TOWNSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENTS Colchester, Tiptree, West Mersea & Wivenhoe
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TOWNSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENTS Colchester, Tiptree, West Mersea & Wivenhoe CHRIS BLANDFORD ASSOCIATES Environment Landscape Planning CONTENTS 5.0 THE CHARACTER OF WIVENHOE 355 5.1 Settlement Profile 355 Preface i 5.2 The Landscape Setting of Wivenhoe 355 Acknowledgements i 5.3 Historical Evolution of Wivenhoe 359 Executive Summary ii 5.4 Visual Analysis of Wivenhoe’s Urban Structure 360 5.5 The Townscape Character of Wivenhoe 361 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1 5.6 Principles for Accommodating New Development in Wivenhoe 404 1.1 Background 1 1.2 Purpose and Scope 1 6.0 APPLICATIONS OF THE TOWNSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENT 409 1.3 Methodology 2 6.1 General 409 1.4 Planning Context 4 6.2 Informing the New Local Development Framework 409 1.5 Structure of Report 6 6.3 A Development Control Tool 410 6.4 A Framework for More Detailed Character Assessments and Enhancement Strategies 410 2.0 THE CHARACTER OF COLCHESTER 7 6.5 Design Guidance 411 2.1 Settlement Profile 7 6.6 Towards a Townscape Character Monitoring Framework 411 2.2 The Landscape Setting of Colchester 7 2.3 Historical Evolution of Colchester 13 APPENDICES 2.4 Visual Analysis of Colchester’s Urban Structure 17 A. Stakeholder Workshop Reports 2.5 The Townscape Character of Colchester 18 B. Glossary 2.6 Principles for Accommodating New Development in Colchester 256 C. Listed Buildings within Townscape Character Areas D. Sources of Information 3.0 THE CHARACTER OF TIPTREE 263 3.1 Settlement Profile 263 FIGURES 3.2 The Landscape Setting of Tiptree 263 3.3 Historical Evolution of Tiptree 265 1.1 The Settlements in Context 3.4 Visual Analysis of Tiptree’s Urban Structure 266 1.2 Landscape Character Types and Areas in Colchester Borough 3.5 The Townscape Character of Tiptree 266 3.6 Principles for Accommodating New Development in Tiptree 303 2.1 Colchester –Key Features and Designations 2.1a Colchester Town Centre –Key Features and Designations 4.0 THE CHARACTER OF WEST MERSEA 307 2.2 Colchester –Landscape Setting Analysis 4.1 Settlement Profile 307 2.3 Colchester –Historical Evolution (Early Origins) 4.2 The Landscape Setting of West Mersea 307 2.3a Colchester –Historical Evolution (Medieval to Late 19th Century) 4.3 Historical Evolution of West Mersea 309 2.3b Colchester –Present Day Urban Form 4.4 Visual Analysis of West Mersea’s Urban Structure 312 2.3c Marks Tey –Historical Evolution 4.5 The Townscape Character of West Mersea 312 2.4a Colchester –Visual Analysis of Urban Structure (North) 4.6 Principles for Accommodating New Development in West Mersea 351 2.4b Colchester –Visual Analysis of Urban Structure (South) 2.4c Colchester –Visual Analysis of Urban Structure (West) 11099501R_Final Report_Cover-Contents_06-06 2.4d Colchester –Visual Analysis of Town Centre’s Urban Structure 2.5a Colchester –Visual Analysis Photographs 2.5b Colchester –Visual Analysis Photographs 2.5c Colchester –Visual Analysis Photographs 2.5d Colchester –Visual Analysis Photographs 2.5e Colchester –Visual Analysis Photographs 2.5f Colchester –Visual Analysis Photographs 2.6 Colchester –Townscape Character Types and Areas 2.6a Colchester –Townscape Character Types and Areas (Key) 2.7 Colchester –Sensitivity of Townscape Character Types and Areas 3.1 Tiptree –Key Features and Designations 3.2 Tiptree – Landscape Setting Areas 3.3 Tiptree – Historical Evolution 3.4 Tiptree –Visual Analysis of Urban Structure 3.5 Tiptree –Visual Analysis Photographs 3.6 Tiptree – Townscape Character Types and Areas 3.7 Tiptree – Sensitivity of Townscape Character Types and Areas 4.1 West Mersea –Key Features and Designations 4.2 West Mersea –Landscape Setting Areas 4.3 West Mersea –Historical Evolution 4.4 West Mersea –Visual Analysis of Urban Structure 4.5a West Mersea –Visual Analysis Photographs 4.5b West Mersea –Visual Analysis Photographs 4.6 West Mersea –Townscape Character Types and Areas 4.7 West Mersea –Sensitivity of Townscape Character Types and Areas 5.1 Wivenhoe –Key Features and Designations 5.2 Wivenhoe –Landscape Setting Areas 5.3 Wivenhoe –Historical Evolution 5.4 Wivenhoe –Visual Analysis of Urban Structure 5.5a Wivenhoe –Visual Analysis Photographs 5.5b Wivenhoe –Visual Analysis Photographs 5.6 Wivenhoe –Townscape Character Types and Areas 5.7 Wivenhoe –Sensitivity of Townscape Character Types and Areas 11099501R_Final Report_Cover-Contents_06-06 PREFACE This report is one of a series of technical studies commissioned by Colchester Borough Council to provide the evidence base for the preparation of the new Local Development Framework. This Townscape Character Assessment was undertaken by environmental planning consultants Chris Blandford Associates (CBA). It provides a baseline inventory and description