Camp Hill urban Village Supplementary Planning Guidance

 

Extracts relevant to Midland Quarry

 

  1. The aim of this supplementary planning guidance

 

1.1       This SPG aims at guiding development and redevelopment at Camp hill Nuneaton in accordance with the Strategic development Framework for Camp Hill Urban Village published in February 2000.  the framework envisages a major urban renewal project based on the Urban Village concept and carried out by public bodies, developers, the voluntary sector and the local community working in partnership.  This guidance develops that framework and brings it within the statutory planning process.  It sets the criteria that will guide development in support of the long term aimof the Urban Village Project, which is to reverse the current cycle of physical economic and social decline by creating a sustainable community in a pleasant environment.

 

1.2       This accords with key aims in the Councils corporate plan

 

- to provide the best possible services at all times within available resources

- to protect sustain and seek to enhance the quality of the local environment

- to improve the quality of life for all those who live in the borough

- to encourage local people to take an active part in their communities

 

This SPG also supplements current Borough Local Plan Policies whilst recognizing that the local plan is under review.  It reflects National Planning Policy Guidance Notes (PPG) particularly PPG3 and PPG13 and emerging policy contained in the County Councils Local Transport Plan and its draft guidance, Transport and Roads for New Development.

 

1.3       This guidance covers the Camp hill area as defined on plan 1.  It is bounded by Tuttle Hill to the North East, by the Birmingham and Leicester Rialway line to the south, by Whittleford Road and Bucks Hill to the west and by Green Lane and Camp Hill Road to the north.

 

There are some 6000 residents with a wide range of public and private housing tenure some extensive swathes of open space local schools a small local shopping centre and two industrial areas and a former quarry site.

 

1.4       This guidance defines the principles which the Council will apply to all new development and redevelopment proposals in the Camp hill area and will be a material consideration in the determination of planning applications, etc.  Normally planning applications will be required to demonstrate compliance with this guidance.  Applicants will need to be creative and pragmatic in their interpretation of the principles set out in this Guidance, and in turn the Borough Council will respond positively in exceptional circumstances to those applicants who demonstrate a justifiable departure from those principles.  The guidance will be used to assist:

 

- the acquisition and disposal of land for development

- the control of development through the planning system

- the design and construction of new and improved roads

- the implementation of traffic management schemes

- the development and enhancement of open spaces and public areas

 

  1. Planning Background

 

  1. Management of the Urban Village Scheme

 

  1. key attributes of the Framework

 

  1. Urban Design and Land Use principles

 

5.1       Creating a sense of place

5.2       Density

5.3       Mixture of uses

5.4       Diversity of housing tenure

5.5       Connectivity

5.6       Sustainablity

5.7       Life Cycle

5.8       Security/stewardship

5.9       Quality of the public realm

5.10    Identifiable neighbourhoods

5.11    Community Focus

 

6,  General Design ground rules

 

6.1     The report of the Urban Task Force “towards and urban renaissance” provides a set of basic ground rules for urban design in general.

6.2     Site and setting

6.3     Context, scale and character

6.4     Public realm

6.5     Access and permeability

6.6     Optimising land use and density

6.7     Mixing activities

6.8     Mixing tenures

6.9     Building to last

6.10  Sustainable building

6.11  Environmental responsibility

 

  1. Basic design component codes

 

Urban form and mixed use

Density and Intensity

Landmarks

Urban Form

Mixed Use

Public Space

Building Form and architecture

Streets, movement and infrastructure

 

  1. Details of individual proposals and detailed guidance

 

8.1     Ths guidance divides the Urban Village into four distinct geographical areas as shown on plan 1

 

Area 4 is located in the east of the Urban Village and is centre around Pool Road Industrial Estate and the Midland Quarry

 

The individual development project abbreviations are those used in the Strategic development Framework and their location are shown on Plan 2. (Taken from the Framework document – Figure 6.1).

 

12       Area 4

 

12.1    This area is located to the east of the study area andd comprises a package of proposals that essentially focus on employment and recreation related development with interspersions of housing.

12.2    The key projects are

 

Inf3 – New Road link connecting Tuttle Hill Road to Willow Road

Dev 2 – Housing/mixed use adjacent to the Hedgerows

Dev 10 – Willow Road employment

Dev 5 – Midland Quarry employment

Dev 11 Midland Quarry employment/mixed use

Env 2 – Midland Quarry Environmental improvement

Imp 1 – Pool Road Industrial estate improvement area

 

12.3    The key improvement to this area is the proposed new link road connecting Willow Road to Tuttle Hill Road.  This should ease the current situation where industrial traffic from Pool Road Industrial Estate and residential traffic combine along Queen Elizabeth Road (above its junction with Hillary Road).  The new road link constructed to industrial estate road standard will need to be traffic calmed.  The link road is key to the implementation of other projects within this area.

