ascot centre community workshop report · ascot centre community workshop report 5 2013...

ASCOT CENTRE COMMUNITY WORKSHOP REPORT 1

Ascot centreCOMMUNITY WORKSHOP REPORT

FeBrUArY 2013

2 PRINCE’S FOUNDATION FOR BUILDING COMMUNITY


contents

sectIon 1. IntroDUctIonsectIon 2. sUMMArY oF eVentssectIon 3. sUMMArY oF FeeDBAcKsectIon 4. tHe eXIstInG conDItIonssectIon 5. HIGH street & LocAL econoMYsectIon 6. trAnsPort sectIon 7. InFrAstrUctUresectIon 8. coMMUnItY AMenItIessectIon 9. HoUsInGsectIon 10.Green BeLt IMPLIcAtIonssectIon 11.sUMMArY & neXt stePs

APPenDIX

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EDUCATING and EMPOWERING peopleTRANSFORMING LIVES through ENGAGINGfor BUIlDING CoMMUNITY:THe pRINCe’S FoUNDATIoN

19—22 CHARLOTTE ROADLONDON EC2A 3SGUNITED KINGDOME [email protected] T +44 (0) 20 7613 8500F +44 (0) 20 7613 8599 WWW.PRINCES-FOUNDATION.ORG

PRESIDENT: HRH THE PRINCE OF WALESA COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE NO. 3579567REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 1069969VAT NO. 839 8984 44

NOTE: THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN FORMATTED FOR DIGITAL RELEASE ONLY


sectIon 1. IntroDUctIon

The Prince’s Foundation is working together with the Neighbourhood Planning Steering Group to develop specific vision, strategies and plans for the future of Ascot Centre. The Steering Group was set up in 2011 by the community, for the community, and have been developing a Neighbourhood Plan through public engagement.

This report is a summary of community workshops facilitated by The Prince’s Foundation in October 2012. Engaged in this process were key stakeholders from the community, Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM), and Ascot Racecourse. This exercise was an opportunity for local stakeholders to continue momentum in the development of a Neighbourhood Plan.

There are currently several issues preventing Ascot High Street from thriving as a proper High Street,

namely:

SINGLE SIDED HIGH STREET DUE TO GREEN BELT DESIGNATION

CONGESTION IN THE HIGH STREET

PARKING ISSUES ON THE HIGH STREET

MOST PEOPLE TRAvEL TO THE HIGH STREET BY CAR

THERE IS NO PHYSICAL HUB FOR THE COMMUNITY

LACK OF HOMES WITHIN EASY WALKING DISTANCE

As identified in the public consultations, these issues were the focus of the community workshops.

It is intended that the outputs for the Ascot Centre workshop will form parts of a Ascot, Sunninghill, and Sunningdale Neighbourhood Plan. This report is a summary of the work carried out by The Prince’s Foundation’s team with the local community in October 2012.

2011 2012

LAUncH eVent & consULtAtIonsePt 2011To familiarise community with Neighbourhood Planning and gather initial feedback

VIsIonconsULtAtIon APrIL 2012Views on proposed Vision and priorities for the area. 550 responded.

toPIc GroUPsestABLIsHeDoct 2011Topic Groups of local residents working on developing options for further consideration.

Ascot HIGH streetconsULtAtIon AUGUst 2012Surveys and interviews for views on High Street. 470 responded.

The Prince’s Foundation was asked by the Ascot, Sunninghill and Sunningdale Neighbourhood Planning Group to facilitate a community workshop to discuss the future for Ascot.

neIGHBoUrHooD PLAnnInGIntroduced through the Localism Act, Neighbourhood Planning gives local communities a statutory say in shaping development in their own areas. For example:

• CHOOSING WHAT NEW HOMES WILL BE BUILT, WHERE THEY WILL BE LOCATED AND WHAT THEY WILL LOOK LIKE

• IDENTIFICATION OF DESIRED RETAIL AND BUSINESS DEvELOPMENT

• CORE COMMUNITY ISSUES SUCH AS GREEN SPACES AND THE ENvIRONMENT

• IMPROvING TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE, COMMUNITY SERvICES, AND LEISURE AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

The Prince’s Foundation has been helping communities across the country in the development of Neighbourhood Plans since the Localism Bill was introduced in 2011.


