Townscape Main Proof of Evidence Michelle Bolger
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CEN/P5.1/TOW Townscape Main Proof of Evidence Michelle Bolger Reference Document: CEN/P5.1/TOW The Midland Metro (Birmingham City Centre Extension Land Acquisition and Variation) Order Michelle Bolger CMLI, Dip.LA, BA (Hons) LA, PGCE, BA (Hons) Eng, Gillespies LLP Townscape and Visual Impact Main Proof of Evidence on behalf of the Applicants Date 16 th October 2014 Page 1 of 53 PROOF OF EVIDENCE: Michelle Bolger SPECIALIST FIELD: Townscape and Visual Issues Ref: CEN/P5.1/TOW Page 2 of 53 PROOF OF EVIDENCE: Michelle Bolger SPECIALIST FIELD: Townscape and Visual Issues Ref: CEN/P5.1/TOW Contents 1 Introduction 4 2 The Existing Townscape 10 3 Townscape and Visual Impact 19 4 Alternative Routes 40 5 Objectors 44 6 Summary and Conclusions 47 Exhibits Exhibit 1 Townscape Zones Exhibit 2 Extract from 80-83 New Street Birmingham, Historic Impact Assessment, November 2013 Rev B Exhibit 3 Precedents for Trams within Historic City Centres Exhibit 4: Extracts from Draft Centro Midland Metro Street Design Guide, 2005. Exhibit 5: Illustrative Visualisations Exhibit 6: Selection of Gillespies Landscape Details drawings OX4500-20-411-C Landscape Details Typical OLE Column OX4500-20-420-E Victoria Square Step & Seating Step Details OX4500-20-421-E Hill Street Step & Seating Step Details OX4500-20-422-E Landscape Details Supercuts Step Details OX4500-20-424-F Victoria Square Wall Modification OX4500-20-425-D Queen’s College Chambers Retaining Wall OX4500-20-430Victoria Square Step & Seating Step Details OX4500-20-GA-112-E Victoria Square Tram Stop Detail and Section OX4500-20-GA-113-F Centenary Square Tram Stop Detail and Section Page 3 of 53 PROOF OF EVIDENCE: Michelle Bolger SPECIALIST FIELD: Townscape and Visual Issues Ref: CEN/P5.1/TOW 1 Introduction 1.1 Qualifications and Experience 1.1.1 My name is Michelle Bolger. I am a Chartered Landscape Architect and a Senior Associate of Gillespies Landscape Architects. I have a degree and a Diploma in Landscape Architecture from Greenwich University and I am a Member of the Landscape Institute. I also have a degree in English from Durham University and a PGCE from London University. I am a Trustee of the Landscape Institute and Chair of the Education and Membership Committee. 1.1.2 Gillespies is a major Master-planning Landscape and Urban Design consultancy and is one of the UK’s foremost independent landscape design practices with over 100 qualified staff. We have a strong international and domestic record in helping to deliver successful complex public realm and urban streetscape schemes including transport and metro transit systems. 1.1.3 I have worked on a range of multi-disciplinary projects and prepared Landscape/Townscape and Visual Impact Assessments (L/TVIA) to accompany planning applications for proposals including highways, residential, leisure, commercial, energy related and enabling developments. These assessments have been prepared both as standalone documents and as part of an Environmental Impact Assessment. 1.1.4 During the last ten years I have presented evidence at appeal, call-in and local plan inquiries on behalf of Appellants, Local Planning Authorities and local action groups with regard to the landscape/ townscape impacts of proposal for commercial, minerals, residential, and wind energy developments. Page 4 of 53 PROOF OF EVIDENCE: Michelle Bolger SPECIALIST FIELD: Townscape and Visual Issues Ref: CEN/P5.1/TOW 1.2 The Proposals 1.2.1 As set out in detail in the evidence of Peter Adams BSc, MICE, MCIHT (CEN/P1.1/SCH) the current proposals are concerned with the extension of the Centro Midland Metro that current runs between Wolverhampton and Birmingham Snow Hill Station. The proposed extension, which runs through the centre of Birmingham to Edgbaston, is known as the Birmingham City Centre Extension (BCCE). (See Exhibit 2 of Peter Adams’ Appendix A CEN/P1.1/SCH) 1.2.2 Section 4 of Peter Adams evidence sets out how following a public inquiry in 2003-4 a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) was granted for the BCCE, the Midland Metro (Birmingham City Centre, etc) Order 2005 (the 2005 Order) (CD 02). The Inspector’s Report to the First Secretary of State and the Secretary of State for Transport (CD 22) is referred to in my evidence as the 2005 Order Inspector’s Report. 1.2.3 Section 5 of Peter Adams evidence sets out how funding for and implementation of the BCCE has been progressed. The first section of the BCCE, from Birmingham Snow Hill Station to Birmingham New Street Station, (Line 1 to New Street Station) is currently under construction. The next section of the BCCE, from Stephenson Street to Centenary Square is known as Centenary Square (CSQ) and is the subject of this inquiry. The final section from Centenary Square to Edgbaston is known as the Edgbaston Extension. 