RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AT TOLWORTH GIRLS` SCHOOL
Transcription
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AT TOLWORTH GIRLS` SCHOOL
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AT TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL & SIXTH FORM DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT PREPARED BY PEGASUS DESIGN T.0337_28C | JUNE 2016 “THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE DESIGN OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT. GOOD DESIGN IS A KEY ASPECT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, IS INDIVISIBLE FROM GOOD PLANNING, AND SHOULD CONTRIBUTE POSITIVELY TO MAKING PLACES BETTER FOR PEOPLE.” (PARA. 56, NPPF 2012) CONTENTS PAGE 05 1 PAGE 09 INTRODUCTION THE SITE PAGE 47 PAGE 85 4 DESIGN PRINCIPLES 2 THE DESIGN PROCESS 5 CONCLUSION NOTE: THIS DOCUMENT IS DESIGNED TO BE VIEWED AS A3 DOUBLE SIDED Pegasus Design Pegasus Design Pegasus House Querns Business Centre Whitworth Road Cirencester GL7 1RT www.pegasuspg.co.uk I T 01285 641717 I F 01285 642348 Prepared by Pegasus Design Pegasus Design is part of Pegasus Group Ltd Prepared on behalf of Taylor Wimpey June 2016 Project code T.0337 Contact: Urban Design - Mike Carr, Rebecca Pass COPYRIGHT The contents of this document must not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of Pegasus Planning Group Ltd. Crown copyright. All rights reserved, Licence number 100042093. PAGE 31 3 INTRODUCTION THE SITE AERIAL VIEW OF EXISTING SITE 6 TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION PURPOSE OF THE STATEMENT 1.1 1.2 This Statement has been prepared by Pegasus Urban Design on behalf of Taylor Wimpey to accompany the Reserved Matters Application for residential development on land within the grounds of Tolworth Girls’ School & Sixth Form, Surbiton, Surrey. This document achieves this within the following sections: Section 1: Introduction – introduces the purpose of the document and the site’s planning history; PLANNING HISTORY 1.3 On the 4th September 2015, a hybrid planning application for the redevelopment of Tolworth Girls’ School Site (application reference 14/10306/FUL) was granted planning permission. This included the grant of full permission for the erection of two 3 storey buildings to facilitate school extensions and remodelling of the existing school, highways works, sports provision and landscaping. An outline planning permission was also granted for the erection of up to 106 residential units with access and layout approved. 1.4 In October 2015 permission was granted for a Non Material Minor Amendment for changes to the alignment of the emergency access (application reference 15/10320/NMA). 1.5 In March 2016 permission under Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act (1990), was sought for the variation of condition 1 of planning permission (14/10306/FUL). This was granted in May 2016 and allowed for amendments to be made to the layout of the approved residential development. Section 2: The Site – explains the key features of the site, the wider local area and identifies opportunities and constraints; Section 3: The Design Process – outlines how initial ideas and community engagement have informed a final set of proposals; Section 4: Explanation of the Proposals – summary of how the design addresses issues identified through previous analysis, including use and amount, the site layout, movement, appearance, landscape, detailed aspects of the layout, sustainability, parking and a concluding statement. SITE LOCATION PLAN DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 7 THE SITE THE EXISTING SITE AND SURROUNDINGS 10 TOLWORTH GIRLS’ GIRLS SCHOOL SCHOOLAND ANDSIXTH SIXTHFORM FORM SECTION 2 THE SITE SITE’S IMMEDIATE CONTEXT 2.1 This section provides a summary of the assessment of the site and its surroundings that has been undertaken. 2.2 The site is an undeveloped field which lies within the grounds of Tolworth Girls’ School and Sixth Form College. Totalling approximately 1.75 hectares in size it is currently overgrown and unused due to poor drainage. 2.3 The site will be accessed from a new road through the school site taken from Fullers Way North, just off the A3 Kingston Bypass. It is bound to the south west by the existing school site and playing fields, and further to the south by the A3 Kingston Bypass and Tolworth Recreation Centre. The site is well contained by existing development on three sides. Along the north eastern site boundary are the rear gardens of residential properties on Selbourne Avenue while the south eastern boundary adjoins the residential properties off Chaffinch Close and a traveller’s settlement known as Swallow Park. To the north west is the Red Lion Industrial Estate that is accessed from the Red Lion Road to the north of Fullers Way North. 2.4 The school was built in 1932, it has been extended from its original form and now consists of a range of red brick buildings along with modern extensions and a range of temporary buildings. Prior to this, the site was historically used as a brick factory to extract clay. 2.5 Tolworth is a suburban area to the south west of London in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames (RBK). It consists mainly of low density 1930’s semi-detached properties, and small to medium commercial and retail developments, however, there are examples of more modern infill plots within the local context. The modern infill is of a mixed design and appearance but does not detract from the strong established character. There is a concentration of local industrial activity in the area to the south of the A3 (south east of the site) within the David Road Industrial Park. DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 11 HISTORICAL ANALYSIS 2.6 Tolworth is a suburban area of south west London in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. It was recorded in 1870 gazetteer as comprising of a Hamlet and an ancient manor house. During the 1880’s the area consisted of green fields and the major employers at the time were William Hipwell’s Dairy Farm and the brickfields on Red Lion Road, agriculture and dairy farming. 2.7 Tolworth Brickworks and clay extraction pit lay immediately north of the site and was owned by William Allen until his bankruptcy in 1881. By 1908 population growth was accelerating due to the development of the brickfields and the construction of Tolworth Sewage Farm (opened in 1891). 2.8 In the 1930’s and 40’s the clay extraction requirements of the brickworks produced a large water-filled pit (known locally as “The Bluey”) which was used as a landfill site for bomb damage and industrial materials removed from bomb sites resulting from the “Blitz.” In 1946-1951 the Tolworth Brickworks Company Ltd was wound down until it was purchased in September 1953 by English Fireplaces (est. 1938). HISTORICAL PLAN 12 TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM CONNECTIONS AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT 2.9 The site is situated just off the A3 Kingston bypass, less than a mile from the main shopping area known as Tolworth Broadway. Kingston town centre is some 5.5km away and Surbiton town centre is approximately 3km away. 2.10 Tolworth Girls’ School is approximately 25km from London Paddington and Waterloo train stations and 20km from Heathrow airport. Chessington North/ South railway stations are some 3km from the site with services running to London Waterloo. 2.11 The proposed site is situated off the A3 Kingston bypass and is approximately 10km from the M25 London Orbital Motorway. ACCESS PLAN DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 13 FACILITIES AND SERVICES 2.12 The proposed site is within 800m of local shops, schools, nurseries and a doctors surgery. The main shopping centre/high street for Tolworth, known as Tolworth Broadway is within 1200m of the site. This area provides a range of shops, supermarkets, pubs, restaurants, takeaways, offices and hotels. 2.13 Tolworth Recreation Centre is located behind Tolworth Girls’ School and provides community leisure facilities including a gym, sports hall, workout classes, creche and a café. 2.14 The closest children’s play area is located in Chaffinch Close adjacent to the site. 2.15 Further afield are King George’s Playing Fields are a large grassed area with bowling green, adventure playground, cricket and football pitches and tennis courts within 800m of the site. 2.16 Other recreational facilities in the area include: • Alexandra Recreation Ground - Tolworth Allotments; Ladywood Road Allotments & Knollmead Allotments, Goals Centre; Kingston University Sports Ground; and Jubilee Way corner motorcycle scrambling and go-kart track; • Three primary schools - Our Lady Immaculate Catholic School, Tolworth Infants and Junior School, and Knollmead Primary School; • Secondary schools - Tolworth Girls, Southborough Boys, and Richard Challoner Boys; and • Four NHS GP practices - Red Lion Road Surgery, Sunray Surgery, Warren Drive North Surgery, and Alexandra Drive Branch Surgery. LOCAL FACILITIES PLAN 14 TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM SURROUNDING BUILT FORM CONTEXT Existing Context 2.17 Architecturally, Tolworth consists mainly of low density 1930’s semi-detached properties, and small to medium commercial and retail developments. To the south of the A3 is an area characterised by a concentration of industrial activity. The Toby Jug roundabout (named after the now demolished Public House), forms an access junction between the commercial area and the A3, linking it on the north with the Broadway and on the south with the A240 Kingston Road toward Epsom. 2.18 The ‘Toby Jug’ area is currently being regenerated. An application, known as “Development Land and Site at 1 Hoole Rise, South Surbiton” is currently under consideration for a high density scheme. Up to 18 stories (app 15/10074). 