Obridge Yard, Taunton Land Disposal Notice Annex A
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Taunton Railway Station Regeneration Area May 2012. Creating a new gateway into Taunton This regeneration masterplan was prepared for: Network Rail Project Taunton The masterplanning was undertaken by the following team: LHC Buro Happold Alder King WWA Masterplanning, Architecture & Landscape Transportation and Highways Property and Development Viability Cost Advice Contents 1.0 Introduction 2.0 The Vision 3.0 Strategic Masterplan 4.0 Detailed Masterplanning Proposals 4.1 The Gateway 4.2 Station Buildings 4.3 West Yard 4.4 Oldbridge Yard 4.5 East Yard WWA Cost Advice Page 3 Kilkenny Car Park Oldbridge Yard Station North Side East Yard (North boundary) East Yard Station South Side West Yard Firepool Regeneration Area Above: The Masterplan Area 1.0 Introduction Introduction The masterplanning involved: Existing Context Network Rail and Project Taunton have jointly funded • Review of the current land ownerships within the In summary, the station public realm and facilities, a masterplan for Taunton Railway Station with the study area (illustrated opposite) and a review of the in their current form do not engage effectively with principle aim of creating the template for an exciting future development opportunities within the study forthcoming adjacent development within the town new gateway into the town that promotes its role as a area (and links to areas beyond). centre and do not present as positive a first impression major centre and focus for development activity in the of Taunton as they could, i.e. as a busy and successful region. • A comprehensive review of the existing Taunton County town which is moving forward. Railway Station public realm / environs. The masterplanning has involved a detailed review of Of particular relevance to future development within the opportunities and constraints associated with the • Review of the current passenger arrangements/ and around the railway station are the new commercial land surrounding the existing railway station. facilities, provision for interchange with other developments which are being taken forward on modes of transport, and design. both the key land ownerships within the Firepool site. The area is seen as having a huge potential for both These will ultimately create around 5,575 sq m / 60,000 the redevelopment of the station itself, and the • Design of a new layout for the station approaches sq ft of commercial space, retail, and approximately opportunities presented by the existing under utilised and related land uses that significantly raises the 600 new homes. St Modwen, the Borough Council’s land to both the north and south of the station, profile and economic performance of the area and development partner for the site, has started together with the increased commercial opportunities that creates a quality public realm environment construction of the first phase, an HQ for Viridor Waste directly associated with the business of running that will stand the test of time and not become Management. of the station / ancillary uses. This is particularly dated. The brief required that particular attention pertinent in the light of the imminent construction should be paid to the choice of quality and low Also adjacent to the station, on the site of the former of the new Northern Inner Distributor Road (NIDR) maintenance materials. East Goods Yard, a significant residential development due to be completed during Autumn 2013, and the for Knightstone Housing is nearing completion whilst adjacent Firepool regeneration site which is of regional The masterplanning work specifically excluded any Crest Nicholson has recently obtained planning significance. work in relation to the operational working of the permission for the remainder of the site to provide circa station, the track and operations themselves. 240 high quality houses and apartments. Page 5 Firepool Firepool will be a vibrant mixed use Somerset County Council quarter of the town centre. It will be the key factor changing market perceptions of Taunton as a place Rail Station to live and work. Station Road Firepool Developers’ Brief Upper Canal Street Upp er Canal Street d oa l R na Ca DRAFT Priory Bridge Road Taunton UDF Section 4 Areas of Change - Firepool 41 Taunton Deane Borough Council Taunton town centre design code supplementary planning document adopted October 2008 Above: Planning Documents 1.0 Introduction Planning Context • Taunton Town Centre Design Code ‘Project Taunton’ is a multi-million pound social and economic regeneration programme for • Taunton Protocol Taunton. The key objectives of the programme are to boost business opportunities, improve • Public Art Code transport infrastructure, initiate high quality developments, foster sustainable communities, Masterplanning process nurture Taunton’s green areas and make the most of the river. Taunton Railway Station & Firepool The masterplanning has been developed out of is one of four key development areas for Project consultation with key stakeholders Taunton. and representatives from the following organisations: The importance of Taunton Railway Station and the large area of under utilised land around it has • Project Taunton been identified as a key focus for regeneration by • Network Rail(various teams) key planning policies and strategic plans such as: • Taunton Deane Borough Council • Somerset County Council • Taunton Town Centre Area Action Plan adopted • First Great Western (including station managers) October 2008 • St Modwen Developments • Abbey Manor Group • Taunton Town Centre Urban Design Framework • First Bus Other planning guidance that has informed the master planning of Taunton Railway Station area includes Page 7 Above: Vision images from other station investments that capture the feeling of the potential new gateway into Taunton... 2.0 The Vision Station investment as a catalyst for wider “…research provides strong regeneration The research by Steer Davies Gleave (November evidence that station investment 2011) suggests that station investment will generally generate substantial benefits through can have a major impact in one or more of three key mechanisms • Removing physical barriers to movement in and terms of urban regeneration and around the station. • Improving the image of a station and hence perceptions of the town or city that it serves, transformation” thereby encouraging greater investment and making it more attractive as a place to live and work; and The Value of Station Investment Research on Regenerative Impacts • Leveraging wider development for providing a Steer Davies Gleave, November 2011 focus for investment in the surrounding area and increasing confidence among investors. All three key mechanisms of regeneration are possible opportunities at Taunton Railway Station. Page 9 A358 Potential bus only links Improved bus and to Monkton Heathfield taxi facilities New bus / coach interchange NIDR NIDR Station Road Station New multi-storey carpark (up to 400 spaces) East Yard A358 New visitor concourse, café and booking hall Firepool Wide pedestrian and cycle crossing Improved taxi and passenger facilities Firepool Boulevard the M5 / A38 to A3038 Somerset County Cricket Ground To wn C e n t r e 2.0 The Vision Core principles station entrance and visitor concourse providing • New station concourse increasing station sufficient capacity and improved connectivity space on the south side with new booking hall, The masterplan vision for Taunton Railway Station for both frequent local bus services and special ticket gates, new café and retail facilities for has seven core principles for regeneration events such as rail replacement services (during passengers line closures and emerging works) and intensive 1. Improved Connectivity leisure traffic to special events such as Butlins, • New multi-storey station car park increasing the Minehead, Glastonbury Festival and T4 On The capacity from 213 to 400 spaces The masterplan proposals substantially improve Beach. the connectivity of more sustainable modes of • Much improved footpath and cycle path movement to the national and local rail network, Taxi services, passenger drop off and short time connections to surrounding areas and town these include pedestrian, cyclist and public parking (20 minutes maximum stay) facilities centre transportation movements such as buses, coaches have been reorganised too, improving capacity, and taxis. convenience of use, legibility and connectivity for 3. Sustainable Economic Growth rail users. The masterplan proposes a generous and high The masterplan proposals will support sustainable quality public realm in and around the station 2. Greater Capacity for Growth in Rail Use economic growth by helping to accommodate connected to the surrounding area. increased rail travel demand from high density The masterplan proposals have incorporated urban developments in the vicinity of the site A major new crossing across the NIDR to Firepool several key elements to increase the capacity such as Firepool and East Yard but also other Boulevard providing a safe and attractive gateway of the station to accommodate and stimulate regeneration areas with the town centre that are alongside then into this exciting new employment anticipated increases in rail use. promoting lower dependency on private car use. quarter and beyond alongside the river to the town centre and Somerset County Cricket ground. • Major new bus and coach interchanges especially south side. A major new bus and coach interchange is proposed on the south side adjacent to the new Page 11 North side