 

12.4    Dev 2 is a privately owned site with existing planning consent for housing.  In line with this guidance a higher density mixed use scheme might now be more appropriate.

 

12.5    A later phase (approximately years 3-5 of the village project) of employment related development is envisaged on site Dev 10, north west of the current industrial estate.  Located between Hillary Road and Willow Road the site should take advantage of the new road link to Tuttle Hill.

 

12.6    Dev 11 is another longer term project fronting Tuttle Hill and requires the partial infilling of Midland Quarry providing mixed use and employment related development.

 

12.7    To ensure integration of these new developments into the existing fabric there is a need to improve the existing industrial estate as defined by Site IMP1.  The estate is currently finctional rather than attractive and density is lowwith much of the land being used for open storage.  An improvement programme to consist of environmental improvements, grant support for building projects and targeted business support is envisaged and could lift the efficiency and appearance of the estate to enable inward investment.

 

12.8    The infilling of part of the quarry – to extend land to the north of the quarry for development (site Dev 11) could use materials from the demolition from housing in Area 3 or the earth removed as a result of constructing the balancing lake.  The remaining quarried area could be aised in level and used for water balancing and ideally as a recreational resource for leisure and wildlife.  Alternative uses for the redundant quarry should also be explored and will be considered positively where they meet the principles outlined in this guidance.  Employment opportunities in particular would be beneficial land uses in this area.

 

Site dev 2

 

12.9    This site adjoins open space to the south and is south east of the recent residential ‘Hedgerows’ development.  The site is currently vacant and overgrown with vegetation sloping southwest towards the open space.  A mixed use scheme of offices/light industrial and residential units is sought.  Access shold be via the development of a new road from Tuttle Hill to Willow Road.  Development of this site must be harmonious with development at the Hedgerows whilst creating a frontage to the Hollystitches open space in addition to Tuttle Hill itself.

 

A relatively early development of this site is envisaged subject to matters regarding drainage and highways.

 

Issues to be resolved prior to an application being submitted

 

12.10 The access to this site should be via the proposed link road to connect Tuttle Hill to Willow Road.  The road should be in place and available for use in so far as it serves the site prior to any development of Dev 2.

12.11 The drainage of the site will require a comprehensive drainage strategy.  Capacity does not exist within the existing network to drain this site.

12.12 An open space strategy is required to include proposals for the open space south west of site dev 2.  The upgrading of this space to include boundary treatments along the northern boundary of that space are required.  Measures to prevent vehicular access including that of motorcycles will be sought notably along the open space boundary with the proposed link road (INF3)

 

Details to be submitted with any planning application

 

12.13 A transport Assessment to assess movement and junction improvements required should be submitted.  Mixed use development as envisaged can generate traffic throughout the day/evening.  The existing crawler lane could serve a purpose to facilitate traffic turning left into the proposed new road and indeed this development.  A ‘ghost’ lane for traffic coming downhill and turning right is likely to be required.

12.14 The levels of this site and how it relates to existing residential development northwest are important issues to address.  A development is required which is harmonious with the adjacent residences whilst creating a gateway feature that has a strong attractive façade to both Tuttle Hill, the proposed link road and the open space area.  This will encourage a sense of ownership to that space particularly where the use of perimeter blocks on site Dev 2’s boundary with this space can create and attractive frontage.

 

Plans detailing levels and the sites relationship with adjacent uses will be required.

 

12.15  design statement to illustrate how the development meets the principles within this guidance particularly those relating to gateway features and achieving mixed use development will be required.

12.16 A carefully designed communal parking scheme to serve the mixed usesshould provide safe accessible parking.  Design should be used within the site and at its perimeter to discourage on street parking outside of the parking areas.

12.17 A mixed use scheme of private/low cost home ownership dwellings and office or light industrial (B1) units is essential.

 

Achieving employment development particularly within this area of the urban village supporting and lifting the profile of the industrial estate beyond is a key function of this gateway site.

 

Drainage and the treatment of Holleystiches Brook

 

12.18 The development of this site and the INF3 link road will have an impact on the sensitive ecological habitats of the Holleystitches Brook.  An environmental assessment of this development (site dev 2 and the INF3 road) should detail the implications of the development and include mitigation measures to reduce adverse impacts on the brook and marsh habitats adjacent to it.

 

Potential obligations

 

12.19 A contribution towards local environmental improvements on the adjacent open space is required.  This contribution will be identified as a result of the open space strategy and will include open space maintenance contributions unless these are secured through other funding arrangements.

12.20 Contributions towards public transport are likely to be sought as a result of the traffic Assessment required.  This could include the provision of bus stops/shelters on Tuttle Hill.  Suitable crossing facilities on Tuttle Hill and on the new link road will also be sought.