2.19 Tolworth also has its own train station with direct services to London Waterloo (northbound) and Chessington South (southbound). DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 15 RESIDENTIAL (EARLY 20TH CENTURY) Residential (Early 20th century) 2.20 16 There are pockets of early 20th Century detached or semi-detached, 2 storey properties in the residential estates north of the site. These properties have a rich and interesting architecture and often: are built of red or buff brick; have sash windows, bay windows and porches; have painted walls and grey slated or pantile roofs with brick chimneys. Decorative elements include: moulded lintels and mullions; multi-paned windows; gable windows; decorative red clay ridge roof tiles; carved wooden architraving and fascia; tall decorative chimney pots; brick detailing in bands and as soldier arches above fenestration; and brick detailing to create quoins. Plot sizes and proportions of the buildings are generous, and low red brick walls usually define front gardens. TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 17 RESIDENTIAL (1930-1949) Residential (1930-1949) 2.21 18 The majority of the surrounding residential development dates to the interwar period interspersed with commercial buildings. This two storey development forms continuous lines along wide avenues. Properties are usually terraced or semi-detached; although there are detached properties present, these generally have smaller proportions than those residential properties dating from the early 1900’s. Front gardens allow off street parking, while back gardens are longer. Buildings often have rendered or red brick walls and bay windows which are either square, canted or bow. Chimneys create a varied and interesting street scene and roof tiles are either red, brown or grey pantiles. Other features include: moulded lintels and mullions; gable fronted buildings; low fencing and red bricked walls defining front gardens; porches with sloping roofs; decorative ridge roof tiles; tile hanging on elevations; brick detailing such as arched soldier courses above doorways; and rendered and pebble dashed facades. There are small street trees present along some of the streets. Many properties have been extended into the roof space for additional accommodation. TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 19 RESIDENTIAL (1950-1969) Residential (1950-1969) 2.22 20 There are pockets of development dating from a slightly later period than the characteristic 1930’s dwellings. These properties are 2 storey, often terraced or semi-detached, built in straight lines in cul-de sacs, having brown/buff brick walls and pantile roofs. Some properties have garages, and facades are often painted, rendered or pebble dashed. Front gardens are usually open with little or no boundary treatments. Properties tend to have chimneys and porches but offer less variety or interest due to the lack of building detail. Some limited street trees are present in green verges running alongside pavements. TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 21 RESIDENTIAL (1970’S TO PRESENT) Residential (1970’s to Present) 2.23 22 Development from this period tends to be infill development in small cul-de-sacs. Properties are 2 and 3 storey, usually terraced, semi-detached or purpose built apartment blocks built of buff, brown or red bricks with pantile roofs. Buildings are arranged in continuous building lines fronting the roads and central open green spaces. Some properties have garages and off road parking, but generally plot sizes are smaller. Building detailing is generally limited but does include soldier bricks above windows, some tudor styling above windows and timber and tile cladding to elevations. TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 23 INDUSTRIAL Industrial 2.24 24 These buildings have large building footprints, are monolithic in size with metal or buff/red brick facades, large windows and flat or shallow roofs. There are large areas for parking, with palisade fencing and signage. There are small street trees within grass verges running alongside the pavements. TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM TOLWORTH BROADWAY Tolworth Broadway 2.25 The principal shopping centre is situated west of the A3 in Tolworth Broadway, with the landmark Tolworth Tower at its junction with the A3. There are a variety of shops, cafés, an M&S supermarket, Tolworth Tower, a Travelodge hotel and ‘Charrington Bowl.’ Commercial premises are red brick, 3 storey in height with interesting brick patterned facades that reflect the differing Tolworth Brickworks products. The older blocks are split into shop fronts with each one split into three bays above. The three bay shop fronts are then grouped together with varying parapet and window details to create a rhythmic neoclassical façade. DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 25 TOLWORTH BRICKWORKS Tolworth Brickworks 2.26 26 The predominant brick colours in the area are browns and reds, particularly along Tolworth Broadway. In the surrounding residential streets there are a number of buff brick villas. There is a huge variety of early 20th Century brick details in the area which might be owing to the proximity of Tolworth Brickworks and the specials that were manufactured for the detailed brick fireplaces. TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 27 3 4 1 2 1 CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES PLAN 28 TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM VIEWPOINTS ON SITE PHOTOGRAPHS 1 2 CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES 2.27 The constraints and opportunities presented by the site are utilised to inform and structure the development proposals. These are outlined below and illustrated, where appropriate, on the Constraints and Opportunities plan shown opposite. • Main vehicular site access fixed and approved. • Potential pedestrian/cycle links to Chaffinch Close, adjacent to the Red Lion Industrial Estate. • Emergency access, pedestrian/cycle link to A3 fixed and approved. 3 4 • Potential road noise/air pollution from A3 landscape buffer to be implemented. Buildings to be set back from the landscape buffer. • Potential noise from Red Lion Industrial Estate to be screened if necessary. • Existing residential development to northern/eastern site boundaries. Back-to-back distances to be adhered too. • School playing fields to southern site boundary potential noise and flood lighting. Built form to be set back where possible. • Mains sewer easement running off-site through school playing fields. EDGE TYPES 1 SOUTH-EASTERN BOUNDARY WITH EXISTING 2.4M HIGH CLOSE BOARD FENCE 2 EASTERN BOUNDARY ADJACENT TO CHAFFINCH CLOSE 3 NORTH BOUNDARY BACKING ONTO HOUSING OFF SELBOURNE AVENUE 4 WESTERN BOUNDARY BACKING ONTO RED LION BUSINESS PARK DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 29 THE DESIGN PROCESS SECTION 3 THE DESIGN PROCESS 3.1 The layout of the development has evolved through the different application of the development principles and through consultation with the project team. The diagrams and plans in this section show the design principles and earlier versions of the design proposals. Due to the size of the site, the complexity of the identified constraints and opportunities, and the significant amount of project team meetings undertaken, the design proposals for the development have evolved considerably over time. EVOLUTION OF THE DEVELOPMENT LAYOUT APPROVED OUTLINE MASTERPLAN 32 TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM 3.2 The development layout submitted as part of the outline planning permission in September 2015, allowed for the construction of 68 flats in 11 apartment blocks to the southern portion of the site, grouped around an area of open space. The north of the site included a total of 27 houses following a circular road layout with housing backing onto the adjacent development on the north east and south east boundaries and Red Lion Industrial Estate to the west. 3.3 In May 2016 amendments were permitted to the layout of the approved development primarily as a result of changes to the housing mix, providing more family housing and less flatted development. This amended layout evolved as a result of pre-application discussions with Royal Borough of Kingsdon-Upon-Thames (RBK) on 20 January and 16 February 2016 and through consultation with the consultant team. The concept layouts for which can be seen opposite and on the following page. 1 2 MISSED OPPORTUNITY TO FRONT SCHOOL SITE 4 3 INCREASE AMOUNT OF FAMILY HOUSING TO EASTERN BOUNDARY 5 CENTRAL GREEN SQUARE CREATED MINIMISE APARTMENTS TO EASTERN BOUNDARY BACKING ONTO EXISTING RESIDENTIAL 6 GREEN SQUARE FRAMED AT SITE ENTRANCE. GREEN INTERFACE WITH SCHOOL BUILT FORM TO ADDRESS SITE ENTRANCE. GREEN INTERFACE WITH SCHOOL. ADDITIONAL POCKET PARK WITHIN SITE CONCEPT LAYOUTS DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 33 3.4 The aims of the amended layout are to: • Create a high quality, contemporary scheme using traditional roofscape and respecting the surrounding properties; • Follow the characteristics of the traditional built form in the surrounding area. A variety of Victorian terraces and semi-detached houses to protect the suburban character of the area; • Improve rear garden sizes to meet minimum standards set out in the Residential Design Supplementary Planning Document (RDSPD); • Improve parking provision and reduce rear parking courts; • Provide additional family housing in keeping with the residential areas of Tolworth. Mix compliant with Core Strategy; • House types designed to meet the national space standards and elevated to create an area with its own distinctive character; • Create a central green square as a focal point within the layout, also providing additional amenity space to the residents living in the apartments; • Back to back distances with existing residential improved and separation distances of at least 21m provided within the layout; • Provide a shared surface within the development to act as a natural traffic calming measure; • Maintain a density of 60dph; • Apartments designed to provide private amenity space with balconies designed to meet the national space standards (minimum 5m sq); • Maintain future pedestrian links to industrial estate and Chaffinch Close; and • A simple, contemporary materials pallet will consist of buff/dark grey brick, warm timber panels, slate grey roofing. PREFERRED CONCEPT PLAN 34 TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM DESIGN CONCEPTS 12 1 Open space used to mark the ‘arrival’ and gateway to the development. 