Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community Development Plan Document (DPD)

Appendix 1. Principles and Objectives

To deliver the vision for the Garden Community, it will be important for all the policies and proposals in this Plan to contribute positively to the achievement of a number of principles and objectives. The vision, principles and objectives are set out in the Strategic Brief. The vision and principles are included in the theme chapters and the objectives are set out in this appendix.

Nature

A PLACE SHAPED BY EXISTING LANDSCAPE

• Across the Area of Search, there will be a minimum of 50% open space and multifunctional green infrastructure, that is seamlessly integrated with the built environment to connect people with nature.
• Existing landscape features conserved, enhanced and incorporated in the masterplan.
• Connectivity links established to existing green corridors and networks.
• New Country Park along the Salary Brook Corridor and including the slopes to the east.
• A variety of new connected open spaces created including parks, fields, wild spaces, communal spaces and private gardens.
• Streets with tree planting, Sustainable Drainage Systems and planting integrated.

A PLACE WITH THRIVING ECOLOGY AND BIODIVERSITY

• Existing habitats and wildlife sites conserved, protected and connected with new species rich habitat links.
• Hedgerow network protected and enhanced with existing hedge lined lanes protected and retained.
• Minimum 10% biodiversity net gain.
• Streets to include trees and other generous landscaping where appropriate.
• Ecologically rich buffer landscapes established against existing and new road corridors.
• Recreational pressures on existing sensitive habitats mitigated through the creation of new areas for recreation.

A PLACE WITH A PRODUCTIVE AND CLIMATE RESILIENT NATURAL LANDSCAPE

• Native, wildlife friendly planting and edible species.
• Allotments, community orchards and growing fields provided which maximise the good quality free draining soils.
• Canopy cover, use of green walls and planting maximised and hard surfaces minimised in built up areas.
• SUDS and rain gardens integrated.
• New links of woodland, meadow, grassland and wetland created to lock in carbon.
• Drought tolerant planting approaches used.
• Natural water management system integrated as an attractive biodiverse network with water features including swales, ponds and larger water bodies used in preference to piped systems.

Buildings, Place and Character

A PLACE WITH DISTINCTIVE IDENTITY

• The new community will be rooted in its place and the landscape.
• Important views, vistas, landmarks, heritage assets, trees and hedges will be recognised, protected and enhanced.
• Design Codes will be implemented and used consistently.
• Drawing on the historic tradition of orchards within the local area to create a new productive landscape.
• Green buffers designed to provide suitable distinction between neighbourhoods.
• Green buffers to contribute to the landscape and biodiversity network, accommodate leisure routes and be productive.
• Clear spatial hierarchy that directs the design of the neighbourhood and the building types.
• Plan for a range of housing densities with higher residential densities at mobility hubs, centres of activity and along key movement corridors.
• A range of building heights that add variety and interest to the streetscape, enhance internal legibility.
• Architectural style, building form, materials and layouts that reflect the districts' character while catering to contemporary needs and societal trends.

A PLACE THAT IS VIBRANT AND ACTIVE

• Local centres and one district centre that deliver an increased mix of uses.
• Create legible and well-designed focal points within the local centres.

A PLACE WHERE HOUSING IS ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE AND INCLUSIVE

• Housing that caters for all stages of life including multi-generational families, co-housing, start-up homes.
• Housing typologies that respond to different needs and abilities.
• Tenure blind design.
• Accommodation suitable for ageing population close to local centres.
• Sites identified for co-living and self-build typologies.

A PLACE WITH GREAT HOMES

• Homes fit for the 21st century and beyond, digitally connected, with sustainable technologies and future proofed.
• Homes that offer privacy and external amenity spaces.
• Homes that positively address the streets and create clear entry points from the street.
• Provision of good storage areas to meet short and long term needs.
• Integrate utilities, including waste storage and management, such that they do not adversely affect the design of the built environment.

Economic Activity and Employment

A PLACE WITH A THRIVING LOCAL ECONOMY

• Medium/small-scale employment uses close to the district centres.
• Maximise the opportunity from the University of Essex and the Knowledge Gateway
• Provision of live-work and co-working spaces.
• Flexible and adaptable buildings with scope for expanding floorspace, helping to retain them within the garden community.
• Larger scale industrial/storage space accessible via A-roads and the Link Road
• Respond positively to changing patterns of retail and leisure.

Community and Social Infrastructure

A PLACE WHERE EVERYONE CAN FEEL AT HOME

• Co-location of different uses to maximise activity throughout the daytime and evening and provide opportunities for diverse social interaction.
• Multi use spaces that are designed to cater and support people from different groups (age/culture/ability/LGBTQ+/family status etc.).
• Community spaces accessible by all modes of travel.
• Community spaces flexible for different uses.
• Ground floor uses that create interest and activity.

A PLACE WHERE IT'S EASY TO BE HEALTHY AND HAPPY

• Inclusive public realm that creates the feeling of safety, a sense of place and interaction with nature.
• High quality and accessible sports facilities, playing pitches and greenspaces.
• Creation of a safe and overlooked walking and cycling network.
• Provision of healthcare, leisure, social and community facilities accessible by all modes of transport.
• Promotion of social interaction through shared amenity spaces.
• Active travel promoted.
• Connections established into the wider long distance leisure routes.

