DRAFT Fabian Way Innovation Corridor Masterplan Framework: Working Draft October 2015 Fabian Way Innovation Corridor Masterplan Framework: working draft DRAFT 2 Fabian Way Innovation Corridor Masterplan Framework: working draft DRAFT C ontents 1. Introduction 4 Vision and Objectives Contact Details 1.1 Overview 4.1 Vision To discuss a planning proposal with the relevant 1.2 Why is a Framework Needed? 4.2 Objectives Local Planning Authority, please contact: 1.3 Defining the Corridor Area 4.3 Precedents 2. Policy Context City & County of Swansea Council 5 Masterplan Framework 2.1 National Context Email: [email protected] 5.1 Introducing the Masterplan 2.2 Regional Context 5.2 Movement Telephone: 01792 635701 2.3 Local Context 5.3 Land Uses 5.4 Place Making Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council 3. Analysis 3.1 Existing Land Uses 6 Implementation and Delivery Email: [email protected] 3.2 Constraints 6.1 Material Planning Consideration Telephone: 01639 686726 3.3 History of the Area 6.2 Implementation 3.4 Economic Opportunities 6.3 Phasing 3.5 Urban Design Opportunities 6.4 Developer Contributions 3.6 Summary of Opportunities 6.5 Partnership Working 3.7 Summary of Constraints Fabian Way Innovation Corridor Masterplan Framework: working draft 3 DRAFT 1 Introduction economic and community functions. In at risk. Therefore, the Framework seeks to 1.1 Overview addition, the Framework seeks to capture, provide an integrated approach, maximise 1.1.1 This draft masterplan framework has as far as possible, all associated benefits in the benefits of each site and overcome site been produced jointly by the City and terms of third party research and constraints. The Corridor is home to a mix of County of Swansea (CCS) Council and development and high technology important established and emerging uses Neath Port Talbot (NPT) County Borough businesses seeking to locate close to the and the Framework seeks to co-ordinate Council to co-ordinate development in the Universities and SBTL. development to avoid bad neighbour effects. Fabian Way Corridor area. 1.1.4. The Lagoon provides a ‘game 1.2.3. The Corridor is one of the key 1.1.2 The vision is for an ‘Innovation changing’ opportunity to regenerate the approach routes from the M4 into Swansea Corridor’, building upon the prestigious Corridor, particularly through the anticipated City Centre, the heart of the City Region, and Higher Education developments being significant improvements it will bring to the the design principles set out by this undertaken by Swansea University and the public realm. It is anticipated that SBTL will Framework seek to enhance its gateway University of Wales Trinity St David bring clustering benefits from businesses function and maximise accessibility in-line (UWTSD); and also the Swansea Bay Tidal linked to the tidal energy sector and marine with the Fabian Way Corridor Transport Lagoon (SBTL), the world’s first man-made engineering. Assessment (TA). energy generating lagoon which was granted development consent on 9th June 1.2.4. A key aim is to better integrate the 2015. The Framework aims to reinforce 1.2 Why is a Framework Needed? communities either side of Fabian Way. the identity of the City Region’s emerging 1.2.1. The Framework is needed to build Although the majority of the development knowledge and innovation economy by upon high profile developments, such as opportunities are south of the dual supporting the development of a local the SBTL and the Higher Education carriageway, the Framework seeks to ensure Knowledge Economy Cluster, which will developments. These will provide the regeneration benefits are also felt to the complement the Swansea City Centre opportunities for growth within the Region north. regeneration aims and provide employment and a shift towards a knowledge based 1.2.5. The above overarching principles are opportunities and economic benefits for the economy. The Framework will seek to reflected in subsequent sections. The City Region. maximise such opportunities, developing Framework does not set out detailed key links and infrastructure needed to 1.1.3 It will facilitate this by guiding future development briefs for each site, but does promote growth within the City Region, and land use through a place making approach, specify an overall development layout, co-ordinating the re-use of derelict former and identifying priority actions with the desired accessibility linkages and a land use docks and related sites. potential to bring about long term framework. improvement to the connectivity and 1.2.2. These development sites are in 1.2.6. This draft Framework will be the infrastructure of the Corridor area. The multiple private ownership. Each has subject of public/stakeholder consultation. measures set out will serve to