Health-Proofing Masterplan Designs: A Guidecloud.snappages.com...These case studies link to the publication Health-proofing Masterplan Designs: A Guide See also the City Waterside

Health-Proofing Masterplan Designs: A Guide A guide to reviewing masterplan designs from a hea lthy urban planning, public health and health impact assessment perspective [v1.1]

CASE STUDY 2: CITY WATERSIDE WEST REGENERATION

These case studies link to the publication Health-proofing Masterplan Designs: A Guide

See also the City Waterside East Regeneration Masterplan Options Health Impact Assessment (HIA)

Case Study Undertaken By:

Salim Vohra

Gifty Amo-Danso

Alexandra Moores

Judy Kurth

For information on this case study and how Stoke-on-

Trent is applying healthy urban planning principles

please contact:

For general information and advice on how to apply

the masterplanning guide please contact:

Judy Kurth

Strategic Coordinator/LSP

Healthy City Partnership

NHS Stoke-on-Trent

120 Heron House

120 Grove Road

Stoke-on-Trent

ST4 4 LX

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 01782 298131

Dr Salim Vohra

Director, Centre for Health Impact Assessment

Institute of Occupational Medicine (London Office)

Research House Business Centre

Fraser Road

Perivale

Middlesex

UB6 7AQ

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 020 8537 3494

Version 1.1, 21 March 2010 Core Content - Creative Commons Attribute Share Alike Licence 3.0

The core contents of this case study can be re-used, adapted and shared in anyway as long as you attribute this

guide and your derivative work is distributed, under the Creative Commons Share Alike Licence 3.0, so that anyone

is able to use and adapt your work. See www.creativecommons.org for more details.

© Copyright for the Middleport Masterplan belongs to North Staffordshire RENEW. Organisational logos are the

copyright of the respective organisations. These cannot be used without permission.

Front Cover: Canal Area, City Waterside, Stoke-on-Trent. Image courtesy of Centre for Health Impact Assessment

HEALTH-PROOFING MASTERPLAN DESIGNS: A GUIDE - CASE STUDY 2: CITY WATESIDE EAST

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City Waterside East: Masterplan Design Options ‘Health Proofing’ Review

24th August 2009

Introduction

Well planned neighbourhoods support healthier lifestyles for local residents as well

as provide a socially vibrant community with associated positive economic and

environmental benefits.

Healthy urban planning puts the needs of people and communities at the heart of the

urban planning process and encourages masterplanning and decision-making that

takes into account the intended and unintended health and wellbeing impacts.

Integrating “health” into planning can ensure that existing and new residents can be

physically, mentally and socially active in a more accessible, safe and enjoyable

neighbourhood and thereby contribute to a more vibrant community with high levels

of social capital and community cohesion.

In this paper City Waterside masterplans will be examined in terms of the World

Health Organization’s ’12 Healthy Urban Planning Principles’ which will inform this

review of the City Waterside masterplan designs in terms of ‘heath proofing’ the draft

and final designs and meeting public health needs through the physical regeneration

of City Waterside.

The 12 key urban planning principles help to systematically consider the wider social

determinant of health and wellbeing within the masterplan designs by reviewing the

provision of active travel routes, local services and amenities, community space

provision, public transport provision and the protection and creation of public open

and green spaces.

Healthy Urban Planning Principles

• Healthy lifestyles

Do planning policies and proposals encourage and promote healthy exercise?

Appropriate density housing, nearby amenities, safe and walkable

neighbourhoods


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• Social cohesion

Do planning policies and proposals encourage and promote social cohesion?

Low levels of traffic, wide roads, small scale commercial schemes

• Housing quality

Do planning policies and proposals encourage and promote social cohesion?

Reduce overcrowding, appropriate location/design/orientation, mixed density

developments

• Access to employment opportunities

Do planning policies and proposals encourage and promote access to

employment opportunities?

Accessible and well connected commercial/industrial developments

• Accessibility

Do planning policies and proposals encourage and promote access

accessibility?

Reliable and frequent public transport, accessible and available health/social

care/other public services, availability of commercial services e.g.

banking/local shops, etc

• Local low-input food production

Do planning policies and proposals encourage and promote local food

production with low input food production?

Allotments, community gardening, growing vegetable patches in private

gardens.

• Safety

Do planning policies and proposals encourage and promote safety and the

feeling of safety in the community?

Visible policing, removal of graffiti, maintenance of public spaces and repair of

vandalised street furniture.

• Equity

Do planning policies and proposals encourage and promote equity and the

development of social capital?


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Targeting deprived and environmentally poor areas, meeting needs of all

residents through the development and regeneration.

• Air quality and aesthetics

Do planning policies and proposals encourage and promote good air quality,

protection from excessive noise and an attractive environment for living and

working?

Regulate and reduce\air emissions from motor vehicles, domestic sources

and industry

• Water and sanitation quality

Do planning policies and proposals encourage and promote improved water

and sanitation quality?

Surface water Urban Drainage Schemes (SUDs), mains connection to

drinking water and sewage systems, reduce water usage in taps and

appliances.

• Quality of land and mineral resources

Do planning policies and proposals encourage and promote the conservation

and quality of land and mineral resources?

Protection of agricultural land and minimal resources from inappropriate

development.

• Climate Stability

Do planning policies and proposals encourage and promote climate stability

(and reduce the potential impacts of climate change)?

Use of sustainable materials, recycling of building waste, recycling and

appropriate treatment of other waste, use of renewable energy sources.

Review of the Four Draft Masterplan Designs for Cit y Waterside East

The tables on the following pages set out the key potential positive and negative

health impacts and what elements should ideally, subject to financial costs and

overall deliverability, be taken forward into the final preferred option.


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Figure 1 provides a satellite aerial view of the City Waterside East area. The

masterplan designs are provided as a separate document and are not reproduced in

this paper.

Conclusions

Overall, Option 1: Community Heart provides the best masterplan design from a

healthy urban planning and public health perspective. It has centrally located

community facilities and distributed commercial spaces and greenspaces. It creates

a central crossing point across the canal and with open space along both sides of the

canal creates a way of unifying the housing north and south of the canal.

