DEDWORTH ROAD MASTERPLANNING AND DESIGN ADVICE Windsor Neighbourhood Plan Forum

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1 Design Planning and Ecnmics Submitted t Windsr Neighburhd Plan Frum Submitted by AECOM 6-8 Greencat Place Lndn SW1P 1PL DEDWORTH ROAD MASTERPLANNING AND DESIGN ADVICE Windsr Neighburhd Plan Frum Draft Reprt

2 AECOM 1 Dedwrth Rad Masterplanning and Design Advice Prject Rle Name Psitin Actins Summary Signature Date Researcher and reprt writer Jessica Sammut Urban Designer Drawings JS July-Octber 2015 Prject Manager Niltay Tsun Senir Urban Designer Drawings, Reprt writing NT July-Octber 2015 Directr/QA Ben Castell Directr Reviewed reprt BC Qualifying Bdy Windsr Neighburhd Plan Frum Chairs, Members Reviewed draft plans varius September 2015 Prject Crdinatr Rb Kyle Prject crdinatr Reviewed reprt RK

3 AECOM 2 Limitatins AECOM Infrastructure & Envirnment UK Limited ( AECOM ) has prepared this Reprt fr the sle use f Windsr Neighburhd Plan Frum ( Client ) in accrdance with the Agreement under which ur services were perfrmed. N ther warranty, expressed r implied, is made as t the prfessinal advice included in this Reprt r any ther services prvided by AECOM. Where the cnclusins and recmmendatins cntained in this Reprt are based upn infrmatin prvided by thers it is upn the assumptin that all relevant infrmatin has been prvided by thse parties frm whm it has been requested and that such infrmatin is accurate. Infrmatin btained by AECOM has nt been independently verified by AECOM, unless therwise stated in the Reprt. The methdlgy adpted and the surces f infrmatin used by AECOM in prviding its services are utlined in this Reprt. The wrk described in this Reprt was undertaken in the perid June 2015 t and is based n the cnditins encuntered and the infrmatin available during the said perid f time. The scpe f this Reprt and the services are accrdingly factually limited by these circumstances. Where assessments f wrks r csts identified in this Reprt are made, such assessments are based upn the infrmatin available at the time and where apprpriate are subject t further investigatins r infrmatin which may becme available. AECOM disclaim any undertaking r bligatin t advise any persn f any change in any matter affecting the Reprt, which may cme r be brught t AECOM s attentin after the date f the Reprt. Certain statements made in the Reprt that are nt histrical facts may cnstitute estimates, prjectins r ther frward-lking statements and even thugh they are based n reasnable assumptins as f the date f the Reprt, such frward-lking statements by their nature invlve risks and uncertainties that culd cause actual results t differ materially frm the results predicted. AECOM specifically des nt guarantee r warrant any estimate r prjectins cntained in this Reprt. Where field investigatins are carried ut, these have been restricted t a level f detail required t meet the stated bjectives f the services. The results f any measurements taken may vary spatially r with time and further cnfirmatry measurements shuld be made after any significant delay in issuing this Reprt. Cpyright This Reprt is the cpyright f AECOM Infrastructure & Envirnment UK Limited. Any unauthrised reprductin r usage by any persn ther than the addressee is strictly prhibited.

4 AECOM 3 CONTENTS 1 Intrductin This reprt Apprach Summary f planning plicy Cntext and ver-arching pprtunities Lcatinal analysis Over-arching pprtunities Fcusing lcal centre activities St Andrew s Avenue Junctin Retail Hub Baseline Opprtunities Manr Rad Junctin Retail Hub Baseline Opprtunities Recmmendatins Summary Implementatin... 22