2013

neIGHBoUrHooD PLAnnInG tIMeLIne to DAte

Ascot centreWorKsHoPs & consULtAtIonsoctoBer 2012Workshops to draft ideas and proposals for Ascot.Over 200 attended.

DeVeLoPMent oF neIGHBoUrHooD PLAn

Ascot HIGH streetconsULtAtIon AUGUst 2012Surveys and interviews for views on High Street. 470 responded.

AREA OF FOCUS FOR THE ASCOT CENTRE WORKSHOPSINSET: MAP OF NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANNING AREA WITH ASCOT

CIRCLED

ASCOT RACECOURSE

ASCOT TRAIN STATION

ASCOT HIGH STREET

oPtIons consULtAtIon 3rD DeceMBer 2012 - 15tH JAnUArY 2013Build consensus toward specific options and draft Neighbourhood Plan


sectIon 2. sUMMArY oF eVents

09 octoBer(ALso YoUtH WorKsHoP)

29 octoBer oVer 250 PeoPLe AttenDeD

08 octoBeroVer 200 PeoPLe AttenDeD

stAKeHoLDer WorKsHoP

PUBLIc FeeDBAcK sessIon

oPenInG PUBLIc sessIon

The Prince’s Foundation uses the community workshop process as a planning tool that brings together key stakeholders to collaborate on a vision for a place. The process assesses a complex range of design requirements for a development area or neighbourhood, with every issue tested by being drawn.

For the Ascot Centre workshops, the existing public consultation work was used as a starting point. It was clear from the Neighbourhood Planning Area-wide Vision Consultation that Ascot was seen as an area that deserves to be looked at in greater detail. The Vision Consultation, held earlier in 2012, received support from 86% of all respondents and is summarised below:

MAINTAIN THE DISTINCT CHARACTER OF OUR THREE MAIN vILLAGES AND THE SEPARATION BETWEEN THEM

PRESERvE THE GREEN AND LEAFY APPEARANCE OF OUR SURROUNDINGS

MEET NEW HOUSING DEMAND IN A WAY THAT IS SYMPATHETIC TO THE AREA, MAINTAINING A MIx OF HOUSING TYPES

IMPROvE ASCOT

CREATE AN ECONOMIC ENvIRONMENT THAT SUPPORTS MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM BUSINESSES AND SHOPS

ENSURE OUR ROADS AND STREETS PROvIDE SAFE AND ACCESSIBLE ROUTES,

The Prince’s Foundation facilitated a series of community events in October 2012, building on previous consultations, to develop specific plans, strategies and ideas.


sectIon 3. sUMMArY oF FeeDBAcK

The public feedback from the Neighbourhood Planning Launch Event through to the Ascot Centre workshops is grouped into four categories below. This served as the basis from which designs, strategies, and plans were developed.

HIGH street & LocAL econoMY

Ascot High Street should be a focal point for the community

Small, independent retail and other businesses should be encouraged

The green belt designation has prevented development of the south side of the High Street.

Another side is needed for the High Street to be complete.

trAnsPort & InFrAstrUctUre

Need traffic and infrastructure

solutions focused on safety and provide better access

Parking and loading zones on the High Street need to be sorted out

Improve bus service and cycle lanes

Speed limit to make the streets more comfortable

Better connections between villages, emphasising cycling and bus routes, will bring people to the area

Would like easier access to the countryside for pedestrians and cyclists

coMMUnItY AMenItIes

The High Street should provide more facilities for its community

The community spirit exists but there’s no physical hub

There are other facilities that support an active social life and people

would like to have them in the area: community centre, small cinema, art centre, sport clubs

Would like small park or open green space

HoUsInG

Green, leafy neighbourhoods

Attractive, mixed housing that locals can afford

Should preserve the local character

Concerned about higher density housing

‘POST YOUR IDEAS’ BOARD AT THE OPENING PUBLIC SESSION


sectIon 4. tHe eXIstInG conDItIons

Currently, much of the land south of the High Street is designated as Green Belt. This land is used currently for parking on racedays and for car boot sales. These uses do not contribute to either the economic viability of the High Street or the community spirit of Ascot. At the same time, parts of Ascot Racecourse, namely the Grandstand, and the unused car showroom at the train station are also in the Green Belt.

