Independent Regeneration (Penrhys) Limited Author: Steven Trythall
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Design & Access Statement Penrhys Regeneration: Phase 1 Independent Regeneration (Penrhys) Limited Author: Steven Trythall 1 May 2012 Design & Access Statement Contents 8 Movement 22 11 Community Safety 43 1 Introduction 1 8.1 Vehicular & Pedestrian Movement 11.1 Shared Surfaces 11.2 Natural Surveillance 2 Context 2 8.2 Cycling 8.3 Accessibility 11.3 Privacy 2.1 Location 8.4 Public Transport 11.4 Community Perceptions 2.2 Site History 8.5 Road Network 11.5 Public & Private Realm 2.3 Demographics 8.6 Parking 12 Access 46 2.4 Planning 9 Character 29 12.1 Topography 3 Site Analysis 11 9.1 Urban Grain 12.2 Access to School 3.1 Land Ownership 9.2 Layout & Aspect 12.3 Servicing 3.2 Land Use 9.3 Scale & Massing 12.4 Footpaths 3.3 Topography 9.4 Dwelling Dimensions 12.5 Entrances 3.4 Existing Structures 9.5 Street Dimensions 13 Phasing 47 3.5 Utilities 9.6 Appearance & Materials 3.6 Ground conditions 14 Planning Contributions 48 10 Environmental Sustainability 36 3.7 Environmental Characteristics 15 References 49 10.1 Vision 3.8 Background Analysis Conclusions 16 Appendices 50 10.2 Environmental Goals 4 A Vision for Penrhys 18 10.3 Biodiversity 5 Penrhys Regeneration Objectives 18 10.4 Energy Efficiency & Carbon Reduction 6 Phase 1 Development Objectives 19 10.5 Micro-climate 10.6 Water Management 2 7 Land use 19 10.7 Recycling 10.8 Environmental Resource Centre Design & Access Statement | 1 Introduction time to read the regeneration Master Plan that we have prepared. We hope and trust that the Council Members will also do so, because this project shows a radically new approach to the regeneration of the area. When completed it can be replicated but even The Regeneration of Penrhys was first raised as a possibility with the Founder of our if its 'just a one off' it is hoped that it will be sensational, locally, regionally and even Company Ian Robinson in 2009, following an approach by the CEO of RCT Homes, internationally. Andrew Lycett. Knowledge of the practical application of our unique model for A paper written by a private and independent reporter for the Environmental Health regeneration (No Grants and no public funding) was gained from presentations made by News in 2008 regarding the Tancred Road project can be seen alongside our photo Mr Robinson at the London School of Economics. gallery on our web site www.independentregeneration.co.uk. In 2 pages it encapsulates A collaboration started between Independent Regeneration (Penrhys) Ltd. and RCT the energy, enthusiasm and success of this model in similarly and 'allegedly' lost causes. Homes and a careful study made of what would be required to make Penrhys an The Tancred Road Project won many awards and accolades including the North West, outstanding success. At the same time the residents of Penrhys have been consulted Government Pathfinder Awards for Environmental Regeneration and Sustainability. and they agree that if the Master Plan that we have prepared with the residents is Penrhys Partnership and the local Action Group originally did well to halt the large scale implemented it would be greatly welcomed. depopulation of the estate. However, the remaining shops and services in Penrhys are in Skerries Road and Tancred Road Regeneration Projects, Liverpool were both acclaimed danger of being lost if any further depopulation takes place. The introduction of new by the British Research Establishment (BRE) along with the Beeston, Leeds Exemplar housing will reverse this trend and significantly increase demand for services and Project and the Westminster Briefing (generic regeneration briefing). CABE have also provide new services for the existing residents. The introduction of new private housing referred to the Tancred Road and Skerries Road projects as regeneration case studies will also help redress the imbalance of tenure in the village. (CABE, 2011). It should be noted that the confidence of all these organisations and The Master Plan that we have prepared with our investment and know-how we believe others in our CEO and his model is based on the outstanding success of taking on will change this forever, it will also provide jobs, a diverse commercial environment, projects that no one thought could be done and then completing them, in outstanding training for local people and built in equity and opportunity, that it does not have now - fashion. and never has. Penrhys will become the village "At the top of the Hill" for all the right The attraction to this project is the challenge. All of Independent Regeneration's reasons. Indeed the Plan deals with each aspect that is required to make Penrhys the previous projects have had the same or even greater challenges. success it deserves to