of the townscape character of the Borough’s main settlements –Colchester (including Marks Tey), Tiptree, West Mersea and Wivenhoe. In addition to the Townscape Character Assessment, the following associated technical studies have also been prepared separately by CBA on behalf of the Council: · Colchester Borough Landscape Character Assessment · Landscape Capacity of Settlement Fringes in Colchester Borough · Review of Countryside Conservation Areas in Colchester Borough These four studies provide a seamless inventory and description of the current spatial character, qualities and sensitivities of the townscapes and landscapes in and around the Borough’s main settlements, and throughout the wider countryside. This comprehensive evidence base can be used to underpin the formulation of relevant policies in the new Local Development Framework that: · Recognise both the differences and similarities between places · Recognise what gives different places their special local identity and distinctiveness · Protect and enhance special and valued characteristics · Ensure that development is sympathetic to these special qualities · Encourage good design and seek to improve the quality of places The need to protect and enhance townscape and landscape character is recognised by Government planning policy on the delivery of sustainable development through the planning system. To ensure that full account is given to character issues in planning decisions, we commend to the Council the use of these studies as evidence bases for informing the application of appropriate policies in the existing Local Plan and the new Local Development Framework. They also provide the basis for developing Supplementary Planning Documents should this be considered appropriate in the future. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The preparation of the Study was steered by officers from the Environmental Policy Division of Colchester Borough Council. We are grateful for the advice and guidance provided by the Steering Group, namely: · Karen Syrett, Principal Planning Officer · Ian Ward, Principal Conservation and Design Officer · Ruth Noble, Planning Officer In addition, we appreciate the help of other Council officers and individuals from other organisations in Colchester who willingly assisted in the provision of data and information for the Study. We would also like to give particular acknowledgement to the many individuals and organisations that attended the stakeholder consultation workshops in November 2005 and February 2006 (see Appendix A for details). The information gained from these stakeholders provided an important input to the characterisation process and evaluation stages of the Study. CBA June 2006 i 11099501R_Final Report_Cover-Contents_06-06 TOWNSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENT OF COLCHESTER, TIPTREE, WEST MERSEA AND The Borough has a rich cultural heritage and contains 22 conservation areas, including Colchester town centre. WIVENHOE There are approximately 1600 listed buildings including the Grade One listed Castle and Red Lion Hotel. There are 40 Scheduled Monuments including the Castle and Upper Park, the Colchester town wall and Gosbecks EXECUTIVE SUMMARY playing fields. Castle Park is also designated as a park and garden of historic interest. In addition to national designations, the Borough also has a rich heritage of other undesignated buildings, archaeological remains and Background other features – such as the Victorian suburb of New Town, classic Essex Design Guide housing estates and Victorian Railway stations at Marks Tey, The Hythe and Wivenhoe, for example. This Townscape Character Assessment was undertaken by environmental planning consultants Chris Blandford Associates on behalf of Colchester Borough Council. The study provides a comprehensive baseline inventory and Managing Townscape Change description of the townscape character of the Borough’s main settlements - Colchester (including Marks Tey), Tiptree, West Mersea and Wivenhoe. The Borough is implementing an ambitious regeneration programme that will redevelop four areas of Colchester; North Colchester, The Garrison, St. Botolphs and East Colchester. The redevelopments will collectively provide The Council will use the Townscape Character Assessment to: new housing and employment, a university research park, Visual Arts Facility and new football stadium. At a smaller scale, development is also needed to sustain the vitality of the Borough’s other main settlements –Tiptree, Wivenhoe and West Mersea. · Inform the Council of the existing townscape character of Colchester, Tiptree, West Mersea and Wivenhoe. · Inform the Council of the implications of the different forms and density of new development on the distinctive The study involves a process of townscape characterisation that provides a better appreciation of the composition townscape character and sense of place within Colchester,