All of these inconsistencies have led to the current situation in Ascot Centre: a world-class attraction in Ascot Racecourse with an adjacent High Street that is not meeting its potential.

While the original focus of these workshops included Heatherwood Hospital, it was agreed to focus on the High Street and surrounds because Heatherwood is being dealt with through a separate consultation by the NHS Trust. It is important that principles of mixed-use, walkability, community engagement, and connectivity to the station be incorporated into any redevelopment of the site.

The High Street suffers from having only one side and from having few homes within walking distance.

MAP WITH GREEN BELT (IN GREEN) AND POTENTIAL DEvELOPMENT AREAS

ABOvE: GREEN BELT LAND ON THE HIGH STREET USED FOR PARKING AND CAR BOOT SALES

high street

AsCOt rACeCOUrse

POTENTIAL DEvELOPMENT AREAS

POTENTIAL DEvELOPMENT AREA

CURRENTHEATHERWOOD

HOSPITAL

STATION REDEvELOPMENT AREA


tHe FIVe MInUte WALK

Typically, people will walk about 5-7 minutes to access their daily needs, e.g. a pint of milk. Beyond that, they are more likely to get into the car to get where they need to go. In this context, the ‘five minute pint test’ is a effective way to demonstrate a place’s walkability. Applying this walkable catchment to Ascot High Street clearly demonstrates how few residences are actually within reasonable walking distance.

This lack of homes is one of the main reasons the High Street is not living up to its potential, both as a viable retail centre and as a heart to the community.

A one-sIDeD HIGH street

Ascot High Street should be a thriving High Street during the day and in the evening. One of the main reasons it is not is because it is one sided. Retail and other businesses on High Streets are most viable when more businesses open in a close proximity. For example, existing restaurants do better once other restaurants open up next door.

Also, shoppers and other pedestrians typically like to walk in a loop, and a one-sided High Street does not have this continuity.

Parking is another issue, for example for locals on racedays. This issue has also made it harder for retail to thrive.

ExISTING vIEW OF THE HIGH STREET, LOOKING TO THE EAST

FIGURE GROUND PLAN, SHOWING JUST THE BUILDINGS (HOUSES IN RED)

FIvE M

INUTE W

ALK


A constant theme during the workshops was the desire to create more activity on the High Street both during the day and in the evening. Many ideas came from the public for how to create that activity, from more restaurants to a community centre to street trees.

The following are examples of ideas, designs and initiatives that could bring that vitality: a High Street full of independent retailers and restaurants that bring activity during

the day and in the evening.

on tHe HIGH street

MIxED USE BUILDINGS FILLING IN GAPS OF HIGH STREET - RETAIL OR OTHER ACTIvE USE ON GROUND FLOOR, RESIDENTIAL OR OFFICE ABOvE

FOCUS ON SMALL, INDEPENDENT RETAILERS AND SMALL BUSINESSES BY PROMOTION IN NEW MIxED USE DEvELOPMENTS

STRATEGIES TO PROvIDE AFFORDABLE RENT FOR RETAIL UNITS

rAcecoUrse ActIVItIes (see sectIon 8) POTENTIAL EQUESTRIAN CENTRE

POTENTIAL HOTEL WITH PUBLIC LEISURE CENTRE (AT SITE OF CURRENT PAvILION)

PROvIDING COMMUNITY AMENITIES

MORE ACTIvITY TO BENEFIT ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE HIGH STREET

At tHe stAtIonIMPROvED DROP OFF CIRCLE

CAR SHOWROOM

NEW SMALL, COMMUTER-FOCUSED RETAIL

DOUBLE DECKER PUBLIC CAR PARK

RESIDENTIAL DEvELOPMENT AT THE BOTTOM

sectIon 5. HIGH street & LocAL econoMY

PROPOSED SQUARE

vIEW SHOWN BELOW RIGHT

BERKSHIRE HOUSE

PED

x-

ING

COMMUNITY / ARTS

CENTRE

MIxED USE

Mixed use, infill buildings; small independents; a more integrated Racecourse; a fully-realised High Street.