be. We therefore hope that the Council will accept our application to make these massive inward investments in collaboration with RCT Homes and the "If Penrhys did not pose a challenge I would not do this scheme. Equally, if Residents of Penrhys and start this regeneration process. Independent Regeneration do not invest heavily in regenerating Penrhys no one else will!" Ian Robinson (10/12/2010) Speaking at a community consultation event at LLanfair Uniting Church, Penrhys. Penrhys does have much potential, as a village, a community and a location. The views 1 are magnificent and the core majority of the community are committed to their village, to success in this project and to the welcome that they will give new enterprise, residents, diversity and sustainable investment. The Penrhys Residents have taken the Design & Access Statement 2 Context 2.1 Location 2.1.1 Penrhys is located within the Rhondda Cynon Taf Local Authority and is situated between two Valleys, the Rhondda Fach and the Rhondda Fawr. The village forms part of the Tylorstown Electoral Division. Penrhys’ central location in South Wales means that it is in close proximity to all the major urban conurbations in the south of Wales. Penrhys is approximately 25 miles from the Capital (45 minutes by train or car) and approximately 15 miles from the start of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Penrhys is also close to coastal resorts along the south coast. 2.1.2 Penrhys is located on a very favourable south facing slope in an elevated position overlooking the valleys. At the base of Penrhys, St. Mary's shrine stands at 288m (944ft) above sea level and the top road is approximately 350m (1148ft) above sea level. Penrhys is located at the edge of the ‘Heads of the Valleys (HoV) Low Carbon Zone’, which is the largest of its kind in Europe and spans across a number of local authority borders and presents an opportunity to benefit from this. 2.1.3 The Phase 1 development site is located at the eastern edge of the remaining village of Penrhys. It is located inside the perimeter road which forms the boundary for the development. Figure 1: Strategic location Map showing Penrhys’ proximity to major urban settlements, major transport corridors, the Brecon Beacons National Park and the Heads of the Valleys (HoV) Low carbon Zone. Figure 2: map showing Penrhys and Phase 1 2 development site in red. Design & Access Statement | 3 Figure 3: Panoramic view south of the far reaching view over the valleys from the top of the Phase 1 site. The unobstructed vantage point allows for open views for over 180 degrees. Figure 4: Panoramic view south from the north west of the village showing where Penrhys sits between the two Valleys. This is allocated as a future development site. Photographs taken by author. Design & Access Statement 2.2 Site History became a single tenure neighbourhood with extremely high levels of unemployment. Before Development 2.2.1 The name Penrhys is thought to have derived from the legend that the Welsh King Rhys-Ap-Tewdwr was beheaded by the Normans at this site thus giving the original village name Pen-Rhys ap Tewdwr (the head of Rhys ap Tewdwr). 2.2.2 Penrhys is considered one of the holiest sites for Christian pilgrims in Wales. The site of Penrhys has a rich religious history dating back to mediaeval times due to a mediaeval monastery and the holy shrine of "Our Lady" built at the holy natural spring of Ffynnon Fair which still survives. The Shrine was the focus of intense piety and prayer prior to its destruction at the command of Henry VIII in 1538 during the dissolution of the monasteries. In 1953, a new statue was built at the original site and since 1945 an annual pilgrimage from Llantarnam to Penrhys as taken place as part of the Cistercian Way. Prior to the development of Penrhys Estate, a farm was located at the crossing point of the two Valleys which is now the location of the roundabout and entrance to Penrhys. Penrhys undoubtedly has a rich cultural and religious heritage and the regeneration proposals will aim to maximise its tourism potential. Penrhys Estate Origins 2.2.3 Penrhys Village, developed in 1966, was officially opened in 1968 and provided the largest public sector housing development in Wales with 951 dwellings. The Figure 5: Coal-fired Boilers working at the original district heating system. Penrhys far reaching views and the clean air out of the valley floor were highly sought Partnership. after. When first built Penrhys could have been considered to be a leader in sustainable energy provision due to its innovative district heating system. A 2.2.4 The 1970's and 80's saw a spiral of decline and many problems that have become central coal-fired boiler and complete network of insulated pipes served each synonymous with 1960's social housing estates.