Design & Access Statement

Proposed Railway Training Centre of Excellence Coleg y Cymoedd – Nantgarw

New Motor Vehicle Training Centre of Excellence Design & Access Statement

Contents Page

Introduction ...... 1

Site Appraisal ......

Site Analysis ...... 3

Context Analysis ...... 4

Policy Context & Involvement...... 5

Design......

Access & Movement ...... 7

Character ...... 8

Community Safety & Environmental Sustainability ……...... 10

Final Design Proposals ...... 11

New Railway Training Centre of Excellence – Coleg Y Cymoedd – Nantgarw Design & Access Statement

1.0 – Introduction and Project Brief

The College’s Corporate Board intends to further develop new training facilities which will address the current and future needs of learners, improve post‐16 take‐up of educational and training opportunities, thereby improving the financial performance of the College and safeguarding long term viability.

This new project is also needed as evidenced from the merged College Estate Strategy, and forms part of the Estates Reconfiguration and Rationalisation Project (2008 – 2018). This project will deliver a training centre for the railway industry to service the South East Wales region for railway engineering (Permanent Way, NVQs and Apprenticeships). The centre will also facilitate the training and up‐skilling for the current and future generation of railway workers. There is a significant shortfall of skilled labour now and predicted for the next 10‐20 years in the rail sector. The ‘National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering’ (NSARE) has developed a skills forecast for the next 10‐20 years for the industry which covers the following elements and clearly identifies huge shortfalls in skilled workforce.

Currently there is no specific railway training centre of this calibre within the Welsh region. Therefore there is a need for this centre to facilitate the rail expansion and upgrading plans by Network Rail which are currently starting and are already funded for the next 10 years with a £10bn spend.

This new purpose built training facility will allow individuals to become trained in the skills needed for working in the railway sector. This will include those wishing to become employed within the sector as well as those currently working in the sector who may not be qualified and are seeking to gain qualifications. In addition there are a number of transferrable skills such as building works trades and electrical trades which can be migrated across into the railway environment and this training facility will help achieve this.

In October 2014, Coleg Y Cymoedd appointed Interserve Construction at the earliest opportunity to develop the brief, design and construct the new training centre of excellence. The Works will comprise a new Railway Training Centre and will include associated external works comprising car park reconfiguration, drainage and services.

On appointment, the design had reached RIBA Stage 1 (early preparation of the Brief).

The Client required the contractor to become involved and provide the benefit of their construction experience at an early stage of the scheme development. The intention through this first stage tender process was to establish a preferred Contractor who will take the project forward from Stage 1, to commission all necessary surveys, submit planning application and develop the design information to provide a full design solution aspiring to a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating for the new build element.

The Employer appointed Mott Macdonald as Project Manager, Quantity Surveyor, CDMC, Supervisor and Ecologist to act on their behalf.

Interserve Construction has appointed the following team in order to drive the project forward in order to design and construct the new Training Centre to be in operation by the new academic term in September 2015.

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New Railway Training Centre of Excellence – Coleg Y Cymoedd – Nantgarw Design & Access Statement

The team comprises of the following members:

Lawray Architects – Architecture

Bingham Hall Partnership – Structural and Civil Engineering

McCann & Partners – MEP Engineers

Greenbuild Consult – BREEAM and AP

Hunter Acoustics – Acoustic Consultants

Key delivery dates are as follows:

Contractor appointment ‐ October 2014

Submit Planning Application – November 2014

Start on site ‐ February 2015

Completion ‐ August 2015

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New Railway Training Centre of Excellence – Coleg Y Cymoedd – Nantgarw Design & Access Statement

2.0 ‐ Site Analysis

2.1 Access Points

The proposed Railway Training Centre is to be constructed on the existing Nantgarw campus. The campus can be accessed from the north and south via the A470. The actual campus lies on the main estate road, Heol Crochendy that also serves a number of food retail outlets and the popular Showcase Cinema. The majority of college traffic comes from the southern exit of the A470 with the remainder via the A4054 estate roads, both which eventually lead onto Heol Crochendy.

The main campus building, recently completed in 2012 is accessed from the western side of Heol Crochendy. The remaining campus buildings where the Railway Training Centre is to located are to the east of Heol Crochendy and accessed via the McDonald’s roundabout and car parking is situated to the side and rear of the buildings.

2.2 Boundaries

The existing North boundary of the proposed site consists of car parking and external rail track teaching areas. The eastern boundary houses a number of car parking facilities and a green buffer zone to the A470. The southern boundary backs onto the Santia Consulting Building with Heol Crochendy running along the western boundary that separates the site from the 2012 campus building.

2.3 Site Features

The existing College Site is made up of primarily hard landscaped areas. There are various landscaped areas scattered around individual buildings and between parking areas offering opportunities for recreation. There are a variety of areas designated for parking.

