group Strategic Level Preferred Option Study Boundary Residential (C3) Leisure (D2) Smaller Industry (Retain, Consolidate, Enhance and Expand) (B2 / B8) Quality Office Space (B1) Existing Residential Communities Public Open Space / Soft Leisure (Sui Generis / D2) Retain Potential Contextual Development Site Mixed Use Development Opportunity Potential Future Land Uses: 1 Hotel (C1) / Leisure (D2) / Retail (A1) 2 Office (B1) / Trade Counter (Sui Generis) 3 Car Showroom (Sui Generis) / Office (B1) / Small Industry (B2/B8) 4 Open Space (Sui Generis) / Employment (B2/B8/B1) 5 Office (B1) / Education (Sui Generis) Soft Leisure (D2) / Visitor Attraction (Sui Generis) / Retail (A1) / 6 Food and Drink (A3) Railway Town Centre 3 Improved Existing Link New Link Greenway (Designated Cycle Provision) 2 Existing Strategic Link Trans Peninne Trail 1 4 Mersey Gateway Bridge Linear Park 5 6 Improved Pedestrian Crossing Point Potential Pier l a n a s C e l e n S t H r y u a WIDNES WATERFRONT MASTERPLAN s t E STRATEGIC LEVEL PREFERRED y OPTION e r s Scale:1:12,000@A3 lar e Reviewed by: jf/ph and So ind M Drawn by: ak N W y ise erg im En job drawing rev ax B M 4373 4373.01a Spike Island fourways house 4th floor 57 hilton street West manchester Bank m1 2ej tel: 0161 200 6230 fax: 0161 200 6259 [email protected] www.tayloryoung.co.uk architecture graphics healthcare planning interior design Widnes Waterfront This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the landscape architecture Mersey permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her regeneration Gateway Bridge Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised town planning reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or urban design civil proceedings. Halton Borough Council AR 100018552 2008. 3D visualisation Masterplan Framework Phase 2 April 2009 Contents 1. Executive Summary .................................................................................................... 3 2. Introduction................................................................................................................ 12 3. Context ...................................................................................................................... 13 4. Challenges & Opportunities....................................................................................... 20 5. Vision & Strategic Objectives .................................................................................... 27 6. Options Process ........................................................................................................ 32 7. Waterfront Masterplan Framework............................................................................ 40 8. Delivery Strategy ....................................................................................................... 84 9. Conclusion and Next Steps ....................................................................................... 97 Document: 4373_Widnes Waterfront _ Taylor Young Masterplan_Framework fourways house Compiled By: PH 57 hilton street Reviewed By: JF manchester Date: March 2009 m1 2ej t. 0161 200 6230 f. 0161 200 6259 www.tayloryoung.co.uk 1 Figures 1.1 Masterplan Framework 1.2 Urban Design Framework 1.3 Landscape Strategy 3.1 Strategic Context 3.2 Site Character 3.3 Movement & Linkages 3.4 Key Constraints 3.5 Key Sites 6.1 Approach 1 6.2 Approach 2 6.3 Approach 3 7.1 Strategic Masterplan Framework 7.2 Urban Design Framework 7.3 Landscape Strategy 7.4 Movement Framework 8.1 Land Ownership 8.2 Phasing Plan 2 1. Executive Summary Introduction 1.1. Taylor Young, supported by BE Group and Faber Maunsell, were commissioned by Halton Borough Council to prepare a Masterplan and Delivery Strategy (Phase 2) to take the regeneration of Widnes Waterfront forward to 2013. 1.2. The study builds upon the natural assets of this location, coupled with the proposed Mersey Gateway Bridge, to attract inward investment and guide development to develop an ambitious and deliverable future for this important area of Widnes. Challenges & Opportunities 1.3. The supporting Baseline study identified a range of challenges and opportunities and these are summarised in the SWOT analysis table that follows: Aspirational Images: High quality employment and maximising waterside opportunities 3 • Area of strategic significance identified for growth • Declining industries W EAKNS • Excellent regional links and local connections • Widespread significant land contamination • Proximity to Widnes Town Centre and neighbouring • High land remediation costs regeneration areas • Poor access to waterfront areas • Successful delivery of new developments identified in • Certain physical constraints the BDP phase 1 masterplan • Utilities