Committee(s): Date(s): Planning & Transportation 26 November 2013 Policy and Resources 12 December 2013 Court of Common Council 16 January 2014 Subject: Adoption of the West Smithfield Area Enhancement Strategy Report of: Director of Built Environment Public/For Decision Wards: Farringdon Within, Farringdon Without and Aldersgate Summary This report seeks approval for the adoption of the revised West Smithfield Area Enhancement Strategy and to inform Members about the recently undertaken public consultation and revisions to the Strategy. Copies of the Strategy and the consultation responses are available in the Member‟s Reading Room. The City has adopted several Area Enhancement Strategies as mechanisms for delivering public realm improvements in areas of significant change, including the Riverside, Cheapside, Barbican and most recently Aldgate & Tower, Fenchurch & Monument, Bank and Liverpool Street Area. The plan in Appendix B shows the current coverage of the City by Area Enhancement Strategies. The Strategy has been developed to provide improvements to the public realm in the West Smithfield area. New developments and Crossrail will lead to increasing numbers of pedestrians using the streets. The Strategy will provide an improved, accessible and functional pedestrian environment that would support the projected increased pedestrian footfall, whilst supporting the activity of Smithfield meat market and the continuing operation of Bart‟s Hospital. For example, amongst other things, it includes the creation of more space for pedestrians, measures to improve road safety in the area and additional public spaces, seating and tree planting where appropriate. Also, the strategy identifies current issues and future demands and sets out a framework for addressing these within the context of existing policies and guidance. A public consultation on the strategy was undertaken from October to December 2012. Responses were generally positive and several changes have been made to the strategy document to take comments into account. The revisions relate mainly to: The importance of providing accessible streets. Road safety in the area. The importance of the green spaces in the area. The importance of maintaining a functional environment for Smithfield Market. Maintaining parking levels to existing standards and enabling access to business premises. Proposals have been grouped into high, medium and low priorities in the delivery plan for the strategy. It is anticipated that funding for these will be from external sources such as Section 106, Section 278, the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Transport for London. If the strategy is approved, delivery of the schemes will be initiated through the project gateway process broadly in the priority order set out. Funding totalling £7m has been identified towards enhancement projects for the Strategy area through existing Section 106 and Section 278 agreements related to the Barts Close development. A gateway 2 report for Bartholomew Close Environmental Enhancement has been approved as part of the Environmental Enhancement: Projects Programme report submitted to Planning & Transportation Committee, 14 May 2013 and Projects Sub-Committee, 16th May 2013. Recommendation It is recommended that: (i) The West Smithfield Area Enhancement Strategy is adopted. Main Report Context 1. The West Smithfield area is located to the north-west of the City, sharing a boundary with the London Borough of Islington to the north and the London Borough of Camden to the west (Please refer to Appendix A). The area has a distinctive mixed use character with a strong residential component. Key local institutions are Smithfield meat market and St. Bart‟s Hospital. 2. Smithfield-Farringdon has been designated as an Area of intensification in the London Plan (2011) and it is considered that further economic growth and employment can be supported in the area. Crossrail Farringdon East, opening in 2018, will become a major public transportation hub, and will bring increasing number of people to the area. The area is also identified in the City‟s Core Strategy as one of the key areas of significant change and challenge that is subject to increased pedestrian flows as a result of Crossrail. 3. The area enhancement strategy has been developed to provide improvements to the public realm in order to accommodate future growth. It will provide an improved and fit for purpose vehicle and pedestrian environment that would support the increase pedestrian footfall in the area, whilst supporting the activity of Smithfield meat market the continued operation of St Bart‟s Hospital. 4. There are many observed issues and pressures for change within the West Smithfield area, particularly relating to accommodating future growth. Identified pressures include: There will be significantly more pedestrian footfall, cycle and vehicle movement through the West Smithfield area as a result of the new Crossrail Farringdon East station. The number of pedestrians on Lindsey Street/Long Lane will increase from the current flow of an estimated 1,000 persons in peak hours/weekday to 2,800 persons in the same period by 2026 (Crossrail figures). Accessibility is one of the main issues in the area. Many streets have very narrow footways as a result of the medieval street pattern, making them inaccessible for wheelchair and disabled users, often forcing people into the carriageway. The redevelopment of St. Bartholomew‟s Hospital (under construction) and Bartholomew Close redevelopment. Security and road safety is an increasingly important issue in the area as result of its 24 hour activity. The evening and night-time economy is becoming increasingly active with more restaurants, bars and clubs attracting visitors. This is causing growing concern in the area among residents, business occupiers and Smithfield Market, particularly in relation to cleansing, anti-social behaviour and vehicle movement. 5. Area Enhancement Strategies have previously been prepared for parts of the City to deliver improvements to the public realm including Cheapside, the Eastern City Cluster and most recently Aldgate & Tower, Fenchurch & Monument, Bank and Liverpool Street Area. The coverage of the City by Area Enhancement Strategies is shown on the plan attached at Appendix B. The Strategy 6. The preparation of an area strategy for West Smithfield was instigated as a result of the proposed development of Bartholomew Close and the construction of Crossrail Farringdon East Station. The adoption of an area based approach was needed in order to respond to the changing nature of the area and accommodate future growth. 7. The strategy includes many elements of the, “Farringdon Urban Design Study” completed in 2010 and managed by Design for London in partnership with the City of London, Network Rail, Transport for London, English Heritage, Crossrail, the London Borough of Camden and London Borough of Islington. 8. The West Smithfield Area Enhancement Strategy is a comprehensive document that provides a clear framework for the future of the public realm. The objectives are to address current problems, ensure the area is able to accommodate future growth and to create a successful and sustainable public realm which reflects the City‟s position as a world class financial, business and cultural centre. 9. The area strategy includes a range of street scene improvements, whilst preserving and enhancing heritage assets and addressing pressures for change. The strategy covers the following themes: Accessibility and Movement: • Creating more space for pedestrians, particularly on routes that are impacted by Crossrail; (Long Lane, Lindsey Street and Hayne Street). • Implementing access improvements and safe pedestrian crossings throughout the area, primarily on Grand Avenue, West Smithfield, and Little Britain. • Considering measures to improve road safety. • Creating new and improved access points to public gardens, such as Postman‟s Park and the Rotunda Garden. Public Spaces • Creating new and enhancing existing public spaces, such as at Bartholomew Close, and considering the removal of the ambulance station south of the rotunda to create a new public square. • Rationalizing street furniture and provide opportunities for seating where appropriate. • Adding interest to the public space through art installations. • Ensuring that any improvements take account of the historic character of the area. Planting and Open Spaces • To plant individual trees at key junctions and streets, subject to their impact on heritage assets, enhance quiet and tranquil areas, reduce noise pollution and enhance biodiversity. Courtyards and Alleys • To improve accessibility throughout the area, whilst taking account of the historic character of the area, in line with the Smithfield Conservation Area; Character Summary & Management Strategy SPD. 10. An Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) has been carried out for the Strategy and it is considered to have positive impacts upon the users of the City‟s streets and spaces. 11. All projects identified within and arising from the Strategy will be subject to detailed options appraisal, targeted consultation and reporting via the relevant Committee processes. Public Consultation Exercise 12. In July 2012, the draft West Smithfield Area Enhancement Strategy was reported to the Planning & Transportation Committee and approval was given for a public consultation exercise on the Strategy. 13. The public consultation was undertaken from October to December 2012 and 40 written