GATEWAY MONMOUTH JANUARY 2014 design + access statement design+access statement : introduction Gateway Monmouth Contents introduction 8.10 Archaeology Desktop Review 15.0 Final Design Proposals 1.0 Executive Summary 8.11 Land Ownership & Maintenance 15.1 Overall Plan 2.0 Purpose of Study 15.2 Long Sections 3.0 Design Team collaboration 15.3 Montage Views 9.0 Community & Stakeholder Engagement 16.0 Character policy context 10.0 Statutory Authorities 16.1 Hard Landscape 4.0 Planning Policy Context 10.1 Planning 16.2 Soft Landscape 4.1 National 10.2 Highways 16.3 The Square 4.2 Local 10.3 Environment Agency 16.4 The Riverside 10.4 CADW 16.5 Blestium Street vision 16.6 Amenity Hub Building 16.7 Street Furniture 5.0 Objectives assessing design issues 11.0 Opportunities & Constraints 16.8 Public Art Strategy 17.0 Community Safety appraisal 11.1 Opportunities 17.1 Lighting Strategy 6.0 Site Context 11.2 Constraints 17.2 Integrated Flood Defence 6.1 Regional Context 12.0 Key Design Issues & Drainage Strategy 6.2 Local Context 12.1 Allotment Access 18.0 Environmental Sustainability 7.0 Historic Context 12.2 Flood Defence 18.1 Landscape Design 7.1 Monmouth 12.3 Access to the River Edge 18.2 Building Design 7.2 Site History 12.4 Building Location 19.0 Access & Movement 8.0 Site Appraisal 12.5 Coach Drop-Off 19.1 Movement Strategy 8.1 Local Character 12.6 Blestium Street 19.2 Allotments Access & 8.2 Current Use 13.0 Conservation Response Canoe Platform 8.3 Key Views & Landmarks 19.3 Car Parking 8.4 The Riverside detailed design 19.4 Landscape Access 8.5 Access 14.0 Design Development Statement 8.6 Movement 14.1 Design Principles 8.7 Microclimate 14.2 Design Evolution appendices 8.8 Geotechnical Desktop Study 14.3 Design Options i. Statement of Community & Stakeholder 8.9 Utilities Survey 14.4 Preferred Option Development Engagement ii. Vehicle Tracking Information 1060-G505 01 Gateway Monmouth design+access statement : introduction 1060-G505 02 introduction Gateway Monmouth design+access statement : introduction 1.0 Executive Summary Macgregor Smith were appointed to develop landscape proposals for a key piece of public realm within Monmouth. The public realm proposals have been developed in consultation with both the public and statutory agencies and the resulting proposals reflect the comments and feedback from these meetings and events. During the design process the following elements emerged as central to the Gateway Monmouth proposals: Creating a distinct IDENTITY for the new public space, that draws on the rich history of Monmouth and CHARACTER of the surrounding urban fabric, the River Monnow and the wider natural landscape Making a PLACE, providing a flexible public space that will be a DESTINATION for various events all through the year including markets, festivals & performances ENHANCE THE PUBLIC REALM by creating a more pedestrian-friendly environment that allows the activity of the vibrant high street to extend into the space Bringing the character of the wider WOODED LANDSCAPE into the town centre with new large-scale street trees, vibrant structure planting and groups of riparian tree species Providing CLEAR + LEGIBLE CONNECTIONS for pedestrian and vehicle movement by re-defining Blestium Street and creating a WELCOME to the centre of Monmouth Providing a new building which will ACTIVATE the space with a café and offer storage space to FACILITATE markets and events Creating a landscape which is DYNAMIC + LIVELY throughout the seasons, as well as throughout the day and night Enhancing BIODIVERSITY with marginal planting and native trees extending habitat and wider NATURAL LANDSCAPE along the river corridor Orchard trees and fruiting shrubs providing an EDIBLE LANDSCAPE element for the local community which can serve as example of SUSTAINABILITY N 1060-G505 04 design+access statement : introduction Gateway Monmouth 1060-G505 05 Gateway Monmouth design+access statement : introduction 1060-G505 06 design+access statement : introduction Gateway Monmouth 2.0 Purpose of Study 3.0 Design Team Macgregor Smith were appointed by Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) in The Macgregor Smith team includes: October 2012 to carry out the Gateway Monmouth Design Study, to propose improvements to the public space bounded by Blestium Street, the River Monnow, the Gated Bridge and the existing car park. Chris Jones Miller Research (UK Ltd) This project has received funding through the Rural Development Plan for Wales Regeneration, Community Engagement & Planning Consultant which is funded by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. Rob Vint Rob Vint Engineering This Design and Access Statement is presented by Macgregor Smith on behalf Structural & Transport Consultant of Monmouthshire County Council