There are aspects of Option 1 that could be improved and these are described in the

Rapid and Detailed Appraisal Sections that follow.

Recommendations

Healthy Option

The best option from a public health perspective is Option 1: Community Heart.

Greenspace

• Maximise the amount of greenspace in the development area and ensure it is

multi-functional e.g. allowing or a variety of outdoor activities such as

children’s play area, informal sports pitches, footpaths as well as picnic spots

and seating.

• Landscaping and greening should be appropriately designed and laid out so

that they do not obscure sightlines along key paths.

• Ensure as much greening of roads within the development area especially

where there is retained and refurbished housing.

Community centre/facilities

• Community centre should be designed for multipurpose use with adequate

space (community hall, information drop in centre/running of various health

clinics etc) and provide a range of different activities and services to cater for

all age ranges e.g. community hall, information drop-in centre, health clinics,

toddler groups.


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Commercial spaces

• Commercial spaces should promote retailers that provide good quality, fresh

everyday groceries and products because city centre is not too far away and

this can cater for more non essential needs.

• Encourage a mix of different commercial uses (shops, offices, light industrial,

entertainment/leisure venues etc).

Street furniture and lighting

• Maintenance and upkeep of street furniture such as street lights, benches and

all open spaces should be considered and duly allocated at these initial

masterplanning stages.

Footpaths and cycleways

• Ensure wide footpaths across both sides of all roads within the development

area.

• Ensure distinct but integrated footpaths and cycle paths on both sides of the

main neighbourhood roads.

Roads crossing points

• Ensure that the crossing points are suitable for use by both pedestrians and

cyclists within the development area.

• Ensure safe pedestrian and cyclist crossing points at the intersections with

the main roads skirting the edge of the development area.

• A through route from Waterloo Street to Botteslow Street may make it more

viable to have a bus service go through the north side of the development

area. However, this is likely to increase motor vehicle traffic along Waterloo

Road. This could be reduced by making it a reduced speed/home zone route

and having dedicated/integrated footpaths and cycle paths.

Public transport

• To include some form of public transport within the community in addition to

that provided at the periphery of the development, the community centre

could be a hub for community transport schemes such as ‘dial-a-ride’.


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• Improvements to bus stop furniture on the major roads such as the bus

shelters that allow natural surveillance and are safety enhanced and

accessible may encourage bus use.

• In cases where widening of the roads are being considered, making the road

a ‘reduced speed/home zone’ route could address issues of increased

vehicular congestion and traffic.

Housing standards

• Ensure that all building qualities attain standards laid out in ‘Code for

Sustainable Homes’, ‘Lifetime Homes’, ‘Decent Homes’ and any other

relevant guidance.

Recycling

• Build in space for community recycling facilities e.g. paper and glass recycling

pods.


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Aerial view of the City Waterside East area of Stok e-on-Trent [Source: Google Maps]


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City Waterside East Masterplan Option 1 (Community Heart)


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City Waterside East Masterplan Option 2 (Waterside Residential)


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City Waterside East Masterplan Option 3 (Canal Side )


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City Waterside East Masterplan Option 4 (Central Bo ulevard)


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Rapid Masterplan Design Review Tables


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City Waterside East Masterplan Option 1: Community Heart

Design Review Questions Analysis

What is the relationship between the housing, greenspace, roads, shops/amenities and business areas? How do they fit together or don’t? Does it make holistic sense? Is it ‘legible’/understandable (easy to navigate through the streets)?

The layout of the community makes holistic sense with most of the public open spaces and amenities being in the centre with the added benefit of the canal and public realm/square.

New public open spaces are interspersed in the area.

The street layout is understandable and easy to navigate. Roads appear to be on a local street scale with no large roads cutting through the neighbourhood under consideration.

Do the blocks of new housing fit with the existing blocks of housing? Is there affordable/key worker housing?

There will be more new housing compared to existing housing. They are well aligned and overall fit in with the development area as a whole.

Affordable and key worker housing will be subject to negotiation between RENEW and private sector developers. The starting point for negotiations will be 25%.

Is greenspace maintained, increased and improved? Is it accessible? Is there an opportunity for allotments/communal gardening?

Some existing greenspace is lost to housing and some new greenspaces are created. The overall amount of accessible greenspace seems to be the same.

‘Meakin’s’ open space is retained.

The open and green spaces are accessible.

It is unclear whether there will be any communal gardening or allotments.

Do roads and routes connect residents or serve to cut them off (physical/community severance)?

There are no major roads running through the community. However, Balfour Street will be widened and extended onto Bucknall New Road. This is likely to become the major route through the community going north-south from Bucknall New Road.

There may be some potential for a rat-run to develop between Bucknall New Road and Botteslow Street via Balfour Street. However, given that there are other existing roads where people could cut through the chance of this is small particularly given the way the roads are laid out in the central area. On the other hand, it may also ease pressure on Wellington Road where the school is located.

Bottleslow Street may be modified to the north to make the route to the A50 roundabout flow better.

Are pavements/footpaths, cycleways and public transport links developed? Do they form a coherent and connected linked set of routes? Do they have priority over cars?

Public transport is provided on the periphery of the development. As there are no major roads within the community it is likely that streets are walking/cycle friendly because they are likely to be less busy. The closest bus station is in Hanley Town Centre on Potteries Way.


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City Waterside East Masterplan Option 1: Community Heart


Is there a public space, a service hub, a local centre that serves as the heart of the area?

The canal area with adjacent commercial hub, public realm and a community centre and open public space nearby is likely to serve as the heart of the community.

What kinds of public services, amenities and facilities are planned? Are there any gaps in service?

There is no provision for a health centre within the community although there are two health centres just outside the development boundary in the Amphora (Keepmoat) Development area.

Is there provision for a local community centre and/or space for community/voluntary/charity groups?

