Landore Court Design and Access Statement Contents 1.0 Introduction 2.0 Context 3.0 Design Development 4.0 Precedents 5.0 Design Proposal 6.0 Accessibility 7.0 Landscape 8.0 Accommodation 9.0 Sustainability 10.0 Visualisation 11.0 Summary 2 1.0 Introduction 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Executive Summary This planning application is submitted to the city of Cardiff Council proposing development of the site known as Landore Court bounded by Charles Street and Wesley Lane. The proposal is for a mixed use development comprising of Built to Rent (BTR) residential apartments with associated amenity spaces and commercial uses at ground floor. The proposed development is immediately deliverable and is submitted by Ropemaker Properties Limited. The site has the potential to continue the regeneration of the area already initiated by the adjacent Exchange building on Bridge Street and proposals reinforce a language and quality of architecture heralded by its neighbour. It is acknowledged that, in terms of use and design, proposals on the Landore Court site needs to respond sensitively to the varied context. This is particularly relevant in that buildings forming part of this development need to respond positively to the Charles Street and Churchill Way Conservation Areas. It is our view that the proposals contained herein, which are the result of detailed consultation with the Council, are contextual and are a result of site specific considerations in terms of design, scale, form, mass, and materiality. Site location within city context 4 1.0 Introduction 1.2 Project Team Client/ Developer Crossmark Developments Ltd Architect Rio Architects Ltd Planning Consultant Avison Young Structural and Civil Engineer Hydrock M+E Engineer Hydrock Heritage The Environmental Dimension Partnership Ltd (EDP) Archaeology EDP Transport and Highways Hydrock Air quality Hydrock Acoustics / Noise Hydrock Ecology Wildwood Ecology Wind K8T Public Consultation Avison Young Geotechnical Hydrock Sustainability / Energy / Breeam Hydrock Building Control NHBC Daylight and sunlight Avison Young 5 2.0 Context 2.0 Context 2.1 Location + Movement The site is within five to ten minutes walking distance of many of Cardiff’s key points of interest including the Principality Stadium, Cineworld, The Motorpoint Arena, St David’s II Shopping Centre, St David’s Hall, Central Library, Chapel 1877 and Cardiff Castle to name a few. The proximity of the site to both Cardiff Central and Queen Street station as well as major employers and amenities in the city underlines its suitability for a BTR residential development. ` The adjacent map indicates the location of the site within the city context with key routes and locations highlighted. These include shopping areas, visitor sites m m m m m m and existing and future major city centre development m areas. 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 University / College Buildings Cinemas Stadium / Arenas / Theatres Shopping Centres Gym / Leisure Centre Library Train Line Pedestrian Routes Commercial Development Sites 7 2.0 Context 2.2 Existing context The site is located towards the Southern end of Charles Street, close to busy shopping and commercial areas of the city centre. The site lies wholly within the Charles Street Conservation Area and backs onto the Churchill Way Conservation Area. Immediately adjacent to the site is the recently completed Bridge Street Exchange student accommodation building which, at 27 storeys is the tallest building in Cardiff. Charles Street is a busy pedestrian thoroughfare lined with historic listed terraces containing a number of uses. The Northern end of the Street is bookended with a pair of historic churches whereas the Southern end is bounded by more contemporary additions in Tŷ Admiral and Bridge Street Exchange. The following three pages explore the character of the context and the key elements which make up Charles Street and the surrounding area. 8 2.0 Context 2.2 Existing Context – South on Charles St (Former) Ebeneser Church and St David’s Cathedral Mid-19th Century Terraces frame the North of Charles Street, while the South end The middle of the street is strongly defined by the mid 19th is framed by Tŷ Admiral and Bridge Street Exchange. Century houses and its architectural rhythm is maintained by the regularity of the windows and detailing. The rhythm of the façade is maintained along the street including the different architectural styles of the Quakers Meeting House and 41 Charles Street,. The terraces set up a regular rhythm along the streetscape. Street trees aid in defining the street-line, and the gated thresholds defing the streetscape. Cornerstone Conference Centre and St David’s Cathedral The (Former) Ebeneser Church, now Cornerstone Conference Centre and St David’s Cathedral are Grade II listed. While in close proximity to the site, they are considerable detached from the proposed development site , therefore unaffected by the development. 