2 Open space provides interface/buffer to the school. 6 12 3 Buildings front out over the open space providing a ‘fair face’ to the south. 6 4 Built form is set back from the school playing fields creating enclosure and providing privacy to the apartments. 7 6 5 A central green square provides direct pedestrian 6 8 10 6 10 11 9 3 1 4 6 Strong build lines create active frontages. 7 Increase family housing. 8 Proposed roofscape sympathetic to existing properties backing onto site boundaries. 10 6 9 Four storey landmark buildings mark site entrance. 10Attractive shared surface streets link key spaces within the development. 12 2 routes from the site to the emergency access/ footway onto the A3. 11Verdant streets ensure cars do not dominate the development. 12Parameter blocks formed to respect existing 5 dwellings to north of eastern boundaries. DESIGN && ACCESS STATEMENT DESIGN ACCESS STATEMENT 3535 SHARED SURFACES KEY SPACES • A network of attractive shared surface streets encourages pedestrian and cyclist movement in and around the site. • Inviting key spaces are defined by changes in surface materials. These spaces are linked by a grid of internal streets. • A series of routes give residents different options of movement through the development. • Theses spaces provide opportunities for people to stop and gather. Trees provide shade or shelter, street furniture such as benches provide areas to sit and meet with neighbours. • S hared surface principles ensure cars do not dominate the streets. On-street parking is integrated into the design and broken up with areas of soft landscaping. • T hese verdant streets become a destination rather than a means to get from A to B. • Build outs narrowing streets have multiple functions offering additional traffic calming and larger areas of planting provide spaces for people to stop and socialise. • Areas of soft landscaping add interest to streets, creating soft edges and dividing up areas of hard paving. 36 TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM • Key spaces are enclosed with key buildings providing good surveillance and safe places to use. KEY BUILDINGS GREEN SPACES • T hree landmark buildings mark the site entrance creating a strong build line, these take the form of high density, four storey apartment blocks. • T here are two areas of public open space within the development: Green Square and East Park Square. • T hese landmark apartment blocks enclose the Green Square at the site entrance and provide surveillance over the public open space. • P arking is located behind the apartments to allow a landscape dominated gateway to the development. • K ey buildings are used within the site to terminate vistas and enclose key spaces. Built form has been designed to turn corners to avoid blank elevations. • The Green Square at the site entrance provides a large area of public open space for all to use and a focal point as you enter the site. The green space visually links the site with the school playing fields adjacent. • T he Green Square provides an opportunity for play space and pedestrian links joining the school site with the A3 cycle link. • East Park Square takes the form of a pocket park. This small area of public open space aims to give people a quiet place to escape and enjoy. • A future potential pedestrian link into Chaffinch Close has been provided adjacent to East Park Square. This green space would act as an entrance marker for pedestrians using the link. • East Park Square also spills out onto the street creating another key space within the development and adding to the verdant street character. DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 37 3.5 The amended layout (below) reduces the number of apartment blocks from 11 to 3 and realigns the main apartment block to frame the green square and school playing fields. It also provides a total of 131 car parking spaces within the site, an increase from the 120 planned for the outline planning application layout. The location of these parking spaces reflect those permited in the original outline application, remaining to be in accordance with the councils adopted parking standards. With rear parking courts for the apartment blocks, garages and on plot parking for the houses. POTENTIAL FUTURE PEDESTRIAN/CYCLE LINK COMPLIANT BACK-TO-BACK DISTANCES RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES BACKING ONTO SITE FROM SELBOURNE AVENUE EXISTING BUILDING RED LION INDUSTRIAL ESTATE SCREENED FROM PUBLIC REALM SHARED SURFACES BROKEN UP WITH AREAS OF PAVING TO ACT AS NATURAL TRAFFIC CALMING COMPLIANT BACK-TO-BACK DISTANCES ‘POCKET PARK’ OPEN SPACE ‘KEY SPACES’ KEY BUILDINGS AT SITE ENTRANCE POTENTIAL FUTURE PEDESTRIAN/CYCLE LINK APPROVED SITE ACCESS THROUGH SCHOOL CHAFFINCH CLOSE CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND PUBLIC OPEN SPACE - FOCAL POINT BUFFER TO PLAYING FIELDS EMERGENCY ACCESS/ PEDESTRIAN/ CYCLE LINK TO A3 INDICATIVE LAYOUT PLAN 38 TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM APARTMENTS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE NATURAL SURVEILLANCE OVER FOOTPATH AND POS KEY DESIGN PRINCIPLES: • G reen Square enclosed by apartments creating a key green space as you enter the site. Parking relocated behind the built form. • S hared space principle applied to entire design creating lower traffic speeds. • Areas of soft landscaping add interest to streets, creating soft edges and dividing up areas of hard paving. • L ow hedge planting and street trees play an important role in creating attractive streets. • Inviting key spaces defined by changes in surface materials, link the internal streets together. DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 39 DESIGN PRINCIPLES & SUSTAINABLE STRUCTURING 3.6 3.7 In line with National and Local Government Guidance and Policy, considerable importance has been placed on achieving a high standard of design across the site. The application of urban design objectives will ensure a high quality layout is achieved whilst the identification of the constraints and opportunities will ensure that the proposals are sensitively assimilated on the site and into the surrounding landscape and urban fabric. Successful urban design is dependent upon achieving an appropriate relationship between community needs, development principles, development form and a positive response to local conditions. The principles which have been developed in order to steer the design of the new community have been derived from the site assessment in conjunction with the delivery of a high quality development which achieves the criteria set out within the NPPF, namely: Function and Quality Quality of Public Realm “Developments will function well and add to the overall quality of the area, not just for the short term but over the lifetime of the development” (paragraph 58, point 1, NPPF 2012.) “Developments will establish a strong sense of place, using streetscapes and buildings to create attractive and comfortable places to live, work and visit” paragraph 58, point 2, NPPF 2012. • New development provides the opportunity to establish a distinctive identity to a place which, whilst having its own character, integrates with the surrounding built form and landscape context; • Provision of a clear hierarchy of connected spaces and places, including streets, accessible by a variety of users which consider the design of the space as well as its function as a movement corridor; • Establish a distinctive identity through welldesigned spaces and built form; • Integration of proposed landscape features in order to soften the built form; • Minimise the impact of the development on the surrounding built context; and • Creation of a clearly defined public realm through the provision of continuous building frontage lines and variations in enclosure of private spaces; • Ensure that the development does not increase the risk from flooding in the area. • Control of access to private areas, particularly rear gardens and parking courts; and • Provision of a variety of accessible public open spaces and recreation areas to meet the needs of the local community whilst encouraging social activity. 40 TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM Accessibility Response to Context “Developments optimise the potential of the site to accommodate development, create and sustain an appropriate mix of uses (including incorporation of green and other public spaces as part of developments) and support local facilities and transport networks” paragraph 58, point 3, NPPF 2012. “Developments will respond to local character and history, and reflect the identity of local surrounding and materials, while not preventing or discouraging appropriate innovation” paragraph 58, point 4, NPPF 2012. • Convenient, safe and direct access for all residents to the existing and proposed local services and facilities including schools, retail, community uses and employment opportunities; • Respond to the existing site topography including the consideration of views in and out of the site from neighbouring properties; and • Provision of multiple pedestrian access points into the development forming part of a permeable network of streets; • Integration of the development into the existing built form fabric of Tolworth particularly in relation to scale, height and massing; • Protection of existing and proposed residential amenity through the use of frontage development thereby enclosing rear gardens. • Maximisation of the opportunities for alternative modes of transport to the car particularly walking and cycling; • Creation of a clear movement hierarchy providing easily recognisable routes which balances the street as a space alongside its function as a movement corridor; and • Maximisation of the connections to Tolworth Broadway via sustainable routes for pedestrians and cyclists; DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 41 Safe and Accessible Environments A Place for Everyone “Developments create safe and accessible environments where crime and disorder, and the fear of crime, do not undermine quality of life or community cohesion” paragraph 58, point 5, NPPF 2012. • Creation of a development which allows ease of movement for all types of users and provides equal employment, social, community, leisure and retail activity opportunities for all; and • Creation of a clearly defined public realm through the provision of continuous building frontage lines and variations in enclosure of private spaces; and • Control of access to private areas, particularly rear gardens and parking courts. • Consideration of the proposals in relation to the location of the buildings on the site, gradients, and the relationship between various uses and transport infrastructure, particularly for those with disabilities. Sustainability • Provision of a range of house types, tenures and sizes in order to cater for choice and a variety of households; • Provision of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems as part of the flood mitigation proposals; • In-built ‘robustness’ – the ability of the development, including individual buildings, to adapt to changes such as use, lifestyle and demography over time; and • Make efficient use of land through proposing a development with an appropriate density. 