sMALL BUsIness UnIts to tHe soUtH oF tHe ProPoseD sqUAre (see sectIon 8)

FLExIBLE SPACES

SHARED COMMON AREAS TO MINIMISE COST

DOUBLE DECKCAR PARK

CAR SHOWROOM RESIDENTIALIMPROvEDDROP OFFCIRCLE

POTENTIALSMALLRETAIL

OvERHEAD vIEW OF PROPOSED HIGH STREET

MIxED USE MIxED

USE

POTENTIALSMALLRETAIL

BELOW: IMPROvEMENTS AT THE STATION


sectIon 5. HIGH street & LocAL econoMY

ABOvE, ARTIST’S IMPRESSION OF THE PROPOSED LAYOUT

PED

x-

ING

PED

/CYC

LE

ON

LY

PED

/CYC

LE

ON

LY

PARKING

BERKSHIRE HOUSE

PED

x-

ING

COMMUNITY / ARTS

CENTRE

MIxEDUSE

MIxEDUSE

MIxEDUSE

OvERHEAD vIEW OF PROPOSED HIGH STREET

CHARACTER PHOTOS FOR HIGH STREET

PETROLSTATION


sectIon 6. trAnsPort

Green connectIonsBETTER PEDESTRIAN INFRASTRUCTURE ALONG HIGH STREET

CYCLE/PEDESTRIAN ROUTE PARALLEL TO HIGH STREET

IMPROvED PEDESTRIAN PAvEMENT AND CYCLE PATH ON STATION HILL ROAD

IMPROvED CYCLE/PEDESTRIAN ROUTE AND WIDENING OF ST GEORGE’S LANE

DIAGRAM SHOWING NOTIONAL PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLE ROUTES

Resolving High Street congestion issues will make the High Street safer, more comfortable and more viable.

During the workshops, traffic congestion and lack of parking on the High Street came out as top issues preventing the High Street from reaching its potential. This is a day to day issue as well as on racedays, when the local community tend to stay away from the High Street. The shops on the High Street also tend to close on racedays. This counterintuitive situation is difficult to resolve, especially given the desire to create a more vibrant High Street with more shops on it and more homes around it. No matter what, attractive

RACECOURSE

HIGH STREET

STATIO

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ST GEO

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centres of retail and social activity will have issues with parking and congestion. Improved street layouts such as shared space, wider pavements, and rationalised loading zones can enhance traffic flow whilst ensuring pedestrian safety and comfort.

STATION

BETTER CYCLE CONNECTIONS TO LOCAL vILLAGES

BETTER CYCLING/PEDESTRIAN CONNECTIONS TO HEATHERWOOD HOSPITAL SITE

HOPPER BUS SERvICES BETWEEN ALL THE vILLAGES

HEATHERWOOD HOSPITAL


HIGH street LAYoUtWIDER PAvEMENTS ON BOTH SIDES OF STREET

REMOvAL OF CENTRAL MEDIAN

LANDSCAPE ZONE (STREET TREES)

DEDICATED LOADING ZONES WITH RESTRICTED LOADING TIMES

‘SHARED SPACE’ THE WHOLE LENGTH OF THE HIGH STREET. WELL-DESIGNED PAvING AND STREET FURNITURE.

DEDICATED PEDESTRIAN CROSSING WITH REMOvABLE BOLLARDS

REMOvABLE BOLLARDS ON HIGH STREET TO ALLOW TWO LANE TRAFFIC IN EACH DIRECTION

stAtIon HILL roAD roUnDABoUtIMPROvED PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS

BETTER/WIDER PAvEMENTS

WIDER LANES FOR BETTER TRAFFIC FLOW

WInKFIeLD roAD roUnDABoUtIMPROvED PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS

