An Outline Planning Application for a Hotel Resort On the Longleat Estate, at land to the South and South-East of Tascroft Court and North of Cannimore Track, near Warminster Design & Access Statement Longleat Enterprises Limited February 2017 1 2 THIS DOCUMENT USING THIS DOCUMENT This Design & Access Statement (DAS) has been prepared by Longleat This statement sets out how through a combination of detailed assessment Enterprises Limited (LEL) with Savills and Forrec. and consultation and engagement with the local authority and other key stakeholders, the design for the site has evolved. The document is divided The requirement for the preparation and content of Design and Access into the following sections: Statements is set out in The Town and County Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015. Legislation requires that a Section 1. Introduction Design and Access Statement must: Outlines the purpose of the document and background to LEL and the project rationale. • Explain the design principles and concepts that have been applied to the development; Section 2. Site Context and Analysis Provides a detailed assessment, including physical, social and economic • Demonstrate the steps taken to appraise the context of the development characteristics of the site and surroundings. It explores the relationship and how the design of the development takes that context into account; between the site, Warminster and surrounding area. It also provides a brief summary of the relevant planning policy framework for the site. • Explain the policy adopted for the access, and how policies relating to this access in relevant local development documents have been taken Section 3. Developing the Concept and Principles into account; Demonstrates how the site and the proposal has been informed through the assessment process. It provides details on the issues and opportunities this • State what, if any, consultation has been undertaken on issues relating unique site offers and the overarching vision and LEL’s key design objectives to access to the development and what account has been taken of the for creating a successful and distinctive place. It goes on to present the key outcome of any such consultation; and principles for the design solution including the Parameter Plans. It also provides • Explain how any specific issues which might affect access to the a summary of the approach to consultation undertaken and the comments development have been addressed. received. Further consultation details are also provided in the Statement of Community Involvement that forms part of the planning application. This statement explains the design rationale for the scheme and how LEL Section 4. Illustrating the Masterplan has fully considered the proposals and understands what is appropriate and Contains the illustrative masterplan for the proposed development and presents feasible within the context of the site and its surroundings. the key design principles including landscape and appearance. The design principles are demonstrated through a combination of indicative drawings, The statement uses a combination of drawings, illustrations and photographs illustrations and photographs. This section explains how environmental and to illustrate how the site might be developed. It also demonstrates how the technical constraints can be responded to as part of the future detailed proposals accord with the principles of good design and placemaking. design of the proposed development, and sets out potential environmental sustainability measures which the development may promote. Section 5. Conclusion Provides a final summary and overview of the proposals. 3 1 INTRODUCTION 2 SITE CONTEXT & ANALYSIS 3 DEVELOPING THE CONCEPT & PRINCIPLES 4 ILLUSTRATING THE MASTER PLAN 5 CONCLUSION 4 1 INTRODUCTION 5 This Design & Access Statement (DAS) has been prepared on behalf of Longleat Enterprises Ltd (LEL) in support of an outline planning application for a new Longleat Hotel Resort, at land to the South and East of Tascroft Court and North of Cannimore Track, near Warminster. 1.1 THE APPLICANT & BACKGROUND TO THE APPLICATION Longleat Enterprises Limited (LEL) is the commercial arm of the 475-year- old Longleat Estate, near Warminster in Wiltshire. LEL is responsible for the management of its Estate and the two tourist attractions at Cheddar Gorge and its world-famous Longleat Safari Park, which in 2016 celebrated its 50th anniversary. At the heart of the 10,000 acre Longleat Estate is the internationally recognised Grade I listed stately home, widely regarded as one of the finest examples of Elizabethan architecture in Britain; a 1,000-acre Capability Brown and Humphry Repton Heritage Park, 10 farms, 223 homes, 51 acres of waterways, 3,500 acres of sustainably managed woodlands and the 37 acre ornamental lake at Shearwater, built between 1791 and 1796, making Longleat one of the best-loved tourist destinations in the UK. Longleat has been home to the Thynn family since its purchase in 1541. Ceawlin Thynn (Viscount Weymouth) became Chair of LEL in 2009 and Bob Montgomery was appointed Chief Executive in 2014. Longleat House, 2016. 