Truro Study Final Version 06-12-06
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community planning Carrick Local Development Framework Truro and Threemilestone Area Action Plan Preferred Options under Regulation 26 January 2007 Contents Chapter 1 – Introduction 1 What is this document? 1 Background 1 Involving you in the process 2 Your responses and the Data Protection Act 3 Where next? 4 Chapter 2 – A vision for Truro and Threemilestone 5 Truro City 2026 5 Making 2026 happen 6 SWOT analysis for Truro and Threemilestone 7 Developing a strategy for growth 9 Spatial policies 12 Chapter 3 – Truro City Centre 14 Our vision for the city centre 14 Developing a strategy for the city centre 14 Retailing 15 Consolidating retail growth 16 Improving the retail offer of Truro 17 The Pydar Street scheme 18 Supporting smaller and specialist retailers 19 Markets in the city centre 21 Office uses in the city centre 22 Increasing leisure and evening activity in the city centre 22 A better connected city 23 Pedestrian priority 24 Parking 29 A livable and attractive Truro 31 Housing 31 Public spaces 31 Shopfronts and advertisements 32 Enhancing the built environment 33 Key buildings 33 Chapter 4 – New Communities 35 Housing requirements 35 Master planning and design 36 Housing for all – developing a mix of housing 37 ii Location of housing 37 Proposed locational strategy for housing – Truro and Threemilestone 40 Preferred options for housing growth 41 Highertown 41 Higher Newham 45 Tolgarrick 47 Long term options – Area of search 2016 - 2026 48 Chapter 5 – Employment 49 Employment sites 49 Newham Industrial Estate 50 City Centre sites 51 New and Old County Hall/Truro Football Club 52 Threemilestone 53 Chapter 6 – Infrastructure 55 Highway infrastructure 55 Park and ride 56 Rail based park and ride 58 Medium and long term options for rail use 58 Reducing commuter parking in the city centre 59 Highertown Distributor Road 60 Leisure provision 61 Open space/recreation 63 Chapter 7 – Key Areas of Change 66 Truro Riverside 67 Threemilestone Village Centre 69 Treliske 71 Chapter 8 – Development Principles 73 Sustainable construction 73 Water re-use and drainage 73 Biodiversity 74 Energy efficiency and renewable energy 74 Chapter 9 – Summary of Options 76 Chapter 10 – Implementation and Phasing 83 Appendix A – Discounted housing options 85 Appendix B – Consultees 88 Appendix C – Building for Life Standard 89 Appendix D – Schedule of suggested alterations to the document 90 Appendix D – Further reading 93 iii Foreword By Cllr Mrs S A Callen Portfolio Holder – Environment Truro is a fantastic and unique city with a rich history and a confident future. It acts as a civic focus for Cornwall as well as a major centre of employment, healthcare, education and retail. However we cannot ignore that it is also a city facing immense pressures for growth. It is vital that we have a coherent framework and vision to ensure that this growth retains what we value about our city, whilst addressing the problems that we have. This draft masterplan sets out our ideas for development over the next ten years and beyond. We would like to hear your comments and views on this plan whether positive or negative and any ideas that you may have to help improve it. This is your city, please get involved. Your views and knowledge will help us to further develop this plan and create a city that we can all be proud of. Cllr Mrs S A Callen Portfolio Holder - Environment iv I ntroduction 1 What is this document? 1.1 This document sets out the preferred options for the Truro and Threemilestone Area Action Plan. It sets out the options that we are considering for the location of new transport infrastructure, housing, shopping, office, industrial and leisure in Truro and Threemilestone. It is more importantly a further stage in developing a vision and masterplan for developing a Truro that meets all of our needs in a sustainable and locally distinctive way. 1.2 The Area Action Plan will form one of the documents that together make up the Local Development Framework for Carrick District. It should be read alongside the Core Strategy that sets out the main spatial policies for the district and the Planning Policies document that sets out the general policy framework. Background 1.3 The Local Development Framework will replace the existing Carrick District-Wide Local Plan that was published in 1998. Work on the review of the Local Plan started in 2001 with the publishing of the issues report. The Council had a good response to the issues and options report and the views received have helped to shape this document. 1.4 The Core Strategy has drawn on the work of the Cornwall Structure Plan (2004) and the emerging Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West in recommending that residential growth be concentrated to the South and West of Truro. This work has been further supported through the Landscape Strategy for Truro (2000) and the Highertown Masterplan (2003). 