufficiency’ is only theoretical, if it were to become widespread across the country, it would represent a step change in collective environmental consciousness.
Daventry is typical of a small market town that expanded rapidly during the 20th Century. Whilst constructed at a relatively low density, the failure of the town to reach its planned size resulted in it remaining relatively compact – barely 4km across.
The locational strategy for development advocated by this Masterplan, although breaking the 2010 boundaries of the town, is based on the ideal of reducing the need to travel, and where travel is necessary, ensuring that a viable attractive alternative to the private car is available. This locational strategy is described further under the other themes.
This Masterplan also advocates a gradual increase in the standards applicable to new residential, commercial and public buildings over and above that required as a minimum.
For Daventry to achieve a reputation for environmental excellence it has to put itself ahead of others, which can only be done by exceeding minimum standards.
This is of particular importance if the town is to build on the iCON Centre and develop a leading academic and commercial role in the promotion of environmental construction and engineering (see Daventry EcoPark on page 47).
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Although a substantial amount of new built development is planned, by 2040 this will represent less than half the total amount of housing and only a small percentage of non residential development.
Thus, in addition to promoting excellence in new buildings, this Masterplan advocates the maximum possible support for existing residents and businesses in seeking to improve the energy efficiency or water conservation capability of their existing properties.
GREENSPACE INFRASTRUCTURE
To assist with carbon reduction and offsetting measures, this Masterplan advocates significant tree planting and the associated creation of new areas of public open and accessible greenspace through around Daventry, including: A Boundary Park/Wood circling the town with a belt of as practically as possible continuous uninterrupted publicly accessible greenspace and woodland, to provide increased ecological biodiversity, opportunities for outdoor carbon free forms of leisure and recreation and access to the countryside by way of improved pedestrian and cycle links from the existing built up area; A Canal Park, similar in form and function to the Boundary Park/Wood linking the expanded Country Park and Boundary Park/Wood to the new Daventry EcoPark (see opposite); and A new Danetree Wood (of approximately 750 1000 ha) to act as an immediate carbon sink to offset any increase in carbon emissions from the enlarged town and to provide a sustainable local source of timber and derived products.
Access to this enhanced network of greenspace infrastructure would be available from the town centre / central area directly to the Country Park, from the Long Buckby Multimodal Interchange (see section 5.3) and EcoPark (see following page) to the Canal Park and from all areas of the town to the Boundary Park/Wood.
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DAVENTRY ECOPARK
Located broadly along the B4036 Long Buckby Road adjacent to the North East Sustainable Urban Expansion, in a commercially attractive position, this Masterplan advocates the creation of an ‘EcoPark’ where the practical application of environmental construction and engineering technology can be trialled, whilst at the same time contributing to the town’s self sufficiency.
Whilst it is not appropriate for the Masterplan to be overly prescriptive, it is envisaged that this might consist of: A Science Park, to build on the success of the iCON Centre and provide for, and develop a core of, larger businesses involved in environmental construction and engineering. Contrasting to a typical business park, it would comprise low rise low density environmental science and engineering facilities, including high tech research labs and office accommodation of a type Daventry currently lacks.
RENEWABLES FARM
In preparing this Masterplan for Daventry the concept of a renewables farm was identified. Whilst detailed work on the location for this facility has not been examined in detail, DIRFT may provide a suitable location. This might include:
Energy generating infrastructure utilising wind, water, geothermal, solar, waste or any other appropriate form of renewable energy.