42 TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM DESIGN POLICY 3.8 3.9 Outline consent for the site has already been granted including details of layout and access. This reserved matters application therefore only seeks approval for scale, appearance and landscaping. This application has been developed having had regard to National and Local Planning policies in respect of design, which are summarised below. It has also been informed by pre-application consultation with the general public and Officers at the Borough Council. National Guidance 3.10 3.11 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out the Government’s approach for delivering the homes, infrastructure and places that are needed whilst both protecting and enhancing the natural and historic environment. Section 7 of the NPPF places importance in delivering good design. However, it sets out that planning decisions should not attempt to impose architectural styles or particular tastes, but requires development to promote or reinforce local distinctiveness. Local Guidance 3.12 Royal Borough of Kingston Supplementary Planning Documents The London Plan (2015) • Housing Standards: Dwellings in line with the Nationally described space standards • Sustainable Transport Supplementary Planning Document (2013) (STSPD) • Policy 2.18: Integration of green infrastructure • Residential Design Supplementary Planning Document (2013) (RDSPD) • Policy 3.8: A mix and range of housing should be provided 3.13 • Policy 6.9: Requires secure cycle parking to be provided • Policy 6.10: High quality safe pedestrian environment • Minimum garden sizes • Policy 7.1: High quality development that contributes to a sense of place • Separation distances of 21 metres between facing windows and habitable rooms • Policy 7.3: Reduce opportunities for criminal behaviour • Separation distance of 7.5m between new habitable room windows and boundary to neighbouring properties; • Policy 7.4: Deliver high quality design • Policy CS8: Requires good design • 15m between new habitable room windows and flank wall of neighbouring property; • Policy CS9: Provision of recycling facilities • P rovide at least 2m between the back of the footway and the habitable room window; Royal Borough of Kingston Local Development Framework Core Strategy (2012) • O ff set ground floor level by at least 1m to create a level change to avoid those passing on the footway having direct sight into habitable rooms; • DM3: Climate change adaption • DM5: Provision of high quality accessible open space • DM8: Provision of on-site facilities for cyclists • D wellings are built to Lifetime Homes and 10% wheelchair accessible. • DM9: Minimum parking standards • DM10: Incorporate principles of good design • DM13: Minimum of 30% of dwellings as 3 or more bedrooms The RDSPD includes detailed design guidance on the layout and arrangement of dwellings and how they should relate to each other as well as existing development. Key design considerations include the following: 3.14 This Design & Access Statement demonstrates how the proposals accord with the above guidance to deliver a high quality development which will enhance the character of the local area. DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 43 THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION PROCESS 44 3.15 The community engagement process for the Reserved Matters Application centred around a public consultation event held by Taylor Wimpey at Tolworth Girls’ School on Monday 21st March 2016. 3.16 In order to publicise the consultation event, invitation postcards were distributed to 577 properties in the immediate vicinity of the application site inviting local residents to attend and find out more about Taylor Wimpey’s proposals. These postcards were distributed by second-class post on Thursday 3rd March. 3.17 In addition, Taylor Wimpey contacted members of Kingston Council and representatives from Tolworth Girls’ School & Sixth Form to invite them to attend the public consultation event. 3.18 Publicity posters were displayed at Tolworth Girls’ School & Sixth Form to ensure staff, parents and pupils were aware of the consultation event. To raise awareness of the main public exhibition across a wider area, a press release publicising the event was issued to a number of local media titles on Wednesday 9th March. TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM 3.19 3.20 The public exhibition was held at Tolworth Girls’ School & Sixth Form, Fullers Way North, Surbiton, Surrey, KT6 7LQ, (adjacent to the application site), between 4pm and 8pm on Monday 21st March 2016. The purpose of the exhibition was to inform interested parties of the applicant’s intention to submit a planning application for residential development on the site and to give them the opportunity to provide their feedback on the scheme. On display at the exhibition were a number of information boards which set out the background to the application and provided details of the proposed development. It was hosted by key members of the Taylor Wimpey project team who were available to answer questions and respond to comments raised. All the information on display at the public exhibition was also made available to view online on the Taylor Wimpey website (www.taylorwimpey. co.uk/tolworth) to ensure that those unable to attend the event could still participate fully in the consultation process. 3.21 Those participating in the public consultation were invited to complete feedback forms enabling them to comment on specific aspects of the proposed scheme. Feedback forms could be given to a member of the team during the exhibition or returned to Taylor Wimpey by email or post. Alternatively, comments could be submitted online via the consultation website. Feedback was accepted by the Applicant up to and including the end of the consultation period on Monday 4th April 2016. 3.22 For further details of the consultation responses please refer to the Statement of Community Involvement, which accompanies this application. DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 45 DESIGN PROPOSALS SECTION 4 DESIGN PROPOSALS DESIGN PROPOSALS Use & Amount of Development 4.1 (The Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 states that “amount” means (a) the number of proposed units for residential use). Residential - 106 dwellings (Class C3) 4.2 The development achieves an average net density of 60 dwellings per hectare (dph) or 191 habitable rooms per hectare. This density results in the efficient use of the site while at the same time promoting densities which are appropriate to the local area and which will help assimilate the development into the surrounding areas. 4.3 A range of house types and sizes are provided which will assist in creating a balanced community, as a variety of households can be accommodated thereby minimising the potential for social exclusion. This will provide a hierarchy of dwellings from 4 bed properties through to 1 bed flats which will allow for a housing mix as outlined in the table on the following page. Affordable Housing 4.4 48 TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM The outline Planning Permission was approved subject to a section 106 Agreement requiring 10% of the residential units to be designated for the Help to Buy scheme and a financial contribution of £300,000. The Reserved Matters Application includes this provision in line with section 106 agreement. House Type Indicative Mix (Outline planning permission) Indicative Mix (Approved Amended Layout) 1 bed flat 19 40 2 bed flat 49 3 bed duplex 6 - 3 bed house 32 25 4 bed house - 41 Table 1: Indicative Housing Mix SITE LAYOUT DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 49 CHARACTER AREAS 3 CHARACTER AREAS 4.5 • Gateway Entrance 3 • Core Housing 2 • Mews Courts 4.6 These three character areas have subtle differences but are defined by their street typology, a change in material, soft and hard landscaping details and scale and massing. 4.7 Due to the scale of the site architectural details such as doors, windows, dormers and canopies are uniform throughout the development creating continuity within the scheme. Clean lines and a simple materials pallet create a modern architectural style giving the site a distinctive character within the local area but sympathetic to it’s surroundings. 