Design & Access Statement
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Design & Access Statement Former Llantarnam Community Primary School, Cwmbran November 2016 Summary Disclaimer Proposal This report has been prepared for the sole and exclusive use of Lovell Homes for whom it was commissioned and has been prepared in response to their particular requirements Construction of 78 residential units and associated works and brief. This report may not be relied upon by any other party. Location The Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 shall not apply to this report and the Former Llantarnam Community Primary School, Cwmbran provisions of the said Act are expressly excluded from this report. This report may not be used for any purpose other than that for which it was commissioned. This report may not Date be reproduced and/or made public by print, photocopy, microfilm or any other means November 2016 without the prior written permission of Asbri Planning Ltd. Project Reference The conclusions resulting from this study and contained in this report are not necessarily 16.522 indicative of future conditions or operating practices at or adjacent to the Site. Much of the information presented in this report is based on information provided by others. That Client information has neither been checked nor verified by Asbri Planning Ltd. Lovell Product of Asbri Planning Limited Unit 9 Oak Tree Court Mulberry Drive Cardiff Gate Business Park Cardiff CF23 8RS 02920 732652 Prepared by Llyr Morris | Graduate Planner Approved by Samantha Kremzer | Senior Planner DESIGN AND ACCESS S TATEMENT | FORMER LLANTARNAM C OMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL P A G E | 2 Contents Section 1 Introduction Section 2 Site Context Section 3 Site Context Analysis Section 4 Planning Policy Framework Section 5 Objectives of Good Design Section 6 Appraisal of Proposal Section 7 Conclusion DESIGN AND ACCESS S TATEMENT | FORMER LLANTARNAM C OMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL P A G E | 3 1. Introduction Synopsis 1.1 The purpose of a Design & Access Statement (DAS) is to provide a clear and logical document to demonstrate and explain the various facets of design and access in relation to the site and to outline planning policy relevant to the proposal. It also presents the details of a planning application in a way that can be read both by professionals and the public. 1.2 The diagram below, extracted from the Welsh Government guidance on preparing a DAS, illustrates the various considerations that need to be taken into account. The circular nature of the diagram represents the equal weightings that need to be given to each of the 5 Objectives of Good Design: Access; Movement; Character; Environmental Sustainability and Community Safety. 1.3 In this respect, the statement is subdivided into seven sections, commencing with a brief overview of the proposal in this section. Section 2 outlines the site context whilst Section 3 provides a site context analysis. Section 4 identifies the relevant national and local planning policies which of 78 residential units and associated work at former Llantarnam Primary provide the framework for appraising the application. Following this, School, Cwmbran. Section 5 provides an explanation of the relevant design and access facets associated with the application, addressing the requirements of each of the 1.5 The site is unallocated ‘white land’ in the Local Development Plan within the 5 objectives of good design. A planning appraisal is provided at Section 6 settlement boundary identified for Llantarnam. It is therefore considered before drawing to a conclusion at Section 7. that the principle of the residential development of this brownfield site is acceptable subject to standard development management considerations. Proposal 1.4 Asbri Planning Limited have been instructed by Lovell to produce a Design and Access Statement to support a planning application the construction DESIGN AND ACCESS S TATEMENT | FORMER LLANTARNAM C OMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL P A G E | 4 DESIGN AND ACCESS S TATEMENT | FORMER LLANTARNAM C OMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL P A G E | 5 2.5 Wider access is available off the A4051 to the west and the A4042 to the East. 2. Site Context These roads provide access to and from the M4 and Newport. Further details on access to the site can be found in the Transport Statement. Local Context Bus 2.1 The site is located in the centre of Oakfield village which is 1.72 km to the south of Cwmbran Centre. The site is in a sustainable location with very good access 2.6 There are multiple bus stops within close proximity of the site. These are easily to local amenities and neighbouring villages and cities. To the south of the site accessible by foot as is detailed in the Transport Statement. (6.31km) is Newport City centre which has extensive shopping opportunities. Service Destination Frequency 2.2 The area has good access to food stores, with a mix of large supermarkets such 15 Newport Bihourly as ASDA and Morrisons in Cwmbran, and a Co-operative Food store within 600m X3 Cardiff Bihourly X24 Blaenavon – Newport Every 20 mins of the site. Locally, there is a newsagents and Chinese takeaway which are 801 Llanyrafon Hourly approx. 