THEALTON CASE FOR AREA CHANGE MASTERPLAN KEY ISSUES FACED BY ALTON WEST TODAY The Alton West estate framework was built in a short period of time in the Mid 20th Century. It has aged all at the same rate. There is now a need to consider Thehow well the Case different parts offor the Alton Change West area perform today. There is also a need to address how performance and quality can be raised for current and CentralCentral future residents. The Alton area is in need of positive change landscapelandscape The Alton West and Roehampton areas have considerable assets – a south west overgrownovergrown and andLondon upgrades setting, the parks andto landscape,avoid anhistoric overall buildings from decline many eras, publicin the transport and highway access, a University and community facilities. Despite this, andforest forest like buildingkey factors mean stock, that the public Alton West spaces area will not reach and its fullcommunity potential without like new investment. There are also indicators that the Alton West area will face facilities.increasing challenges, The intervention with conditions declining areas without intervention. that have A masterplan been identifiedis being prepared require now because: a comprehensive approach • The centres at Portswood Place and Danebury Avenue have poor quality Some buildings to achieve genuine and long term benefits for RichmondRichmond Park Gap between building frontages, parking and service areas, and a limited range of retail have a poor residentsservices around and harsh to public ensure spaces. that Alton can play a fencedPark off Altonrelationship area and fenced off Roehamptonto their stronger• The issues at role Danebury in Townmeeting Centre hamper the the needs recruitment of of a the full range wider of surroundingsLane retailers and discourage residents and neighbours from supporting the centre Roehamptonexcept for basic needs. community. There are incidents This of anti-social will also behaviour set and the stage issues with litter and fly-tipping. for other long term investments by the private and • Portswood Place is challenged by the quality of public spaces, lighting, hidden publicspaces, sectors anti-social behaviour, around litter and the an agingarea. community infrastructure that Significant parts of limits services that can be provided to the community. Thethe internalhousing stocklayout areof some poorly housing placed • Some parts of the housing stock were poorly designed and placed when first Buildings lack andis unsuitable designed and for built in the mid 20th century. The layout and design issues create real problems Poor layout does not meet for residents in terms of waste collection and deliveries, visibility, lighting, ofa positive homes moderntoday’s needs. needs parking as well as anti-social behaviour. High levels of private ownership and relationshipthat don’t increasing levels of private renting and resulting high turnover have created relateto Danebury to their problems for individual buildings and the area as a whole. contextAvenue • Community infrastructure facilities are physically aging and do not reflect how Car dominated, health, youth, family and older persons services are provided today. Some facilities are at the edge rather than the heart of the estate. This limits the poor quality public range and quality of services that can be provided. spacesRun down and Ageing and lighting,local hidden obsolete community • There is an absence of a significant leisure, recreation or cultural draw. The infrastructure – which current leisure centre is hidden and does not support the centre. spaces,centre anti-social does not reflect behaviour today’s service • There are higher levels of deprivation among residents than found across the models The current rest of the Borough. Issues with anti- Tired Local centres leisure centre is Conditions at key parts of the Alton West area are not as good as they can and social behaviour hiddenTown and does should be. There is a significant risk of decline that could affect the entire area presenting harsh centre without action and intervention. This masterplan is being prepared now to tackle environmentsand fly-tipping and not support the the most significant problems, guide investment in the future and realise the full aroundlimited Portswood services local centre potential of the Roehampton area. Place The masterplan will focus on potential areas of change within Alton West. The components addressed have options attached to each of them and these options could be combined in a number of ways. The goal is to establish a framework that draws from each and guides a preferred option which will be subject to public consultation at the next stage. Masterplan Focus Queen Mary’s With new investment the Alton area could offer Hospital more attractive and welcoming local centres, with Froebel College a wider range of shops and services. It could be home to higher quality leisure and retail uses to meet residents’ needs and bring more visitors to Clarence Lane Provide Roehampton to support the local economy. There higher