BETTER/WIDER PAvEMENTS

WIDER LANES FOR BETTER TRAFFIC FLOW

PROPOSED PETROL STATION

REDO ST GEORGE’S LANE ENTRY

PLAN OF PROPOSED WINKFIELD ROAD ROUNDABOUT

PLAN OF PROPOSED STATION HILL ROAD ROUNDABOUT

PROPOSED STREET SECTION SHOWING LAYOUT

PROPOSEDPETROLSTATION

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HIGH STREET

HIGH STREET


sectIon 7. InFrAstrUctUre

resIDentIAL PArKInG strAteGY

The following strategy has worked successfully for a small-scale mixed use development in Dorset. This innovative approach provides the necessary parking for each home whilst allowing the streets to feel spacious and not cramped. A certain number of parked cars are good for residential streets because they slow moving cars down and create activity. And this then leads create safer, more comfortable streets for pedestrians and residents.

For each residence, at least:

( 1 ) PARKING SPACE IN PARKING COURTYARD WITHIN BLOCK BEHIND HOUSE

( 1 ) PARKING SPACE IN GARAGE ON PLOT ACCESSED FROM BEHIND THE HOUSE

( 1 ) PARKING SPACE ON STREET FOR EvERY TWO HOUSES (SO ALL THE HOUSES ON THE BLOCK SHARE THE PARKING)

IMAGES OF TYPICAL PARKING COURTYARD AND RESIDENTIAL STREET

Car parking is essential for a successful, active High Street, but too much can be detrimental.

Parking on the High Street was an issue raised at the workshops. Car parking is always an issue in mixed-use developments. Shop owners want customers to be able to park in front of their shop, and homeowners want to be able to park their car close to their home. At the same time, congestion is also always an issue. So something has to give. The tendency to overcompensate for the car has led to urban locations becoming more suburban in nature. The inertia needed to make places active and shops viable declines as more valuable space is devoted by car parking, instead of a

another shop, for example. At the same time, ignoring the car and its importance can lead to High Streets that are not active and retail that is not viable. In the last 10-15 years, innovative transport engineers have found success in more integrated parking management strategies which properly accommodate the car but celebrate the pedestrian. Below are some of these solutions that are tailored to Ascot Centre.


retAIL PArKInG strAteGY

Successful urban High Streets will always have parking problems because they are destinations. So the challenge is how to strike the balance that properly allows the retail and social activity to thrive whilst providing enough parking for shops to thrive.

Whilst we must take into account that most drive to the High Street now, we must not accept this is a given in long term planning, especially considering other parallel initiatives that have been suggested, such as cycling promotion and more houses within walking distance to the High Street.

The follow strategy takes ideas from similarly sized High Streets that have similar parking issues. It utilises a combination of on street parking for

PP

ExISTING P

P

PPHIGH STREET

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RACECOURSE

PARKING DIAGRAM WITH P DENOTING DEDICATED CAR PARK

PROPOSED GREEN ENERGY CENTRE

short term parking and dedicated car parks for longer term parking.

SHORT TERM PARALLEL PARKING ALONG HIGH STREET AND ON ALL SIDES OF vILLAGE SQUARE

LONGER TERM PARKING IN IDENTIFIED LARGER CAR PARKS JUST OFF HIGH STREET, (P) ON DIAGRAM BELOW (approximately 5,000 square metres total area)

DEDICATED LOADING ZONES WITH RESTRICTED LOADING TIMES

CAR PARK SET ASIDE FOR LOCAL COMMUNITY TO USE HIGH STREET ON RACEDAYS

PotentIAL sMALL scALe coMMUnItY enerGY centre

There is currently a power supply problem for businesses on and near the High Street. A small scale energy centre on Racecourse land could address this issue. A community

source of energy could create a more sustainable future for the Ascot community by providing local, renewable energy (see diagram below).

STAT

ION

HILL

RO

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ExISTING P


sectIon 8. coMMUnItY AMenItIes

VILLAGe sqUAre

A Village Square could be a proper community gathering space. Importantly, it should be plotted to maximise the existing large trees. It could be fronted by a community centre (see below) and two to three storey mixed use buildings with retail or other active uses on the ground floor and residences above. Parallel parking could line all sides. This Village Square could give a physical heart to the Ascot community on the High Street.

coMMUnItY centre

A gathering space for all ages was a common idea during the workshops. This community centre could have community space, an arts space, and a cinema. This building should be 2-3 stories, the building footprint should be approximately 15m x 25m. An excellent model for this centre is The Firestation Arts Centre in Windsor, which contains an auditorium, studios, classrooms, and other flexible spaces.