A local community centre with adjacent public realm/square and new public open spaces is planned. This is likely to encourage both indoor and outdoor community centre related activities

Are there good natural surveillance/ opportunities for people to pass by?

Open and green spaces are surrounded by housing, the commercial spaces are distributed throughout the development and the roads are well connected to each other and have houses fronting them on both sides.

How do the commercial areas fit with each other and with the residential areas? Is it too big/too small?

There is a good fit between the residential and commercial spaces. There are four small pockets of commercial properties distributed in different parts of the development area. One near the canal, one near the proposed community centre, one on the junction of Bucknall New Road and Ivy House Road.

Some of the existing premises along Leek Road to south will also be retained.

How does the proposed development link with other adjacent neighbourhoods?

There are several pedestrian crossings that link across the major roads (Bucknall New Road and Botteslow Street) into adjacent areas. Housing developments are also taking place in some of the adjacent areas.

Is there any local art/distinctive landmark/ architecture planned to build and create a revived sense of place/community identity?

Canal basin proposed near the commercial area.

There is a conservation area around the canal, listed building close to St John’s School and Church and other buildings of townscape value that contribute to the heritage within the development area. No specific architectural or artistic elements are proposed. Balfour Street may have trees along it (the design is unclear).

Overall Overall, the design seems to work well from a healthy urban planning and public health perspective.

It would be good to have some more greenspace though it may be that the detailed designs for the houses increases the amount of private gardens available to residents.


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City Waterside East Masterplan Option 2: Waterside Residential



The housing in the central area form a stronger grid pattern than Option 1, the ‘Canal Arms’ to the north seem to section off the housing near the canal.

Alternative community centre B is outside the boundary of the development across a major road which might discourage people from using it.

The street layout is understandable and easy to navigate. Roads appear to be on a local street scale with no large roads cutting through the neighbourhood.



Affordable and key worker housing will be subject to negotiation between RENEW and private sector developers. Starting point for negotiations will be 25%.

Is greenspace maintained, increased and improved? Is it accessible? Is there opportunities for allotments/communal gardening?

There seems to be a decrease in the overall amount of greenspace that is less than that identified in Option 1.


The open and green spaces are accessible. Unclear whether there will be communal gardening/ allotments.


There are no major roads running through the community. However, Balfour Street will be widened and will be extended onto Bucknall New Road. This is likely to become the major route through the community going north-south from Bucknall New Road.

There may be some potential for a rat-run to develop between Bucknall New Road and Botteslow Street via Balfour Street and Eagle Street given the way the roads are laid out in the central area.

Though it may also ease pressure on Wellington Road where the school is located.

Botteslow Street may be modified to the north to make the route to the A50 roundabout flow better.




There is open public space on both sides of the canal that is relatively central. Community centre A would locate the community heart to the south of the development near the canal and public open space.


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City Waterside East Masterplan Option 2: Waterside Residential


There is a major central area of greenspace on the southern side of the development area.

Alternative community centre B places the heart of the area on the western side on/near the Gladedale site.


There is no provision for a health centre or other public services within the community although there are two health centres just outside the development boundary in the Amphora (Keepmoat) Development area.


A new community centre with two potential locations one inside and one outside the development area.

Is there good natural surveillance/ opportunities for people to pass by?



There are three commercial spaces on the northern side with the southern side have a small commercial area on the junction of Botteslow Street and Leek Road.

There seems to be a good fit however the commercial area near school may generate traffic, congestion (and noise and air pollution) depending on what businesses locate there.


There are several pedestrian crossings that link across the major roads (Bucknall New Road and Botteslow Street) into adjacent areas. Housing developments are also taking place in some of the adjacent areas.

Is there any local art/distinctive landmarks/ architecture planned to build and create a revived sense of place/community identity?

There are two canal arms proposed new the commercial area with one being surrounded by public open space.

There is a conservation area around the canal, listed building close to St John’s School and Church and other buildings of townscape value that contribute to the heritage within the development area. No specific architectural or artistic elements are proposed. Balfour Street will be a boulevard with trees along both sides.

Overall Overall, Option 2 is less good than Option 1 from a healthy urban planning and public health perspective.

It has much less greenspace and the community centre is located on the southern side where there are fewer people and the housing will be all new i.e. existing residents are less likely to find the community centre easily accessible.


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City Waterside East Masterplan Option 3: Canal Side



There is no greenspace on the southern side of the development area and the major greenspace is central and adjacent to the canal.

There are fewer commercial spaces with one large space on the western side adjacent to the canal where the community centre is also located on the northern side.






There seems to be more greenspace on the northern side than in Options 1 or 2 though there is no greenspace on the southern side.





There are no major roads running through the community. However, it is proposed that Wellington Road will be widened with a new junction onto Bucknall New Road with a school drop-off and pick-up point area near the school and some enhanced greenspace within the school grounds.

There is a potential for the widened Wellington Road and the school drop-off and pick up point to further increase school traffic at the start and end of the school day in particular as well as during the rest of the day.

There is no connected open public space across the canal as in Options 1 and 2.




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City Waterside East Masterplan Option 3: Canal Side



There is a central large greenspace on the northern side of the development next to the canal which is connected by a crossing point to a smaller open space on the southern side of the development area.




Local community centre near the centre of the development area adjacent to the commercial space and the large greenspace by the canal.




There are only two commercial spaces both on the northern side. The larger one is adjacent to the canal and a smaller one is central to the northern side of the development area.


Hanley Town Centre across Potteries Road, adjacent neighbourhoods also going through refurbishment and major development


There is a conservation area around the canal, listed building close to St John’s School and Church and other buildings of townscape value that contribute to the heritage within the development area. No specific architectural or artistic elements are proposed. Wellington Road will have trees along it.


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City Waterside East Masterplan Option 4: Central Bo ulevard



Community centre is at the northern end of the development adjacent to St. Luke’s School.

There are three triangular greenspaces, two on the northern side and one on the southern side of the development area. ‘Meakin’s open space is not retained.

Public open space is enhanced along the central part of the canal on both sides.

Commercial spaces are distributed throughout the development area.