1.5 A Planning and Transport Forum for Truro was set up on the 15th of September 2004 to assist in the development of the Area Action Plan. The group is non- politically based and made up of key stakeholders and representatives of the 1 city1. The group met until April 2005 to discuss key issues affecting the development of the Area Action Plan based on terms and reference and a work programme agreed at inception. 1.6 The key ideas and direction for growth in the city have been identified through the issues and options stage consisting of the 2000 Issues Report, meetings of the Planning and Transport Forum and the input of key stakeholders. Work has also been informed through further studies carried out as background and evidence gathering, including: • The Truro Transport Strategy (2002) • The Local Transport Plan 2006-2011 • Wildlife Corridors Study • Flood Plains information • Urban Capacity Study (2001) • Truro Office Study (2003) • Emerging Truro Retail Survey (2005) • Truro City Centre Urban Design Strategy (2003) • Truro Conservation Area Appraisal (2004) • Cornwall Local Transport Plan (2006) Involving you in the process 1.7 We want to improve public involvement in the planning process. We firmly believe that the best way of developing policy that properly fits the wishes of the community is to consider your views, wishes and local knowledge at an early stage. We believe that this will give the community proper ownership of planning policies and decisions, reflecting your aspirations and needs, and will you to feel more comfortable with the planning process. 1.8 To ensure that this happens, we have prepared a Statement of Community Involvement2. This document has been widely consulted upon and was approved by the Secretary of State and adopted by the council in July 2006. The Statement of Community Involvement is designed to show you how and when 1 For a list of participants see Appendix B 2 Copies of the Statement of Community Involvement are available at our offices, libraries and other public places or upon request. 2 you can get involved in the planning process and what to expect from us when you do. We are committed to: • Communicating clearly; • Making it easy for you to be involved; • Making sure that your involvement is effective; and • Sharing information and providing feedback 1.9 For the Truro Area Action Plan we anticipate exhibitions being held at key locations in the City and presentations to key stakeholders and the City Council. Posters and leaflets will be distributed to raise awareness of the event, alongside advertisements and a press release in the West Briton. The exact timetable and methods of involvement will remain flexible to ensure that it reflects the best way to involve you. 1.10 This document contains a number of Preferred Options for Truro and Threemilestone that we would like you to make comments on. This does not mean that we do not want to hear other views that you might have about the future of Truro and Threemilestone and we will be pleased to hear any views that you have. A response form has been provided with this document to help you make your comments, whilst you do not have to answer the questions, please ensure that you give us your contact details so that we can keep you informed of progress on the plan. Your responses and the Data Protection Act 1.11 The information is collected by Carrick District Council as data controller in accordance with the data protection principles in the Data Protection Act 1998. The purposes for collecting the data are: 1. To assist in preparing the Local Development Framework for the Carrick District; 2. To contact you regarding answers given in your form; 3. To compile a report of responses in the decision making process. 1.12 The above purposes may require public disclosure of any data received by Carrick District Council and may be reproduced for use at Independent 3 Examination of various Planning Documents. If you have any concerns or questions relating to the processing of your data, please contact the Head of Legal and Democratic Services on (01872) 224404. Where next? This diagram shows the process that the Area Action Plan will follow. It shows where we currently are and the next steps that will follow this consultation: Evidence Gathering Consult on Issues and Options This is the stage we are at now Public Participation on the Preferred Options for the AAP Representations on the Preferred Options for the AAP This is what we are asking you to do Preparation of Submission Area Action Plan Submission of Area Action Plan to the Secretary of State Representations on the Area Action Plan Pre examination Meeting Independent Examination Receipt of Independent Inspectors Binding Report Adoption of the Truro & Threemilestone Area Action Plan 4 A vision for Truro and Threemilestone 2 Truro City 2026 2.1 By 2026, Truro will feel very different to how it does today.