PrIMArY scHooL

During the workshops, a desire for a primary school near to Ascot Centre was expressed. After consideration, it is suggested that it is not appropriate to identify a location at this stage. The school is best suited to be located near the High Street, though locating it close to the High Street

DIAGRAM SHOWING SUGGESTED vILLAGE SQUARE

high street

berkshire hOUse

villAge sqUAreCOmmUnity Centre

MIxED USE

FIRE STATION

STATION

HILL RO

AD

SMALLBUSINESS UNITS

Development in Ascot Centre is not just for economic growth - it can deliver desired community amenities as well. The community have called for more amenities on the High Street to complement the existing, such as the Football Club and library. There was a desire for both a public gathering space and a community building. To justify development on the south side of the street, there must be included elements of clear community benefit.

vIEW SHOWN TOP RIGHT

MIxED USE

MIxED USE

MIxED USE

is problematic because of limited access, lack of size, and proximity to industrial activity. As such, further study is needed to prepare a school development brief which will inform the identification of the appropriate site.

enVIronMent, HeALtH & WeLL-BeInG

South & North of the High St, important mature trees will be retained to form a nucleus of green spaces for the enjoyment of residents & visitors alike. (see section 9).

Long term, the vision is that the wood between Heatherwood Hospital and the railway could become a

Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space (SANG), open to the public for recreation.

There are also permissive rights for people to take air and exercise 364 days per year on Ascot Heath & potentially a Leisure Centre included as part of the Ascot Racecourse hotel project (see next section).

HoteL WItH PUBLIc LeIsUre centre

Ascot is the venue for a wide range of conference and events that take place throughout the year. Ascot is restricted in the range of conferences it can hold by the absence of on-site hotel accommodation. It is therefore


ARTIST’S IMPRESSION OF THE vILLAGE SQUARE

DIAGRAM SHOWING SUGGESTED COMMUNITY AMENITIES

GREENSPACE

SQUARE

GREENSPACE

HIGH STREET

ASCOT RACECOURSE

GREENSPACE

HOTEL SITE WITH LEISURE CENTRE

EQUESTRIAN CENTRE SITE

proposed to include a hotel on the Ascot site which should:

INCREASED FOOTFALL FOR RETAILERS ON THE HIGH STREET

ASSIST THE CONFERENCE ACTIvITY AND ALLOW FOR MULTI-DAY CONFERENCES REDUCING THE NEED TO TRAvEL

It is preferable to locate this activity as close to the core of the village as possible so that the economic benefits are optimised.

otHer rAcecoUrse ActIVItIes

The Racecourse, other than the racing activity, also provides a wide range of essential community amenities. These include:

ROYAL ASCOT GOLF CLUB

ROYAL ASCOT CRICKET CLUB

ASCOT UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB

THE DURNING LIBRARY; AND

THE ROYAL ASCOT NURSERY SCHOOL

The Ascot facilities are also used by the local groups for a wide range of meetings, whilst Car Park 3 has been made available as a public car park on non-racedays.

EQUESTRIAN CENTRE

To be used for community for riding for disabled, school riding lessons and horse clubs. Also to be used for occasional international exhibitions.


sectIon 9. HoUsInG

1

2

3

LARGE RESIDENTIAL

MEDIUM RESIDENTIAL

FLATS ABOvE SHOPS

SMALL RESIDENTIAL

DIAGRAM OF ASCOT vILLAGE CONCEPT

DIAGRAM OF ASCOT GREEN CONCEPT

high street

stAtiOn h

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AsCOt rACeCOUrse

DIAGRAM OF HOUSING MIx

Two large areas adjacent to the High Street could provide its vital walkable catchment.