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A GREEN TOWN: STRATEGY
This Masterplan advocates: Short term: Increased support for increasing energy efficiency and water conservation within existing homes. Adoption of a requirement for all new commercial and public buildings, and 25%* of all new housing, to achieve an environmental rating at least one level* above the minimum otherwise required. Adoption of a requirement for 10%* of all new housing to, where practicably feasible, be carbon neutral and incorporate renewable energy generation technology. Planning and preparatory work for longer term measures including the EcoPark. Medium term: Adoption of requirement for all new commercial and public buildings, and 50%* of all new housing to, where practicably feasible, be carbon neutral and incorporate either renewable energy generation or green roof technology. Adoption of a requirement for 25%* of all new housing to, where practicably feasible, be carbon neutral and incorporate renewable energy generation technology. Adoption of energy efficiency and water conservation measures by businesses. Long term: Adoption of a requirement for 50%* of all new housing to, where practicably feasible, be carbon neutral and incorporate renewable energy generation technology. Completion of Phase 1 of the EcoPark.
* Numerical targets expressed are indicative and subject to confirmation and application by means other than this Masterplan.
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A GREEN TOWN: FRAMEWORK PLAN
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5.3 Ease of Movement
The way we move around a place is governed not just by the physical structure of the town – the layout of its buildings, roads and pathways, and the degree to which we can understand and navigate through this, but also by the modes of travel available to us.
GREENSPACE NETWORK
This Masterplan advocates the creation of significant new public open and accessible greenspace (see pages 60 and 73) including: A Boundary Park circling the town providing increased opportunities for outdoor leisure and recreation and access to the countryside by way of improved pedestrian and cycle links from the existing built up area; and A Canal Park, similar in form and function to the Boundary Park linking the expanded Country Park and Boundary Park to the new Daventry EcoPark.
The extension to the Canal into the town centre will also connect the greenspace network to a major element of town centre regeneration proposals – the WaterSpace development, comprising shops, offices, homes, social and community facilities and new public urban space
LONG BUCKBY MULTIMODAL INTERCHANGE
In 2010 the facilities at Long Buckby railway station are poor. This Masterplan advocates various developments between Daventry and Long Buckby and thus also improvements to the station facilities to increase its attraction to (potential) railway users.
APTS NETWORK
This Masterplan advocates the development of an Advanced Public Transport System (APTS) comprising a network of on and off road sections. The high capacity semi grid network constructed in parts of the town
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during the latter half of the 20th Century provide significant scope for high speed congestion free off road sections, whilst in the town centre and certain residential areas, on road provision will need to be made. This Masterplan does not advocate any sections of elevated trackway, but instead a combination of the at ground approach used in guided busways (on road sections) and light rail networks (off road sections).
The network shown opposite provides for all parts of Daventry to be within 5 minutes of the APTS network and from there all other parts of the expanded town, the EcoPark and the LBMI, with a possible extension to Weedon in conjunction with improvements to the A45.
HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENTS
A Sustainable Location Separately to this Masterplan, studies will be undertaken to consider the various advantages and disadvantages of This Masterplan advocates the options for improving the A45 between Daventry predominantly residential and Junction 16 of the M1. This Masterplan advocates development (the South improvements to the A45 but does not propose a East SUE), on the south specific route to allow detailed proposals to be eastern periphery of considered at the appropriate time. Daventry around the A45, and thus in a highly Elsewhere, it is important to recognise that Daventry is a accessible location, in a town designed with ease of movement by the private car manner similar to that in mind. Whilst this mode of travel should not be proposed in the Interim encouraged, there is the potential for its negative Draft Master Plan (MCA, environmental impact to lessen as technology develops 2006). and alternative fuels to petrol that result in lower carbon dioxide emissions become more common. (See also ‘Car Usage Restrictions’ below.)
CAR USAGE RESTRICTIONS
However, to maintain the commercial attraction of the retail and other facilities within the town centre, the relative ease of car travel and parking in and around Daventry should be continued. Further restrictions on car usage should only be considered once a sufficiently attractive alternative – i.e. the APTS network – is sufficiently operational.
