Design and Access Statement - Rotherham Metropolitan Borough

Supporting Statement – Design & Access Statement
Design and Access Statement
Temporary Site Offices to support delivery of
M1 J32-35a Smart Motorway Scheme
Sheffield Road
Templeborough
Rotherham
S60 1DX
Prepared by
Adrian Moxon
Costain Ltd
Markham Lane
Markham Vale
Derbyshire
S44 5HY
April 2015
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Supporting Statement – Design & Access Statement
Contents
1.0
Introduction
2.0
2.1
2.2
Site Context
Immediate Context
Local Area Characteristics
3.0
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
Design and Access Principles
Structure
Streetscape & Landscaping
Layout
Scale
Appearance
Vehicular & Transport Links
Accessibility
Parking
4.0
Community Engagement
5.0
Conclusion
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Supporting Statement – Design & Access Statement
1. Introduction
This statement has been prepared by Adrian Moxon on behalf of Costain Ltd. The statement
has been prepared to accompany and support a planning application made in respect of the
M1 Smart Motorway Project between junctions 32 and 35a on behalf of Highways England.
The planning application relates specifically to the temporary office accommodation from
where the Smart Motorway will be delivered. The proposals include temporary office space,
welfare facilities, car parking and materials storage located on a former recycling site in
Templeborough, Rotherham.
2. Site Context
2.1 Immediate Context
The site is off the A6178 Sheffield Road, next to Magna Science Adventure Centre, in what is
deemed to be a highly industrialised area of Templeborough, Rotherham. The surrounding
area is predominantly industrial situated circa 2.5km away from Rotherham Town Centre
and is well served by public transport and easily accessible via Junction 34 South and J33 of
the M1.
SHEFFIELD ROAD A6178
J34 South M1 Motorway
Figure 2.1: Application Site Area
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Supporting Statement – Design & Access Statement
The site is 3.43ha, relatively rectangular in shape and is accessed at its south-westerly
corner via an existing major-minor priority junction with Sheffield Road. A Network Rail
freight line borders the northern site boundary with the A6178 Sheffield Road on the
southern boundary. The east of the site borders the Magna Science Adventure Centre and
to the west are existing industrial buildings.
The site is a former waste recycling centre operated by Sterecycle who have now
terminated operations and are in the process of decommissioning all plant and equipment
from the site.
2.2 Local Area Characteristics
It is considered that the area has the following characteristics:


Medium to high level industrial use inc recycling sites, steel rolling mills, machine
and plant hire, office accommodation and transport logistics solutions.
Surrounding buildings are predominantly steel clad or facing brick buildings with
glazing
The previous recycling operation based on the site was deemed to be unprofitable and is in
the process of decommissioning from the site. The conversion of use from waste recycling
facilities to temporary office, welfare, parking and storage would enhance the general
appearance of the proposed site. The waste material associated with its previous use would
be removed off site and the area cleared and cleaned improving the overall appearance of
the site.
There are currently no long term plans confirmed for the site and the 2 year short term
occupancy for the proposed usage will keep the site in good general upkeep whilst longer
term solutions are developed by the owner.
3.0 Design and Access Principles
3.1 Structure
The scheme will aim to minimise the impacts on the existing site and efficiently utilise the
existing space. This includes minimising the impact on the site itself, adjacent businesses
and the general public and utilising existing service connections, local accesses and
pedestrian routes.
The existing building is to remain unchanged externally and will be used as an open plan
storage area only.
3.2 Streetscape & Landscaping
The site at present is predominantly hardstanding concrete with a line of semi-mature trees
running parallel to the eastern boundary and approximately 50m from that boundary.
These areas are to be utilised for car parking and storage areas and will require little work to
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Supporting Statement – Design & Access Statement
achieve this use. The car-park area will simply be paved with bituminous pavement material
and the storage areas will remain as the existing hardstanding.
3.3 Layout
The proposed layout was chosen to maximise storage space and utilise existing services
within the constraints of the site to minimise the amount of excavation through
hardstanding areas. The overall layout also aims to segregate the office and car parking
areas from the storage areas.
Due to the topography of the site and the existing industrial building which is situated
adjacent to Sheffield Road on the southern boundary, the office will be sited below the
existing level of Sheffield Road and/or blocked from view by the existing building. The
operations are not directly visible to passers-by on Sheffield Road.
The proposed temporary office will run parallel with Network Rail infrastructure to the
northern boundary of the site and will have no effect on their daily running activities.