A PLACE WHERE EVERYONE CAN LEARN

• Provision of education facilities in close proximity to district and local centres, making them easily accessible.
• Feeling of safety and security promoted for students within and around these facilities.
• Education facilities within easy access to play and recreation spaces.
• Flexibility of use of the premises during non-school hours.

A PLACE TO PLAY AND HAVE FUN

• Play, sport and leisure facilities that cater to all ages, abilities and needs and are easily accessible by all modes of transport.
• Sport and leisure facilities within in close proximity to the neighbourhood it serves.

A PLACE WHERE LONG TERM STEWARDSHIP IS CONSIDERED FROM THE OUTSET

• A suitable stewardship model and the assets and services which will require management and maintenance in perpetuity identified.
• Minimisation of the running and maintenance costs of buildings and landscapes embedded through design.
• Community needs and funding priorities identified early on.
• Local resident representation on the stewardship model.
• Different and inclusive engagement and communication links established.

Movement and Connections

A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE HAVE PRIORITY

• Dense network of traffic-free walking and cycling links.
• Residential streets designed with low design speed with off-plot and sensitively incorporated car parking.
• Non-residential streets designed with low design speed, with segregated cycle links.
• All movement routes and corridors will be through safe, legible, attractive, tree-lined corridors for amenity, air quality mitigation, biodiversity and good mental health.
• Off-plot car parking paid for separately to house purchase/rental.
• On and off-street car parking designed flexibly with future non-car uses in mind.
• Streets designed to discourage informal parking, supported by Controlled Parking Zones.
• Vehicle access and loading restrictions to manage servicing needs.
• Streets and footpath links designed for all different users' needs including people with mobility impairments and parents with pushchairs.
• Emergency and service access provided throughout the street network.

A PLACE WITH RAPID, EFFICIENT AND COST EFFECTIVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT

• RTS routes given priority through the Garden Community and off-site, linking local centres and providing easy access to halts and services.
• RTS stops integrated in mobility hubs in all centres and residential areas.
• RTS running from the first stage with high frequency.
• Park and Choose to complement the function of RTS.
• Integrated ticketing for RTS and other bus services.

A PLACE WHERE ACTIVE AND SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL IS THE NATURAL CHOICE

• Transit oriented development with higher density around mobility hubs, centres of activity and key corridors.
• Network of mobility hubs established with a range of facilities connecting Rapid Transit System to first/last mile options on-site.
• Plentiful secure and covered cycle parking provided at key destinations and residential areas.
• Cycle and scooter hire docking stations provided at key destinations and community centres.
• Robust travel plans put in place, linked to mode share targets.
• Car club promotion to reduce the need for car ownership.
• Horse riders provided for with a network of bridleways.

A CONNECTED PLACE

• Link Road providing good connections to the A120 and A133.
• Walking and cycle routes connected to Rights of Way and to high quality and direct links to the University and Colchester.
• Hierarchy of street types to provide for the different routes, vehicular types and places.

Sustainable Infrastructure

A PLACE WHERE THE ENERGY SUPPLY IS SUSTAINABLE, SMART AND FUTUREPROOFED

• Net-zero energy demand and supply.
• The energy grid will combine renewable sources such as solar power, wind and battery storage to ensure the focus is on green energy production.
• Energy demand is monitored and active support provided to minimise consumption.
• Support new models of ownership and operation.

A PLACE DESIGNED FOR THE IMPACTS WHILE MINIMISING ITS CONTRIBUTION TO CLIMATE CHANGE

• Environmental net gain through nature based solutions and urban greening.
• A system of surface water drainage that will minimise the risk of flooding to the site, improve water quality, biodiversity and amenity value.
• Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) which will mimic natural hydrological processes and reduce the impact of climate change.
• Water recycling to combat increasing demand on water supply.
• Overheating minimisation measures.
• Use of green walls and tree planting to reduce urban heat effect/ provide shading.
• Incorporation of energy producing landscapes.
• Promote access to green routes that reduce the need for travel by car .
• Create Green Infrastructure that supports our adaptation to a changing weather pattern through, for example, flood control.
• Grey water recycling system integrated to new buildings.

A PLACE THAT OPTIMISES RESOURCE EFFICIENCY AND RECYCLING ACROSS THE WHOLE DEVELOPMENT LIFECYCLE

• Energy demand reduction and embodied carbon (whole life), waste water, waste management.
• Minimisation of waste water discharge on the public network.
• Maximisation of waste water treatment at source before discharge.
• Zero waste and circular economy principles.
• Fastest possible broadband network installed throughout the site to residential and non-residential development.

A PLACE WHERE INFRASTRUCTURE COMES FIRST AND MEETS ITS INHABITANTS' NEEDS

• Establishment of on-and off-site infrastructure delivery strategy and phasing plan that will align with the phases of development.
• Secured timely delivery of on- and off-site infrastructure aligned with each phase of development.