The proposed Training Centre is located to the north of the old campus site. The current site is a hard standing car park. The car parking is proposed to be relocated and extended as part of the scheme. See section 5.0 for further details.

2.4 Topography

The overall campus is flat throughout. All buildings can be safely accessed within the requirements of the Equalities Act. The candidate site for the Motor Vehicle Training Centre forms part of an existing flat car park. It is proposed to relocate the parking and extend accordingly as part of the scheme.

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New Railway Training Centre of Excellence – Coleg Y Cymoedd – Nantgarw Design & Access Statement

2.5 Constraints & Opportunities

The candidate site should carefully consider the existing buildings adjacent including access and egress. The buildings orientation should consider optimising minimal impact on the classroom areas from the sun from the south and west. The south elevation is shaded by the existing adjacent teaching block. The western elevation is screened by a number of existing trees and planting. The scale and height of existing adjacent building to the south will offer protection from the low morning sun. The roof will be designed to accommodate, where possible, an array of PV panelling to maximise solar gain and produce a sustainable source of energy for the building.

The site is located off a relatively busy estate road that serves a number of industrial and retail units. The proximity of the road should be fully considered to ensure minimal noise impact on the proposed development. Acoustic surveys have been carried out to measure the potential effect of noise on the building and its users. There is an opportunity to uplift the north and west elevations of the building to create an impact from passing vehicular and pedestrian traffic from the estate road.

The potential for air pollution due to the distance of the proposed site from the nearest road(s) is to be considered. The preferred ventilation strategy would be to naturally ventilate the building where possible.

3.0 ‐ Context Analysis

3.1 Character Appraisal

Nantgarw is a village in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, near Cardiff.

From an electoral and administrative perspective Nantgarw falls within the ward of Taffs Well, a village some 2.5 miles south, but historically fell within the boundaries of Caerphilly, which is a major town located less than 2.5 miles to the

east.

The original village was destroyed by the development of the A470 trunk road, which was situated at the location of the current Nantgarw/A468 junction. Located close to the A470, Nantgarw is within easy reach of the town of Pontypridd (5.5 miles to the northwest) and Cardiff City centre (around 7.5 miles further south).

Nantgarw lies on the River Taff, it is known for its porcelain, produced in between 1813‐1814, and later between 1817‐ 1820 at the Nantgarw Pottery, commemorated at the China Works Museum.

After the building of the Glamorganshire Canal, by the 1841 census of the 300 residents, about 60 owed their living to work associated directly with the canal. But the development of drift mines and the development of the Taff Vale Railway, meant that by 1875 the majority of the villages residents were colliers.

The development of the village stopped until the 1910 development of the Nantgarw Colliery, but various geographical problems resulted in a series of stalled developments of the colliery until post World War II, when new workings and a

coking coal plant were developed by 1951. A new village settlement was then built on the hillside behind the colliery.

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New Railway Training Centre of Excellence – Coleg Y Cymoedd – Nantgarw Design & Access Statement

3.2 Local Facilities

The site is central the Treforest Industrial Estate. The estate has a mix of office, retail, industrial and education establishments.

There are a number of fast food outlets within 100 metres of the site along with a popular cinema and bowling complex. Further into the industrial estate are a number of retail businesses along with banks, a fuel station and post office.

Treforest estate has its own train station although this is located approximately 30 minutes’ walk from the campus.

There are a number of bus routes available from the stops located directly outside of the campus. These frequent services again, are popular in connecting students and staff to neighbouring towns and further afield.

4.0 ‐ Policy Context

The planning policy framework for the determination of this application is provided by the content and scope of National Planning Guidance, together with the Development Plan. National planning policy is contained within Planning Policy Wales (PPW), first published by the Welsh Government in March 2002.

The national policy framework relevant to the proposed development consists of:

• Planning Policy Wales (PPW) Edition 5

• Technical Advice Note 12: Design, 2002

• Technical Advice Note 22: Planning for Sustainable Buildings (cancelled in July 2014)

The planning policy framework for the determination of this application is provided by the content and scope of National planning guidance, together with the Development Plan. National planning policy is contained within Planning Policy Wales (PPW), published by the Welsh Government. PPW is supported by 23 topic based Technical Advice Notes (TANs) which are also relevant. PPW is the Welsh Assembly Government’s principal planning policy document and it sets out the context for sustainable land use planning policy, within which Local Planning Authorities’ statutory Development Plans are prepared and development control decisions on individual applications and appeals are taken.

PPW sets out the land‐use policy context for the consideration and evaluation of all types of development. The main thrust of PPW is to promote sustainable development by ensuring that the planning system provides for an adequate and continuous supply of land available and suitable for development to meet society’s needs in a way that is consistent with overall sustainability principles.