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EASE OF MOVEMENT: STRATEGY
This Masterplan advocates: Short term: Enhancement of the town’s footpath and cycleway network, and improved accessibility to public transport services. Improved publicity and signage of footpath and cycleway facilities and public transport services to aid legibility. Planning and preparatory work for longer term measures including the Canal Arm and associated WaterSpace development, improvements to the A45 and A5, improved facilities at the LBMI and the creation of an APTS network. Medium term: Identification and creation of new footpaths and cycleways to aid permeability both across the town and into the surrounding countryside. Completion of the Canal Arm and WaterSpace development. Highway improvements to the A45 and A5 to the east of the town. Improved facilities at the LBMI. Long term: Consideration of measures to restrict car usage. Improvements to other A road connections to Daventry. Completion of an APTS network within Daventry, connecting the town and town centre to the University, EcoPark and LBMI, with a possible long distance extension to DIRFT.
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EASE OF MOVEMENT: FRAMEWORK PLAN
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5.4 A Safe, Strong and Vibrant Community
HOUSING
New housing is critical to the delivery of most other objectives and strategies in this Masterplan; without housing it is unlikely that sufficient funding will be available for the other measures advocated. Daventry is planned to expand from 22,000 to 40,000 people between 2001 and 2026 – approximately 7,200 new households. Some of the housing needed to deliver this commitment was built or committed by 2010.
There is widespread support amongst those that live and work in and visit Daventry for substantial new housing – approximately 4,000 new homes, to the north east of the town. Research undertaken during the preparation of this Masterplan has supported the North East Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE) as the most appropriate general location for large scale housing led development. The South East SUE was previously proposed in the Interim Draft Masterplan. Similarly to the north east SUE, this Masterplan advocates the continued pursuance this general location for new housing led development. It is also considered important that these developments contribute to the creation of attractive gateways to the town.
In addition to the new SUEs, there is significant support for the long planned regeneration of the Southbrook residential area.
RETAIL
The improvements planned to the central area and town centre, including the WaterSpace development, will, by 2040 have introduced new retail, entertainment, office, educational and social uses and activity to the town centre. This Masterplan strongly advocates the continuation of the town centre as the pre eminent location for shopping in Daventry and does not advocate any further retail development other than small scale
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local convenience provision within the new large scale housing developments and existing local centres.
EMPLOYMENT
Daventry has a reasonably sizeable number of employment areas providing a large number of jobs, albeit predominantly within the industrial and warehousing sectors, with little office floorspace. The redevelopment, regeneration and intensification of these areas, particularly The Marches and the large employment areas on the western side of the town, will continue to provide a wide range of industrial and warehousing employment opportunities.
The planned WaterSpace development within the town centre will introduce new office floorspace in the most sustainable location and will act to secure the town centre’s role as provider of a substantial proportion of Daventry’s office floorspace in line with this Masterplan’s objective of improving employment opportunities, particularly office accommodation, in sustainable locations. Similarly, the EcoPark (see page 47) will provide new opportunities for businesses related to environmental construction and engineering whilst the increase in leisure and tourism provision (see below) will serve to secure and increase employment provision in this sector. The increasing significance of ‘working from home’ will clearly also influence the employment opportunities within Daventry in the future.
COMMUNITY SAFETY & SECURITY
Daventry in 2040 must be a safe place where people feel safe and secure to both live and work.
Community safety and security can be enhanced through the incorporation of various design measures including crime prevention and fire safety measures.
New developments and redevelopments within the town and the surrounding area should be designed within the principles of ‘Secured by Design’, or any subsequent document, as this is proven to be effective
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in cutting crime and anti social behaviour and also helps to reduce the carbon cost of crime through reducing both the cost of investigating and the cost of replacing good for the victims of crime.
LEISURE & TOURISM
Daventry has a wealth of natural resources – two Country Parks, two reservoirs, two scheduled ancient monuments, and a Canal. Forming a valuable resource, these areas are, in 2010, unconnected. This Masterplan advocates the creation of a connected network of greenspace including new accessible public open space and significant tree planting (see pages 60 and 73).