3 1 GREY DOOR 50 GREY RAIN WATER GOODS SLATE ROOF TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM Character areas have been defined within the development that will help to achieve the creation of a sense of place. The proposed character areas are: 1 GATEWAY ENTRANCE 2 CORE HOUSING 3 MEWS COURT GREY DOOR CANOPY WINDOWS GREY TIMBER CLADDING YELLOW/BUFF BRICK GATEWAY ENTRANCE GATEWAY ENTRANCE 4.8 4.9 The entrance to the site in clearly defined by three, four storey apartment blocks. These buildings form the primary frontage, overlooking the public open space, providing natural surveillance and creating enclosure. The built form is larger in scale than the remainder of the site. The architectural style has clean, crisp lines with a vertical emphasis. Parapet walls are a unique feature within this character area, adding interest to the elevations. Balconies have been designed into the footprint finished with a contemporary glass balcony. Urban Form • Buildings fronting Green Square set back from from main road. • Greater presence and continuity of urban form in this character area. • Development designed to frame key spaces. Building Typology • Built form consists of four storey apartment blocks. • Bespoke, corner turning Landmark Buildings designed to enclose the Green square and mark site entrance. Density • High Density. Building Lines • Consistent to give coherence to the built form. • Primary Frontage (refer to Frontages Plan). • Strong, predominant building line. Height / Enclosure • Greater in height and enclosure than other character areas. • Development has a greater presence than other areas. Roofscape • Hipped roofs with parapet walls to animate public realm frontages. • Dropped eave lines where building is set back will create variety along the streetscape. Scale and Proportion • Symmetric and proportionate in scale to surrounding context. Building Detail • Soft contemporary details. Grey windows, doors, fascia, rain water goods and canopies. Balconies designed into building footprint with glass panel railings. • Apartments designed to ensure equal importance to all elevations fronting onto the public realm. VILLAGE GOLDEN THATCH Building Materials • Walls – yellow brick and grey timber effect cladding (refer to Materials Layout for further details) • Roof – Grey slate/slate effect. Landscape Design • Formal street tree planting, typically within grassed verges or public open space. Street furniture to consist modern design within Public Open Space. Refer to detailed Landscaping. • Please refer to Detailed Landscape Proposals for specific tree types and landscape character. Parking • A reas of on street parking broken up with soft landscaping. Rear parking courts designed with natural surveillance– see Parking Strategy Enclosure Details • Low hedge planting used to define private amenity space with public realm. CLADDING DETAIL • 1.8m timber fencing and brick walls to enclose parking courts and private communal spaces from public realm. Key Spaces • Landmark buildings used to reinforce the role of the central key space ‘Green Square’. CONTEMPORARY GLASS BALCONIES DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 51 CORE HOUSING CORE HOUSING 4.10 Attractive shared space streets connect a series of key spaces in the heart of the development making up the core housing character area. Predominantly 2.5 storey town houses with 3 storey elements to end terraces and framing key spaces. There is also an element of 2 storey, wide fronted units backing onto the employment providing greater variety of house types. Urban Form • Consistent built frontage facing the Secondary Streets. • Development fronts directly onto the Secondary Streets to reinforce their linear character. Building Typology • Development will be predominantly terraced and semi-detached dwellings. • Corner turning buildings at junctions and key spaces to provide active frontages. Density • Medium-High density Building Lines • Consistent to give coherence to the built form. • See Street Type: Secondary Streets Height / Enclosure • Predominantly 2.5 storey dwellings with occasional 3 storeys in key locations. Some two storey wider fronted dwelling used where block depth narrows and to provide variation to the street scene. • Formal enclosure to the street. Roofscape • Traditional pitched roofs with a running theme of protruding gables fronting the street. • Flat roof dormers consistant throughout the site. Scale and Proportion • Symmetric and proportionate in scale to plot size and surrounding context. Building Detail • Soft contemporary details. Grey windows, doors, fascia, rain water goods and canopies. • Building Materials Dwellings designed to ensure no blank walls front onto the public realm/streets. • Walls – buff/yellow brick and occasional grey timber effect cladding to gable end plots (refer to Materials Layout for further details) • Roof – Grey slate/slate effect. Landscape Design GREY TIMBER CLADDING TO GABLE ENDS oft Landscaping to be simple with formally planted front gardens- Refer to detailed Landscaping. • S • Shared surfaces broken up with areas of tree planting and low shrub planting. Parking • Allocated, off-street parking, some plots with integral garages – see Parking Strategy. Enclosure Details • Frontages defined by low hedge planting or shrub beds • 1.8m high brick walls to define private rear gardens from public realm, private garden spaces divided by 1.8m high timber fence. • Refer to Enclosure Details Section. Key Spaces • Dual aspect houses used to provide surveillance over key spaces and terminate key vistas. • Key spaces defined by a change in surface material and soft landscaping. • East Park Square provides a ‘Pocket Park’ within the site OLD ENGLISH BUFF MULTI BRICK 52 TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM VIEW ALONG SHARED SURFACE STREET IN CORE HOUSING CHARACTER AREA DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 53 MEWS COURT MEWS COURTS 4.11 Short terraced rows enclose mews style parking courts. A change in material, landscaping and surface treatment clearly define these areas. Shared surface streets are narrower then those in the Core Housing area. Narrow fronted town houses provide strong build lines and corner turning buildings ensure there are no blank gable walls fronting onto the public realm. Urban Form • Dwellings arranged in terraced rows, providing clear presence and frontage onto Mews Courts. • These areas provide parking with good surveillance. Area defined by a change in surface material and soft landscaping treatment. Building Typology • Predominantly shorts runs of terraced dwellings. • Generally smaller family homes. • Corner turner buildings Density • Low-medium density. Building Lines • Frontage in terms of setback consistent to allow for frontage parking. • See Street Type: Mews Court Height / Enclosure • Predominantly 2.5 storey dwellings with occasional 3 storeys to end terrace joining secondary street. • Strong sense of enclosure to the street due to narrower road type with built form on either side, although set back to allow for parking to the front of dwellings. Roofscape • Eaves and ridge lines will typically be consistent between groups of buildings. • Occasional use of gables to provide variety where Mews Courts join Secondary Streets. Scale and Proportion • Building scale to be complementary to adjoining buildings. Building Detail • Soft contemporary details. Grey windows, doors, fascia, rain water goods and canopies. • SHORT TERRACED ROWS Building Materials Dwellings designed to ensure no blank walls front onto the public realm/streets. • Walls – buff multi brick and occasional grey timber effect cladding to gable end plots (refer to Materials Layout for further details) • Roof – Grey slate/slate effect. Landscape Design • S oft Landscaping to be simple with largely open front gardens, a change in plant types to other character areas. • Street trees and soft landscaping used to break up frontage parking wherever possible. Parking • Allocated, off-street parking within the Mews Court, some plots with integral garages – see Parking Strategy. Enclosure Details • Formal planting to front gardens. • 1.8m high brick walls or timber fencing to define private rear gardens. • Refer to Enclosure Details Section. BURWELL BUFF 54 TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM VIEW INTO MEWS COURT DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 55 INDICATIVE IMAGES OF SHARED SURFACES 56 TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM ACCESS/ROAD HIERARCHY 4.12 The indicative layout shows the disposition of land uses and the proposed structure for movement within the development. A well connected movement network, accessible by all users, is proposed which will help to ensure that all areas of the development are easy to navigate, safe and secure. The movement hierarchy clearly defines the main routes and helps achieve a permeable layout. The hierarchy recognises the need to combine the function of the street as a movement corridor alongside its place function. The importance of each of the street types in terms of its movement and place function varies within the hierarchy. Streets are defined by the building layout, so that buildings rather than roads dominate. 4.13 The development proposals have been influenced by “Manual for Streets 1 & 2” which encourages designers to move away from standardised prescriptive measures and adopt a more innovative approach in order to create high quality places for all users, ages and abilities. 4.14 The internal roads to the proposed scheme have been designed to Manual for Streets latest guidance. A shared surface approach has been applied to create natural traffic calming throughout the development. Rumble strips will mark the site entrance and key spaces will be defined by a change in surface. 4.15 The sole vehicular access to the site would be provided through the approved access road on the south west boundary of the site. Entrance into the site would be framed by an apartment block to the north and open space to the south. At the southern point of the site an emergency access/ pedestrian and cycle path link has been approved which will provide the residential development with connectivity with the surrounding residential areas, adjacent to the A3. 