1.2.4 The current application includes a variation to the 2005 Order required as a consequence of the Paradise Circus Redevelopment (PCR). The comprehensive redevelopment of Paradise Circus has enabled significant improvements to be made to the route of the CSQ which are set out in the evidence of Peter Adams (Paragraph 7.4). The limits of deviation are shown on The Order Works Plan (CC 04). My evidence addresses townscape issues along the whole length of the CSQ including areas outside of the limits of deviation. 1.2.5 The extent of the CSQ is shown on Exhibit 1 to this proof Page 5 of 53 PROOF OF EVIDENCE: Michelle Bolger SPECIALIST FIELD: Townscape and Visual Issues Ref: CEN/P5.1/TOW 1.3 Gillespies Role in the Project 1.3.1 Gillespies has been involved in the BCCE since 2004. Our role within the wider project team has included: a) Spatial overview – Identification of character principles for the series of streets and spaces that make up the route and consideration of how these fit in with the overall city centre structure and layout. b) Landscape/townscape character review and advice to assist consideration of streetscape setting to maintain existing or improve character through use of materials and layout. c) Design coordination input at interfaces with adjacent developments and existing/ proposed spaces, e.g. Centenary Square interface principles. d) Strategic design analysis – to guide the engineering and coordinated disciplines approach, e.g. location of Iron Man statue, levels input. e) Ensure the entire BCCE has a consistent but not uniform approach/ design language e.g. as a series of squares, streets and nodes. f) Develop approach to use of materials that reflects differences in character, in particular the difference between areas with historic or contemporary character. g) Preparation of soft works proposals to be consistent with Birmingham City Council’s (BCC) streetscape strategy, including tree planting proposals to mitigate removal of existing trees where possible. 1.3.2 Gillespies did not prepare the Landscape and Visual Impacts Chapter of the 2003 Environmental Statement (ES) that was prepared to support the application for the 2005 Order (2003 ES). The 2003 ES, which is included as an appendix to the 2013 ES (CD 14 Volume 2A), covers the whole extent of the BCCE. Gillespies did not prepare the Townscape and Visual Amenity Chapter of the 2013 ES (CD 13) that was prepared to support the Order. The 2013 ES only considers the limits of deviation and contains a comparative assessment of the impacts of the 2005 Order and the Order. The 2013 ES includes a consideration of committed developments (including highways and Page 6 of 53 PROOF OF EVIDENCE: Michelle Bolger SPECIALIST FIELD: Townscape and Visual Issues Ref: CEN/P5.1/TOW metro related schemes) that have occurred since the 2003 ES for both assessments. 1.3.3 I have read both chapters along with the accompanying Figures and Technical Appendices. I concur with the overall conclusions of both assessments, although not necessarily with every individual conclusion, and they should be taken as forming part of my evidence. 1.3.4 The methodologies used in both the 2003 and 2013 chapters were based on the Second Edition of the Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, 2002 prepared by the Landscape Institute/Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment. The methodology I have used in preparing this evidence is based on the Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, Third Edition 2013 (GLVIA3). However with regard to current assessment there has been no change to the underlying principles. 1.3.5 I consider that both the 2003 ES and the 2013 ES were adequate with regard to the identification of significant townscape and visual impacts. Page 7 of 53 PROOF OF EVIDENCE: Michelle Bolger SPECIALIST FIELD: Townscape and Visual Issues Ref: CEN/P5.1/TOW 1.4 Scope of Evidence 1.4.1 My evidence covers the landscape/townscape design aspects of the Order. Due to Gillespies long term involvement in the BCCE, we have an understanding of how the landscape proposals have evolved and the constraints and considerations that have been taken into account during that process. Many aspects of the landscape proposals, such as defining streetscape levels and kerb alignment are guided by technical constraints and the fixed parameters of the development e.g. maximum gradients that the selected vehicle can travel up and minimum radius for turning. 1.4.2 With regard to the Statement of Matters (X2) issued by the Department for Transport TWA Orders Unit issued on 23 rd September 2014, my evidence addresses the following items: • 5. The likely environmental impacts of the constructing and operating the revised tramway alignment on townscape and visual amenity • 6. The measures proposed to mitigate any adverse impacts of the proposals including measures to avoid, reduce or remedy adverse environmental impacts and whether any adverse impacts would remain after mitigation.