10 2 The Site and Local Context

2.1 Introduction 2.1.1 The area is largely urban in character, although Biss Meadows and the People’s Park create a significant opportunity for ‘green lungs’ within . The River Biss PRDG will capitalise on the existing historic fabric of the town by emphasising key historic structures and features. Where significant opportunities for development exist along the river corridor there is the opportunity to improve the River Biss ‘experience’.

2.2 Study Area Location 2.2.1 Whilst the principal focus of the study is the River Biss corridor and the development land immediately adjacent to the river, it is appropriate to consider a wider study area to place the guidance firmly within the context of Trowbridge town centre, and to ensure that important connections and linkages between key destinations are considered.

2.2.2 The extent of the study area for the PRDG, and the coverage of this guidance, is illustrated in Figure 2.1. The River Biss PRDG study area extends from Bradford Road in the west, to the Biss Meadows in the east. Accordingly, the study boundary takes in a large part of the urban core and historic town centre of Trowbridge.

2.2.3 Trowbridge lies in the middle of a flat area of low lying land which runs between the higher chalkland of Plain in the southeast and the limestone hills of the Cotswolds to the north-west. Trowbridge was established on the long narrow, limestone Cornbrash ridge that extends from Semington to Wingfield, above flood level and on less heavily wooded land than the surrounding Oxford clay land. The River Biss bisects the ridge and is one of the main natural features in the area, entering Trowbridge from the south and passing through the town centre where it was once forded.

2.2.4 Other watercourses associated with the town include Paxcroft Brook, which joins the Biss in the town’s main park, and the Lambrook, which joins the Biss at Trowle Bridge to the north west of the town.

Figure 2.1: PRDG Site Boundary

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2.3 History and Cultural Heritage being manufactured in the town and exported to Europe. In the fifteenth The last remaining mill in Trowbridge, Salters Home Mill, closed in 1982, 2.3.1 Trowbridge and the area bounding the River Biss corridor, owes century, wealthy clothiers, who employed spinners and weavers working and the site was redeveloped as The Shires shopping centre, but two mill much of its current form and layout to the textiles and woollen industry. in their own homes and small workshops, contributed to the rebuilding of buildings remain, having been built into the shopping centre. The old mill St. James’ Parish Church. A period of prosperity after 1660 saw the town buildings have continued to adapt and are now manufacturing or housing 2.3.2 Trowbridge is listed in the Doomsday Book of 1086 as a small expand beyond its medieval limits. with a prime example being the Andil House and Handle House. agricultural settlement. Following the Norman conquest a castle was built on the site marked as Home Mills. This involved the diversion of the east- 2.3.4 The arrival of the Kennet & Avon Canal in 1805 meant that 2.3.6 It is clear that Trowbridge has a rich and varied history which west route to a new river crossing at the Town Bridge. By 1300 the Castle Trowbridge could be supplied with coal for power. By 1820 when there is largely reflected in the town centre area and River Biss corridor. To was falling into disuse and new building sites were available on its outer were 12 steam powered factories in the town, most of which were located some extent the decline of historical industries, particularly weaving, in precincts. The inner side of Fore Street was built on the infilled castle ditch close to the river. The railway linking the town to Bath and the town has been the cause of unfavourable socio-economic profiles for and Castle Street probably cut into the precincts. arrived in 1848. During this period the town also gained a water company, the town. The PRDG report will seize the opportunity to capitalise on the sewage works, schools, hospital, town hall, park and market hall. historic legacy of the town and integrate it into new, sustainable forms of 2.3.3 Trowbridge started its career as an industrial town with the rise of employment and investment. In this way, the rebranding and re-imaging of the woollen industry throughout West . By 1350, Trowbridge was 2.3.5 In the face of stiff competition from Yorkshire Mills only 6 of the the town will make Trowbridge a significant ‘destination’ and a vibrant and an established, albeit small, market town and woollen cloth was already 17 factories operating in Trowbridge survived until the Second World War. lively community.

Historic photographs of Trowbridge

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2.3.7 The historical OS plan from 1899 shows the traditional block pattern for Trowbridge (see Figure 2.2). This contrasts with the current block structure which shows that the River Biss corridor has been subject to a period of considerable change, except for the historic retail centre which has remained relatively intact.

Figure 2.2: OS map 1899 Historic Map and Urban Form

River Biss Public Realm Design Guide