AGENDA ITEM 8
BOROUGH OF POOLE
REPORT TO COUNCIL
20th DECEMBER 2005
STREETSCAPE DESIGN STRATEGY AND MANUAL: SUPPLEMENTARY
PLANNING GUIDANCE: REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR LOCAL
ECONOMY (INCLUDING TRANSPORTATION)
1.
PURPOSE OF THE REPORT
1.1
To consider the recommendations from Cabinet and the Local Economy
Overview Group requesting Council to approve the Streetscape Design
Strategy and Manual Supplementary Planning Guidance.
2.
DECISION REQUIRED
2.1
That Council approves the Streetscape Design Strategy and Manual
Supplementary Planning Guidance.
3.
BACKGROUND/INFORMATION
3.1
The Local Economy Overview Group at its meeting on the 20 th October 2005
considered the above Supplementary Planning Guidance and made a number
of amendments.
3.2
A copy of the revisions is attached to this report.
3.3
Cabinet considered the amendments to the Streetscape Design Strategy and
Manual Supplementary Planning Guidance at its meeting on the 12 th
December 2005 and unanimously recommended the Supplementary Planning
Guidance to Council for approval.
Councillor Ron Parker
Portfolio Holder for Local Economy (including Transportation)
1
SUSTAINABILITY---PROPOSED REVISIONS FOLLOWING LEOG
MEETING.
[1]
[2]
Amendments to Chapter 3
Amendments to Chapter 9---Sustainability Strategy
3.0
CORE STRATEGY AND TOPIC STRATEGIES Amended
3.1
Core Strategy
The core strategy of the Streetscape Manual is to provide:-advice, recommendations and requirements for:-the integrated use of materials, planting, lighting, artwork, signage and street
furniture to achieve:-a high-quality public realm for different parts of the new development
[the ‘Spatial Framework’]
recognising that different levels of treatment are appropriate in different
places:-Level 1---the new Quays and Focal spaces, given the highest quality treatment with
an emphasis on artwork and special lighting
Level 2---other elements throughout the Regeneration Area, given a high quality
treatment
Level 3---Access Roads, where individualistic treatment is acceptable
Level 4---the Holes Bay buffer Strip, given a generally naturalistic treatment
3.2
Topic strategies
fig 3.1
2
The Core Strategy is developed through a series of Topic Strategies (see Fig 3.1).
Each strategy is designed to be inter-supportive of the others….all need to be taken
into account. They are:- Landscape---Hard landscape; Trees and soft landscape [chapter 4.0]
 Street furniture/Signage [chapter 5.0]
 Lighting [chapter 6.0]
 Art [chapter 7.0]
 Sustainability Strategy [chapter 9.1]
 Utilities (Services) Strategy [chapter 9.2]
Using the provisions of these different strategies, public places and spaces of
differing character can be created.
Chapter 8.0 gives information and guidance on using the advice from the Strategies
in different situations----in the design of roads, footpaths, quaysides and public
spaces.
3.3
Topic Strategy objectives
The first four Topic Strategies have these common objectives which run through the
Manual. To:- Ensure shared ownership of the public realm as a successful part of the
Regeneration Area.
 Achieve fitness for purpose in terms of specification of materials and
maintenance
 Provide treatments which reflect the hierarchy of routes in the spatial
strategy, avoiding conflict between pedestrian, cyclist and vehicular
movement.
 Make the design of the public realm one which will encourage and attract
use by the community of Poole and visitors to the town
 Realise the highest quality for design, materials and workmanship across
all parts of the public realm.
 Encourage and enable innovation and creativity within all constituent parts
of the public realm.
 Concentrate available budgets in key areas of the new development
 Minimise disruption to the public realm by access for underground utilities.
 Avoid conflict between pedestrian, cyclist and vehicular movement.
 Use design treatments to link areas or districts together, creating a sense of
place and a strong relationship between old and new parts of the town.
 Facilitate inclusive access for all (pedestrians, people with disabilities, dog
walkers, cyclists).
3.4
Sustainability
3
Sustainability is recognised as a highly-important aspect of all forms of development
today. It is, however, no longer seen as simply a matter of resource conservation,
but has been broadened to include economic, social and ‘quality of life’ issues. As
such, these underpin most aspects of the Manual’s approach to the design and
operation of the future public realm. The Sustainability Strategy is in Section 9.1.
