How Does the Town Centre Framework Document 2012 Differ from the Master Plan Dated 2011
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Interim Town Centre Framework2012 versus Draft Town Centre Masterplan 2011 ITCF 2012 dTCM 2011 Contents Contents Foreword 1. Introduction 1. Introduction 2. Town Centre Boundary 3. Vision 2. Vision. 4. Objectives 5. Analysis 3. Analysis 5.1 Community priorities Strengths and opportunities / Weaknesses 5.2 Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and and threats threats Boundary Primary shopping area and shopping 5.3 Wider context frontages 5.4 Townscape area approach Townscape areas River 5.5 Primary shopping area 4. Strategy 6. Strategy 6.1 Historic core Making better places through development Making better places through environmental 6.2 Historic spaces improvements 6.3 Commercial quarter Making better places through town centre management 6.4 Transition areas Making better places through sustainable 6.5 Eastern fringe living 6.6 River Wey 6.7 Cross-cutting Strategy 6.7.1 Movement 6.7.2 Town centre management 7. Delivery 5. Delivery Appendix 1 Appendix 1 – Evidence documents Historic evolution and current strategic issues Appendix 2 Historic evolution Current strategic issues Proposed shopping frontages Economy Appendix 3 Homes and community Background context Movement Heritage and streetscape Appendix 4 River and green spaces Timetable for completion of outstanding Managing the town centre Page 1 of 141 ITCF 2012 dTCM 2011 evidence and production of the final framework Completed developments Completed improvements Appendix 2 – List of supporting documents Figures MAPS 1 Town centre boundary 1. Town Centre boundary 2 Aerial photo of town centre 2. Aerial photo of town centre May 2009 3 Location and strategic setting 3. Primary (Main) Shopping Area and primary and 4 Summary of key issues secondary retail frontages 5 Townscape areas 4. Townscape Areas 6 Primary shopping area 5. Historic core - sites and priority improvement areas 7 Summary of town centre strategy 6. Commercial quarter - sites and priority 8 Strategy historic core improvement areas 9 Strategy historic spaces 7. Transition areas - sites and priority improvement 10 Illustrative example of potential redevelopment areas of Portsmouth Road car park, creating a 8. Historic spaces - sites and priority improvement pleasant riverside for all to enjoy areas 11 Strategy commercial quarter 9. Eastern fringe - sites and priority improvement 12 Strategy transition areas areas 13 Strategy eastern fringe 10. Historic maps showing Guildford’s growth - Richardson’s map of 1739 14 Strategy River Wey 11. Historic maps showing Guildford’s growth - 15 Evening economy Witherby’s map of about 1835 and 1872 16 Historic maps showing Guildford’s growth - Ordnance Survey map Richardson’s map of 1739 12. Arriving and getting around 17 Historic map showing Guildford’s growth - 13. Historic assets Witherby’s map of about 1835 14. Natural Environment 18 Historic map showing Guildford’s growth - 1872 Ordnance Survey map 15. Completed developments and street improvements 19 Designated heritage assets 20 Natural environment 21 Arriving and getting around 22 Park and Ride sites 23 Completed developments and street improvements Tables Page 2 of 141 ITCF 2012 dTCM 2011 1 Strengths, opportunities, weaknesses and threats 2 Delivery schedule 3 Local Plan shopping frontages 4 Timetable for completion of outstanding evidence and production of the final framework Foreword Guildford is a fortunate town in many ways - wonderful surroundings, character, heritage and history; good shopping; a vibrant cultural life and a dynamic local economy. It is an attractive place to live, work, trade and to visit. Yet the town faces challenges too - how to maintain its position as Surrey’s leading town and significant regional centre; regenerate parts of our town centre; and ensure our transport infrastructure meets our needs over the next 20 or so years. Like all dynamic towns, things do not, and cannot, stand still in Guildford. Hence, Guildford Borough Council, with other partners, is currently carrying out extensive studies into the Borough’s future needs for housing, employment land and economic development and future transport infrastructure needs. This research will also inform the forthcoming Guildford Local Plan which will deal with all planning issues across the Borough in the near future. Meanwhile, the aim of this Guildford Interim Town Centre Framework is to stimulate suitable development and improvement whilst preserving and enhancing the valued character of our town centre. This is a living document which will be reviewed when the results of the further studies into transport, local economy and housing become known. The Council is grateful to the local residents, groups and businesses who contributed to