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6 AECOM 5 1 Intrductin 1.1 This reprt Thrugh the Department f Cmmunities and Lcal Gvernment neighburhd planning prgramme, AECOM has been cmmissined t wrk with the Windsr Neighburhd Plan Frum (WNPF) t undertake an analysis f pprtunities t imprve the centres n Dedwrth Rad. This reprt presents the findings f the analysis. It is intended t be used t infrm the prductin f a neighburhd plan and t supprt the n-ging effrts t ensure that Dedwrth Rad perfrms well as a cmmunity asset as well as a thrughfare. The reprt is structured in the fllwing way: This sectin intrduces the wrk, ur apprach and sets ut the relevant lcal planning plicies Sectin 2 reviews the current state f play alng Dedwrth Rad Sectins 3 and 4 fcus n issues and pprtunities arund the rad s tw main hubs Sectin 5 cncludes the reprt with sme recmmendatins n taking the prpsals frward. 1.2 Apprach The reprt has been prepared thrugh the fllwing steps: 1. Briefings and site visits with members f WNPF 2. Review f plicies and baseline infrmatin, including results f previus cnsultatin by the WNPF 3. Urban design audit 4. Preparatin f initial ideas and ptins 5. Discussin abut the abve with members f WNPF 6. Prductin f draft reprt taking accunt f WNPF cmments 1.3 Summary f planning plicy Emerging Brugh Lcal Plan In January 2014 the cuncil cnsulted residents, businesses and ther peple interested in planning in the brugh, n a First Preferred Optins Brugh Lcal Plan (BLP). This set ut the cuncil s preferred apprach t future develpment and included prpsed plicies n twn centres, the envirnment, husing, the ecnmy, infrastructure and many ther matters including ptential develpment sites n the edge f settlements

7 AECOM 6 In February 2015 the cuncil s cabinet reviewed the wrk undertaken t date and agreed t cntinue the preparatin f the BLP, including an nging prgramme f engagement and cnsultatin with stakehlders. A new Secnd Preferred Optins Brugh Lcal Plan is scheduled t be published in Nvember The secnd preferred ptins cnsultatin will include new r revised preferred plicies n these tpics: Amunt and distributin f husing Allcated husing develpment sites Safeguarded land Cmmunity facilities (Braywick Park) Majr develped sites in the green belt Affrdable husing Maidenhead and Windsr twn centres Minerals and waste Sustainable transprt Adpted Lcal Plan The adpted develpment plan is the Lcal Plan (Incrprating Alteratins Adpted June 2003). This is nt cnsidered by the Gvernment t be an up-t-date plan s may have limited weight. Relevant plicies fr the Windsr NP include: DG1 Design Guidelines Imprtant t maintain public views f Windsr Castle. SF1 Guidelines fr shpfrnts R1 Prtectin f urban pen spaces CF1 Prtectin f existing facilities The Brugh Cuncil will nt permit the lss f existing cmmunity facilities and buildings unless it is satisfied that: There is n lnger a need fr them; r An acceptable alternative prvisin is t be made elsewhere.

8 AECOM 7 E1 Lcatin f develpment Business industrial and warehusing develpment will usually be restricted t the emplyment areas identified n the prpsals map, the twn centre cmmercial areas f Windsr and Maidenhead, and small settlement cmmercial areas. S1 Lcatin f shpping develpment New retail develpment will be permitted where this wuld enhance the attractiveness and viability f existing centres prvided that the prpsal: is f a scale cmmensurate with the size, character and rle f the centre; can be integrated int the existing shpping centre area and prvides apprpriate pedestrian and cycle links; meets the requirements fr parking, servicing and access included in appendix 7, and can be accmmdated satisfactrily within the lcal highway netwrk S7 Lcal Shpping Parades and Stres Prpsals fr additinal flrspace within lcal shpping parades shuld be f a scale and nature in keeping with the character f the area and shuld enhance lcal facilities. A change f use t uses within class A2 financial and prfessinal services r class a3 fd and drink will be allwed where this wuld help t maintain the vitality f the shpping parade, prviding that it wuld: nt adversely affect the level and standard f lcal retail prvisin; and nt adversely affect the character f the area r the amenities f neighburing residents; and prvide adequate car and cycle parking prvisin. Other prpsals which wuld result in the lss f existing shps will be resisted. T7 Cycling The Brugh Cuncil will make special prvisin fr cyclists thrughut the brugh in rder t: prvide safe cycle rutes, lanes and shared cycle paths as apprpriate; achieve the netwrk f desirable cycle rutes identified fr Maidenhead and Windsr; prvide cnvenient and secure cycle parking facilities particularly in twn centres adjacent t pedestrianized areas; imprve cycling links t public transprt facilities and prvide cycle parking at these facilities; ensure that, where apprpriate, new develpment makes apprpriate prvisin fr cyclists; take accunt f the needs f cyclists in the design f all new rads, highway imprvements and traffic management measures; prmte and develp links with the Thames valley lng distance cycle rute. T8 Pedestrian envirnment The Brugh Cuncil will imprve cnditins fr pedestrians thrugh traffic regulatin and new highway schemes. The Brugh Cuncil will als identify pprtunities fr enhancing pedestrian access t twn and ther centres thrugh the prvisin f new and imprved ftways. New develpment schemes will be expected t include apprpriate prvisin fr pedestrian access and rutes.