4.16 Forward visibility achieved around corner plots is 18m (in accordance with Manual for Street Guidance for 16mph). Landscaping within visibility splays has been designed to be no higher than 600mm. Highways engineers have used vehicle tracking software to ensure the proposed layout complies with current Highway Design Guidance. See tracking drawings overleaf. MOVEMENT HIERARCHY PLAN DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 57 PRIVATE VEHICLE TRACKING 58 TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM Vehicle Tracking • The site has been tracked with a 10.8m x 2.6m refuse vehicle in accordance with RBK SPD standards. • Car parking has been tracked with a 4.6m large car. Highway Visibility • Forward visibility of 18m and junction visibility of 18m x 2.4m has been provided in accordance with Manual for Streets for a 16mph road. REFUSE VEHICLE TRACKING DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 59 STREET TYPOLOGIES PRIMARY STREET 4.17 Main road into the site forms a transition zone from the approved access road to shared surface within the development. • Higher density • P redominantly 4 storey apartments with some 2.5-3 storey town houses • 6.8m wide shared surface - bitmac surface • 1m service margin delineated with a change in surface material umble strips to define change in carriageway • R and act as traffic calming • Rear parking courts • Frontages defined with shrub planting • 2 1m separation distances between habitable rooms 60 TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM MEWS COURTS SECONDARY STREET 4.18 Internal loop road joining key node points together. 4.19 Private lanes serving up to 6 dwellings. • 2-3 storey houses • 2.5-3 storey town houses • Short terraced rows and semi detached plots • Terraced rows • 6.8m wide shared surface • Short-narrow lanes used as parking court • 1 m service margin either side delineated with a change in surface material • 6m wide block paved shared surface • Rumble strips to define change in carriageway • On-plot parking in front of houses • Private frontages enclosed with shrub planting • 6m set backs • On plot parking • Frontages enclosed with low hedge planting • Key spaces defined with a change in material • D ual aspect elevations to dwellings used to turn corners • 21m back to back separation distances • Carriageway narrows to 3.8m with areas of soft landscaping at pitch points. DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 61 Parking 4.20 The Sustainable Transport Supplementary Planning Document (2013) (STSPD) outlines car parking standards for the Borough as follows: Unit Size Number of vehicle parking spaces Number of cycle parking spaces 1/2 bed Less than 1 space 1 space 3 bed 1.5 spaces 2 spaces 4 + bed Up to 2 spaces 2 spaces 4.22 Table 2: Borough Council’s Parking Standards 4.21 The STSPD also sets the minimum parking bay sizes as follows: • Parallel parking – 6m length x 2.4m depth; Type • Grouped parking – 4.8m length x 2.4m width and 6m reversing distance; Outline Planning Permission Proposed Amendment Garage 15 6 Allocated 99 121 Casual 6 5 Average space per dwelling 1.1 1.2 • Disabled spaces – 4.8m length x 3.0m width with a 1.2m service area to one side and the rear; • Garages – 3m width x 5.2m length; and • Garage + 1 cycle space – 7m length x 3.3m width or 3.95m width x 6m length. Table 3: Car parking within the scheme 4.23 62 The development proposals will provide a total of 132 car parking spaces within the site, an increase from the 120 planned for the approved outline planning application layout. The location of these parking spaces would have the same relationship with the dwellings as those approved in the outline permission, with rear parking courts for the apartment blocks, garages and on plot parking for the houses. The design and number of the proposed car parking spaces would meet the minimum standards set by the STSPD and would therefore be usable by future residents to meet their needs. The 132 car parking spaces would be split in the following way: TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM Parking is integrated into the street design and residential plots to ensure that it does not compromise the design or layout of the development. Spaces are grouped to provide for meaningful landscaped strips which are of sufficient size to support tree and hedge planting. Trees and low hedge planting will also be used to break up areas of on-street parking. 4.24 Mews areas and parking courts would be laid in permeable paving which will provide a division between the public access road and private off street parking. This would provide a legible street hierarchy which would aid way finding as well as reinforcing the character of the street. 4.25 Courtyard parking to the rear of the apartment blocks is designed so that they have their own sense of place and will serve only a few units, thus creating a private well defined area with good surveillance from nearby occupiers. The rear parking courts are also convenient for the user due to their proximity to the apartments. Cycle Parking 4.26 Paths provide access to all rear gardens allowing bicycles to be stored in rear gardens. Refer to Parking Strategy Plan opposite for cycle storage locations. 4.27 Sheffield stands have been provided for all apartment blocks as advised in the Sustainable Transport SPD. These meet the standards set out in Table 2. PARKING STRATEGY PLAN DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 63 64 TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM ON STREET PARKING PERSPECTIVE VIEW OF ON STREET PARKING SOLUTION USING SOFT LANDSCAPING TO BREAK UP AREAS OF PARKING PARKING STRATEGY PARKING SCHEDULE Approved Proposed Allocated spaces Garages Casual Parking 99 15 6 121 6 5 Total 120 132 Average spaces per dwelling 1.1 1.2 DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 65 Refuse Strategy 4.28 Secure refuse and recycling storage areas have been provided for all apartment block sited within 15m of the highway. 4.29 All of the houses have access to rear gardens to store refuse and recycling bins. 4.30 The plan opposite shows carry distances. Where these exceeded 30m bin collection points have been provided. 4.31 Refuse and recycling storage areas have been designed in accordance with RBK Residential Design Guide SPD. No. Flats Capacity required Guideline provision of landfill waste bins 6 1100 Litres 1 x 1100 Litre bin 9 1650 Litres 1 x 1100 Litre bin and 1 x 660 Litre bin 12 2200 Litres 2 x 1100 Litre bin Table 4: Borough Council’s Refuse storage requirements No. Flats Guideline provision of landfill waste bins Between 1 and 16 4 x 240 Litre containers and 2 x 360 Litre containers (for plastic and card) Between 16 and 22 5 x 360 Litre containers and 1 x 240 Litre container for food waste Between 23 and 48 5 x 820 Litres and 1 x 240 Litre for food waste Table 5: Borough Council’s Recycling storage requirements REFUSE STRATEGY PLAN 66 TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM Footpaths and Cycleways 4.32 4.33 4.34 The location of the site within an established community, adjacent to the town centre and close to public transport nodes are positive characteristics which have been maximised through the provision of safe, direct, convenient and interesting pedestrian routes. The Green Square at the site entrance has been designed to provide a direct pedestrian link from the site entrance to the emergency access link onto the A3. Additional pedestrian routes to the A3 via Chaffinch Close and adjacent to the Red Lion Business Park were investigated where a shared access/public open space currently meets the site boundary. These options have been discounted at the present time due to land ownership and deliverability issues. The proposed scheme has however safeguarded these potential routes should the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames wish to investigate in the future. Gardens 4.35 • Internal road layout design to ensure low traffic speeds. The design will promote safe walking and high permeability through the site, and limit potential for anti-social behaviour; • Particular attention to be paid to surface quality, and sufficient ‘overlook’ to provide a sense of safety and security for users. The Residential Design Supplementary Planning Document (2013) (RDSPD) outlines principles and design standards for major housing schemes. In relation to gardens the RDSPD outlines the following: • Gardens should be designed so that future occupants have the ability / option to grow food – this could include landscape design to include raised beds, planters and land that is capable of supporting food growing; 4.41 Site investigations and the approved FRA have identified that the underlying geology is not suitable for infiltration drainage. There are no watercourses on site to accept surface water run-off from the site. Therefore, surface water from the site is proposed to connect into the Thames Water sewer located at the southern boundary of the site, adjacent to the A3. 4.42 The surface water drainage strategy comprises of a SuDS treatment hierarchy of lined porous paving and cellular storage prior to discharge to the existing Thames Water sewer at controlled greenfield run-off rate (in accordance with the approved FRA). • When parking is to be provided in the front garden the garden depth should preferably be a minimum of 6m but no less than 4.57m. 4.36 The RDSPD also outlines minimum standards for private gardens to be achieved, and where possible exceeded, unless it can be demonstrated that this would be at odds with the prevailing physical context and local character of development: 4.37 50sqm of private garden per family house (+5sqm per extra bedroom over three). 4.38 50sqm communal amenity space plus where less than 10sqm private amenity space is provided per flat, the shortfall in provision should be added to communal amenity space. 