One of main reasons the High Street has not reached its potential is a lack of homes within walking distance. The two large areas to the north and south of the High Street can address this issue. Responding to the call for a mix of housing, it is suggested to have a variety of housing type and density across the two areas. To the north, the

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PRECEDENT FOR ASCOT vILLAGE CONCEPT PRECEDENT FOR ASCOT GREEN CONCEPT

‘Ascot Village’ concept is seen as a lower scale residential development, taking as precedent the scale of the homes on Course Road (see image below). To the south, the ‘Ascot Green’ concept is seen as a development tucked into the landscape, taking advantage of the existing large trees that dominate.


1 Ascot Green concePt5.4 APPROxIMATE HECTARES TOTAL AREA

1.5 HECTARES OF GREEN SPACES

0.75 HECTARE vILLAGE SQUARE

ALL DEvELOPMENT shOUld be PlOtted tO keeP eXisting lArge trees And lAndsCAPe

mediUm siZe hOUsing tO the eAst And lArger siZe HOUSING TO THE WEST

SOMETHING IN THE ORDER OF 24-28 HOUSING UNITS PER HECTARE

2 Ascot VILLAGe concePt3.5 APPROxIMATE HECTARES TOTAL AREA

0.8 HECTARE GREEN SPACE

ALL DEvELOPMENT shOUld be PlOtted tO keeP eXisting lArge trees And lAndsCAPe

twO stOry terrACe hOUsing

miXed Use bUildings AlOng the high street

PedestriAn/CyCle ACCess Only tO high street

SOMETHING IN THE ORDER OF 30 - 35 UNITS PER HECTARE

ARTIST’S IMPRESSION OF ASCOT vILLAGE

DIAGRAM OF ASCOT vILLAGE CONCEPT

DIAGRAM OF ASCOT GREEN CONCEPT

sqUAre

stAtiOn h

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high street

AsCOt rACeCOUrse

GREEN SPACE OR TREES

GREEN SPACE OR TREES

SUGGESTED STREET/PATH

SUGGESTED STREET/PATH

SUGGESTED FRONTAGE

SUGGESTED FRONTAGE

high street

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sectIon 10. Green BeLt IMPLIcAtIons

After an analysis the issues and consultation with the local community, a series of ideas have been suggested. These ideas have implications on the Green Belt. At tHe HIGH street

Ascot Village developed intrinsically as a service centre for the Racecourse. Its stature reflects that evolution rather than a more holistic typical English Village. This reflects in the lack of scale and single-sided nature of the High Street. As a consequence, it suffers from a series of issues, as identified previously in the report:

SINGLE SIDED HIGH STREET DUE TO GREEN BELT DESIGNATION

CONGESTION IN THE HIGH STREET

PARKING ISSUES ON THE HIGH STREET

MOST PEOPLE TRAvEL TO THE HIGH STREET BY CAR

THERE IS NO PHYSICAL HUB FOR THE COMMUNITY

LACK OF HOMES WITHIN EASY WALKING DISTANCE

If Ascot is to change into a more sustainable, long term settlement, it needs to grow, albeit within sensi-ble parameters that reflect a more rational development. Development of the north and south elements at a similar scale to the existing village will provide a more cohesive centre whilst maintaining the integrity of the Green Belt.

At tHe rAcecoUrse

Ascot Racecourse has been operating in its current location since 1711. It has been redeveloped a number of times since its original creation. The last redevelopment in the late 1950s preceded the current designation of the Green Belt. When the Green Belt was designated, it was clearly drawn

to exclude the track facilities, wheth-er permanent or temporary.

The racecourse has now been redeveloped (2003-2005) so the Green Belt should be reviewed to maintain this continued position. Ascot Racecourse in general has the highest quality racing in the world. The Royal Meeting is world famous and all the activities at the racecourse have a positive impact on the local community and economy.

It is proposed that the Green Belt be re-aligned to continue the prior principle of retaining the majority of racecourse land in the Green Belt, but excluding those areas used operationally for racing on a consistent basis.

At tHe trAIn stAtIon

The existing car park and car show-room are located in the Green Belt. This counter-intutive situation, simi-lar to the situation at the Racecourse, should be resolved as well.