to describe the design proposals and to support the planning application for the proposed development at the site of the former Cattle Market, Monmouth. Howard Bowcott Public Arts Consultant All dimensions inferred within this document are indicative only. Rob Lucas This document should be read in conjunction with the following drawings: David Brain Architects 1060 - 003 : Application Boundary Plan 1060 - 006 : Tree Removal Plan Peter Carey Donald Insall Associates 1060 - 014 : Landscape General Arrangement Conservation Consultant 1060 - 015 : Riverside Sections 1 1060 - 017 : Riverside Sections 2 1060 - 018 : Site Sections 1060 - 201 : Typical Planting Plan 1060 - 402 : Tree Pit in Soft Landscape Detail 1060 - 403 : Tree Pit in Hard Landscape Detail G01 : Building Site Plan G02 : Building Ground Floor Plan G04 : Building Elevations Section 1 G05 : Building Elevations Section 2 1060-G505 07 Gateway Monmouth design+access statement : introduction 4.0 Planning Policy Context 4.1 National Planning Policy Chapter 7 : Economic Development Planning Policy Wales • Co-ordinate development with infrastructure provision; • Support national, regional, and local economic policies and strategies; Planning Policy Wales (PPW) sets out the land use planning policies of the Welsh • Align jobs and services with housing, wherever possible, so as to reduce the Government and is supplemented by a series of Technical Advice Notes (TANs). need for travel, especially by car; Within the document, there are key associations that relate to the proposed • Promote the re-use of previously developed, vacant and underused land; and development in Monmouth town centre. • Deliver physical regeneration and employment opportunities to disadvantaged communities. Chapter 6 : Conserving the Historic Environment For planning purposes the Welsh Government defines economic development as development of land and buildings for activities that generate wealth, jobs and • Preserve or enhance the historic environment, recognising its contribution incomes. to economic vitality and culture, civic pride and the quality of life, and its importance as a resource for future generations; There is an acknowledgement that the planning system should support economic • Protect archaeological remains, which are a finite and non-renewable and employment growth alongside social and environmental considerations within resource, part of the historical and cultural identity of Wales, and valuable the context of sustainable development. The Gateway Monmouth proposals seek both for their own sake and for their role in education, leisure and the to enhance the built environment within the town centre as well as providing economy, particularly tourism; employment and business development opportunities. Promoting diversification • Ensure that the character of historic buildings is safeguarded from alterations, in the rural economy is seen as a priority by Welsh Government which sees the extensions or demolition that would compromise a building’s special role of local authorities as encouraging the growth of self employment and micro architectural and historic interest; and to ensure that conservation areas businesses. This proposal aims to provide a space and building that will ensure are protected or enhanced, while at the same time remaining alive and linked economic activity to existing town centre businesses, promote local supply prosperous. chains and help provide a springboard for new micro-businesses in terms of • It is noted that conservation area designation introduces control over the enhanced market area and flexible building unit. total or substantial demolition of unlisted buildings within conservation areas. Procedures for conservation area consent are essentially the same as for listed building consent. Consideration should also be given to replacement Chapter 10 : Planning for Retailing and Town Centres structures. The general presumption should be in favour of retaining buildings which make a positive contribution to the character or appearance of a • Secure accessible, efficient, competitive and innovative retail provision for all conservation area. the communities of wales, in both urban and rural areas; • Promote established town, district, local and village centres as the most This is a key consideration in relation the existing toilet block and associated appropriate locations for retailing, leisure and other complementary functions; conservation area consent required, specifically the enhancement of key views and • Enhance the vitality, attractiveness and viability of town, district, local and setting of the ancient monument, the Monnow Bridge. village centres; and to promote access to these centres by public transport, walking and cycling. 1060-G505