COMMENTS RE FUGGLESTONE RED Application number S/2012/0814 Section 1 Masterplanning and the Wider Context I would like this application to be considered as part of a masterplan for the whole of West Salisbury and Wilton, which should be created within the framework provided by the Wiltshire Core Strategy. Without a coordinated approach to the three major development sites (Fugglestone Red 2; Erskine Barracks and Imerys Quarry); the related infrastructure; public transport and the Strategic Landscape Gap itself, we risk seeing planning applications being considered in a piecemeal fashion that will not lead to the best outcome for Salisbury and Wilton. The Core Strategy suggests linkages and interdependence between these developments. To achieve this I think a comprehensive masterplanning process is needed to address opportunities and challenges and ensure that the Core Strategy objectives can be properly delivered within the context of Salisbury, Wilton and the surrounding areas and visitor attractions. The masterplan should complement the Salisbury Vision and help to strengthen the links between Salisbury and Stonehenge. The Fugglestone Red site is in a strategic location on the A360 between Salisbury and the future location of the Stonehenge Visitor Centre. When approaching by road from Stonehenge visitors will arrive at the new gateway to Salisbury at the north west corner of this site. Taken together I believe these three sites present a major opportunity to regenerate areas, improve non- car connections and boost the tourism economy for Salisbury, Wilton and the surrounding villages. With the landowners permission there may also be potential for local food production in the Strategic Landscape Gap. By working in partnership developers, landowners, councils, community groups and other interested parties could develop a masterplan which will have benefits for the economy, the environment and local communities. Wiltshire Council should initiate and coordinate this masterplanning process. Public consultation will be an important part of the process. As significant landowners in the affected area, Wilton Estates should be approached at an early stage. Over the last three months I have been developing a variety of ideas which have evolved as an extension of the Bemerton Activity Trails (BATS) and I have discussed the issues widely with interested parties in Salisbury and Wilton. The key proposal for a masterplan has received positive interest from the following organisations and individuals among others: Wilton CLT and their partner, developers Our Enterprise Salisbury Civic Society Salisbury Vision Natural England invited me to submit expression of interest for Paths4Communities funding and are also interested in the masterplan ideas and Stonehenge connection Salisbury Arts Festival have submitted a Nature of Art funding application for the Bemerton and Barnards Folly 2013 and plan to work in partnership with BATS if successful Wiltshire Wildlife are are investigating possible food growing projects with BATS SCCAP referred to the development of BATS in the Salisbury City Community Area Plan Agenda 21 / Walking for Health are liasing on the development of trails Salisbury Greenspace Initiative Bemerton Heath Residents Association Bemerton Heath Interagency Group COGS (Cycling Opportunities Group Salisbury) Bemerton Heath Doctors Surgery Wiltshire Councillor, Chris Cochrane Salisbury City Councillors: John Abbott; Frank Pennycook Section 2 Foot/cycle connections with surrounding areas The Core Strategy stipulates that the new development should be integrated with the existing Fugglestone Red area, and the application indicates a new foot/cycle connection formed by demolition of one house. However if the existing route through Cooks Close is lost then the end result will be no net increase in connectivity for this isolated area. From Rambridge Crescent, between numbers 44 and 46 past the existing garages there is a connection with the Cooks Close playground in the existing Fugglestone Red community, and also access to the field which is in the area of the proposed new development. Although no right of way exists here at present it is an important link between the existing communities and is also a direct link to the countryside at present. This would form a connection between all three communities I think it would be worth investing in an enlarged and improved play area here as a meeting point for children from all these communities. There may be scope to expand the play area into the neglected Rambridge Crescent garage area (owned by Wiltshire Council?). It is a short walk from this area to the Bemerton and Barnards Folly Nature Reserve where the Salisbury Arts Festival hope to obtain funding for a Nature of Art project in 2013. A play and/or nature trail could link the Folly to the Cooks Close / Rambridge Crescent play area and to the open spaces and play areas in the new development. This would form a positive connection between the new and