There are three greenspaces, two of which are centrally located north and south.

‘Meakin’s’ open space is not retained.




There are no major roads running through the community. However, it is proposed that Wellington Road will be widened with a new junction onto Bucknall New Road with a school drop-off and pick-up point area near the school and some enhanced greenspace within the school grounds.




Is there a public space, a service hub, There is large open space on both sides of the canal


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City Waterside East Masterplan Option 4: Central Bo ulevard


a local centre that serves as the heart of the area?

encompassing the crossing point. There is also open space adjacent to the central greenspace on the northern side of the development area.




Local community centre provided but located at the far northern end of the development away from majority of the development.




There is a good fit between the residential and commercial spaces. Four commercial spaces are distributed within the northern side of the development area.

Some of the existing premises along Leek Road to south will also be retained.


Hanley Town Centre across Potteries Road, adjacent neighbourhoods also going through refurbishment and major development


There is a conservation area around the canal, listed building close to St. John’s School and Church and other buildings of townscape value that contribute to the heritage within the development area. No specific architectural or artistic elements are proposed. Wellington Road will have trees along it.


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Detailed Masterplan Design Review Tables


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Option 1: Community Heart

Healthy Urban Planning Themes

Regeneration Objectives Potential positive health/wellbeing impacts

Potential negative health/wellbeing impacts

Suggestions for mitigation and enhancement/ Other Comments/Questions

Public open and greenspaces pocketed in different parts of the development means easy access to one or the other regardless of where residents live and is likely to encourage outdoor physical and social activities.

Balfour Street will be widened and tree lined and is likely to encourage people to walk/cycle.

Enhance and increase the amount of greenspace where possible.

Healthy Lifestyle

Does the development encourage and promote physical activity?

Is the community walkable?

The increased connectivity by foot/cycle to Bucknall New Road is likely to encourage active travel.

There is the possibility of a rat run due to Bucknall New Road widening however the risk of this is small due to existing streets that allow short-cuts to and from Bucknall New Road and Botteslow Street.

Widening and extension of Bucknall New Road may create some severance however this is likely to be small and depends on the extent to which it becomes a short-cut from Bucknall New Road to Botteslow Street.

The canal acts as a barrier north and south. However there are three crossing points, one centrally and one each where the canal intersect the major


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roads west and east of the development area.

New community centre to promote and encourage community activities and interactions.

Community centre may be, or perceived to be less accessible for people living on the southern side of the development area because of the need to cross the canal.

Community centre should be designed for multipurpose use with adequate space (community hall, information drop in centre/running of various health clinics etc) and provide a range of different activities and services to cater for all age ranges.

What type of amenities, facilities and public services are planned or exist already that are nearby?

New commercial spaces pepper potted across the north side of the development providing good accessibility to residents in the northern end of the development and retail opportunities.

Commercial spaces should promote retailers that provide good quality, fresh everyday groceries and products because city centre is not too far away and this can cater for more non essential needs.

Encourage a mix of different commercial uses (shops, offices, light industrial, entertainment/leisure venues etc).

What existing sports/leisure facilities are there and will they cope with any increase in

The increased public open space and accessibility to the canal is likely to increase outdoor physical

No leisure facilities in the development area

Ensure that public open spaces and the local green spaces do not explicitly rule out playing ball games, using cycles, walking dogs,


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population? and social activity. community events, etc. i.e. this should be managed informally rather than through a byelaw preventing and prosecuting leisure and recreational activities.

Is there one or more accessible outdoor public spaces e.g. plazas, central open spaces?

Public realm/square by the canal and by the community centre is easily accessible from all parts of the community and this will encourage more frequent use of the space for socialising.

May lead to some anti-social behaviour e.g. graffiti, vandalism, rowdy behaviour.

Need to ensure high quality materials used in the construction.

Need to consider how the spaces will be managed long term.

Need to consider lighting and natural surveillance and passersby in all public areas.

Is there provision for a local community centre or indoor public space where residents and community groups can meet and carry out activities e.g. mother and toddler groups, youth work groups, community development activities?

New community centre to encourage community groups to carry out variety of activities.

Location of the community centre near public realm/square and public open space will encourage diversity in activities because of the option to use the outdoors.


Social Cohesion

(encouraging active community participation)

Do the new and/or existing commercial developments fit well with the residential developments and the wider neighbourhood?

Yes, commercial spaces pepper potted around the community is likely to encourage people to walk/cycle to the shops and amenities, employment found there.

Employment site near St Luke’s School could be a potential negative because of traffic, noise and depending on the business potential for emissions into the air.



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Is there integration between existing housing and new housing?

Yes, the layout of the housing blocks works with the retained housing.

More new housing than retained and refurbished housing may make existing residents feel the character of the area is being changed. However, the area is currently in an environmentally poor state and the proposed development will improve the area for everyone.

How do new routes and roads affect the community setting? (physical and community severance)

The widened and extended Balfour Road on the northern side and the Neighbourhood Spine Road on the southern side of the development area would provide increased connectivity to residents on that side without increasing severance.

The widening of Balfour Road and connection to Bucknall New Road may reduce traffic on Wellington Road, where St Luke’s School is located.

May increase motor vehicle traffic on Balfour Road.

Ensure pavements on both sides of the roads and dedicated cycle paths along these routes in particular.

Building quality (Housing and Employment Sites)

What sustainable and healthy building standards will be used for the residential and commercial developments?

Not known at the moment. Code for Sustainable Homes

Lifetime Homes

Duty of Local Authority (LA) to ensure that developers follow the ‘Decent Homes’ standards.


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What are the size of houses proposed in terms of number and size of rooms, private gardens, car parking space?

Currently a mix of family homes are proposed – terraced, semi-detached.

What car parking provision will there be?

Is there a potential for people from outside the area to come and park in the area?

Has provision been made for affordable and key worker housing?

To be negotiated with private sector developer with negotiations starting from 25% of affordable housing.

Will there be a mix of tenures e.g. private rental and owner occupied?

Likely to be so.