9 2.0 Context 2.2 Existing Context – Wesley Lane Quaker Meeting House Wesley Lane The back yard of the 19th century building faces onto Wesley The surfacing of Wesley Lane Lane. It is occupied predominantly by a garden with dense is in poor condition with vegetation and large trees. The rear of the building also worn patches of asphalt and includes car parking which is accessed via Wesley Lane. uneven cobble stone. Bridge Street Exchange Churchill Way Development Bridge Street Exchange was completed in 2018. The tower has a strong Currently under construction, this redevelopment of three existing presence onto the development site. The tower overhangs slightly over Victorian dwellings facing Churchill Way will convert them from Wesley Lane and is unconnected to the ground. The elevation facing office use into residential flats. The rear of the buildings is of a more Wesley Lane includes the service yard which allows access to the bin contemporary design with windows and Juliet balconies facing onto and cycle store and an Alcohol Treatment Centre. The materials at the Wesley Lane. base of the building consist of a simple dark brick with some mesh and solid doorways. 10 2.0 Context 2.2 Existing Context – Charles St. Bridge Street Exchange Chapel 1877 Completed in 2018, Bridge Street Exchange is a high-rise Built in 1887, it was formerly known as Pembroke mixed-use development comprising student accommodation, Terrace Chapel, designed in a French Gothic style an Alcohol Treatment Centre and commercial units at ground by local architect Henry C. Harris. It is Grade II Tŷ Admiral: Admiral HQ floor. Designed by Rio Architects, it continues the vertical listed and was converted to a bar/restaurant in Completed in 2014, Admiral Insurance HQ was rhythm of the area with glass reinforced concrete panels, 2008. designed by Glenn Howells Architects. The anodised aluminium and expanded aluminium mesh. contemporary design and height sets a precedent for tall buildings in the area. The repetitive façade was built using a high quality concrete composite material which is interspersed with curtain wall to create a regular rhythm. Ivor House This site has been earmarked for development as part of a wider masterplan. 11 2.0 Context 2.3 Tall Buildings – city Context Under Cardiff city Council’s SPG on Tall Buildings, there are numerous buildings within close proximity to the site which are considered ‘tall buildings’. The image adjacent demonstrates that the majority of tall buildings are to the south west and north of the development site. There are also three key city centre development sites identified in green namely, Central Square, Capital Quarter and Central Quay. It is clear that Cardiff is in a phase of urban renewal and a cohesive approach to the placement of tall elements will assist in the legibility of the city and the need to reinforce a sense of place. The Landore Court site presents the opportunity to provide a development that affords a dialogue with adjacent tall buildings in a manner that does not compromise the Heritage aspects of the site. In accordance with the SPG on tall buildings, the opportunity to develop Landore Court must address the key criteria set out in paragraph 2.2 of the policy :- Landore Court site 12 2.0 Context 2.3 Tall Buildings 10 9 The site is to the north of a swathe of tall and significant buildings which stretch along the southern and eastern 8 boundaries of the city centre. These buildings are 13 7 generally positioned along the fringes of the railway line 14 that connects Cardiff Central and Cardiff Queen Street stations. 6 This cluster is a prominent character of the area and a 5 significant feature of the city. The buildings include: Constructed 4 1 - The Radisson Blu Hotel circa 75m 2 - The Marriott Hotel circa 43m 3 3 - Meridian Plaza circa 40m 1 16 4 - Alto Lusso circa 72m 2 18 5 - Tŷ Pont Haearn circa 63m 17 6 – Tŷ Admiral circa 61m 12 7 - Premier Inn circa 55m 8 - Landmark Place circa 51m 15 9 - The Aspect circa 45m 11 10 - Brunel House circa 58m 19 11 - Clayton Hotel circa 37m 12 - Stadium House circa 78m 13 - Capital Tower circa 80m 14 – Bridge Street Exchange circa 85m 15 – HMRC Building circa 55m 16 – Zenith circa 86m Planning Approved 17 - Custom House Street circa 132m 18 – John Street circa 94m Pending Approval 19 – The Interchange circa 91m 13 2.0 Context 2.3 Tall Buildings – Immediate Context Landmark Place Helmont House Landore Court Bridge St Exchange Tŷ Admiral 51m / 17 storeys 58m / 12 storeys 81m / 27 storeys 61m / 14 storeys 14 1414 2.0 Context 2.4 Constraints + Opportunities. The site is a prime city centre development opportunity and is suitably located to create a sustainable urban residential environment. Development of the site will enhance the existing conservation area and be of benefit to an area in need to regeneration.