9 AECOM 8 2 Cntext and ver-arching pprtunities 2.1 Lcatinal analysis Dedwrth Rad is lcated t the west f Windsr twn centre. It is an imprtant cnnectr between Windsr and the A330, and it serves the predminantly residential area f West Windsr. It accmmdates a number f retail hubs which prvide a wide range f retail utlets and services t the residents and businesses at this part f the twn. Hwever, it culd be argued that nne f these hubs currently prvide a prminent lcal centre where peple can enjy spending time rather than stpping fr a quick shp and the Frum s survey revealed a degree f cncern abut their health. The main pints f the built envirnment analysis f Dedwrth Rad are as listed belw: Dedwrth Rad is dminated by fast and busy traffic. It is psitively frnted by buildings accmmdating a variety f styles f buildings belnging t different eras. Mst f the buildings frnting Dedwrth Rad are in residential use. The majrity f retail use is clustered at tw lcatins: St Andrew s Avenue and Manr Rad. The rest f the retail units are spread thrughut Dedwrth Rad, with larger and cmmercial units lcated twards the western end. Mst f the buildings at the retail hubs are mixed use, with retail n the grund flr and residential abve. There are limited pedestrian crssings n Dedwrth Rad. There are three pelican crssings spread frm the mid t the eastern part f the rad and nly ne zebra crssing lcated twards the very western end. At sme sectins thrughut Dedwrth Rad the ftpath is narrw due t the widened carriageway. Overall, the rad has a lw public realm quality. The cmments abve als ech the views aired in the Frum s cmmunity engagement exercises, which revealed cncerns abut the quality f the retail ffer and the mix f shps and services available. Figure 2.5 belw prvides a visual analysis f Dedwrth Rad tday.

10 AECOM 9 Figure 2.1 Traffic alng Dedwrth Rad Figure 2.2 Frntages nt Dedwrth Rad Figure 2.3 Retail cluster Figure 2.4 Lack f pedestrian crssings

11 AECOM 10 Figure 2.5 Dedwrth Rad Lcatinal Analysis

12 AECOM Over-arching pprtunities The pprtunities fr the imprvement f the whle stretch f Dedwrth Rad are as fllws: Seek pprtunities t imprve the rundabut t the east f the rad t create a better walking and cycling cnnectin between Dedwrth Rad and Windsr Twn Centre. Seek pprtunities t create prminent arrival experiences at bth the eastern and western gateways f Dedwrth Rad. Reduce the width f the carriageway and widen the ftpath where it is pssible t d s withut disprprtinately impacting n traffic flws. Prvide landscape treatments and street furniture such as street trees, planters and seats where pssible withut cluttering. Prvide parallel n-street parking where pssible. Intrduce traffic-calming interventins t reduce the traffic speed alng the retail hubs and arund the Clewer Memrial Recreatin Grund. Prvide mre pedestrian-priritised crssings such as zebra crssings. Create a prminent lcal centre where peple can enjy spending time and g ut f their way t visit. Encurage face-lifting and de-cluttering f building facades, especially thse that are currently in mixed-use. Imprve the public realm quality thrughut Dedwrth Rad t create a mre attractive and pleasant envirnment. Encurage redevelpment and intensificatin f underutilised land r buildings fr new hmes r cmmercial premises.