PotentIAL PoLIcY PrIncIPLes

There are different ways of address-ing the Green Belt designation. Planning applications for the areas suggested in this report could be han-dled on a case by case basis. Within the Neighbourhood Plan, policies and principles regarding Green Belt at Ascot Centre could be included. Another option is there could be

Ascot Centre specific Green Belt poli-cies in the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead Local Plan, which is being developed at the moment. As of this writing though, Department of Communities of Local Govern-ment (DCLG) have not clearly stated how Neighbourhood Plans can best influence larger policy items, such as Green Belt.

Land to the north and south of the High Street is suggested for release from the Green Belt, however, its development should be subject to certain criteria.

Prior to the submission of any outline or detailed planning application, a masterplan for the area should be prepared by the owner/developer and submitted to, and with partnership by the local community, the Parish Council, and the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead for consul-tation and approval. The masterplan should comply with the policies of the neighbourhood plan and be clear on the quantum and total floor area of development, mix of uses and style of development.

Prior to implementation of the first house under the masterplan scheme, the owner/developer should pay an agreed amount toward the communi-ty buildings and should not complete or occupy an agreed number of hous-es until the commercial development has commenced.

A comprehensive parking analysis and strategy shall be included in the masterplan for the area. Any plan-ning application should adhere to these parking provisions.


MAP WITH GREEN BELT (IN GREEN) AND POTENTIAL DEvELOPMENT AREAS

high street

AsCOt rACeCOUrse

POTENTIAL DEvELOPMENT AREA

STATION DEvELOPMENT AREA

heAtherwOOd hOsPitAl site

POTENTIAL DEvELOPMENT AREAS


sectIon 11. sUMMArY & neXt stePs

PUBLIc consULtAtIon PerIoDs

(1) six week public consultation on draft Neighbourhood Plan (facilitated by Parish Councils)

(2) second six week public consulation on final Neighbourhood Plan (facilitated by RBWM)

InDePenDent eXAMInAtIon

In line with the local plan, EU legislation

In line with national policy

Proper public engagement and sound evidence

FIrst DrAFt PLAn

The community spirit is alive in Ascot and deserves a heart in an active, vibrant High Street.

With substantial community input, pragmatic, innovative solutions have been put forth to address issues that could bring activity to the High Street, desired amenities to the community, and relief to congestion and parking. The community of Ascot are keen participants in the process of planning their future, which is a validation of the idea of Localism.

The momentum gained through the workshops can be carrried forward as the process moves toward adoption of a Neighbourhood Plan. These workshops, as part of the Neighbourhood Plan, have the potential to turn Ascot Centre into an exemplar project for High Street

development and for 21st century community-led neighbourhood planning.

FInAL PUBLIc sessIon PresentAtIon

The Prince’s Foundation presented first hypotheses at the Final Public Session, and the response was gen-erally very positive. A summary of the comments and questions can be found in the Appendix. A question-naire was also filled out by the public and is also in the Appendix.

neIGHBoUrHooD PLAnnInG neXt stePs

HEATHERWOODHOSPITAL SITE

POSSIBLE SUITABLE ALTERNATIvE NATURAL

GREEN SPACE (SANG) SITE

LEGEND

DEvELOPMENT SITE

GREEN SPACE

GREEN BELT

IMPROvED JUNCTION


InDePenDent eXAMInAtIon

In line with the local plan, EU legislation

In line with national policy

Proper public engagement and sound evidence

LocAL reFerenDUM

A simple majority (over 50%) will be required in order to pass the plan

ADoPtIon

BY rBWM

OvERALL ILLUSTRATIvE PLAN

ASCOT RACECOURSE

HIGH STREET

STAT

ION

HILL

RO

AD

WIN

KFIELD

RO

AD

POSSIBLE SUITABLE ALTERNATIvE NATURAL

GREEN SPACE (SANG) SITE

POSSIBLE HOTEL

SITE

POSSIBLE EQUESTRIAN CENTRE

SITE

ENHANCED CYCLE/PEDESTRIAN ROUTE

CYCLE/PEDESTRIAN ONLY ROUTE

MIxED USE FRONTAGE

SUGGESTED ROUTE

STATION REDEvELOPMENT

LIGHT INDUSTRIAL USE

(LONG TERM vISION)

POSSIBLE GREEN ENERGY

CENTRE SITE

ascot centre community workshop report · ascot centre community workshop report 5 2013...

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