Goldev Woking South of Kingfield Road and East of Westfield Avenue Woking FC
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Goldev Woking South of Kingfield Road and East of Westfield Avenue Woking FC April 2021 Proof of Evidence Ian Southwell vectos.co.uk ii Contents 1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................. 1 2 Policy ......................................................................................................................................................................... 3 3 Woking Borough Council ..................................................................................................................................... 13 4 Rule 6 Objections .................................................................................................................................................. 29 5 Summary ................................................................................................................................................................ 32 Figures Figure IS1 - Car / Van Availability in Households According to Dwelling Type and Size Figure IS2 - Park and Stride Car Park Locations Figure IS3 - Distribution of Supporter Car Trips Figure IS4 - Parking Beat Survey Location Plan Figure IS5 - Existing Car Parking Restrictions on Streets Around the Stadium Figure IS6 - Streets with Greatest Increase in Match Day On-Street Parking Demand Appendices Appendix IS1 - Medical Centre Opening Hours in Woking Appendix IS2 - Proposed Stadium Parking Layout Appendix IS3 - TROs Implemented Around Other Stadiums in the UK Appendix IS4 - Other Football Club’s Transport Strategies Appendix IS5 - Parking Enforcement on Matchdays Appendix IS6 - Park and Stride Examples Woking FC, Proof of Evidence – Ian Southwell vectos.co.uk April 2021 1 1 Introduction 1.1 My name is Ian Southwell. I have a degree in Urban Studies and Planning from The University of Sheffield. I am a Member of the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation, a Member of the Transport Planning Society, and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. I have over 13 years’ experience in the design, implementation and assessment of transport schemes and development proposals. 1.2 I am a Director of Vectos, a leading consultancy in transport planning, with designers, planners, modellers, researchers and innovators making up an agile team of over 150 people working across the UK and throughout Europe. In March 2021 Vectos merged with SLR, an international multi- disciplinary organisation with over 3,000 employees. 1.3 My evidence is on behalf of Goldev Woking. I am retained to provide transport and highways advice in relation to the proposed development South of Kingfield Road and East of Westfield Avenue, Woking FC. Of relevance to my evidence, the proposed development comprises: — A replacement stadium with a capacity of 9,026 supporters and ancillary facilities including up to 60 car parking spaces; — Independent retail floorspace; — A medical centre; and — Up to 1,048 dwellings. 1.4 In addition, the proposal will include the following measures, to be secured by way of an Executive Undertaking (Planning Development Agreement) and the appropriate planning obligations as set out in Mr Gold’s Proof of Evidence: — A Mobility Hub, including a café, workspace, microconsolidation centre, cycle hub, community concierge and personalised travel planning service; — A car club with up to 15 parking spaces (and vehicles); — A car pool database; — Up to £1.4 million in bus service contributions; — A fold up bike for the first residential occupier of each dwelling; Woking FC, Proof of Evidence – Ian Southwell vectos.co.uk April 2021 2 — Electric vehicle charging facilities to all residential car parking spaces; — A Residential Travel Plan [AD 2.23], Stadium Travel Plan [AD 2.24] and Stadium Event Management Plan [AD 2.3]; and — A contribution towards the consultation and implementation (if agreed) of traffic regulation orders (TRO). 1.5 I have visited and I am familiar with the site and the area within which it is located. 1.6 Vectos worked with Surrey County Council (SCC), the highway authority, and Woking Borough Council (WBC), the planning authority, during the course of the application and reached agreement on all transport matters. Declaration 1.7 The evidence which I have prepared and provide for this Inquiry (in this Proof of Evidence) is true and has been prepared and is given in accordance with the guidance of my professional institution. I confirm that the opinions expressed are my true and professional opinions. Woking FC, Proof of Evidence – Ian Southwell vectos.co.uk April 2021 3 2 Policy National Policy National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), February 2019 2.1 The relevant sections of the NPPF [CD 4.7] are in Section 9 and are set out in the Officer’s Report [CD 3.1] at Paragraphs 269 – 271. The 2021 draft update to the NPPF does not change the requirements of the NPPF which the proposed development should be assessed against from a transport perspective. 2.2 Paragraph 108 states decisions should take account of whether a) appropriate opportunities to promote sustainable transport modes can be – or have been – taken up, given the type of development and its location; b) safe and suitable access to the site can be achieved for all users; and c) any significant impacts from the development on the transport network (in terms of capacity and congestion), or on highway safety, can be cost effectively mitigated to an acceptable degree. 2.3 The proposed development includes the promotion of a plethora of sustainable transport initiatives, including a Mobility Hub with a café, workspace, microconsolidation centre, cycle hub, community concierge and personalised travel planning service, a car club with up to 15 parking spaces (and vehicles), a car pool database, up to £1.4 million in bus service contributions, a fold up bike for the first residential occupier of each dwelling, electric vehicle charging facilities to all residential car parking spaces, a Residential Travel Plan, a Stadium Travel Plan and a Stadium Event Management Plan. 2.4 The proposed development provides a safe means of access for all users. Two of the three vehicular access points utilise existing points of vehicular access to the site, and all three vehicular access points provide the required levels of visibility in all directions. The proposed development includes a new pedestrian crossing on Westfield Road adjacent to the site at the Kingfield Road / Westfield Road junction and pedestrian improvements at Kingfield Road/Vicarage Road/High Street roundabout. 2.5 The potential impact of the proposed development has been assessed at nine junctions, in six different scenarios, during eight different time periods1. SCC only raised concerns with respect to the 1 Paragraph 275 of Officer’s Report, CD 3.1 Woking FC, Proof of Evidence – Ian Southwell vectos.co.uk April 2021 4 potential impact at two junctions, and an appropriate scheme at each junction has been identified and agreed with SCC to mitigate the potential impact to an acceptable degree. 2.6 Paragraph 109 states that development should only be prevented or refused on highways grounds if there would be an unacceptable impact on highway safety, or the residual cumulative impacts on the road network would be severe. 2.7 The analysis contained within the Transport Assessment [AD 2.3] demonstrates the proposed development would not result in an unacceptable impact on highway safety, and the residual cumulative impact would not be severe. The proposed development satisfies the two key transport tests with respect to NPPF, and there is no good reason to prevent or refuse the proposed development. 2.8 Paragraph 111 states that all developments that will generate significant amounts of movement should be required to provide a travel plan, and the application should be supported by a transport statement or transport assessment so that the likely impacts of the proposal can be assessed. 2.9 A Transport Assessment was submitted with the planning application, together with a Residential Travel Plan, a Stadium Travel Plan and an Event Management Plan, all of which will be secured as set out in Mr Gold’s Proof of Evidence. 2.10 Paragraph 106 of the NPPF explains that maximum parking standards for non-residential development can be set where there is a clear and compelling justification that they are necessary for managing the local road network, or for optimising the density of development that are well served by public transport. WBC has determined that in order to comply with NPPF maximum car parking standards should be set across the borough for non-residential development2. For the football stadium, the application of maximum standards ensures the appropriate size and scale of stadium can be provided. The application of maximum car parking standards is appropriate given the site is well served by public transport and in a sustainable location with respect to walking and cycling connections and the proximity to Woking town centre and Woking rail station. 2.11 The proposed development complies with Paragraph 110. The proposed development provides priority to pedestrians, cyclists and public transport through the design of the site and through the promotion of mobility measures which focus on theses modes. The Mobility Hub is accessible at 2 Page 14 of WBC Parking Standards Supplementary Planning Document, CD 4.11 Woking FC, Proof of Evidence – Ian Southwell vectos.co.uk April 2021 5 street