Access to employment opportunities

Are there local employers within walking/cycling distance or accessible by public transport?

New commercial sites pepper potted in the community providing easy walking/cycling access to a wider range of potential local employees

Ensure that local residents are able to take up any local employment opportunities that arise by encouraging local recruitment in the first instance.

Is there provision of distinct and developed cycle and footpaths?

Foot paths and cycle paths are not explicitly marked.

Central crossing point along the canal

Ensure distinct footpaths and cycle paths on both sides of the main neighbourhood roads.

Ensure that the crossing point is suitable for use by both pedestrians and cyclists.

Accessibility

What provisions have been made for public transport e.g. new routes, bus stops/shelters,

No public transport provision within the community. At present the public transport is on the

Community centre could be a hub for community transport and dial-a-


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etc? edges of the development along Bucknall Road and Botteslow Street. Main Bus Station on Potteries Way.

ride services.

A through route from Waterloo Street to Botteslow Street may make it more viable to have a bus service go through the north side of the development area. However, this is likely to increase motor vehicle traffic along Waterloo Road. This could be reduced by making it a reduced speed/home zone route and having dedicated/integrated footpaths and cycle paths.

Ensure improved bus shelters on the major roads to encourage bus use.

Are the different transportation modes linked/ integrated to encourage mixed use?

No apparent integration to public transport which is currently restricted to periphery of the community because there are no through roads running north-south and east-west across the development area. However, there are three or more bus services running along the roads skirting the edge of the development area.

See above

Is there identified space for local retail shops and other amenities?

Yes, commercial spaces distributed within the northern side of the development area.


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On the southern side the Leek Road premises are retained.

Is there provision of key public services nearby e.g. health centre?

Two health centres are outside the development area off Botteslow street in the Amphora (Keepmoat) Development area.

Community centre could be used for outreach health promotion and social care activities.

Need these to be designed in to the detailed design for the community centre.

Will there be any community allotments?

Unclear from the design but looks to be unlikely.

Will there be shops providing fresh fruit and vegetables and a fairly wide choice of foods?

Unclear but there will be commercial space which may be taken up by local grocery shops.

Local low-input food production or sale

Is there an opportunity for a food/farmer’s market?

Unclear there may be an opportunity to use the open and greenspace near the community centre as a focal point for a food market.

Safety Is there natural surveillance and is there a good balance between through routes and closed off areas e.g. cul-de-sacs?

Generally connectivity is enhanced north-south and west-east in a way that preserves natural surveillance because of the large amount of housing. Open and green spaces as well as commercial spaces are overlooked by housing.

Ensure wide footpaths across both sides of all roads within the development area.



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Are there enough safe pedestrian and cyclists crossing points on local roads?

Unclear from the design.

Ensure safe pedestrian and cyclist crossing points at the intersections with the main roads skirting the edge of the development area.

Are there safe paths on local green and blue space (parks, and canals, waterways)?

Provision of new central crossing point across the canal and footpath/cycleway along the canal.

The open and green spaces are small enough for their to be visibility from all sides – inside and outside. the spaces.

Ensure appropriate lighting in the evening/at night.

Ensure landscaping and plantings do not obscure sightlines for key paths.

Does the development target an existing environmentally and socially deprived area?

Yes

Do existing residents gain as much as (if not more than) potential new residents?

Yes

Equity

Will there be broadband, telephony and cable access?

Unclear from the design Ensure media cabling is built into the detailed masterplanning.

Air quality and good living and working environment

Will air pollution and/or exposure to air pollution be reduced?

Unclear, in relation to the commercial spaces. It is likely most will not involve activities that release emissions into the air.

There are likely to be more residents and more cars because modern cars have reduced emissions the overall levels of traffic

Noise may increase in the open and greenspaces this may be an issue for some residents.


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pollution are likely to be remain the same.

What kinds of emissions do existing or new employments sites generate?

Unclear.

Is there an opportunity to have low emission vehicles e.g. buses and lorries?

Not applicable.

What provision has been made for access to mains water and sewerage services (other sustainable and low maintenance water and sewerage systems)?

Given the development area is urban, connection to mains water and sewerage will be easy.

Water and sanitation

See Land and mineral resources and Climate stability below. Has the use of natural and

manufactured permeable surfaces been maximised to reduce surface water run-offs and potential for flooding/ sewer overflows?



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Are the amounts of greenspace and bluespace protected and increased where possible?

Canal, public realm, public open spaces provide a diverse mix that will encourage such outdoor activities.

Balfour Street may have trees along it (unclear form the design).

Open, green, blue spaces integrated with housing hence there is provision for natural surveillance

Canal basin allows for boats to dock temporarily allowing free access and movement for other boats up and down the canal

Ensure as much greening of roads within the development area especially where there is retained and refurbished housing.

Tree lined streets add to the variety of public open spaces and increase the attractiveness of walking.

Ensure greenspaces are multi-functional having children’s play equipment, seating, picnic spots and space for informal ball games.

Are private gardens and allotments encouraged?


Is there a variety of multi-purpose outdoor spaces?

Yes.

Land and mineral resources

(Including green and blue spaces)

See Water and sanitation above and Climate stability below.

Are the open, green and blue spaces easily accessible with allowances for natural surveillance?

Yes, though more difficult for residents on the southern side of the canal to access the major greenspaces to the north. However the open space along the canal is accessible to both sides.

Provide a larger greenspace on the southern side of the development area as in Option 2.


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Are there opportunities for allotments/communal gardening, fishing and seating areas?

Canal and public realm provide opportunities for fishing, picnic and seating areas.

Will there be street recycling bins or pods to encourage recycling?

Unclear form the design. Build in space for community recycling facilities.

Will there be any renewable micro-generation or combined heat and power facility on the development?

Unclear from the design. Climate stability

(mitigation of climate change impacts)

Will there be trees planted on key routes and local parks to provide shade, a cooler micro-environment and reduce the risk of flooding?

The greenspace and canal as well as the possible trees along will support mitigation of climate change impacts.