This enhanced and expanded greenspace network will include the best known historical asset in Daventry – Borough Hill, which, in 2010, is underutilised as leisure/recreation opportunity or as a tourism attractor. As such, there is significant potential for this asset to be better managed, with greater public accessibility and educational interpretation.
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A SAFE, STRONG AND VIBRANT COMMUNITY: STRATEGY
This Masterplan advocates: Short term: Planning and preparatory work for the North East and South East SUEs. Commencement of the town centre WaterSpace development and associated Canal Arm. Identification of and planning and preparatory work for further central area regeneration measures. Regeneration of The Marches employment area. Commencement of regeneration and intensification of the western employment areas. Planning and preparatory work for the EcoPark. All new developments and redevelopments should be designed within the principles of ‘Secured by Design’, or any subsequent document. Medium term: Commencement of the North East and South East SUEs. Completion of the town centre WaterSpace development, including Phase 1 of the Daventry Learning Quarter. Ongoing central area regeneration measures. Completion of initial regeneration measures within The Marches employment area and commencement of longer term intensification measures. Ongoing regeneration and intensification of the western employment areas. All new developments and redevelopments should be designed within the principles of ‘Secured by Design’, or any subsequent document. Long term: Completion of the North East and South East SUEs.
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Ongoing central area regeneration measures. Ongoing intensification of The Marches and the western employment areas. Completion of Phase 1 of the EcoPark. All new developments and redevelopments should be designed within the principles of ‘Secured by Design’, or any subsequent document.
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A STRONG AND VIBRANT COMMUNITY: FRAMEWORK PLAN
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5.5 A Place to be Proud
This theme encompasses issues not normally addressed by a masterplan, issues pertaining to society and community values and to the metaphysical rather than the tangible.
Whether people feel proud of where they live depends on a wide variety of factors; in 2010, whilst there was pride, there was also much hope and desire to make Daventry a better place in which to live and work, and which to visit.
The objective as set out in the Vision relates Daventry in 2040 being a lively and bustling market town with an enviable sense of civic society and communal pride.
Part of that collective society and pride will come about if the other tangible elements of this Masterplan are realised, such as: The improvements to employment and environmental self sufficiency – including the creation of the EcoPark as a leading centre of environmental excellence; The construction of an APTS network; and The development of a new University.
Part of it will depend on the metaphysical – on the populace, the way it interacts, the way it perceives itself and the way it presents itself to the outside world.
The physical structures advocated by this Masterplan provide a framework to facilitate the building of the enviable sense of civic society and communal pride referred to in the Vision.
Rather than typical forms of development, many such as the EcoPark represent innovative, class leading ideals to increase the populace’s sense of self belief and self worth.
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The challenge for the populace, authorities and developers is to ensure the delivery of this added value, belief and worth over the years to come.
THE WOODS AND PARKS
Critical to a populace’s sense of well being and happiness is it’s exposure to a high quality outdoor environment.
Daventry is lucky. Its network of Country Parks and outdoor spaces is already, in 2010, substantial. Within planned developments are further swathes of public open space.
This Masterplan advocates three forms of enhancement to the 2010 offering comprising: The designation and formalisation of additional public open space as a Boundary Park and Canal Park; Significant additional tree planting (associated with the environmental objectives set out in relation to the ‘A Green Town’ theme) – termed for this Masterplan as the Boundary and Danetree Woods; and The physical connection of these principal areas of public open space and improvements to the network of footpaths and cycleways within them to allow, as practicably as possible, uninterrupted flows of greenspace, flora and fauna around and through the town, along the Canal and into the surrounding countryside.
Such a comprehensive network of public open and accessible greenspace will serve to both assist the achievement of environmental objectives set out in the Vision, aid the populace’s sense of well being and thus increase its overall sense of civic society and communal pride.
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THE LEARNING QUARTER AND UNIVERSITY
Long planned, the Learning Quarter represents the first stage of improvements to the education sector in Daventry.