16 Jan Siberechts view of Longleat House c. 1700. The Great Hall, Longleat. John Thynne, the Builder. An Internationally Recognised Attraction Longleat regularly attracts circa 1 million visitors annually. Just over 40% of its visitors drive for more than two hours to reach Longleat. Only one other attraction in the UK has more than this number of visitors prepared to travel this distance. When at Longleat, visitors spend on average 7 hours going to the Safari Park, visiting the House, seeing the small animals, or going to one of the many events staged throughout the year. In 2016 this included its nationally acclaimed Festival of Light, the Balloon Festival, Lionheart Cyclosportive, and an Elton John Concert. Longleat is now established as an all year round tourist destination, where the summer period of July & August accounted for 29% of its visitors in 2015 (against 49% in 2004) and November & December accounted for 20% (reflecting the breadth of new events now provided in the winter months) when in 2004 there were no visitors at all to Longleat over these two months. Longleat’s Sky Safari Night Glow, September 2016. Longleat’s Festival of Light celebrating Beatrix Potter’s 150th anniversary, Dec 2016. Longleat’s 50th Anniversary Elton John Concert, June 2016. Lionheart Cyclosportive, hosted at Longleat, March 2015. 1 7 A Wiltshire Tourism Asset Longleat anticipates growing visitor numbers from 1 million at present to 1.2 million by 2023. The new Hotel Resort will help Longleat achieve its goal with less impact on the Heritage Park. It is a business that can build upon Wiltshire’s recognised tourism strengths and on its own current success as the 2nd busiest visitor attraction (by number of visitors) in Wiltshire, closely behind the World Heritage Site at Stonehenge. Longleat is arguably the most valuable single attraction in the south-west of England because of its influence over jobs in the region and the expenditure that is attributed to the presence of the Estate and its visitors who come to the County solely to visit Longleat. This makes Longleat a major driver of tourism nationally and a key driver for the region and demonstrates its ability to extend “staying-nights” and to attract visitors in the off-peak season. The first drive-through Safari Park outside of Africa opened in 1966, where the lions were the Longleat’s giraffe breeding programme is so successful, there is at Longleat’s Nico the silver-backed gorilla is one of the oldest 18 stars. Today, there are two prides of lions to be seen. least a birth of a baby giraffe every year. male gorillas in the world. Longleat - A business whose overriding goal is described as: To establish a viable and sustainable visitor economy which continues to make an important contribution to the Estate and the surrounding area; enhances Wiltshire’s image and standing; is in harmony “with its unique natural and built environment; respects the landscape, while adding to the quality of the life for its residents and the wider Wiltshire community and minimising the need to travel outside the county. 1 “ 9 Longleat – a local employer with a substantial economic impact In 2015 LEL employed approximately 1200 staff during the year, which is the equivalent to 600 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) jobs. Its employees are drawn from 124 postal codes in the region; with 34% living in Warminster, 19% in Frome; 12% in Westbury and 7% in Trowbridge and Bradford on Avon. The Estate also creates a further 166 FTE jobs where Longleat either supports or has a direct influence over the businesses who employ these individuals through the supply chain. The development of the new Hotel Resort on the land to the south and east of Tascroft Court will provide a significant number of new jobs during the two-year construction period and an additional 300 FTE jobs when the new Hotel Resort and its related facilities opens. A further 256 FTE jobs will also be supported through indirect and induced expenditure created by the enhanced Estate. Across the County the impact attributed to the Estate being present is estimated to influence 1,700 FTE jobs in the region, while expenditure of the Estate and its visitors in the local communities is £115m. The proposed new Hotel Resort will materially impact on the local employment market when it opens, while the increase in the visitor economy is estimated to double the expenditure associated with the Estate and its visitors in the region by its fifth year of operation. A mix of skills needed to run the South West’s most valuable attraction. 110 1.2 PROJECT TEAM LEL recognises the importance of delivering an attractive, sustainable and environmentally aware development, which responds to and integrates well with its natural setting and the local community. Longleat is a globally renowned business, based in the heart of Wiltshire, which already works with market leading businesses in their respective fields.