4.39 The design of the balconies are integral to the design of the apartment blocks which have a contemporary uniform appearance. The balconies therefore have a minimum area of 5sqm and any shortfall in size of the balconies for apartments is more than made up for in the area of open space immediately adjacent to the building frontage or within the communal gardens directly associated with those buildings. The development proposals maintain a back to back separation distance of 25m with the closest residential neighbours which would prevent an adverse impact from overlooking/loss of light. The footprints of units have been tested to ensure they are of sufficient size to satisfy the internal space for future residents in line with the Council’s RDSPD, the MALP and the National Technical Housing Standards. Surface Water Drainage Strategy • Separation distance of no less than 21m shall normally be maintained between facing windows of habitable rooms; and The following measures to provide accessibility by foot and cycle are proposed: • Provision of pedestrian/cycle links through the site; 4.40 Foul Water Drainage Strategy 4.43 The foul water drainage strategy employs a gravity system which connects to the new foul network to be constructed as part of the Tolworth Girls’ School Access road works. This network connects into the existing Thames Water foul sewer which runs adjacent to the A3. DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 67 KEY SPACES Key Spaces 4.44 68 A series of Key Spaces within the development are linked together with attractive shared surface streets. These areas allow people a place to stop and enjoy. The use of street furniture such as benches give a focus on pedestrians rather than cars. TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM 1 DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 69 2 70 TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM 3 DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 71 4 72 TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM 5 DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 73 CONTINUITY AND ENCLOSURE 4.45 The design of the development proposals are broadly based on the principle of perimeter blocks that provide a strong frontage to the public realm whilst protecting the amenity of existing residents. This continuity assists in defining the public realm, promotes an active street scene and helps to create a safe and attractive environment. Proposed dwellings form continuous building lines to the adjacent existing dwellings which minimises overlooking and incorporates the new development into the existing urban form without forming any physical barriers. The new development will provide frontage and surveillance over the proposed areas of public open space. 4.46 Key frontages will be particularly prominent and critical to the appearance of the development. Particular attention has been paid to the massing and architectural style of these buildings, so that they contribute positively to the quality and character of the new development. Frontages have been designed as a composition in order to provide a cohesive element to these prominent positions and are outlined as follows: • Primary Frontage - Overlooks the Public Open Space to provide natural surveillance and give enclosure to this space. Built form is up to 4 storeys in height; • Secondary Frontage - Shared surface streets have strong build lines creating active frontage throughout development. Built form 2-3 storey semi-detached and short terraces. Blank elevations have been avoided and corner turning units utilised where necessary; and • Tertiary Frontages - Strong build lines consist of longer terraced blocks present on mews lanes. Smaller scale built form mainly 2.5 storey town houses. 74 TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM 4.47 The design solution for the site reflects the variety in townscape form that can be seen in the surrounding area of Tolworth. The boundary treatments and setbacks from the street reflect those in the immediate vicinity such as Chaffinch Close and Selbourne Avenue. In locations where gable ends of houses adjoin the street, additional windows have been incorporated on these elevations to reinforce the level of surveillance of public areas. 4.48 Development plots have been defined by a range of boundary treatments including walls, bollards, railings and hedging, depending upon their location, in order to clearly define public and private spaces. FRONTAGES PLAN SCALE AND DENSITY 4.49 As previously stated, the development proposals achieve an average density of approximately 60dph, or 191 habitable rooms per hectare. The site location is considered suburban and has a PTAL rating (Public Transport Accessibility Level) of 1a. The proposed site density sits comfortably in the mid-high range allowable by the London Plan and appropriate for a site within an established built-up area adjacent to a major arterial road (A3). Units have also been designed to comply with the National Space Standards. This accords with Government guidance on ensuring the efficient use of land, yet is reflective of the scale of the local area. 4.50 The height and massing of the proposed development varies with the taller buildings located to the south of the site. Housing varies from 2 to 3 storey often utilising roof space as additional accommodation. 2.5 storey units have been positioned backing onto existing residential properties on Selbourne Avenue, while the 4 storey apartments have been designed to enclose the public open space at the site entrance and create a focal point - a sense of arrival. BUILDING HEIGHTS PLAN DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 75 APPEARANCE AND CHARACTER 4.51 76 Following a detailed assessment of Tolworth and its environs, street typologies, distinctive spaces, materials and details have been identified that exhibit distinctive local design and these have been further incorporated into the detailed design of the new development. This will ensure the architectural response of the proposal respects the local character. TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM 4.52 A simple materials palette has been chosen to create a high quality, contemporary scheme, with a distinctive quality but respecting it’s surroundings. Traditional roofscape and built form patters reflect those of the surrounding area. A variety of semidetached and terraced rows protect the suburban character of the area. DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 77 Architectural Details 78 4.53 The architectural style of the proposed buildings draws upon the existing residential context to the north east and south east of the site, while adopting a modern approach with its own unique contemporary style. 4.54 Those local characteristics that have been adopted within the new buildings include: the use of materials such as buff brick, dormer windows, grey roof slates and timber cladding; standard gable blocks with cross gable ends to create more varied roof outlines; and, continuous building lines fronting onto streets reminiscent of the straight streets in the surrounding residential areas. 4.55 The development utilises a distinct palette of materials, colours and textures to define its contemporary approach. These include slate roofs, complimentary buff and London Yellow coloured bricks, grey timber effect cladding on elevations to gable end houses, with grey windows and doors. 4.56 The apartment blocks incorporate linear strips of grey timber cladding, that along with the windows and glass balconies break up the brick walling to create a varied streetscape. The simplicity of the architectural detailing creates a cohesive and legible aesthetic across the scheme as a whole. TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM LANDSCAPE STRATEGY 4.57 Landscape is a key component for creating a successful place and the green spaces within the proposed development are integral to creating a strong landscape structure across the site. DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 79 LANDSCAPE DESIGN 80 4.58 The proposed landscape design for the site has evolved in response to its surrounding context, in particular taking landscape cues from the redevelopment of Tolworth Girls’ School and Sixth Form. Positive landscape elements within existing local employment, play areas and adjacent housing has informed the landscape design of the scheme to create a distinctive character that responds and fits comfortably with its surroundings. 4.59 The site layout incorporates a series of key spaces that create a strong green hierarchy. Open space, private amenity areas, parking and structural landscape elements all help to further define the public and private space whilst adding colour and seasonal interest to the residential environment. TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM BOUNDARY TREATMENT 4.60 The site is accessed from Fullers Way North and the access road passing through the grounds of Tolworth Girls’ School and Sixth Form will provide structural and seasonal interest along its route. This will include boulevard tree planting at the road entrance, decorative sensory shrub and herbaceous planting beneath specimen trees, to provide multiheight structure. 4.61 The north western boundary along Red Lion Business Centre will be close board fencing with incidental fastigiate tree planting to provide a vegetative barrier along the site boundary. The south eastern boundary fence is to be retained and additional close board fencing is proposed along the residential site side of the boundary. Landscape buffer planting along this boundary will consist of tree specimens. 4.62 Along the south western boundary within Tolworth Girls’ School and Sixth Form, tree and native hedge planting will provide a visual buffer between the private residences and school grounds. A 1.8m and 2.4m high decorative fence is proposed along this boundary to restrict movement from the residential site into Tolworth Girls’ School and Sixth Form, whilst existing memorial oaks are to be retained within the school site, provide a mature landscape buffer between the proposed MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) and residential site. SURFACE MATERIALS 4.63 A pedestrian/cycle and emergency access from the residential site to the A3 is proposed within the south eastern corner of Tolworth Girls’ School and Sixth Form. Buffer planting, lighting and 1.8m high fencing with visibility through will provide a decorative and safe pedestrian link from the residential site. OPEN SPACE 4.64 The open space is located at the entrance to the site and acts as a doorstep play space. Residents of the flats will benefit from the adjacent open space, that will create a ‘hub’ with good pedestrian connectivity and surveillance. Specimen tree planting will provide height along the open space boundary while lower height shrub planting around seating will ensure decorative displays of seasonal colour to create smaller more intimate areas for residents. 4.65 Within the open space an area of doorstep play will provide a facility for residents, wooden equipment will provide interest whilst retaining an open and informal grassed space. 