Amongst other considerations, PPW seeks to promote resource efficient settlement patterns that minimise land take and urban sprawl, locate development so as to minimise demand for travel, ensure that all communities have good

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New Railway Training Centre of Excellence – Coleg Y Cymoedd – Nantgarw Design & Access Statement

quality housing for their needs and safe neighbourhoods, promote access to employment, shopping, education, health, community, leisure and sports facilities and open space.

The purpose of TAN 12 is to equip all those involved in the design of development with advice on how ‘Promoting sustainability through good design’ and ‘Planning for sustainable buildings’ may be facilitated through the planning system and the preparation and validation of mandatory design and access statements. Throughout the guidance Design is defined in PPW (TAN12) as: ‘the relationship between all elements of the natural and built environment. To create sustainable development, design must go beyond aesthetics and include the social, environmental and economic aspects of the development, including its construction, operation and management, and its relationships to its surroundings.’ Tan 12 emphasizes that ‘Good design is also inclusive design. The principles of inclusive design are that it places people at the heart of the design process, acknowledges diversity and difference, offers choice where a single design solution cannot accommodate all users, provides for flexibility in use, and, provides buildings and environments that are convenient and enjoyable to use for everyone’.

Although TAN22 was cancelled in July 2014, the guidance has still been considered as a benchmark for a level of sustainability. An initial BREEAM pre assessment workshop was carried out at the earliest convenience and indicates that an ‘Excellent’ rating is being targeted. Further details of how policy will be implemented are included in the Environmental Statement section of this report.

The proposals in this Application have also been developed in accordance with the requirements of the relevant Policies in the RCT Development plan. In particular CSW (Development in the South), AW 5 (New Development), and AW 6 (Design and Place making).

The relevant sections of the above policies were referred to at various stages during the design process to ensure the design and proposals reflected their recommendations. Particular reference was made to AW6. We believe the proposals are of a high standard of design, appropriate to the local context, and compliment the character of the local and surrounding buildings.

4.2 Supplementary Planning Guidance & Pre‐Planning Advice

In October 2014, the architect and contractor team met with Officer Helen Winsall from RCT Council to discuss initial concepts. Besides receiving informal comments relating to design and planning policy, the consultation process was also critical in the scoping of the planning application and its accompanying reports.

4.3 Community Engagement & Pre‐Application Advice

Further to dialogue with potential users, the current proposals were presented to the local Public and Council Representatives in early November and received a considerably favourable reaction.

The open evening at the College was advertised and invited key community members including councillors, neighbours and community led groups in order to inform and gain feedback on the proposals.

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New Railway Training Centre of Excellence – Coleg Y Cymoedd – Nantgarw Design & Access Statement

5.1 ‐ Design

5.1 Access & Movement

5.1.1 Cars, Taxis and Coaches

The campus can be accessed from the north and south via the A470. The campus entrance for both main pedestrian and vehicular traffic is accessed via Heol Crochendy. Movement around the site can be facilitated by vehicular access where appropriate. As a result of the initial consultation with the Local Planning Authority, parking was identified as an areas that would require further investigation to ensure that adequate parking provision is fully considered. Furthermore, an existing arrangement from a previous planning application whereby a number of spaces were provided on the adjacent Macro site would also need revisiting.

Through consultation with highways, the Planning Department requested the following items to support the application:

1.0 TA/TS

2.0 Travel Plan

3.0 Safe and satisfactory access, circulation and parking.

4.0 Parking provision in compliance with SPG and any displaced parking areas to be catered for or justification being given for their removal.

5.0 Mitigation measures where appropriate or contribution in lieu of mitigation.

All of the above are to be supplemented as additional information to the planning application and will contain details and numbers of existing parking, loss of parking caused by the development and proposed additional parking provided as a compensation measure. It will also take into account the previous application requirements for permanent spaces and consider the impact of loss of spaces from Macro.

The College are in positive discussions with the adjacent landowner, Macro, with a view to purchase an area of permanent parking behind the new campus building. This area is indicated within the red line boundary for the application. The landowner is fully aware of the proposal and will receive the required notice under article 10.

5.1.2 Pedestrians, Buses and Cyclists

There are a number of pedestrian routes from all sides of the campus via safe, level pavements.

There are a number of bus routes available from the stops located directly outside of the campus. These frequent services again, are popular in connecting students and staff to neighbouring towns and further afield. Coleg Y Cymoedd

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New Railway Training Centre of Excellence – Coleg Y Cymoedd – Nantgarw Design & Access Statement

also adopts a policy whereby if students under 19 years of age, studying full time and living more than 2 miles away from the nearest campus, are eligible for free transport to and from College.

Adequate cycle parking provision is provided on the existing campus.