Forming part of the town centre regeneration proposals, located within the proposed WaterSpace development, the Learning Quarter will offer education opportunities for many ages and sections of Daventry society.
Funding has now been achieved to construct a University Technical College in the town on Ashby Road. It is expected that the facility will be ready to use in September 2013. This clearly demonstrates Daventry’s commitment to the improvement of the education sector in the town.
The suggested evolution of the Learning Quarter through a University College to a new University reflects the nature of the proposition as a long term aspirational objective.
Whilst the timeframe of this Masterplan is sufficient for this to be achievable, the practicability and deliverability of the objective is reliant on the commitment of many other bodies, organisations and authorities; but it is achievable.
Its inclusion reflects the widespread support received from stakeholders and the public for the creation of such an institution and should be seen in the context of the significant boost that it would provide to civic society and communal pride within Daventry if achieved.
The expansion of the town’s employment base to provide a focus for academic research and the practical application of environmental engineering excellence has the potential to provide an added catalyst for the development of a new University.
The University is advocated in light of the other objectives contained within the Vision for Daventry for the next 30 years – the increased social, employment
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and environmental self sufficiency, and the construction of an APTS network. Together these represent the collective desire of the populace to turn Daventry into a centre of environmental excellence – from a reduced need to travel to travel itself becoming as sustainable as possible.
The creation of a University drawing together aspects of this social, employment and environmental self sufficiency is a logical aspiration and provides the long term target for the gradual improvement of education provision in the town.
Physical delivery of a new University does not require a substantial individual site or substantial buildings. In the form advocated – as a collective enterprise including aspects of the proposed Learning Quarter and EcoPark, the University would become integrated within the town and its society and physically present on a number of sites.
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A PLACE TO BE PROUD: STRATEGY
This Masterplan advocates: Short term: Commencement of development of the town centre Learning Quarter (located within the canalside WaterSpace development). Planning and preparatory work for longer term measures including the Boundary Park and Wood, Danetree Wood and Canal Park. Medium term: Commencement of planting within the Woods and Parks. Amalgamation of the Learning Quarter, iCON Centre and lead elements of the EcoPark into the new Daventry University College. Long term: Designation of the University College as the new ‘University of Daventry’.
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A PLACE TO BE PROUD: FRAMEWORK PLAN
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5.6 The Framework
SUMMARY
This Masterplan sets out how the Vision can achieved, If the Vision is achieved, by but how it is achieved will depend on its adoption by the 2040 Daventry will prevailing town planning system and its development become: into policies and proposals for delivery and the practical Environmentally application of these on the ground by the populace, sustainable and self authorities and developers over the forthcoming sufficient; decades.
A better connected The key aspects of the Framework are: town with a 21st New housing led development to the north east Century transport and south east of Daventry, ensuring the creation network; of attractive gateways to the town, and within the A safer, stronger and existing urban area, including the regeneration of more vibrant the Southbrook housing estate; community; and Regeneration of the central area of the town for ultimately retail, office, civic/tourism, leisure and housing A place in which its development; residents, workers and The creation of an EcoPark; visitors can feel safe and be proud of. The regeneration of existing employment areas within the town, particularly The Marches and the western employment areas; Improvements to the A45 between Daventry and the M1; The creation of an APTS network around the town and linking to the EcoPark and improved Long Buckby Multimodal Interchange (LBMI); A connected network of public open and accessible greenspace including a new Canal Park, Boundary Park, and significant new tree planting around and to the north west of the town; and The development of a new University from an initial base around the iCON Centre and Learning Quarter within the WaterSpace development.
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FRAMEWORK PLAN
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APPENDICES
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APPENDIX 1
Bound separately.
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www.daventry2040.info Prepared by:
for:
Daventry District Council Lodge Road, Daventry, Northampton, NN11 4FP 01327 871 100 daventrydc.gov.uk
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