12.21 Junction improvements will be required to address the connecting of Tuttle Hill to the new link road (INF3).  This could also have implications for the crawler lane on Tuttle Hill.  Traffic lights, new signage and other associated works in agreement with the Highway Authority will be sought.

 

Sires dev 5 and Dev 10

 

12.22 These are two key employment sites that could raise the economic stability of the urban village.  Both however require the consideration of issues and submission of details that demonstrate the developments compatibility most importantly with the natural environment.  Site Dev 5 in particular is a marshy habitat with much herb growth and dense tree/shrub coverage.

It is significantly lower in level to the housing north of this site and construction of satisfactory access could be difficult.

 

12.23 Site Dev 10 however is open space sloping away from housing on Willow Road.  The amenity of these properties will be an important consideration of any development.

 

Trees to the west and north west of Maple Road are a valuable resource and should be respected if site Dev 10 is developed.

 

Issues to be addressed prior to applications being received

 

12.24 The drainage of both sites is complex and will require a comprehensive strategy.  British waterways have already stated that no further surface water can be discharged into the canal and thus surface water balancing is required.  Dev 10 is a site constrained by sewers along its length underground and floods regularly.  Details should address these issues with a satifactory drainage system and reflect these constraints on the design and layout of the site.  Channelling of potential floodwater could be a measure built into the sites infrastructure.

12.25 Dev 5 is identified on the borough Green Plan as a key wildlife site providing a link to an established wildlife corridor and providing a valuable buffer between the existing industrial estate and the disused quarry – which is a geological area of regional importance.  The implications of development on the wildlife site and mitigation measures if appropriate must be carried out prior to any planning application being determined.

 

These developments are also reliant on the construction of the link road (INF3) to base course level and associated highway works to discourage the use of Queen Elizabeth Road by industrial traffic, prior to their commencement.

 

Details to be submitted with an application

 

12.26 A transport assessment to assess the impacts of these developments is required.  Measures should be considered as part of this assessment to discourage traffic moving out of these employment sites and through to Queen Elizabeth Road.

 

The new link road will be required to be constructed and available for use for these development sites prior to their development being completed.

 

12.27 The relationship between these development sites and adjacent dwellings – Willow Road and Hawthorne Terrace should be addressed.  The difference in levels should be considered in any development proposals.

12.28 Only uses falling within Class B1 of the Town & Country Planning (use classes) Order 1987 will be permitted.

12.29 Footpaths run through both sites and these should be retained or procedures undertaken to divert them.  The footpath through Dev 5 in particular should be landscaped in accordance with a landscaping scheme as it is important to continue this green link and encourage its use.  The construction of a footbridge across the canal should form part of any proposals for this sites development.  This footpath should be in place and its access retained through construction works and after completion the footbridge should be secured.

12.30 The trees west and north west of Maple Road behind the residential properties should be retained.  Wher ehte boundary of the site Dev 10 adjoins this area of trees appropriate boundary treatments will be required.

 

Sites dev 11 and Env2

 

12.31 This employment and mixed use site is another key employment site where the employment prospects of the Urban Village could be concentrated and intensified should development of sites dev 10 and Dev 5 prove difficult.

 

Being a gateway site the scheme should present a strong statement of vitality for those entering the Urban Village study area.  The site area will be increased by the infilling partially of Midland Quarry.

 

Issues to be resolved prior to a planning application being received

 

12.32 The infilling partially of Midland Quarry should be linked to and use materials from the demolition of properties in sites dev 6, 8 and 9.  The development of this site will therefore be a longer term project.

12.33 Stability of the land will need to be determined to ensure safe development of the site.

12.34 A comprehensive drainage strategy is required and it is likely that surface water balancing will be a key feature of any scheme.  The use of Midland Quarry for surface water runoff could be explored.  Any additional development that will increase flows into the Barpool Brook must be upstream of the lake outlet.  There is little capacity in the foul sewer network.  This strategy must be approved and be in place prior to applications being determined.

12.35 A transport assessment that considers transport flows and junctions including potential improvements is required.  It is likely that any scheme will need to consider the impact on the existing crawler lane on Tuttle Hill and the heavy goods vehicles that use the Judkins Quarry site opposite will need to be considered in the design of junctionsand how they relate to the Judkins site.

12.36 A recreation/open space strategy to include proposals for the use of the quarry for a recreation resource should accompany plans for site dev 11.  its use as a water recreation/nature conservation site is envisaged unless other proposals come forward suggesting suitable alternative uses.

 

Details that should accompany any planning applications

 

12.37 The sites development includes the partial infilling of Midland Quarry using materials from the demolition associated with sites Dev 6,8.9 and the digging out of the balancing lake – Barpool (Env 1).  The transportation of this material and its use will be subject to careful environmental analysis.

