3 Quakers Road, Devizes Appreciating the context Existing land use The site lies in an area of currently undeveloped land to the north of Devizes town centre. To the north of the site is the existing Quakers Road residential development; to the east is Wiltshire Police Headquarters; to the south- east is an area of playing fields associated with Devizes Sport Club; and to the south is open, undeveloped land, beyond which lies an area of allotment gardens and the Kennet and Avon Canal. Devizes is defined as a ‘market town’, sitting below the Photo a: Kennet and Avon Canal principal settlements of Chippenham, Trowbridge and Salisbury within the council’s settlement hierarchy. As recognised by the council, market towns such as Devizes, have a strategic role and “...the potential for significant development that will increase jobs and homes in each town in order to help sustain and where necessary enhance their services and facilities and promote better levels of self containment and viable sustainable communities” (Core Policy 1, Wiltshire Core Strategy). Within Devizes town centre, located approximately 800m or 10 minutes’ walk to the south, there is a diverse Photo b: The Trinity Primary School range of facilities, including a market place, shops, offices, banks, cafes, bars, restaurants and civic buildings including a town hall and library. There is a range of retail provision, including food stores Morrisons and Sainsburys. There are a number of local schools nearby, including the recently constructed The Trinity Primary School, which is located in the adjacent residential development to the north, together with Devizes School which provides secondary and sixth form education. The town also has a number of doctors’ surgeries, dental practices and a leisure centre. The site is therefore located within Photo c: The Brittox close proximity to a wide range of local facilities, which enable local residents to live sustainably. In addition, there are a number of visitor attractions, including Wadworth Brewery Visitor Centre and The Wiltshire Museum, which showcases the rich heritage of the Wiltshire area. Land off Quakers Road, Devizes: design and access statement 16 NODE urban design Creating a sense of place LEGEND Site boundary Healthcare Place of worship Devizes town centre Food retail Police station Education Leisure facility Recent residential development LEGEND Figure 3.1: Existing land use Public open space Public house / hotel Allotments Site boundary Healthcare Place of worship Land off Quakers Road, Devizes: design and access statement 17 NODE urban design Creating a sense of place Devizes town centre Food retail Police station Education Leisure facility Recent residential development Public open space Public house / hotel Allotments 3 Quakers Road, Devizes Appreciating the context Local movement network The site is accessible by vehicle from its north-eastern edge, leading through the recently completed Quakers Road residential development which neighbours the site to the north. In terms of its wider context, the site is located at a highly convenient and accessible location in the strategic highway network. Motorway connections are available via the M4, which lies to the north, providing connections between London and Bristol. Photo d: Quakers Road Closer to the site, the A361 passes through Devizes town centre to the south of the site, before travelling north- east, providing connections between North Devon and Northamptonshire including significant local settlements such as Swindon and Trowbridge. This route is readily accessible from the site, via Quakers Road. A number of other strategic routes are also accessible locally. The A360 is accessible to the south of the site in Devizes town centre, providing connections between Devizes and Salisbury. The A342 travels south-east from Photo e: A361 Devizes town centre, providing links to Andover. Photo f: The Market Place Land off Quakers Road, Devizes: design and access statement 18 NODE urban design Creating a sense of place A361 A361 A361 A361 A342 A361 A361 A342 A360 A360 LEGEND Recent residential Site boundary development A road LEGENDLocal road Figure 3.2: Local movement network Minor road Recent residential Site boundary development Land off Quakers Road, Devizes: design and access statement 19 NODE urban design Creating a sense of place A road Local road Minor road 3 Quakers Road, Devizes Appreciating the context Public transport network The site is located in close proximity to a large number of bus routes which connect Devizes to the wider area. The closest bus stop, in both directions, is located on the A361 to the east of the site, for services between Swindon and Trowbridge. There is a bus stop on Quakers Road to the immediate north of the site, which services Bus Route 1, a route around Devizes. There are a number of sustainable transport options to nearby towns and villages including Bath; Avebury; Photo g: Bus stop Swindon; Chippenham; Trowbridge; Lavington and Urchfront. Pedestrian movement network Quakers Walk, a national trail, abuts the western boundary of the site, and provides pedestrian connections to Roundway Park to the north and Devizes town centre, via Park Bridge to the south. Quakers Walk is a well used and attractive route, with a 3.5m wide hard surface and trees coverage to either side. Photo h: Walking/cycling path The site is set within a landscape context that includes a number of further public rights of way and other public routes providing connections across Wiltshire, including a further national trail that runs along the Kennet and Avon Canal at the southern boundary of the site. Photo i: Quakers Walk National Trail Land off Quakers Road, Devizes: design and access statement 20 NODE urban design Creating a sense of place To Swindon To Chippenham To Swindon To Chippenham To Bath/Trowbridge To Bath/Trowbridge To Urchfront To Lavington To Urchfront LEGEND To Lavington Footpath Bus routes Bridleway Bus stops LEGENDByway Recent residential developmentFigure 3.3: Local public transport and pedestrian movement network National trail Footpath Bus routes Land off Quakers Road, Devizes: design and access statement 21 NODE urban design Creating a sense of place Bridleway Bus stops Byway Recent residential development National trail 3 Quakers Road, Devizes Appreciating the context Heritage assets Devizes is a historic settlement with Norman origins and a significant proportion of listed buildings located within its town centre conservation area, located to the south of the site. There is one scheduled monument: Devizes Castle with moat which overlooks the town. The castle is a focal point for the town, and its defensive system played a significant role in the development of the town itself. The town plan and high quality retained historic Photo g: Quakers Walk lodge and gates buildings give the settlement its special character. Of particular significance to the proposed development, the 19th century grade II listed Quakers Walk lodge and gates are located c.200m from the south-west corner of the site. The building is largely shielded by mature trees and hedgerows. To the south of this, Park Bridge is also grade II listed and provides pedestrian access to the town centre. The grade I listed Saint Mary’s Church is located c.420m to the south-west, the tower of which is visible from Photo h: Saint James Church within the site. Saint James Church which dates back to the 15th century, is grade II* listed and located c.460m to the south-east of the site on Church Walk. Photo i: Devizes Castle Land off Quakers Road, Devizes: design and access statement 22 NODE urban design Creating a sense of place.