TRIMLEY ESTATE MASTERPLAN SUMMARY REPORT OCTOBER 2007 Contents Executive summary 1.0. Introduction 1.1 The Council’s vision for Felixstowe 1.2 The Trimley Estates’ contribution to the Felixstowe vision 1.2.1 A brief history of the Trimley Estate 1.2.2 A vision for the Trimley Estate 2.0 Setting the scene: the planning context 2.1 Regional level - The East of England Plan 2.2 Sub-regional level – Haven Gateway 2.3 Local level – Suffolk Coastal DC Local Development Framework 3.0 The housing needs 4.0 The community needs 4.1 Education 4.2 Health 4.3 Shops and businesses 4.4 Sports grounds and play areas 4.5 Other community facilities 4.5.1 Community halls, sports clubs and social clubs 4.5.2 Places of worship 4.5.3 Public houses 4.5.4 Allotments 5.0 Access and movement The Team 5.1 Road network 5.2 Public transport Bidwells Planning 5.3 Cycle and pedestrian routes 5.4 Travel to work LDA Design Masterplanning, Landscape 5.5 Conclusion & Ecology 6.0 Built and natural environment WSP Transport & noise 6.1 Topography and hydrology 6.2 Landscape Royal Haskoning Drainage & utilities 6.2.1 Landscape designations 6.2.2 Landscape character Fulcrum Energy 6.3 Townscape and heritage 6.4 Ecology 6.4.1 Environmental designations 6.4.2 Protected species and species of conservation concern 6.4.3 Habitat surveys 7.0 The sustainable growth of Felixstowe 7.1 A comprehensive solution 7.1.1 Location and extent of proposed development 7.1.2 New community facilities 7.1.3 Accessibility 7.1.4 Landscape strategy 7.1.5 Biodiversity gains 7.1.6 Density and tenures 7.1.7 Employment 7.1.8 Energy strategy 7.1.9 Drainage and utilities 7.1.10 Expanding the tourism offer 7.2 Site specifi c proposals 7.2.1 Walton 7.2.2 Trimley St Martin 7.2.3 Trimley St Mary 8.0 Deliverability 8.1 Land ownership 8.2 Phasing 8.3 Taking proposals forward through the planning process 8.4 Sustainability and design quality standards 8.5 Appropriate assessment 9.0 Conclusion Appendix 1 - Sustainability Appraisal EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Suffolk Coastal District Council is In summary, the proposals include: Biodiversity gains, landscape The development of land at Walton currently engaged in the preparation of improvements and community and the Trimleys would enable the a new Local Development Framework Mixed use urban extension to woodland on the wider Estate for the implementation of more attractive public which will shape the future of the district Walton on land north and south of benefi t of both Felixstowe’s residents transport links and would encourage and guide the determination of planning the High Street. This consists of and its visitors. access between residential areas and applications. Part of this process around 655 new dwellings including the Port by non-car modes of travel. involves the identifi cation of sites for affordable housing; a ‘super-surgery’ Sustainable drainage systems, energy housing and employment provision as providing health services to the wider effi cient buildings and renewable The Trimley Estate masterplan well as the preparation of a long term community; an ‘Enterprise Centre’ energy generation across the represents a long term vision and vision for Felixstowe and the adjoining accommodating emerging and small development sites. commitment from the land owner to the communities of Trimley St Mary and existing businesses; new public open highest standards of sustainability and Trimley St Martin. spaces within easy walking distance Enhanced transport provision design which we believe few landowners of both the Walton and Trimley including new bus service and on the peninsula can match. This vision covers objectives relating to St Mary residents; and improved upgraded pedestrian and cycle regeneration, the provision of community vehicular, cycle and pedestrian links to the Port; and environmental A series of national standards covering facilities, the balance between access to the Orwell High School improvements along High Street all aspects of design, such as the Code housing and employment provision, from the High Street. and High Road to reduce through for Sustainable Homes, BREEAM, public transport improvements, the traffi c and vehicle speeds, making Buildings for Life and Secured by Design diversifi cation of the economy and Mixed use urban extension to Trimley walking and cycling safer and easier, are proposed to be adopted to ensure the development of the tourism offer, St Martin on land south-west, south especially between the villages and an exceptional quality of development amongst others. and south-east of the existing Orwell High School. which positively contributes to quality residential estate. This consists of life in the existing communities of This document explains how the Trimley of around 1,250 new dwellings Together, these proposals will generate Walton, Trimley St Mary and Trimley St Estate can contribute to the Council’s including affordable housing; a benefi ts for the wider community of