5.1.3 Access for disabled considerations

Part M and BS8300 standards for physical and sensory disability will be observed throughout accommodation both externally and internally. It has been noted that due to the nature of the rail working industry, it is unlikely that disabled users will require access to the workshop area and this has been considered fully during the design process. The other areas (classrooms etc) however have been designed fully inclusive and the building has a lift to the first floor.

5.2 Character

5.2.1 Amount of Development

The proposed Railway Training Centre of Excellence seeks to enhance efficiency while improving the working environment for its inhabitants.

The currently proposed scheme consists of 988m2 gross floor area.

• Approximately 705m2 of the accommodation is made up of teaching areas. This includes a workshop training area that will provide a realistic railway working environment including rail tracks, points and simulated overhead electrification lines. Other teaching areas include 4No. classrooms (2 of which can be sub divided) and 1No. IT Suite.

• Approximately 50m2 of the accommodation is made up of “other” usable space that includes staff, welfare, storage and printing areas.

• Approximately 200m2 of the accommodation is made up of “balance” space that includes circulation, sanitary provision, plant and cleaners areas.

As well as the building, the development will include enclosing an existing canopy structure to the rear of the existing adjacent building. This area is proposed to be used as a workshop / store and is approximately 100m2.

It is also proposed to create a covered freestanding link to the existing adjacent workshop to protect students and staff from adverse weather conditions.

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New Railway Training Centre of Excellence – Coleg Y Cymoedd – Nantgarw Design & Access Statement

5.2.2 Layout

The layout of the Railway Training Centre was developed by agreeing key adjacencies in order for the staff to operate in the most effective way.

The brief called for an entrance area for both staff and students that would have an element of control. The staff facilities located directly adjacent to the entrance giving them control of movement in and out of the building.

Adequate toilet provision (including disabled facilities) to serve the building have been calculated and located accordingly. The classrooms are located off a central corridor, 2 of which overlook the workshop area for demonstration purposes. The workshop itself has been designed in accordance with the number and needs of the curriculum. Working with a national recognised railway equipment supplier, the layout has been developed to maximise both space and operational requirements in order to serve the right number students at any one time. Adjacent to the workshop are ancillary areas such as lockers, hand wash facilities and a tool storage area. The workshop also has its own sanitary accommodation.

5.2.3 Scale

The proposed building is approximately 50m long and 15m deep and contains part single and part double storey elements. Due to the height requirements for the lift and the equipment, the workshop accommodation is a double height space. The classrooms and ancillary accommodation is designed over 2 storey’s near the main entrance.

5.2.4 Appearance

A significant challenge for this development concerns absorbing the variety of contextual references, while balancing the nature & scale of proposed development with the numerous environmental considerations. The Environmental considerations include developing appropriate passive form and using sustainable materials are crucial for BREEAM. The general precedent from the adjacent buildings is followed and building facades are predominantly covered in a mix of metal composite panels with glazing to classroom areas. The long northern elevation mass is broken up by a series of coloured fins that follow the colleges corporate branding. The roof is designed so that its lowest point reduces the scales of the most prominent elevation from the north. The entrance is clearly defined and provides opportunities for signage and sheltered areas.

5.2.5 Landscape

The proposed landscape design aims to compliment the ‘low impact’ aspirations of the proposed building design, aiming to emulate and preserve existing ecology rather than import any grand or civic gestures. Subtle, free flowing

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New Railway Training Centre of Excellence – Coleg Y Cymoedd – Nantgarw Design & Access Statement

interventions direct visitors from site entry to the various public entrances and physically acknowledge gradient needs of disabled users relative to existing topographic.

In order to best utilise the proposed site, hard landscaping is generally used throughout. Tarmacadam surfaces are used for car parks and vehicle access with the potential to utilise brick pavers to pedestrian areas to easily distinguish between areas of different use.

5.3 Community Safety

The nature of the accommodation contained within this development provides inherent safety to the existing students, staff and visitors using the site.

The crime related aspects of this development require particular consideration and are complimented by building form. The flush elevations and lack of recessed areas discourages any hiding areas and potential for crime.

Efforts have been taken to segregate vehicles from pedestrians.

In October 2014, the designers made contact with the local Crime Prevention Design Advisor, Mr Roger Booth to discuss the proposals and provide feedback. The principles of Secured By Design are to be incorporated within the scheme.

5.4 Environmental Sustainability

The proposed development occupies an existing College site, and significant effort has been taken to reduce its environmental impact. Environmental & Sustainable features include:

• Proposals are designed to achieve standards of BREEAM ‘Excellent’ with ‘A’ rated building materials

• Building Footprint has been condensed and located accordingly as to minimise environmental impact

• Photovoltaic panels located on the roof to generate power for both the building and the potential to connect into the national grid.

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New Railway Training Centre of Excellence – Coleg Y Cymoedd – Nantgarw Design & Access Statement

The proposals……

Proposed view from the west

Proposed ground floor plan Proposed first floor plan

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