Sunniside Development Framework
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Sunniside Development Framework YourYour ccoverover iimagemage iinn tthishis bblacklack bboxox September 2013 Contents Introduction and overview 1 The Sites 2 Historic settlement and overview 3 Urban structure 4 Green Infrastructure and Leisure provision 5 Transport and accessibility 6 Cycling and walking 7 Surrounding key land uses 8 Local Facilities 9 Key site features 10 Ecology 11 Archaeology and cultural heritage 12 Local connectivity plan and wider greenway links 13 Surrounding urban character 14 Summary of site constraints 15 Summery of site opportunities 16 Understanding the local vision and objectives 17 Vision Statement 18 Design objectives and principles 19 Concept framework and masterplan 20 Access and movement 23 Landscape and green infrastructure 25 Wider context 26 SuDs, drainage and foul water 26 Land use, density, capacity and mix 27 Key frontage plan 28 Working with topography 29 Phasing Plan 30 Introduction and overview Sunniside is a large village located directly to the south of Whickham. The village consists predominantly of residential properties set in a succession of estates accessed via Gateshead Road and Sunniside Road. Immediately east of Sunniside is Streetgate which forms a continuation of the village of Sunniside. Sunniside has a large park and also a busy Front Street with a collection of pubs, shops, and amenities. The village is surrounded mainly by farmland, but also neighbours the small village of Marley Hill. To the south east and west the village is surrounded by agricultural land to the north is Watergate Park and Lottie’s Wood. The land surrounding the village is currently designated as Green Belt with the general extents of the village bound by Sunniside Road and Hole Lane to the North, a dismantled railway line to the east (the Tanfield Railway path) and Kingsway Road which loops from Gateshead Road to Hole Lane. 1 The Sites The aerial image below identifies the two site locations. The the east by Pennyfine Road and existing residential properties of the rear of properties fronting onto the A692 and Cheviot View southern site is formed by three distinct areas which collectively different styles, sizes and tenures, and to the south by the former nurseries. The western edge of the site is defined by Lottie’s Wood form a linear shape amounting to approximately 3.6 hectares. The Tanfield Railway. The southern boundary is formed by a public and the northern boundary by hedgerow enclosing gardens. The northern segment is formed by a single agricultural field, the middle footpath which runs from the Burdon Lodge housing estate to the western part of the site includes an area of rough grassland, bushes part of the site is formed by a single private residential dwelling west, along the extents of the site before connecting to Pennyfine and trees. and a number of small workshops and the southern part is formed Road to the east. Beyond the southern boundary are a collection by a nursery and a number of small fields. The site is bounded to of arable fields. The site to the north includes several gardens to 364 & 312 357, 358 & 363 2 Historic settlement 1856 - 1895 1895 - 1898 1916 - 1920 1920 - 2013 evolution Earliest editions of historic maps show that the settlement of Sunnside consisted of little more than a handful of properties and farmsteads set along what is now called Gateshead Road (A692). The Tanfield Railway Line is clearly visible on these plans running in a north east - south westerly direction which led to population growth to service the extraction of coal and ore deposits throughout the region. The settlement’s early origins were related to agriculture but as mining developed in the area the village expanded first in a linear pattern along the main road running through the village between Gateshead and Consett and then gradually extending further north along Sunniside Road. By the 1980s the settlement had undergone the most significant period of expansion and is comparable with what Sunniside consists of today. The most significant development is the construction of a number of residential estates making up the southern half of the settlement. In addition to the settlement’s growth the other most obvious development is the railway having been dismantled. 