13 AECOM 12 Figure 2.6 Imprved junctin at Pyntn, Lancahsire Figure 2.7 Increased ftpath width at Pyntn 2.3 Fcusing lcal centre activities Dedwrth Rad is a lng crridr that perfrms several functins, frm mving traffic in and ut f the twn centre t acting as a multi-ndal lcal service centre. T ensure the cntinued success f the neighburhd retail and service hubs, it is necessary t fcus cmplimentary activities s that the energy is nt dissipated. Currently, there are tw main hubs St Andrew s junctin and Manr Rad junctin. Lcal centre activities shuld cntinue t be fcused n these tw. The next tw sectins f the reprt prpse a series f pssible interventins fr them.

14 AECOM 13 3 St Andrew s Avenue Junctin Retail Hub 3.1 Baseline This retail hub is mre prminent in cmparisn t the ther retail clusters in terms f the number f retail units accmmdated, spatial circumstances and its clse prximity t Clewer Memrial Recreatin Grund. Therefre, it hlds the highest ptential t becme a lcal centre fr the cmmunities arund Dedwrth Rad. The fllwing main pints can be made abut this area: The hub prvides a variety f types f retail, but lacks variety in prvisin f ther types which will encurage users t stay such as cafes and restaurants. There is n prminent space prvided t encurage peple t stay and have scial interactin. Car parking spaces and traffic are t dminant within the area. Pedestrian crssing is nly prvided by the pelican crssing t the west f the hub and the crssing between the park and the retail hub which is hampered by the dminant fast and busy traffic. These pints are illustrated in figure 3.3 belw. Figure 3.1 Vacant hard-surface in frnt f take-ut place Figure 3.2 Car parking at St Andrew s junctin

15 AECOM 14 Figure 3.3 St Andrew s Avenue Junctin Site Analysis

16 AECOM Opprtunities The fllwing pprtunities have been identified fr St Andrew s junctin retail hub: Prmte the transfer f the hub int a mre vibrant lcal centre by prmting develpment pprtunities here. Reduce the width f the carriageway dwn t between 6-7.3m between the hub and Clewer Memrial Recreatin Grund t widen the ftpath. Intrduce pedestrian-priritised crssing in frnt f the retail hub and the recreatin grund, encurage the traffic t slw dwn, and increase pedestrian awareness. Create a new pcket space and intrduce landscape features t prvide a place where peple can sit and spend time. Encurage a wider variety f retail utlets, especially thse which will encurage scial interactin. Increase the indr-utdr relatinship in frnt f the shps. Rearrange n-street car parking and intrduce mre where pssible. Intrduce mre cycle parking alng the lcal centre. Encurage redevelpment and intensificatin f plts in the prpsed Lcal Centre where land is underutilised r buildings can be extended t include new hmes r cmmercial premises. These are illustrated in figure 3.2 belw.

17 AECOM 16 Figure 3.2 St Andrew s Avenue Junctin Opprtunities

18 AECOM 17 4 Manr Rad Junctin Retail Hub 4.1 Baseline The retail hub by the Manr Rad junctin accmmdates a substantial number f retail units. Hwever, they are all lcated at the suthern side f Dedwrth Rad and act as a parade f shps rather than framing a space. Als, this retail parade is interrupted by the petrl statin which divides the parade int tw sectins and stps them creating a lcal centre. In cmparisn with St Andrew s Avenue, this area has mre limited ptential - especially spatially - t create a prminent lcal centre. The fllwing main pints can be bserved: The area is dminated by fast traffic and there is n pedestrian crssing alng Manr Rad junctin retail hub. The space in frnt f the shps is cluttered by car parking spaces and bllards. There is n prminent space prvided t encurage peple t stay and have scial interactin. Car parking spaces and the traffic are t dminant within the area. Pedestrian crssing is nly prvided by the pelican crssing t the west f the hub. The duble mini-rundabut alng Smiths Lane, Clewer Hill Rad and Dedwrth Rad junctins create severance and hinder pedestrian mvement. The retail parade at Smiths Lane junctin accmmdates a small number f retail units. The space in frnt f the shps is nly used fr a drive and car parking spaces. Figure 4.5 belw summarises these bservatins.