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Option 2: Waterside Residential




Suggestions for modification/ Other Comments/Questions

Public open and greenspace around the canal area and community centre will encourage people to use the outdoors more and hence promote physical activity

Balfour Street will be a widened tree lined boulevard creating a relaxing ambience that will encourage people to walk/cycle

Much less greenspace on the northern side of the development area.

Ensure cycle path created along Balfour Street, ideally an integrated pavement and cycleway.

Enhance and increase the amount of greenspace where possible.



The increased connectivity by foot/cycle to Bucknall New Road is likely to encourage active travel.

There are existing streets that allow short-cuts to and from Bucknall New Road. However, there is a greater risk of a potential rat-run because of the layout of streets in the central area.

Consider a home zone or reduced speed limit along Commercial Road and Balfour Road.

Healthy Lifestyle


New community centre to promote and encourage community activities and interactions

Community centre may be, or perceived to be less accessible for people living on the northern side of the development area because of the need to cross the canal.


Commercial hubs should provide a variety of uses (local grocery stores, office, light industrial, entertainment


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and leisure venues)

New commercial spaces pepper potted across the north side of the development providing good accessibility to residents in the northern end of the development and greater retail opportunities.

Smaller accessible commercial area to the south compared to Option 1.

Commercial spaces should promote retailers that provide good quality, fresh everyday groceries and products because city centre is not too far away and this can cater for more non essential needs.


What existing sports/leisure facilities are there and will they cope with any increase in population?

The increased public open space and accessibility to the canal is likely to increase outdoor physical and social activity.

No leisure facilities in the development area

Ensure that public open spaces and the local green spaces do not explicitly rule out playing ball games, using cycles, walking dogs, community events, etc. i.e. this should be managed informally rather than through a byelaw preventing and prosecuting leisure and recreational activities.

Social Cohesion


Is there a one or more accessible outdoor public spaces e.g. plazas, central open spaces?







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There is open public space on both sides of the canal that is relatively central. Alternative community centre A would locate the community centre to the south of the development near the canal and public open space.

Alternative community centre B places the centre on the western side on/near the Gladedale site.

Location of the community centre near public realm/square and public open space will encourage diversity in activities because of the option to use the outdoors.

Alternative community centre B is outside the boundaries of the development and thus might not encourage residents to actively use the centre.



Yes, commercial spaces pepper potted around the community is likely to encourage people to walk/cycle to the shops and amenities, employment found there.

Employment site near St Luke’s School could be a potential negative because of traffic, noise and depending on the business potential for emissions into the air.






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The widened and extended Balfour Road on the northern side and the Neighbourhood Spine Road on the southern side of the development area would provide increased connectivity to residents on that side without increasing severance.

The widening of Balfour Road and connection to Bucknall New Road may reduce traffic on Wellington Road, where St Luke’s School is located.

If Balfour Street and Eagle Street become a rat-run this may increase severance and traffic.

Because of the canal the northern end of the development may feel cut off from the community centre on the south side.




Lifetime Homes










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Likely to be so.










Accessibility

What provisions have been made for public transport e.g. new routes, bus stops/shelters, etc?

No public transport provision within the community. At present the public transport is on the edges of the development along Bucknall Road and Botteslow Street. Main Bus Station on Potteries Way.

Community centre could be a hub for community transport and dial-a-ride services.

A through route from Waterloo Street to Botteslow Street may make it more viable to have a bus service go through the north side of the development area. However, this may also increase. Though this is likely to increase motor vehicle traffic along Waterloo Road. This could be reduced by making it a reduced speed/home zone route and having dedicated/integrated footpaths and cycle paths.


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No apparent integration to public transport which is currently restricted to periphery of the community because there are no through roads running north-south and east-west across the development area. However, there are three or more bus services running along the roads skirting the edge of the development area.

See above.



On the southern side the Leek Road premises are reduced compared to Option 1.





Local low-input food production or




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sale

Is there an opportunity for a farmer’s market?

Unclear but there may be an opportunity to use the open and greenspace near the community centre as a focal point for a food market.

Is there natural surveillance and is there a good balance between through routes and closed off areas e.g. cul-de-sacs?


Ensure wide and footpaths across both sides of all roads within the development area.





Safety



The open and green spaces are small enough for there to be visibility from all sides – inside and outside.




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Yes


Yes

Equity

Will there be broadband, telephone and cable access?




There are likely to be more residents and more cars however because modern cars have reduced emissions the overall levels of traffic pollution are likely to be remain the same.



Unclear.



Not applicable.


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Balfour Street will be a tree lined boulevard.


Canal arms allows for boats to dock temporarily allowing free access and movement for other boats up and down the canal

Seems to be a reduction in greenspace.



Ensure greenspaces are multifunctional having children’s play equipment, seating, picnic spots and space for informal ball games.



See Water and sanitation and Climate stability below.




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Yes.


Yes. Provide larger greenspaces on the northern side of the development area.


Canal and public realm will provide opportunities for fishing, picnic and seating areas.







The greenspace and canal as well as the possible tree lined boulevards along Balfour Street will support mitigation of climate change impacts.


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Option 3: Canal Side








Wellington Road will be widened and tree lined and is likely to encourage people to walk/cycle.

No greenspace on the southern side of the development area.

Ensure cycle path created along Wellington Road, ideally an integrated pavement and cycleway.

Healthy Lifestyle



Community centre may be, or perceived to be less accessible for people living on the southern side of the development area because of the need to cross the canal.


Commercial hubs should provide a variety of uses (local grocery stores, office, light industrial, entertainment and leisure venues)


No commercial spaces to the south of the development area

Commercial areas should promote retailers that provide good quality, fresh everyday groceries and products because city centre is not too far away and this can cater for more non essential needs.

Encourage a mix of different


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commercial uses (shops, offices, light industrial, entertainment/leisure venues etc).



No leisure facilities in the development area.

Ensure that public open spaces and the local green spaces do not explicitly rule out playing ball games, using cycles, walking dogs, community events, etc. i.e. this should be managed informally rather than through a byelaw preventing and prosecuting leisure and recreational activities.