3 Urban Structure The village’s urban structure reflects its historic evolution with development fronting the three through-routes of the A692 Gateshead- Consett Road, Sunniside Road (connecting with Whickham) and Pennyfine Road (connecting with Lamesley), and open farmland. At the north eastern end of the village are detached houses and some of the more recent housing which has been built around roads and cul de sacs that form spurs from Gateshead Road. Interspersed with this housing are older stone and brick buildings. East Farm Court is distinctive and one of the older remnants of the original agricultural village Sunniside once formed. Development to the south is bounded by the Tanfield Railway line which also forms a physical buffer to housing. Moving along Gateshead Road are a mix of cul-de-sac estates (Burdon Park) and terraced housing which is concentrated around the main commercial focus of the village. Passing along Pennyfine Road leading south out the village are a number of detached bungalows. To the north west of the village are various larger areas of post war suburban housing. Housing on Coronation Road and adjacent streets form semi detached two storey hipped roof housing fronting onto several long linear cul-de-sacs (c1930). At the end of Coronation Road is a larger and later area of 1960s terraced housing. This area of housing characterised by a swathe of green space which follows Kingsway and several parking courtyards. Dwellings are arranged in long runs of terraced housing at right angles to one another. Moving north on Longwood Close properties are detached bungalows some of which are gable fronted units and two storey detached/semi detached dwellings arranged around a network of cul-de-sacs such as Longwood Close, Sunniside Court and Laburnum Grove. Travelling North along Sunniside Road properties front onto the street and are a mixture of 1,1.5 and 2 storey detached and semi-detached dwellings. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2012 Ordnance Survey Gateshead Council 100019132 4 Green Infrasructure and Leisure Provision Within the wider area there is a significant amount of green infrastructure. To the north of the village is Watergate Park and Washingwell Wood which can be accessed via the Tanfield Railway Path. The Tanfield Railway Path also provides access to the south to open countryside. Within the village the largest area of green open space is located to the north Gladeley Way and whilst not a formal park does provide access to green open space. Within Marley Hill to the south of Sunniside and within 20 mins walking distance is a football pitch. The Tanfield Railway Path provides an off road cycling connection to Regional Route 11, which connects Kibblesworth, Birtley and South Tyneside. A local route to the south of Sunniside and Whickham connects to National Cycle route 14, which provides a traffic-free route to Gateshead and Newcastle. West of Sunniside is Whickham Golf Course. To the north east and east are other leisure facilities such as Dunston Hill Swimming Pool and Birtley Swimming Pool. The surrounding open countryside provides considerable recreational opportunities for walking and cycling. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2012 Ordnance Survey Gateshead Council 100019132 5 Transport and Accessibility The A692 runs from the A1(T) Lobley Hill interchange to the A68 at Castleside, and in Sunniside is called Gateshead Road. The A692 Gateshead Road is approximately 8.0m wide with good standard footway along both sides, and is street-lit through the village. Pennyfine Road runs from a priority junction with the A692 Gateshead Road to become Haggs Lane through Lamesley. There is a local convenience store, public house and coffee shop on the A692 Gateshead Road near the Sunniside Road junction. These facilities are accessible to both sites. There is also a post office on Derwent Terrace and dentist on Elm Street West again both within close proximity to the potential development sites. Also located on Gateshead Road is a parade of shops, take away food shop and pharmacy which all within approx 10 mins walking distance of both sites. The Potters Wheel pub is located on the corner of the A692 / A6076 junction. The Tanfield Railway Path provides off road connections to Kibblesworth, Birtley and South Tyneside. To the north east the Tanfield Railway Path connects to Lobley Hill. A local route to the south of Sunniside and Whickham connects to National Cycle Route 14, which provides a traffic-free route to Gateshead and Newcastle. There are frequent bus services from the A692 Gateshead Road (Go North East 43/44 & Go North East X70/X71) that offer regular journey opportunities to Gateshead, Durham, Newcastle and the Metro Centre. Both sites are within short walking distance of bus stops. In summary both sites are accessible on foot or by bike to a range of useful local destinations. There are also public transport options for journeys further afield. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2012 Ordnance Survey Gateshead Council 100019132 6 Cycling and Walking Sunniside South East The Tanfield Railway Path runs south west to north east of the village and provides an off road cycle route connecting to regional route 11. The Tanfield Railway Path connects with Team Valley and the main urban core. This path also provides walking opportunities and connections. There is a network of footpaths and bridleways which lead out the village. Running close to the western boundary of site 357 & 358 (Sunniside South East) is a public footpath which connects with a wider network of footpaths and provides access to the surrounding countryside.