To maximise privacy and disruption to Magna Science and Adventure Centre to the east of
the site, the existing row of trees is to be retained to give cover to the proposals daily
activities. A new palisade fence will also be installed along the boundary between the
Magna Land and the proposed site to clearly segregate and secure the site. Regular liaison
with Magna’s Senior Management has provided a strong working relationship between all
parties involved.
3.4 Scale
The scale of the project in relation to the existing industrial surroundings and the existing
industrial building located on the site is minimal. There will be no alterations to the existing
buildings within the application site. The new temporary site office is relatively modest in
length, width and height and is dwarfed in comparison to the surrounding buildings. The
use of the site for locating the temporary office accommodation, car parking and storage of
dry, inert materials and equipment will have minimal impact on the site itself or the
surrounding area.
It is emphasised that the application is for the installation of temporary site offices
throughout the duration of the M1 Smart Motorways Scheme. The site will be
decommissioned and returned to hard standing areas following completion of the scheme in
the first quarter of 2017.
3.5 Appearance
We have worked closely with various office suppliers to produce a design which is fit for
purpose and will have minimal effect on the sounding area without compromising the
fundamental practicality of a temporary office and temporary welfare building.
Several options were taken into consideration from single story “H” shape designs to double
stacked solutions. Due to the limitation of storage space, the decision was made to stack the
offices to maximise the storage areas we have within the proposed site.
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The external finishes of the office are as follows:
Walls: External cladding 9mm thick external grade plywood having a
maintenance free plastisol coated external finish
Roof: Flat roof system falling to a gutter system. High performance FAA fire rated
PVC-P waterproof membrane bonded to a 12mm external grade OSB roofing
board
Windows: UPVC framed, clear, double glazed
External Doors: Steel faced security doors with a 10point locking system fitted
with the appropriate door furniture for its intended use
External Colour: Blue
3.6 Vehicular & Transport Links
The site provides easy access to the public transport network with a bus stop adjacent to
the site entrance. Rotherham town centre is 2.5km from the site with a regular bus service
operating. Pedestrian routes along Sheffield Road link into adjacent pathways to provide
direct routes to and from Meadowhall bus station, tram stop and railway station. Sheffield
Road also has on-road cycle lanes between a point just east of the site entrance and the
roundabout junction with A630 Centenary Way. The site will provide dedicated areas for
cycle parking close to the office entrance. These options promote alternative means of
transport to the site other than by motor vehicle.
3.7 Accessibility
The access to the site is currently gated with 24/7 security (See figure 3.7). The site access is
via a major-minor priority junction with Sheffield Road and has a footway on its eastern
side. The existing junction geometry allows for the safe and frequent movement of large
vehicles with large kerb radii, excellent visibility and localised widening. Dropped kerbs and
tactile paving are provided for pedestrians travelling along the northern footway of Sheffield
Road. The existing access is more than adequate for the proposed usage and will be utilised
for the proposed development.
In accordance with the Pre-Application Strategy Meeting and previous correspondence with
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council a full Transport Assessment has been undertaken
that outlines the transport and access issues associated with the site in further detail. This
has been submitted as part of the application.
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Figure 3.7: Site Access
3.8 Parking
The proposal includes the provision of 350 car parking spaces including 2 spaces for those
with disabilities. Should the requirement arise further disabled spaces can be provided.
Given the close proximity to the Town Centre and Meadowhall Shopping Centre and the
availability of excellent public transport links the site is well located to offer employees the
opportunity to seek more sustainable modes of transport.
4.0 Community Engagement
The M1 J32-35a project team are committed to positive engagement with the community in
order to keep people informed about the scheme, minimise any negative impacts during
construction and maximise the positive impact of the scheme on local communities. To this
end a dedicated Community Relations Team will be in place throughout the course of the
works.
We encourage local employment and provision of locally sourced labour by working with job
centre plus. This has resulted in a significant proportion of our labour staff to date being
employed within a 15mile radius to the M1 J29a compound (our predecessor to the J32 –
35A scheme). By working with North East Derbyshire Strategic Employment Partnership, we
gave unemployed people in the area a chance to become operatives and administrators by
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going through pre-employment assessments and interview days. A similar incentive is to be
implemented during the J32-35a proposal.
5.0 Conclusion
The layout and design principals of the proposal have been carefully considered following
various assessments of the characteristics of the local area, surrounding buildings and
planning policy documentation, along with meetings and regular liaison with the local
planning authority.
It is considered that the proposal for temporary office and storage facilities at this location
will have no impact on the local environment or create any unsightly features on the
surrounding landscape during its existence. The proposals will actually improve the
appearance of the site from its previous use and will ensure continued operation and
upkeep of the premises whilst a longer term tenant or alternative development options are
considered.
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