Social Cohesion




Strategic location of the community centre near public realm/square and public open space will encourage diversity in activities because of the option to use the outdoors.



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Yes, two commercial spaces on the northern side of the development area with one adjacent to the canal and one fairly central.





Wellington road will be widened with a new junction onto Bucknall New Road with a school drop-off and pick-up point area near the school and some enhanced greenspace within the school grounds.


May increase motor vehicle traffic along Wellington Road.

There is no connected open public space across the canal as in Options 1 and 2.


It would be good to have another canal crossing within the main development area on the eastern side adjacent to the Redrow future housing site and one nearer Wellington Road.


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Lifetime Homes










Likely to be so.



Two commercial spaces provided. Commercial spaces restricted to the northern side of the development



47
















Accessibility


No apparent integration to public transport which is currently restricted to periphery of the community because there are no through roads running north-south and east-west across the

See above


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development area. However, there are three or more bus services running along the roads skirting the edge of the development area.















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Is there natural surveillance and is there a good balance between through routes and closed off areas e.g. cul-de-sacs?







Safety







Yes


Yes

Equity




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There are likely to be more residents and more cars however because modern cars have reduced emissions the overall levels of traffic pollution are likely to remain the same.



Unclear.



Not applicable.








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Wellington Road will be a tree lined boulevard.



No canal basin or ‘arms’ therefore a more restricted use of the canal than in Options 1 and 2.







Yes.


Yes. Provide larger greenspaces on the northern side of the development area.



See Water and sanitation and Climate stability below.




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The greenspace and canal as well as the possible tree lined boulevard along Wellington Road will support mitigation of climate change impacts.


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Option 4: Central Boulevard








Wellington Road will be widened and tree lined and is likely to encourage people to walk/cycle.

Ensure cycle path created along Wellington Road, ideally an integrated pavement and cycleway.


Community centre may be, or perceived to be less accessible by many residents especially those on the southern side given it location at the far north of the development area.


Commercial hubs should provide a variety of uses (local grocery stores, office, light industrial, entertainment and leisure venues)

Healthy Lifestyle



Commercial areas should promote retailers that provide good quality, fresh everyday groceries and products because city centre is not too far away and this can cater for more non essential needs.

Encourage a mix of different


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commercial uses (shops, offices, light industrial, entertainment/leisure venues etc).



No leisure facilities in the development area.

Ensure that public open spaces and the local green spaces do not rule out explicitly rule out playing ball games, using cycles, walking dogs, community events, etc. i.e. this should be managed informally rather than through a byelaw preventing and prosecuting leisure and recreational activities.







Social Cohesion


Is there provision for a local community centre or indoor public space where residents and community groups can meet and carry out activities e.g. mother and toddler groups, youth work groups, community development




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activities?


Yes.





Wellington road will be widened with a new junction onto Bucknall New Road with a school drop-off and pick-up point area near the school and some enhanced greenspace within the school grounds.

There is a potential for the widened Wellington Road and the school drop-off and pick up point to further increase school traffic at the start and end of the school day in particular as well as during the rest

May increase motor vehicle traffic along Wellington Road.

There is less connected open public space across the canal as in Options 1 and 2.


It would be good to have another canal crossing within the main development area on the eastern side adjacent to the Redrow future housing site and one nearer Wellington Road.


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of the day.



Lifetime Homes










Likely to be so.





Accessibility Is there provision of distinct and developed cycle and footpaths?


Central crossing point along the


Ensure that the crossing point is


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canal suitable for use by both pedestrians and cyclists.







No apparent integration to public transport which is currently restricted to periphery of the community because there are no through roads running north-south and east-west across the development area. However, there are three or more bus services running along the roads skirting the edge of the

See above


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development area.














Safety Is there natural surveillance and is there a good balance between through routes and closed off areas e.g. cul-de-sacs?





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Yes


Yes

Equity






There are likely to be more residents and more cars however because modern cars have reduced emissions the overall levels of traffic pollution are likely to remain the



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same.


Unclear.


Not applicable.









See Water and



Wellington Road will be a tree lined boulevard.

Open, green, blue spaces


No canal basin or ‘arms’ therefore a more restricted use




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integrated with housing hence there is provision for natural surveillance

of the canal than in Options 1 and 2.





Yes.


Yes. Increase greenspaces in the development area.



sanitation and Climate stability below.






Will there be trees planted on The greenspace and canal as well


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key routes and local parks to provide shade, a cooler micro-environment and reduce the risk of flooding?

as the possible trees along will support mitigation of climate change impacts.


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Supplementary Consultation

Introduction

The aim of this paper is to present the views of public health stakeholders who were

consulted on the 4 Draft CWE Masterplan Options so that they could inform the

development of the Final Preferred Option.

Alexandra Nisbeck, Healthy City Support Officer in Stoke-on-Trent met with a

number of people of varied backgrounds between 3rd and 16th September 2009 to

ask their opinions on the 4 masterplan options.

The main objective of the consultations was to assess the four masterplan options

under seven key masterplan features namely:

• Community centre

• New Public Open Spaces

• Canal side

• School drop off/pick up

• Leek road frontage

• East-West access across neighbourhood

• North-south access across neighbourhood

Those who participated in the consultation were:

• Pete Hall – Partnership Fire Officer

• Michelle Adams – Sports and Leisure Services Manager

• Deb Johnston – Resident & Safer City Partnership Officer

• PC Paul Sadjak

• PCSO Lucy Stevenson

• Zafar Iqbal – Deputy Director Public Health

• Nigel Bennett –Head of Public Health Governance & Delivery

• Subha Rajanaidu – Public Health Trainee

• Lee Carroll – Community Worker


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Analysis of the CWE Masterplan Options under the se ven key features

1) COMMUNITY CENTRE

Option 4 was the most preferred. OPTION 4 Advantages

• It was felt that the community centre positioned at the top of the plan would benefit the refurbished and retained houses and flat. Although this largely excluded the new development area below Waterloo Street, the development of the tree lined boulevard would attract neighbours from the bottom end.

