Public Realm and Digital Infrastructure Planning Application January 2021 Planning, Heritage and Design and Access Statement Riverside Sunderland Public Realm and Digital Infrastructure Project Planning, Heritage and Design and Access Statement Siglion Developments LLP Job No: 1028146 Doc Ref: 1028146-PG01-RPT-5G PS- Rev D Revision: D Revision Date: 20 January 2021 Riverside Sunderland Public Realm and Digital Project title Job Number Infrastructure Project Report title Planning, Heritage and Design and Access Statement 1028146 Document Revision History Revision Ref Issue Date Purpose of issue / description of revision - 11 December 2020 Draft A 14 December 2020 Revised Draft B 04 January 2021 Revised Draft following Client Comment C 14 January 2021 Draft for Client Comment D 20 January 2021 Final Document Validation (latest issue) X X X Principal author Checked by Verified by Document Ref. 1028146-PG01-RPT-5G PS- Rev D Contents 7.7 Structural Considerations 28 1.0 Introduction 2 7.8 Trees 28 2.0 Site Context 3 7.9 Ecology 28 2.1 Site Description 3 8.0 Conclusion 30 2.2 Planning History 3 3.0 Proposed Development 5 3.1 Introduction 5 3.2 Description of Development 5 3.3 Relationship to Other Relevant Planning Applications and EIA Regulations 6 4.0 Relevant Planning Policy Context 7 4.1 National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 7 4.2 Planning Practice Guidance (PPG) 2019 8 4.3 ‘Historic England Advice 8 4.4 Local Planning Policy 10 4.5 Emerging Planning Policy 11 5.0 Design and Access Statement 12 5.1 Design 12 5.2 Access 16 6.0 Heritage Statement 17 6.1 Understanding Significance 17 6.2 Assessment of Significance 17 6.3 Assessment of Impact 22 6.4 Conclusion 23 7.0 Relevant Planning Issues 24 7.1 Archaeology 24 7.2 Heritage 24 7.3 Land Contamination 25 7.4 Flood Risk and Drainage 26 7.5 Design and Access and Landscape 27 7.6 Lighting 27 Document Ref. 1028146-PG01-RPT-5G PS- Rev D 1.0 Planning, Heritage and Design and Access Statement Document Ref. 1028146-PG01-RPT-5G PS- Rev D 1 1.0 Introduction This planning, heritage and design and access statement (henceforth referred to as the “Statement”) has been prepared by Cundall on behalf of Siglion Developments LLP as Applicant for a forthcoming planning application. The description of development is as follows: “detailed planning application for laying of underground data ducts and associated infrastructure, together with creation of and improvements to shared footpaths, erection of lighting columns, handrails, structural reinforcement works, erection of retaining wall, installation of ancillary drainage, street furniture and hard and soft landscaping. Proposals also include improvements to the existing Galley’s Gill footbridge, installation of decorative balustrading, installation of associated lighting and associated footpath repairs. Development situated on land to the North of St, Mary’s Way, Sunderland, including parts of the former Vaux Brewery Site, Galley’s Gill Farringdon Row and the connecting Galley’s Gill Footbridge”. This planning application is submitted to Sunderland City Council as Local Planning Authority. This statement demonstrates how the proposed development complies with national and local planning policy and aligns within the overarching Riverside Masterplan SPD. This report also aims to show how, in the context of a number of factors associated with the site, that the site is capable of comfortably accommodating the development. This report forms part of a wider package of supporting information that has been prepared to support the application. The information being submitted is set out within the table below and these technical reports and information have been used as the basis for assessing site specific risks in conjunction with the proposal in section 7.0 of this document. Document/ Information Prepared by Arboricultural Impact Assessment All About Trees Desk Based Archaeological Assessment Durham Archaeology Drainage Strategy Cundall Landscaping Details One Environments, Camlins Phase I Ecological Assessment and Habitat Regulations Durham Wildlife Services Assessment Structural Plans Cundall Phase 1 Geotechnical Assessment Cundall Lighting Details Balfour Beatty (Aurora) Document Ref. 1028146-PG01-RPT-5G PS- Rev D 2 2.0 Site Context 2.1 Site Description The site is approximately 2ha and is located within Sunderland city centre, shown in figure 1 below: Figure 1: Location Plan The site is comprised of part of the former Vaux brewery site, Galley’s Gill, Farringdon Row and Galley’s Gill footbridge and footpath. The site currently consists of existing cliff edge footpaths, shrub and open grass areas. The area associated with the proposed footpath is approximately 0.7Ha with the remaining 1.5 Ha located within Galley’s Gill. The approximate national grid reference of the site is NZ392573 and is located north of St. Mary's Boulevard. The existing footpath levels vary along its length ranging between from 30.0m to 35.0m AOD. 2.2 Planning History The relevant planning history for the site is provided below, accessed using SCC’s Public Access