Martin. vision for Felixstowe. Given its strategic dual-entry primary school and Felixstowe, Walton, Trimley St Mary and position directly adjacent to the town combined community hall; a local Trimley St Martin including additional and the Port, and extensive coverage, neighbourhood food store and a patronage for the existing businesses the Trimley Estate is ideally positioned parade of local services within easy on Walton High Street; a better balance to help Suffolk Coastal District Council reach from both Trimley St Martin and of employment and housing in the area deliver its vision. Trimley St Mary; and new parks and and associated reduction in commuting; sports facilities accessible to both affordable housing; and new community The Trimley Estate masterplan new and existing communities. infrastructure such as school, public is a comprehensive package of transport, parks and health facilities. proposals covering a range of land Potential strategic port-related uses, community infrastructure and employment opportunities at Fagbury A sustainable mix of housing would environmental improvements. Road, directly adjacent to the Port be provided, with the aim of providing and existing employment uses, and a balance between homes and jobs at Innocence Farm, along the A14, locally. The package of proposals subject to on-going feasibility studies. contained in the masterplan would facilitate a reduction in commuting, both Non port-related employment into and out of the town over the plan opportunities in redundant farm period and the longer term. buildings on the Estate including Great Street Farm to help diversify the The alternatives to residential local economy. development around Walton and the Trimleys are to develop land either to Rural tourism facilities improving the north of the A14 or north of Candlet access to the Areas of Outstanding Road. Both of these options are Natural Beauty and Trimley Marshes. undesirable in terms of creating urban These include new walking loop sprawl unrelated to the existing built around the peninsula with associated development and adversely affecting picnic facilities and look out points the landscape setting of the town. Both on the Estate; new cycle routes; a options would result in development new tent campsite; farmers’ shop which is separated from the town centre in a redundant farm building; and by the barrier created by the road. potential new guest accommodation at Searsons Farm with visitor car parking, interpretation boards and signage. 1 01 INTRODUCTION The Trimley Estate covers some 1.1 The Council’s vision for h) Has expanded the local employment 1,375 hectares (3,400 acres) of land Felixstowe base to provide a wider range and in and around Felixstowe and has for choice of employment types and sites generations been intrinsically linked to Felixstowe forms part of Suffolk Coastal together with enhanced education the town’s development. This mutual District. In February 2007, Suffolk and skills, alongside that provided by relationship has generated the Port of Coastal District Council published its an expanded Port function; Felixstowe, the largest container port in ‘Core Strategy – Issues and Options’ the UK, and main employer for the town planning document for consultation. This i) Has resolved issues of accessibility to and surrounding area. sets out the Council’s long term vision and from the Port and A14 including for Felixstowe Peninsula South, which the provision of facilities for lorries and Looking into the future, the Trimley comprises Felixstowe and the adjoining heavy goods vehicles; Estate has the potential to play a key role communities Trimley Saint Martin and once more in unlocking opportunities for Trimley Saint Mary, as an integrated area j) Has forged strong economic, social the growth of the town and its economy, that: and cultural links between the the protection of its natural environment communities and the Port for the and the strengthening of its local a) Has embraced the opportunities for benefi t of both; communities. regeneration, growth and change; k) Has developed its tourism role in Felixstowe is part of the Haven Gateway, b) Has retained the separate identities terms of services, facilities and one of 29 areas of the country identifi ed of the individual settlements and accommodation, which builds on the by the Government as strategic growth communities; qualities and facilities offered by the points where increased housing will be town of Felixstowe, creating strong combined with new jobs, town centre c) Has maintained and protected the links between the seafront and town regeneration and measures to improve high quality and variety of the built centre area and the qualities of the the quality of life and environment in an environment; surrounding natural environment; effort to address the national housing shortage and deliver sustainable d) Has provided additional housing to l) Has expanded the retail, service and communities for the future.