20m from the boundary. There is also a hairdresser, beautician, dog 5 Cwmbran Every 20 mins grooming and public house easily accessible from the site. Cwmbran Stadium 6 Cwmbran Every 20 mins is within 500m of the site which provides access to sporting facilities which will 7 Cwmbran Every 20 mins promote healthy lifestyles. Access to affordable food and sporting facilities are 80B Hollybush Hourly important aspects of the new Wellbeing of Future Generations Act. Train 2.3 The site is in a sustainable location, close to local amenities in Cwmbran Town Centre and has good public transport connections both locally and regionally. 2.7 Cwmbran railway station is 1.96 kilometres from the site and provides access to destinations such as Barry Island, Penarth and Cardiff Central and Vehicular access Manchester Piccadilly. Cycle Routes 2.4 The site is currently accessed off Croeswen Road which is off Greenwillows Road and Oakfield Road. There is also an alternative access via Llantarnam road and 2.8 The roads immediately surrounding the site do not have specific cycling Brangwyn Avenue which can be utilised from an easterly direction. An internal infrastructure or form part of designated routes. However to the west of the road runs northwards from the existing access to the site to a car park which is site, accessed via Oakfield Road there is a designated off-road route which links located to the rear of the school. directly to Cwmbran Town Centre as well as areas to the south of the site. This also links to other cycling routes around Cwmbran in all directions. This route forms part of the National Cycle Network (Route 49) and generally runs adjacent to the Afon Lwyd. DESIGN AND ACCESS S TATEMENT | FORMER LLANTARNAM C OMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL P A G E | 6 DESIGN AND ACCESS S TATEMENT | FORMER LLANTARNAM C OMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL P A G E | 7 The Site 2.15 There are three category A trees, and a cluster of category B trees near the entrance to the site which provides screening to soften the pending 2.9 The school was constructed in the 1960s and is located in a residential development. Please refer to the area. It is a two storey framed building clad in aluminium which incorporates aluminium framed and glazed panels. The school has a mixture of pitched and flat roofs covered in aluminium/roofing felt 2.16 Tree survey, categorisation and constraints plan submitted with the respectively. It is set on a large site laid to grass with 2 tarmac play areas. application (for further details. The aluminium frame and external cladding is lined internally with Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs) boards covered in plywood. The 2.17 There are no public rights of way which affect the site as per the attached building is considered unsuitable and a Health & Safety risk which is map below. currently being actively managed. Welsh Government has assessed the condition of the buildings as grade D. The school is to be relocated as Planning History st part of the Welsh Governments 21 Century Schools Programme. 2.18 There is no planning history relevant to the site. The plan below shows the 2.10 The existing school buildings are generally in poor condition having planning applications which have been submitted within close proximity reached the end of their serviceable life. These buildings are proposed to of the site. None of these applications directly relate with this application. be demolished as they are no longer fit for purpose, hence the closure of the school. 2.11 The site measures 2.2 hectares. The existing ground topography generally slopes from north to south. There is an open space to the east of the site which comprised the school playing fields. 2.12 The site is not located in a flood risk are as per the TAN 15 flood risk map attached below. 2.13 The site is accessed off Crosswen Road at the south end of the site along the service road to a main car parking area to the north, 2.14 There is a mix of age ranges amongst the trees although the most noticeable occur along the southwest boundary with several dominant specimens situated near the current access. DESIGN AND ACCESS S TATEMENT | FORMER LLANTARNAM C OMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL P A G E | 8 DESIGN AND ACCESS S TATEMENT | FORMER LLANTARNAM C OMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL P A G E | 9 DESIGN AND ACCESS S TATEMENT | FORMER LLANTARNAM C OMMUNITY PRIMARY SCHOOL P A G E | 10 3. Site Context Analysis Local Land Uses 3.6 A variety of shops and services can be found in Cwmbran centre ranging Residential Context from multiple retailers, banks, restaurants, pubs, supermarkets and facilities.