system. Application Description of Development Decision Reference 15/02557/HY4 HYBRID APPLICATION: The development will comprise a first Approved Dec 2015 (detailed) phase (7319 sq. m Gross External Area) to include 6319 sq. m (GEA) Office Accommodation (B1) and ground floor uses (1000 sq. m GEA) including leisure (D1, D2), food and drink (A3, A4) and retail uses (A1), stopping up of existing highways and creation of associated infrastructure including internal access roads, landscaping, public realm and the continuation of the Keel Line landscape feature. The application also seeks outline consent for up to 201 residential units, Document Ref. 1028146-PG01-RPT-5G PS- Rev D 3 commercial uses including Offices (B1), Hotel (C1), Leisure (D1, D2), Food and Drink (A3, A4) Car Parking (Sui Generis) and Retail (A1) (maximum of 2499 sq. m for retail developments across the entire site) together with associated landscaping, car parking, public realm and creation of extended promontory to support the Keel Line beyond the upper site plateau. All matters apart from access to be reserved in relation to the outline element of the proposals. Stopping up of highway. 16/02364/FU4 Erection of a steel staircase and lift enclosure to provide a pedestrian Approved Feb 2017 link between the former Vaux Brewery Site and Riverside Park to form the final section of the Keel Line public realm. Structure to include an illuminated pendulum feature. Works to include ancillary landscaping works to land at Vaux site and existing open space at Riverside Park, including stopping up of a highway. 17/00197/LP3 Sunderland Strategic Transport Corridor, Stage 3: Construction of a Approved Oct 2017 2.15km dual carriageway between the southern bridge head of the new Wear Crossing and St Mary's Roundabout; including associated street lighting, landscaping, retaining walls, demolition of a number of buildings and stopping up of some existing accesses. (Amendments received) 17/01848/FU4 Application for temporary uses on the Vaux site for a period of no more Approved Dec 2017 than 7 years. Uses to include, Retail (A1), Restaurants / cafes A3, Assembly and Leisure (D2) and Urban Allotment (Sui Generis). Other Sui Generis uses may include ice rink(s), performance stage(s), Outdoor Cinema(s), market(s), temporary games court(s) / play space(s) with sand/turf, installation of shipping containers, new boundary / screen fencing, floodlighting and associated infrastructure. (AMENDED DESCRIPTION) 20/01842/FU4 Construction of two new buildings for office use (Use Class E) with a Approved Nov 2020 range of ancillary uses (Use Class E/F.1/Sui Generis) and associated landscape works. The planning history for the site demonstrates its varied history in relation to past uses. The most recent approvals relate to the redevelopment of the site in accordance with the Vaux masterplan approved in 2015. Document Ref. 1028146-PG01-RPT-5G PS- Rev D 4 3.0 Proposed Development This section of the statement sets out the proposals that are the subject of this planning application. 3.1 Introduction Digital connectivity is essential for us to lead our modern lives. Siglion is taking major steps to help achieve this future and contribute to the connectivity of the City of Sunderland. The primary aim of this project is to deliver new digital infrastructure combined with new footpaths, public spaces, and refurbished Galley’s Gill Bridge. This new investment in the public realm affords further opportunities to improve accessibility in the city and help reveal the diverse local history, ecology, and the unique geology around the riverside. Digital networks will support our activities in all the outdoor areas, helping to facilitate extended uses for everyone around the year. The new designs will build upon existing public realm constructed as part of the first phase of Vaux and refurbish the deck and railings of Galley’s Gill Bridge. This project links into new digital infrastructure installed in other developments within the wider city and will help unlock high quality new homes and modern employment space at Riverside Sunderland. 3.2 Description of Development The description of development is as follows, “detailed planning application for laying of underground data ducts and associated infrastructure, together with creation of and improvements to shared footpaths, erection of lighting columns, handrails, structural reinforcement works, erection of retaining wall, installation of ancillary drainage, street furniture and hard and soft landscaping. Proposals also include improvements to the existing Galley’s Gill footbridge, installation of decorative balustrading, installation of associated lighting and associated footpath repairs. Development situated on land to the North of St, Mary’s Way, Sunderland, including parts of the former Vaux Brewery Site, Galley’s Gill Farringdon Row and the connecting Galley’s Gill Footbridge”. The proposed works include the laying of digital infrastructure cabling and ducting, along the route (blue line) shown in figure 2 below: Figure 2: Digital Infrastructure Route Document Ref.