existing communities and could form part of a route for the BATS Fun Run and Walking for Health walks. Section 3 Trails & Green Infrastructure Strategy including Safe Routes to Schools A joined-up network of multi-functional trails should be incorporated into the new developments for safe routes to schools and to link green spaces and facilities. New rights of way will be required in strategic locations. The trails should make positive connections between new and existing communities. The trails should link open spaces; play areas and nature reserves. Routes should be connected to bus, rail & the Wilton Park & Ride. The landscape and wildlife habitat should be enhanced as part of the process of creating new routes. Wiltshire Council are currently developing a Green Infrastructure Strategy, and Agenda 21 have brought together a number of relevant organisations in the Salisbury Greenspace Initiative. Working within this framework we can plan and improve our local routes as part of a larger network linking outdoor spaces, community facilities and visitor attractions. With a comprehensive green infrastructure strategy in place it may be possible to reduce parking space provision for new developments including Fugglestone Red. Long distance routes which pass through the site could connect (a) Wilton to Old Sarum and (b) West Salisbury and Wilton to the Woodford Valley and Stonehenge. I would like to see three new rights of way: 1. Along the north boundary of Sarum Academy across the informal open space as part of a possible future route linking Wilton and the Erskine Barracks site to Sarum Academy via the Strategic Landscape Gap. This would form part of longer walking routes from Wilton to Old Sarum and Salisbury. 2. A south / north right of way via the field to the north of Sarum Academy to link to (a) right of way (1) above and (b) leading to the proposed primary foot/cycle routes through open space in the new development. This would help to encourage walking and cycling to school and compensate for the loss of the direct connection between Bemerton Heath and the countryside. 3. The connection between Cooks Close, Rambridge Crescent and the proposed primary foot/cycle routes in the new development where at present there is permissive access (as explained in section 2) I have spoken with representatives of Natural England about the Paths for Communities (P4C) scheme which is a funding scheme set up to develop and enhance the network of Public Rights of Way. They have given very positive feedback about the trails. They are particularly interested in connections to Stonehenge, Old Sarum and local villages. I have been asked to submit an expression of interest in advance of a funding application for P4C. The development of the trails could help to reduce the isolation of Bemerton Heath and improve its reputation. The trails which pass through Bemerton Heath could form a focus for targeted improvements to landscaping and street furniture as part of a longer term strategy for the Heath. Section 4 Access to the Countryside The development should be amended to ensure continued access to the countryside for people in adjacent communities and it should retain or compensate for any loss of wildlife habitat. This can be achieved through trails (green corridors) which connect green spaces together and to the farmland. Bemerton Heath and Fugglestone Red currently enjoy direct access to countryside. For many years residents have enjoyed the use of the field to the north of Sarum Academy, which has attractive views across the valley in the landscape gap. There is an (unofficial) route from here through the adjacent field to the Cooks Close playground which benefits from similar views. Penning Road runs along the boundary between Bemerton Heath and the proposed development. The trees, and high hedgerows provide a rich wildlife habitat and an abundant crop of blackberries which are particularly enjoyed by the children of Bemerton Heath and Fugglestone Red as well as pupils from Sarum Academy. Section 5 Local Food Production I would like to see some of the agricultural land in the Strategic Landscape Gap used for local food production with some form of community supported agriculture. This could supply a local shop with fresh produce and encourage community cohesion. It could also provide a valuable education resource for local primary schools and Sarum Academy. Food growing areas could form part of a community / childrens farm for the benefit of local people, visitors and school children. The aforementioned trail from Wilton to Old Sarum could meet the River Bourne Farm trail at Old Sarum. Section 6 Schools If possible the new primary school should be located adjacent to the land allocated as informal open space on the south side of the site. There would be good walking and cycling links from the Erskine Barracks site and this location would give direct access to an extensive ‘outdoor classroom’ which is now an integral part of the primary schools curriculum.