19 AECOM 18 Figure 4.1 Manr Rad junctin Figure 4.2 Car parking space in frnt f retail cluster Figure 4.3 Pedestrian crssing west f the hub Figure 4.4 Cars cluttering the ftpath

20 AECOM 19 Figure 4.5 Manr Rad Avenue Junctin Site Analysis

21 AECOM Opprtunities The fllwing pprtunities have been identified fr Manr Rad retail hub: Reduce the width f the carriageway n Dedwrth Rad dwn t between 6-7.3m between the area f the retail cluster t the west f Smiths Lane and Stuart Way. Intrduce pedestrian-priritised crssing in frnt f the retail clusters, and encurage the traffic t slw dwn and increase pedestrian awareness. Create a new pcket space in frnt f the retail hub by the Manr Rad junctin, and intrduce landscape features t prvide a place where peple can sit, interact and spend time. Increase the indr-utdr relatinship in frnt f the shps. Imprve the pedestrian mvement in between the retail hub and the cluster t the east f the petrl statin. Re-arrange n-street car parking and intrduce mre where pssible. Intrduce mre cycle parking alng the retail hub. The pprtunities are illustrated in figure 4.7 belw. Figure 4.6 Parklet cncept t increase seating space Figure 4.6 Cycle parking facilities, Lndn

22 AECOM 21 Figure 4.7 Manr Rad Avenue Junctin Site Analysis

23 AECOM 22 5 Recmmendatins 5.1 Summary This reprt includes a number f ideas t imprve the centres n Dedwrth Rad, making them mre attractive fr users particularly lcal peple wh wuld arrive n ft and businesses alike. The fcus has been n design interventins. These shuld be cnsidered alngside ther nn-design interventins, such as explring pprtunities fr supprting r restricting certain types f uses thrugh use classes. 5.2 Implementatin The best way t see the public realm imprvements implemented wuld be t link them directly t develpment prpsals (in the high street r wider area) thrugh sectin 106 r Cmmunity Infrastructure Levy. Public realm imprvements culd be incrprated in an verall Dedwrth Rad r lcal centres plicy, althugh there may be a reliance n surces like lcal transprt plan funding t implement them. The WNPF wuld need t wrk with ther rganisatins t see plans develped further and realised. Key here will be the lcal businesses but als the lcal authrity where changes t the highway netwrk and parking are prpsed. Other things t cnsider include: A shp frnt imprvement scheme culd be linked t a shpfrnt design guide r plicy within the plan. Usually this means the lcal authrity prvides a small grant which is then match funded by the individual business. This wuld prbably need t be managed by the WNPF t ensure buy-in frm enugh retailers t make a difference. Strng evidence n the prprtin f the ttal will be needed if there is a desire t limit takeaways, as suggested by sme in public cnsultatin. It can be dne: Sudbury Twn (Wembley) that has a plicy n restricting ht fd takeways. It can als be linked t prximity t schls Barking and Dagenham have dne it (thrugh their besity and wellbeing agenda) but can be dne in a neighburhd plan as there are schls lcally. A market is a cst-effective way f diversifying the retail ffer in the twn, raising its prfile, and creating additinal lcal ftfall and visitrs frm utside the immediate area. Remember that ften streets like Dedwrth Rad can pull themselves up thrugh initiatives rather than plicy things like gd wayfinding and signage, infrmatin displays, initiatives like a lcal currency (Lewes, Brixtn) gd marketing r a strng BID.

24 AECOM (NYSE: ACM) is a glbal prvider f prfessinal technical and management supprt services t a brad range f markets, including transprtatin, facilities, envirnmental, energy, water and gvernment. With apprximately 45,000 emplyees arund the wrld, AECOM is a leader in all f the key markets that it serves. AECOM prvides a blend f glbal reach, lcal knwledge, innvatin, and cllabrative technical excellence in delivering slutins that enhance and sustain the wrld s built, natural, and scial envirnments. A Frtune 500 cmpany, AECOM serves clients in mre than 100 cuntries and has annual revenue in excess f $6 billin. Mre infrmatin n AECOM and its services can be fund at Address: 6-8 Greencat Place, Lndn SW1P 1PL Phne number +44 (0)