12.38 Plans detailing levels acress the site once infilling is completed should accompany proposals fro development

12.39 Strong frontages of innovative design and quality materials should feature along Tuttle Hill and the canal.  Indeed views of the canal should be explored by developments along the southeast boundary of site dev 11 and where possible views of the Quarry (which will be an important recreation resource).

12.40 A geological survey to identify areas of the Quarry which should be conserved/preserved is required.  The survey will form an important source of data when implementing the associated open space/recreation strategy for the Quarry.

12.41 A network of footpaths and cycleways should accompany detailed plans and link into the open space/recreation strategy and plans for landscaping.  These footpaths and cycleways should link into existing and proposed routes.  Links to the canal connecting from Tuttle Hill a circular walk around the quarry and connections to Hollystitches Valley and footpaths associated with sites Dev 10 and Dev 6 are of priority.

12.42 The development of sites Dev 5, dev 10 and 11 must be supported by a design statement that demonstrates how the proposal supports principlals detailed in this guidance.

12.43 Only offices or B1 light industrial units will be permitted within close proximity to any dwellings.  If other non B1 uses are proposed these must be located a minimum of 100m from the nearest existing or potential (in so far as it relates to site dev 2 or dev 11) residential property.

12.44 Where a mix of use exists in proximity to each for example within the same/adjacent perimeter block of development then a communal parking scheme should be encouraged.  If areas of more concentrated employment use are developed on the site then a more practical approach to accommodating parking for those uses alone is required.  Overall a reduced parking requirement – but one which satisfies the needs of associated land uses is sought.

 

Potential Obligations

 

12.45 contributions towards education provision based on an assessment of need with the area in relation to residential properties proposed may be sought from development.

 

The accessibility of Tuttle Hill as a key bus route should be exploited and contributions towards improving the use of services could be sought.  Bus shelters stops and crossing points to serve them could for part of any funding arrangements.

 

The funding of signage pathways cycleways planting and associated works identified through an approved open space/recreation strategy shall be sought and be in place prior to any units/dwellings being occupied.

 

Contributions will be sought in the light of an associated transport assessment to facilitiate necessary junction/highway improvements to serve this development, unless other funding arrangements are in place.

 

13      Procedural matters

 

13.1  Developer contributiuons

 

13.2  Compulsory Purchase orders and land assembly

 

Environmental Impact assessments (EIA)

 

13.3  Projects of this scale and this complexity will often require an assessment of their potential environmental impact.  Whilst a mixed use housing/employment development might not for example require an EIA the Urban Village is a long term interlinked project where each proposal fits to form one part of a large jigsaw.  It is the overall impact of this development; comprising new roads, some 640 dwellings, mixed uses of employment and retail and substantial environmental works that when viewed as a package requires a formal Environmental Impact assessment.  An assessment is thus required in accordance with the EIA Regulations 1999 (SI 293)

 

The EIA will highlight areas of potential impact associated with a particular sites development.  Such indications may point to a more detailed site/area specific EIA being required.  Development of a new link road, residential and mixed uses off Tuttle Hill within area 4 for example will undoubtedly have an impact on the fragile habitats of Holleystitches valley and the area around Midland Quarry – an area of recognized Geological importance.

 

13.4     EIAs when submitted should accord with the requirements of the aforementioned regulationsand thus include the following details:

 

  1. description of development including in particular
  2. physical characteristics of the whole development and the land use requirements during the constructional and operational phases;
  3. The main characteristics of the production phases, nature and quantity of materials used;
  4. Estimate by type and quantity of expected residues and emissions resulting from operations associated with the proposed development.

 

  1. An outline of the main alternatives and an indication of the main reasons for the choice of development taking into account the environmental effects.

 

  1. A description of the way in which the environment is likely to be significantly effected in particular population, fauna, flora, soil water air climatic factors, material assts, including the architectural and archeological heritage, landscape and the interrelationship between the above factors.

 

  1. A description of the likely significant effects of development on the environment which should cover the direct and indirect effects, secondary, cumulative short medium long term permanent and temporary positive and negative effects of the development resulting from a: the existence of the development, the use of natural resources and the emission of pollutants, creation of nuisances and elimination of waste and the description by the applicant of the forecasting methods used to assess the effects on the environment.

 

  1. A description of the measures envisaged to prevent, reduce or where possible offset any significant adverse effects on the environment.

 

  1. A non technical summary of the information provided as discussed above.

 

  1. 7.  An indication of any difficulties encountered by the applicant in compiling the information required.

 

13.5  Subsequent details or updating of the EIA are likely to be required in support of particular projects often where a greater attention to details is required.  The development within Area 4 for example would require additional details because of the potential impacts the construction of the proposed iNF3 road might have on the fragile ecosystems of Hollystitches Brook.

 

 

 

 

 

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