River Biss Public Realm Design Guide

Supplementary Planning Document

November 2008

River Biss Public Realm Design Guide 2

SWRDA/West District Council River Biss Public Realm Design Guide (PRDG) Adopted Supplementary Planning Document

Contents Amendment Record This report has been issued and amended as follows:

Issue Revision Description Date Signed 23/6/08 - PRDG Consultation Draft 23/6/08 N Albon 1/9/08 b PRDG Revised Document 1/9/08 N Albon 23/10/08 c PRDG Revised Document 23/10/08 N Albon

River Biss Public Realm Design Guide 3 Foreword

Wiltshire County Council, District Council and The importance of the River Biss corridor which links together most of This Design Guide has been commissioned through the Transforming Town Council are working to regenerate Trowbridge into a county town to the significant development opportunities in the town was identified in the Trowbridge Initiative, as part of our continuing commitment to make be proud of. The town has many assets to contribute to this. The River Urban Design Framework (UDF) in 2004. Trowbridge the major focal point for new development within Wiltshire, and Biss is one and it, uniquely, has the capacity to unify the town as it flows we are delighted with the outcome. through its centre. The UDF generated significant levels of interest in the town’s major development sites and, it was agreed that a comprehensive Design Guide Adam Nardell, Regeneration Projects Manager, This document puts in place an overall design concept for the public realm was needed to deliver a high quality pedestrian corridor along the River West Wiltshire District Council. along the River Biss and its associated adjacent development sites. Its Biss. aim is to achieve consistent and themed high quality spaces and places, and to inform individual developments, thereby significantly increasing the Halcrow Group Limited was appointed by the South West Regional river’s impact and value. Development Agency (SWRDA) and West Wiltshire District Council, in The Environment Agency welcome the creation of this SPD and support October 2007 to produce an adoptable Design Guide and demonstrate the the objectives contained within this document for the enhancement of the This plan builds on, and is consistent with, the existing Urban Design quality that is required from development along this critical corridor. River corridor. Framework for the town centre which seeks the regeneration of Trowbridge through a concentration of development and positive planning measures This River Biss Public Realm Design Guide has been adopted as a Environment Agency incorporating a strong mixed land use of retail, commercial, residential and Supplementary Planning Document and has been produced to identify leisure that supports the local community. the standard of urban environment that can be achieved, and to which the public and private sectors should aspire. This plan recognises that the river corridor should function as a pedestrian route linking sites within the town centre - Waterside, Brewery Gate and It is hoped that working together towards a comprehensive approach Old Town - as well as providing links to green spaces and new residential involving publicly funded enhancement schemes, and private investment, sites outside of the town - Biss Meadows and East of Trowbridge. Coupled we can create a high quality urban environment that helps to transform with the development potential of significant sites in the town centre, Trowbridge. this plan is another major move away from piecemeal, unco-ordinated development towards a strategic and comprehensive approach to the Tony Bray Area Director - Wessex, South West RDA. regeneration of the town

Councillor Michael Mounde Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Planning West Wiltshire District Council

River Biss Public Realm Design Guide 4

6 Public Realm Objectives 9 Area Guidance 6.1 Introduction 9.1 Introduction Contents 6.2 Respecting Context and Character 9.2 Illustrative Masterplan 6.3 Identity, Image and Brand 9.3 Area Guidance 6.4 Gateways 9.4 Suburban Edge 1 Introduction 6.5 Landmarks 9.5 The Bowyer’s Site 6.6 Promoting Activity and Increase Use 9.6 Town Bridge 1.1 Trowbridge Town 6.7 Public Open Space Network 9.7 Asda and The Shires Mixed Commercial 1.2 The Purpose of the Plan 6.8 Movement Strategy 9.8 Waterside 1.3 The objectives of the PRDG document 6.9 Ecology and Biodiversity 9.9 Parkside - St Stephens Place and Former Peter Blacks Site 1.4 The Value of Good Design in the Public Realm 6.10 Culture and Education 9.10 Parkside - People’s Park 1.5 Status of the Supplementary Planning Document 6.11 Creative Lighting 9.11 Ashton Mill 1.6 Who should use the Plan? 6.12 Signage and Interpretation 9/12 Biss Meadows 1.7 Getting the Process Right 6.13 Safety and Security 1.8 Structure of the Report 6.14 Sustainability 10 Implementation 2 The Site and Local Context 7 Strategic Design Guidance 10.1 Implementation 2.1 Introduction 7.1 Introduction 10.2 Land within Redevelopment Sites 2.2 Study Area Location 7.2 Creating and Protecting a Sense of Place 10.3 Public Art 2.2 History and Cultural Heritage 7.3 Public Open Space Network 10.4 Delivering Common Infrastructure Improvements 7.4 Movement and Linkages 10.5 Developer Contributions 3 Policy Background 7.5 Urban Form, Street Structure and Layout 10.6 Civic Pride 3.1 Introduction 7.6 Building Heights and Relationships 10.7 Lottery Grants 3.2 Specific Policy Reference 7.7 Building Line and Boundary Treatments 10.8 Private Funding 3.3 Site Specific Policy 7.8 Street Design 10.7 Public Funding 7.9 Parking 10.10 Public Realm Maintenance and Management 4 Community Consultation 7.10 Servicing and Access Requirements 10.11 Conclusion 4.1 Consultation Statement 7.11 Public Space Design 4.2 Overview 7.12 Ecology 4.3 Summary of Feedback 7.13 Planting 11 Appendices 4.4 Consultations with Local Schools 7.14 River Channel 11.1 Appendix A - Community Consultation (separate document) 4.5 SPD Consultation 7.15 Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS)

5 Assessment 8 Design Elements and Details 5.1 Introduction 8.1 Introduction 5.2 Character Areas 8.2 Materials 5.3 Movement and Linkages 8.3 Priority Civic Spaces 5.4 Key Green Public Spaces 8.4 Town Centre Materials 5.5 Gateways 8.5 Town Centre Transition 5.6 Conservation Area and Buildings of Local Interest 8.6 River Corridor and Secondary Spaces 5.7 Trees and Woodland 8.7 Parkland Areas 5.8 Hard landscape materials 8.8 Sustainability 5.9 Street Furniture and Signage 8.9 Colours 5.10 Potential landmarks and key views 8.10 Street Furniture 5.11 Landscape and Townscape Analysis Summary 8.11 Street Lighting 8.12 Public Art 8.13 Signage

River Biss Public Realm Design Guide