facilitate and physical constraints which could hinder their Ultimately it will be adopted as shape the future expansion of both individual development potential. Unco- Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) Universities enhancing their educational, ordinated development proposals would put and form a material planning consideration to the long-term regeneration of the Corridor the Local Development Plan (LDP) for each area. 4 Fabian Way Innovation Corridor Masterplan Framework: working draft DRAFT 1.3 Defining the Corridor Area 1.3.1. The Corridor stretches for 5km along 1.3.2. It covers an area from the eastern (SSSI). To the south is Swansea Bay. The 1.3.3. While the Framework covers the whole the A483 Fabian Way, which forms the bank of the River Tawe in the City and west connects to Swansea City Centre, Corridor, detailed masterplans already exist for eastern gateway road approach to Swansea County of Swansea to the Amazon whilst the north is edged by the Tennant SA1 and the Bay Campus. This Framework City Centre from the M4 Junction 42. The roundabout in Neath Port Talbot. The Canal and restricted by the Crymlyn Bog seeks to co-ordinate the planning of the Corridor area is illustrated in Figure 1. eastern extent is limited by the Crymlyn and established communities of St intervening land with these established Burrows Site of Special Scientific Interest Thomas / Port Tennant. development frameworks. Figure 1: Defining the Fabian Way Corridor City and County of Swansea Council Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council County Boundary Fabian Way Innovation Corridor Masterplan Framework: working draft 5 DRAFT 2 Policy Context (TANs) and good practice guidance. 2.1 National Context Identifies potential environmental 2.2 Regional Context risks / pollution issues and seeks to 2.1.1. The key principles are underpinned 2.1.4. Of particular note for the place 2.2.1. Swansea and Neath Port Talbot form part minimise / manage them by national planning guidance contained in making approach advocated by this of the Swansea Bay City Region. The most up to Planning Policy Wales (PPW, 2014). This Is subject to public consultation and document is the Manual for Streets (MfS, date regional policy context is provided by the Framework : will be reviewed on a regular basis 2007), a companion guide to TAN 18, Swansea Bay City Region Economic produced to counter the dominance of Regeneration Strategy (ERS) 2013-2030. Its Promotes the use of previously 2.1.2. In-line with national guidance and vehicles in streets. Its main aim is to key aspiration is: developed land and regeneration good practice this Framework has been facilitate the creation of streets that “By 2030, South West Wales will be a confident, Proposes mixed use development in prepared collaboratively by the two promote greater social interaction and ambitious and connected City Region, recognised an accessible location within an Councils due to the strategic and cross enjoyment while still performing internationally for its emerging Knowledge and existing urban area boundary nature of the area. It is successfully as movement conduits. MfS 2 Innovation economy”. underpinned by a cross boundary Supports development of innovative (2010) stresses that all new streets must Economic Assessment and Employment 2.2.2. The Strategy identifies the need to raise business / technology clusters be ‘walkable’ and provides further detailed Land Provision Study (2012), Housing guidance demonstrating how these areas productivity from 77% to 90% of the UK average. Promotes sustainable communities Market Assessment (2013), and Joint should pre-eminently be ‘places’ as well as Importantly, this will require a change to both the Integrates / co-ordinates land use and Local Transport Plan (2015). focal areas for movement. sectoral mix of the economy to higher-value activity and the occupational mix to higher- value planning with transport planning, 2.1.3. It has been prepared with reference The highway should not be seen in jobs. seeks to improve accessibility by to the relevant Technical Advice Notes isolation or simply as a piece of walking, cycling and public transport; infrastructure. The best highway promotes use of the port and designs respect their surroundings - the buildings, open space and identifies the potential re- pedestrian/cycle routes that pass establishment of an historic inland through an area. (MfS2 p42) waterway 2.1.5. The Active Travel Act requires Local Identifies and supports the provision Authorities to continuously improve of necessary infrastructure facilities/routes for pedestrians and cyclists improvements and to prepare maps identifying current/ Protects the vitality of the adjacent potential future routes. It requires new road City Centre, adopting