quality site specific is the opportunity to create new homes and a homes, linked better place to live on a day to day basis. The to Roehampton masterplan focuses on four key areas: Lane Downshire House Queen Mary 1. Revitalising Danebury Avenue and the Town House Centre Alton Primary School 2. Revitalising Portswood Place to create a new Eastwood Children’s Centre Park Centre Portswood Mount Place 3. Providing higher quality homes that are linked to Clare 2 Roehampton Lane 4 4. A new park for Alton, creating new connections Danebury Avenue Roehampton Lane to Richmond Park and Roehampton Lane 3 Revitalise Reprogramme Portswood Allbrook central park place and House park centre Maryfield and connect to Convent Richmond Park 1 Richmond Park Parkstead Golf Course House Revitalise Danebury Avenue and Town centre A REVITALISED TOWN CENTRE THE OPTIONS - A REMINDER 1: Focused Intervention 2: Targeted Redevelopment 3: Comprehensive Redevelopment Rodway Road Rodway Road Rodway Road Kingsclere Close Kingsclere Close Kingsclere Close Roehampton Lane Roehampton Lane Roehampton Lane Harbridge Avenue Harbridge Avenue Harbridge Avenue Roehampton High Street Roehampton High Street Roehampton High Street Allbrook Allbrook House House Danebury Avenue Danebury Avenue Danebury Avenue Library Laverstoke Gardens Laverstoke Gardens Laverstoke Gardens Surgery St. Joseph’s St. Joseph’s St. Joseph’s Roehampton RC Church RC Church RC Church Sport and Fitness CouncilHousing Office Office Centre RoehamptonYouth facility on Presby Presby Presby Boys’ground Club level Roehampton University Roehampton University Roehampton University Whitelands College Whitelands College Whitelands College Holybourne Avenue Holybourne Avenue Parkstead Holybourne Avenue House Option 1 proposed that all buildings were retained and refurbished to Option 2 proposed that the retail parade and the Co-op building were Option 3 proposed that all buildings in the Town Centre would be better suit the needs of the residents who live here and those who use demolished and the sites redeveloped to accommodate new homes with demolished to make way for residential buildings with active retail and the Town Centre shops and services. Streets and public spaces would retail and community services at ground level. Allbrook House would be community uses at ground level. A new venue for communal and cultural be decluttered and upgraded, with a re-landscaped village green as a retained and refurbished to a higher standard internally and externally. activity would sit at the centre where Allbrook House is today. The overall focus for social life and activity. Spaces for new shops and community uses would be constructed where public realm would be decluttered and upgraded to create a safer and the library and the car park are today. Streets would be decluttered more welcoming Town Centre. and upgraded, and the green would be re-landscaped with active uses fronting onto it. THIS IS WHAT YOU SAID “I believe the plans to have “Major works cafes and restaurants to are needed encourage activity and get and not just the local community to use refurbishments.” GENERAL FEEDBACK: the Green is very welcome.” “Create a café, • Support for Town Centre restaurant plaza renewal area with some independent shops.” • Support for a broader retail offer, workspaces, public realm upgrade, ‘destination’ arts venue • Wish for a landscaped village green “If the council “Enlarge and with a café provides a welcoming enhance library • General, but not unanimous, environment for facilities to become support for demolition of private businesses a really valuable Allbrook House and workplaces the asset for young estate could thrive.” and old.” ON THE OPTIONS QUESTIONNAIRES, YOU TOLD US THE FOLLOWING : • 74% of respondents stated that they “More shops and would like to see new shops services could encourage “I don’t want to live people from the more • 73% of respondents stated that they would in the middle of a affluent parts of the like to see improved streets and open spaces student campus and area to spend money • 54% of respondents stated that they support the idea to locally and help the relocating students would like new buildings providing local economy and local services such as health, library etc. together instead of businesses.” dispersing them.” “The University should be responsible for “The most important need is for student housing – improved grocery/fresh food not us residents.” shopping in the Town Centre. A major supermarket with large choice of fresh food is required.” A REVITALISED TOWN CENTRE THIS IS THE PREFERRED OPTION The Town Centre at Danebury Avenue will be transformed, benefiting the residents of the Alton Estate and the wider Roehampton community. New shops, new homes, business spaces and a new place for arts or community activities will be matched by transformation of public spaces, pavements and streets. Existing homes will be replaced and re-provided and new homes added. Residents will be able to stay in this location or move to other areas on the Alton Estate where new homes will be constructed.