the creation of this Interim Framework. Extensive consultation will take place in creating the fi nal framework, and we look forward to receiving your views on how our town centre can be improved and regenerated in the decades to come. Tony Rooth, Leader of the Council James Palmer, Lead Councillor for Town Centre and Page 3 of 141 ITCF 2012 dTCM 2011 Transport Jenny Wicks, Lead Councillor for Planning 1 Introduction 1. Introduction Why is a town centre town centre framework Why prepare a town centre masterplan? needed? Guildford is a great place to live, work, shop, visit, Guildford town centre is a great place to live, work, and to run a business. Co-ordinated redevelopment shop, visit, and to run a business. It is the largest of key sites alongside infrastructure and shopping and service centre in Surrey and the heart environmental improvements are needed in the of Guildford borough’s community. It is not however town centre to ensure that it remains a lively, currently achieving its full potential. Key issues such attractive, economically robust and environmentally as traffic congestion, public transport facilities, and sustainable place. the incoherent and poor pedestrian environment in The masterplan is a strategy that will help to shape some places require resolution. how our town centre will look, function, perform Redevelopment of key sites alongside infrastructure and prosper over the next 18 years, to 2030. This and environmental enhancement projects requires timeframe links with the Council’s adopted co-ordination to achieve maximum effect. Economic Strategy 2011 and with the proposed This will ensure that the town centre becomes a Local Plan/Core Strategy, the central document of more lively, attractive, economically robust and the Local Development Framework. environmentally sustainable place. The masterplan has been prepared in accordance The interim town centre framework will help to with current national planning policy in 2011. We shape how our town centre will look, function, have also taken account of the emerging National perform and prosper over the next 18 years, to Planning Policy Framework. Its content reflects the 2030. This timeframe links with the Council’s draft Guildford Town Centre Area Action Plan and adopted Economic Strategy 2011 and with the the responses to the consultation on that plan. This forthcoming Local Plan strategy document. document also takes account of the views expressed through the early engagement held in June and July The interim town centre framework is based upon 2011. the draft Guildford Town Centre Area Action Plan, the responses to the consultation on that plan, We have prepared this masterplan following a updated evidence, and the views of interested similar process to that of a supplementary planning organisations and individuals at two subsequent document, including opportunities for input from engagement opportunities on a draft masterplan. the public and other interested parties. It has also This interim framework was written by Guildford been subject to Habitats Regulation Assessment, Borough Council in consultation with Surrey County Strategic Environmental Assessment, and Equalities Council as highways authority for the area, and Impact Assessment screening, which all conclude other interested parties. that full assessments would not be required. We have prepared this interim town centre framework following a similar process to that of a supplementary planning document, including input from the public and other interested parties. Involving the community and other interested organisations and people has been undertaken in accordance with the Council’s strategy for public involvement in planning, Community Involvement in Page 4 of 141 ITCF 2012 dTCM 2011 Planning, 2011. It has also been subject to Habitats Regulation Assessment, Strategic Environmental Assessment, and Equalities Impact Assessment screening, which all conclude that full assessments would not be required. What effect will it have? What effect will it have? On adoption by the Council, the final town centre On adoption by the Council, the masterplan will be a framework will be a material consideration in material consideration in determining planning determining planning applications. The suggested applications. The suggested uses for sites will be uses for sites, environmental enhancements and given appropriate weight in pre-application advice other interventions will be given appropriate weight and in determining planning applications. in pre-application advice and in determining This masterplan will be a formally adopted Council planning applications. strategy and will have similar status to the Council’s This interim town centre framework will be a Economic Strategy. However, it will not have formally adopted Council strategy, having similar statutory