constraints • Natural environment including views across the estuary S T R E N G T H S • Established employment uses • HBC experience in remediation of contaminated land • Attract major investment building on local major projects • Restricted funding availability including West Bank and the new Mersey Gateway Bridge • Delays to surrounding major projects • Increase critical mass and employment opportunities • Multiple land ownership T HREAS • Diversify employment provision and create and attract high • Potentially conflicting aspirations for the Waterfront quality businesses • Regional competition from established and forthcoming • Investor interest in residential uses employment sites • Expansion of Widnes Town Centre and potential new rail station (long-term) • Linking Widnes Town Centre to the Waterfront O P P O R T U N T I E S • Improve access and soft leisure uses, especially along the waterfront 4 Vision 1.4. The agreed vision developed for the future of the Waterfront is below. This is supported by strategic objectives, developed in association with the project steering group. An exciting waterfront destination and gateway to Widnes offering a range of employment, leisure and residential opportunities. Widnes Waterfront displays notable sustainable design, making the most of this unique and well-connected waterside setting. Strategic objectives • Create a sustainable employment-led mixed-use gateway location of long term regional significance • Generate sustainable employment in key sub-regional priority sectors, including energy and environmental, advanced engineering and materials • Support improvement of the competitiveness of existing employers and manage issues relating to ‘bad neighbour’ uses • Create a sustainable mixed leisure and outdoor recreation destination • Create popular sustainable neighbourhoods satisfying local and future aspirations • Develop a strong sense of place, open up the area’s assets and achieve a quality built and natural environment • Transform the convenience and quality of linkages through the area to both Widnes town centre and key neighbourhoods, particularly promoting sustainable modes of travel 5 Masterplan Framework 1.5. The following Masterplan Framework responds to the original brief and the ongoing consultation and input from the steering group and the expertise of the consultant team. 1.6. Key design principles of the Masterplan Framework • Opportunity to mix uses and introduce a sustainable residential element to Waterfront • Encourage greater usage through progressive play and soft and commercial leisure, creating a lively destination • Landmark gateway developments and high quality design throughout the Waterfront will alter perceptions • Consolidated industrial uses will retain existing employment base and avoid bad neighbour conflict Aspirational Images: Attractive soft leisure uses and high quality contemporary design. 1.7. The following plan (Figure 1.1) shows the Masterplan Framework for Widnes Waterfront 6 Figure 1.1 7 Urban Design Framework Key design principles • Enhanced gateways will announce the area and raise perception • Views into and out of the Waterfront will be enhanced / maximised • A progressive leisure route will draw visitors from the Town Centre • Enhanced boulevards and vistas will benefit the wider Waterfront area • The use of landmark buildings will aid orientation and way finding Landscape Framework Key Landscape Principles • Introducing 5km fitness trail and ‘green gym’ • Environmental improvements / tree planting along main routes • Temporary viewing platform to observe bridge construction • Potential to accommodate commercial 5-a-side football facility and BMX track 1.8. The accompanying plans for both the Urban Design Framework (Figure 1.2) and Landscape Framework (Figure 1.3) are presented on the following pages. 8 Figure 1.2 9 Figure 1.3 10 Next Steps 1.9. The study will be supported by a Delivery Strategy to be prepared by BE Group. This will provide a guide for implementation of the Masterplan Framework. The key to delivery here is flexibility and thoughtful phasing of the development will be crucial in the current economic climate and looking forward towards economic recovery. 1.10. In terms of immediate next steps, quick wins should be progressed and land assembly considered to enable and attract developer interest once the property market recovers. Some projects appear certain and fixed, such as The Hive leisure development and Phase 2 of Easter Park. It is the completion of these projects that will strengthen developer confidence and begin to change perceptions of this area. 1.11. In policy terms, it is considered that Halton Borough Council should update the existing Waterfront SPD to take into account this Masterplan