3.5
Overview ----Use of materials
As a lead-in to the use of materials in the Manual, this is a brief
overview…[remainder of text in Chapter 3 unchanged]
4
9.0 SUSTAINABILITY AND UTILITY STRATEGIES; SUPPLEMENTARY
PROCEDURAL AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION Amended
Contents
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.5
9.6
9.7
Sustainability Strategy
Utilities Strategy
Planning applications and “Streetscape”
9.4
Design, construction and maintenance of the new sea wall
Management and maintenance of the new public realm
Streetscape supplementary technical information
Reference information
9.1 Sustainability Strategy-----Sustainability In the design,
construction and operation of the public realm
The understanding of Sustainable Development has broadened over recent years to
include concern with both [1] the environment and [2] human welfare---it is no longer
just a matter of energy and resource conservation. Today, sustainable communities
are described by the ODPM1 as:-Active, inclusive and safe; Well run; Environmentally sensitive; Well-connected;
Thriving; Well served; Fair to everyone.
Many different criteria for sustainability have been suggested, but they all clearly
cover similar ground. So far as the public realm is concerned, the following
Sustainability Criteria in the ODPM report “Millennium Villages and Sustainable
Communities” seem helpful:-(1)
Resource consumption should be minimised (electricity and gas
consumption, water, use of land; use of vehicles)
(2)
Existing site features (local environmental capital) should be
protected and enhanced
(3)
Design quality should be high
(4)
Residents should enjoy a high quality of life
(5)
Equality and social inclusion should be increased
(6)
Participation in governance should be as broad as possible
(7)
Environmental and quality of life objectives should be integrated
The Streetscape Manual is concerned with Criteria 1 to 4 directly, while 5 and 6 are
largely outside its scope. Criterion (7) means that no one of these criteria should be
dispensed with in favour of others. Hence, for example, low running costs should not
be pursued at the expense of quality of life.
1
What is a sustainable community?---short definition. ODPM website, October 2005
5
Resource consumption The public realm consumes energy in several ways.
Firstly, in the energy and materials used in its construction. Second, in the running
costs of street lighting, street cleaning and litter clearance; maintenance of planting
areas and soft open spaces, and maintenance costs associated with public artworks.
These have to balanced by the sustainable benefits to the community of good design
quality and quality of life.
Existing site features There is little in the Manual on the protection of existing site
features, partly because there is relatively little to protect on brownfield sites.
However, section 8.10 is designed to ensure retention and protection of the Holes
Bay shoreline strip for nature conservation purposes.
Design quality A principal raison d’etre of the Manual is to secure high quality
design of public spaces, and much of its material is specifically directed to achieve
this. Good design quality helps create an environment that people like living in and
hence are prepared to identify with and look after.
Quality of life The Manual’s aim is to help offer a high quality of life by promoting
an extensive public realm which offers adequate space, and is maintained to a good
standard. The provision of a connected system of new 10-15m wide waterfronts, in
particular, is intended to contribute to public amenity and enjoyment. The Manual
seeks landscape treatment, decorative lighting and artwork which will contribute to
quality of life. Trees, particularly street trees, will help absorb carbon dioxide from
traffic emissions.
The section of the Masterplan headed “Impact on the Environment” (para 2.19 to
2.22) should be referred to.
9.1.1 Sustainability Strategy---Objectives
 to offer a high quality of life by promoting spacious, well designed and wellmaintained public areas
 to achieve landscape treatments, street and decorative lighting and artwork
which will contribute to quality of life
 to create opportunities for large-scale planting of street trees which will help
absorb carbon dioxide from traffic emissions
 to use local materials (particularly Purbeck stone) as part of the treatment of
the new quaysides
 to provide shorefront treatment to Holes Bay which contributes to the quality
of life of the general population, enhances wildlife interest and protects the
Bay against disturbance
 to ensure cycling provision throughout the new developments (including on
the new quays) as a means of reducing powered vehicle use.
 To choose materials, street furniture and lighting equipment taking the ease
and costs of maintenance into account.
9.1.2 Sustainability Guidance
Choice of materials
Use should be made of natural materials whenever possible. Locally-sourced
materials (particularly Purbeck stone) should form a significant part of the surfacing
6
of the new quaysides. European-sourced granite (eg French blue-grey) is preferred
to Far Eastern. The use of recycled materials should be considered in appropriate
cases. Where timber is used for surfacing it should be from a verified sustainable
source.
Choice of street furniture
Street furniture should be chosen for both acceptably low maintenance costs and
contribution to design quality and quality of life. Street furniture should be located in
such a way as to minimise maintenance costs, and opportunities for providing
seating on dwarf walls should be pursued (eg figs 5.15 and 16).
Choice of lighting equipment
Lighting equipment should be chosen for both acceptably low running and
maintenance costs and contribution to design quality and quality of life. Installations
should pay particular attention to minimising light pollution, especially in areas where
light levels are currently low. Control systems should be provided to avoid the use of
power at times when lighting is not needed. Low-level lighting systems should be
used in appropriate situations. Care should be taken not to misinterpret the required
lux levels in “Secured by Design”.