4.66 At the entrance to the residential parcel, a hard landscape material change, from bitmac to grey block paving will notify residents and visitors of the sites change of use. Rumble strips will provide definition between surface changes. 4.67 Travelling through the development shared surfacing is used as a principle feature to create an open site encouraging fluid movement throughout. Small feature areas along the road will be laid with grey block paving, and private parking spaces laid in buff paving will provide a contrast between the private and public areas. Areas of permeable block paving have been located within the site to provide a sustainable drainage strategy. Hard landscape elements, including bollards, will provide definition to hard surfaced areas where soft landscaping is inappropriate. Private Amenity Space 4.68 Properties within the site are allocated rear gardens, providing private usable outdoor space for residents. Specimen tree planting will include fruiting varieties such as plum, cherry and apple to provide seasonal fruit and increase biodiversity within the site. DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 81 Plot Frontage Treatment Sustainable Design 4.69 Plot frontage treatments within the site vary along the access roads to provide a diverse landscaped structure throughout the site that allows for tree planting. 4.71 The presumption in favour of sustainable development is at the heart of the planning system as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Local Plans. 4.70 The majority of landscape strips between car parking bays will provide a minimum of 1.5m wide areas for structural tree planting to ensure adequate soil volume to support plant growth. Where narrower landscaped strips are located, hedge planting will provide structural elements to divide the hard landscaped areas. 4.72 Resolution 24/187 of the United Nations General Assembly define sustainable development as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (WCED Report “Our Common Future” (1987)) and is captured within the NPPF. As set out within paragraph 6 of the NPPF, “the policies in paragraphs 18 to 210, taken as a whole, constitute the Government’s view of what sustainable development in England means in practice for the planning system. The NPPF goes on to describe a presumption in favour of sustainable development should be seen as a golden thread running through both plan-making and decision-taking. Adaptability 4.73 The development should be flexible enough to respond to future changes in use, lifestyle and demography. This means creating flexibility in the use of property, public spaces and service infrastructure and introducing new approaches to transportation, traffic management and parking. The development should therefore be flexible in order to accommodate future changes of use and circumstances through evolving social, technological and economic conditions. Sustainable building techniques 4.74 Where appropriate, sustainable building construction techniques will be used in line with current building regulations. Sustainable construction measures typically comprise a combination of the following: • Improved energy efficiency through siting, design and orientation; • Water conservation measures; • Considering fabric efficiency in the design of buildings; • Use of building materials capable of being recycled; and • An element of construction waste reduction or recycling. 82 TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM Crime prevention 4.75 One of the design objectives within item 58 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states that developments should: “create safe and accessible environments where crime and disorder, and the fear of crime, do not undermine the quality of life or community cohesion;” (point 5, item 58, NPPF 2012) 4.76 4.77 4.78 The design proposals for the site at Tolworth Girls’ School are based on an understanding of best practice guidance, and reference has been made to the relevant documents including: “Safer Places the Planning System”; “Manual for Streets”; ACPO “New Homes” guidance; and “Secured by Design” ithe official UK Police flagship initiative. When designing new developments, these should create areas that are attractive and contain clearly defined public and private areas that relate well with one another and create no ambiguity. In addition, the development should enable residents to take pride in their surroundings without the fear of crime, which in turn will create a sense of shared ownership and responsibility. Landscape design is essential in achieving an environment that creates a sense of place and community safety. In this context, landscape design encompasses the planning, design and management of external, public spaces. Well designed public lighting increases the opportunity for surveillance at night and will be integrated into the design. 4.79 4.80 Natural surveillance in the form of doors and windows overlooking streets, pedestrian routes and public open spaces will create activity throughout the day and evening and will be an essential element in creating a safe environment for all users, whilst discouraging criminal activity by increasing the risk of detection. In forming the design proposals, the following key attributes have been included: • Buildings are generally orientated back to back to ensure rear gardens are not exposed; • Public open spaces, and in particular children’s play space are well overlooked by the surrounding built form; • All routes are necessary and serve a specific function or destination, where the use of parking courts or private drives have been utilised, these areas serve only a few dwellings and are well overlooked by the surrounding built form; • The windows and doors of the ground floor units abutting communal space are provided with small garden areas to create a defensible space, provide privacy and reduce ease of approach and attack of windows and doors; • T he location of seating has been carefully considered in terms of the physical and social environment and is sited within an area of natural surveillance; he internal street network forms the required • T connected loop within the site, lower category roads serve smaller groups of dwellings but with a clearly different street character to signal a semi-private environment; • E lsewhere, there are semi-private clusters of courtyard parking serving a limited number of dwellings to encourage residents to know it ‘belongs’ to the dwellings; • T he ownerships and responsibilities for external spaces will be clearly identified and the proposals facilitate ease of maintenance and management; • N atural surveillance is promoted wherever possible; and • A rchitectural details which promote natural surveillance are to be designed into dwellings, not only through window positioning, but also through the use of bay windows in key locations to give a further angle of natural surveillance. • Lighting will be to BS 5489:2-13 and local council requirements. The lighting will not incorporate bollard or architectural up lighting; • The design of the proposed seating will incorporate centrally positioned arm rest dividers to provide support for the less able body person; • Careful consideration has been given to landscaping adjacent to car parking areas to avoid the creation of hiding places for those with possible criminal intent; DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 83 CONCLUSION 86 TOLWORTH GIRLS’ SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM SECTION 5 CONCLUSION 5.1 5.2 5.3 The proposed development within the grounds at Tolworth Girls’ School and Sixth Form will create housing choice and new amenity spaces for the existing and new community whilst having the potential to improve public access across the site and to the wider pedestrian network. The indicative layout is founded on the best practice in urban design, community integration and sustainable development, with strong links to the wider area. It aims to create a development for the 21st Century, whilst reflecting the desirable elements of the local vernacular. In this context, the development will respect the local character but also move the community towards a more sustainable future, through an increase in housing choice. Development will accord with the principles of high quality design and best practice to create a townscape that is varied and sympathetic to its environment. The aim must be to achieve a development with a strong identity and distinct sense of place whilst at the same time integrating with the existing community. 5.4 The development proposals will be achieved in the following way: • The creation of an integrated residential community with a sensitive relationship to the existing settlement; • Sufficient back to back separation distances with existing residential properties; • A series of key spaces throughout the development linked together with attractive shared surface streets; • A layout pattern reflective of the surrounding residential development with tight knit housing with small frontages onto the street, reinforcing the character of the local area; • Provision of 132 car parking spaces to meet the maximum standards set by the STSPD with sufficient cycle parking spaces; • The creation of pedestrian routes through the development; • Providing a development that is well connected, readily understood and easily navigated; • The creation of a strong landscape structure that responds to the local area and retains and enhances the immediate locality; • Providing a range of dwelling types and sizes that offer an accessible and acceptable choice of lifestyles; and • Promoting the objectives of sustainable development through layout and design. DESIGN & ACCESS STATEMENT 87 www.pegasuspg.co.uk PLANNING | DESIGN | ENVIRONMENT | ECONOMICS Pegasus Planning Group Pegasus House Querns Business Centre Whitworth Road Cirencester Glos GL7 1RT Telephone: 01285 641717 COPYRIGHT The contents of this document must not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of Pegasus Planning Group. Crown copyright. All rights reserved, Licence number 100042093.