Taking advantage of solar gain/ protection from the weather
The Masterplan seeks “small parks, gardens, rear gardens, roof terraces and
balconies suitable for enjoying Poole’s warm, sunny climate” (chapter 2). The
Manual supports this approach to the positioning and design of public spaces. The
Masterplan also looks for buildings in narrow lanes to be designed so that sunlight
can penetrate to the streets by means of appropriate building heights, and such
devices as roof setbacks. The Manual seeks the provision of shelters from inclement
weather in key open spaces.
Alternative power/ energy in the public realm
Developments should aim to follow the lead of the Seldown Eco-Village project in
designing low-energy use developments. Sources of alternative power for
streetscape items (such as parking meters, powered water features and artworks)
should be considered wherever possible.
Sustainable urban drainage systems Poole has policy of seeking sustainable
drainage systems (SUDS) whenever possible. It remains to be determined how
feasible this will be in the Regeneration area, most of which is reclaimed land.
Section 8.10 indicates design principles for the buffer strip to Holes Bay, and
includes a permanent wet ditch as a barrier to public intrusion. Roof run off from the
site could be piped into these wetlands and filtered prior to being discharged into
Holes Bay.
7
Shorefront planting The Holes Bay buffer strip should be planted with native plant
species typical of this habitat. This planting and the water feature will contribute to
the wildlife value of the development. The access track should be surfaced with
recycled material from the power station in order to provide a habitat to re-locate
some chalk-loving plants from the site.
Street trees In the new higher-density developments, planting space will be scarce.
Street trees will form an important part of the strategy for introducing natural
elements into the new developments. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and help to
combat pollution in urban areas, and at the same time contribute to public amenity
and quality of life. The manual includes a range of species that should thrive in the
difficult conditions likely to be encountered, some of which are native. The majority
have smaller leaves, chosen to avoid excessive difficulties with street cleaning.
Promotion of cycling Good cycling provision helps to cut down vehicle use. The
Manual includes the requirement for cycleways along distributor roads and the new
quays. It also includes links which will contribute to cycle provision ‘around Holes
Bay’, plus requirements for cycle parking provision.
8
SCHEDULE OF CHANGES PROPOSED TO STREETSCAPE MANUAL
(Second version--amended 18-11-05)
[1]
MANUAL AMENDMENTS AS AGREED WITH ECP AT 11-1105 with further amendment proposed by JAB/ RT 18-11-05.
To be added to 3.5:--“Resin-bound surfacing is recommended in the
Manual at various points. Alternatives are exposed aggregate in-situ
concrete, or exposed aggregate paving slabs. Whichever of these is
used, a 15-year life under the Borough's current cleansing regime must
be demonstrated by applicants. The use of resin-bonded gravel as an
option will only be confirmed for use if it successfully completes trials
under way at December 2005, designed to establish its compatibility
with street cleaning equipment. If trials are not successful, an alternative
material will be substituted in later editions of the Manual. ”. [The words in
purple are variations on that already agreed.]
Throughout--omit “timber”[in 3.4 A 2; 8.7.1 box; fig 8.23; fig 8.24; 8.26]
Remove timber effect [in Figure 8.11; 8.21;8.27; 8.28]
Throughout---substitute “Bituminous flexible material” wherever the phrase “flexible
material” occurs.[ in 8.2.1 box; 8.3.1 box; ]
4.9
Children’s Play, section 4.9 Amend/ delete. Delete from 8.7.1
box.
Re-consider/ remove section 4.9, at the very least ensure that it doesn’t refer to play
equipment, as this would require soft safety surfacing, which would be wrecked by
machines.





Para 5.3.5
Delete sentence beginning “Poole wishes to promote litter recycling….”
Revise “Stainless steel preferred….” Bullet point to read “Poole Standard
or agreed alternative”
Amend to read “All litter bins must have large capacity to be agreed with
ECP” in place of “…at least 100 litres”.
Seek to omit “All litter bins must co-ordinate with other street
furniture….”[possibly, “As far as possible….]
Last sentence----substitute “high pressure steam” for “high –pressure
washing”
Section 8.5 and fig 8.13---may be better to qualify refs to bound gravel…
Graffiti---add section to read “Vertical surfaces in the new public realm which might
attract graffiti should be finished with graffiti-resistant surfaces----eg subways, bridge
abutments, smaller service buildings”
Section 9.1.2 Omit reference to Recycling
Section 9.3 Materials---probably omit.
9
Section 9.6.6 delete text and substitute “A suitable specification for Resin-bound
gravel surfaces to be determined following trials and added to later versions of this
Manual”.
[2]
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO MEET CONCERNS ON
SUSTAINABILITY RAISED BY COUNCILLOR BROOKE
See separate document.
Streetscape changes re ECP
10