• It is less likely for noise to be an issue because the community centre will be away from the centre of the estate

• There is also the potential for a joint role for the school caretaker to also be the caretaker of the community centre and for the community centre to develop close ties with the school.

• Parents and children especially those who are have connections with the school could easily access the community centre for various activities including breast feeding clubs, toddler clubs.

• It was also thought that having a school, greenspace and a community centre would create a positive environment.

• A new community facility at the top of the plan on Bucknall New Road would look welcoming for residents and visitors into the city and be more widely used.

Disadvantages

• The community centre on Bucknall New Road would be likely to attract people from outside the area and not the direct community it would be intended for.

Other preferred options Option 1

• The community centre with adjoining green space and boulevard setting in Option 1 were liked. There was not a lot of concern about the lack of parking because “we want people to walk”.

• Community centre and green space in the heart of the new development area is a good

option as it will help to further foster community cohesion which is not an issue at the moment but could be when new residents move into new homes.

Option 2 Alternative B

• It would be easy for all locals to gain access to, including the residents of Leek road who have been hard to engage with in the past. If alternative B was taken forward it could be accessed by the tow path, from all directions and it would draw people to the canal area.

Option 3

• Community Centre this is in the centre of the whole of city Waterside so that every one in city Waterside can use it

2) NEW PUBLIC OPEN SPACES


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• If the community centre is at the top of the plan then the public open spaces as set out would better complement the settings. It would be good to have a ‘community street’ with the community centre, school and green space at the top, a boulevard full of shops and local services, all leading to a new green space For people passing on boats, they will be encouraged to get off and have a look around.

• Keeping the entire Meakin’s space is preferred because it is better if it extends to the road to reduce the risk of neighbours reporting anti-social behaviours if kids decided to play football. Also an important part of CWE heritage is that Sir Stanley Matthews was born and grew up in this area, by Meakin’s space and it is where he learnt to play football which should be kept as it is. The people of Meakin’s space are receptive when asked for their time, had a good residents association, no problems with anti social behaviour, no late night drinking etc.

• The green space by the school, the patch by the canal and the fact that this patch backs onto commercial property is a positive move that may encourage potential for rowing/canoeing groups to form to get maximum usage from the canal and noise issues would hopefully not be a problem.

Disadvantages

• There was concern about the green space near to the school as over the road there is an issue with anti-social behaviour and drug dealers. Accessible greenspace in that area would encourage this behaviour even more.

Other preferred options

• Option 1 reflects how greenspace currently is and it gets utilised a lot, whether its children playing football or community events


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3) CANAL SIDE Option 1 was the most preferred

OPTION 1 Advantages

• It would be an attractive area for people who are not from Stoke to get off and have a look around if they are passing through on a canal boat particularly if a park is developed nearby as in option 3.

• The layout was suggested as being very good for the area.

• This was the best for the canal side especially if a feature was made of the canal as it has the potential to attract people into the area.

Disadvantages


• Option 3: is the most accessible green space in terms of community, due to it being central and by the canal.


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4) SCHOOL DROP OFF/PICK UP


• The idea of sharing some sort of parking facility with a potential community centre, where mums can drop the kids off and then go to the centre to do a keep fit class. Being able to create off road parking will be a bonus

• A shared multifunctional space with the community centre will help to alleviate some of the current traffic problems that cause a blockage down Wellington Street as cars park.

Disadvantages

There were no other preferred options.


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5) LEEK ROAD FRONTAGE


• Leek Road is a busy thoroughfare; if the buildings stay as commercial it will hopefully be used as a barrier by residents from the traffic noise from Leek road. If new houses were built instead it could lead to a poor quality of life for those people living on Leek road. He felt Leek road, leading to Lime Kiln lights is a commercial corridor that will potentially provide jobs for the neighbourhood.

• Leek road is better kept as commercial and that it is best to have commercial area in one area for use by big businesses that would be unsuitable in the middle of a largely residential area.

• It’s a good position for businesses and refurbishment of the area will hopefully attract some new clients.

Disadvantages

There were no other preferred options.


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6) EAST-WEST ACCESS ACROSS THE NEIGHBOURHOOD

Option 4 was the most preferred

OPTION 4 Advantages

• It improves links to the other side and from the emergency services point of view it improves accessibility to the estate. There would have to be some calming measure for when it reaches the boulevard.

• The new road off Botteslow Street may ease the pressure as east west access area is used as a rat run if Bucknall New Road is busy.

Disadvantages


• Option 3 as it will stop the rat runs in the area at the moment


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7) NORTH-SOUTH ACCESS ACROSS THE NEIGHBOURHOOD


• Getting this in line with St. Anne Street is a very good idea • With the community centre at the top as mentioned earlier, if you start at the top of

Wellington road, there is the community centre and school at the top, running down the boulevard with widened pavements to the green space by the canal – it will provide an avenue of community facilities.

• This was the best for the canal side especially if a feature was made of the canal as it has the potential to attract people into the area.

Disadvantages

Other preferred options Option 4

• Wellington Road would encourage people to walk to the school.

• The idea of walking down a boulevard that comes out at the canal was seen in a positive light.


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Further questions • How adaptable is the site proposed in Option 4 for a community centre? • Is the towpath by the canal fully utilised in terms of the cycling network? • How used is the canal side utilised? • What other retail amenities would be provided in the area especially near the

canal? • How much of an increase in traffic there will be with all the new houses in the

neighbourhood?


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Supplementary Consultation Suggestions/Recommendati ons/Other Comments • Currently in this area there is very little anti social behaviour (ASB) but the Safer

City Partnership will be keeping an eye on the new development of houses that is already built as this potentially could be a gathering area for gangs of youths, as there are nooks and crannies for people to hide/gather in.

• There is a need for green space to stop children hanging around shops as shops

will attract teenagers to act anti socially not green space; they just need something to do. School – has own grounds, nice big space.

• The new things that can be developed in the area depend on the people likely to

come into the area. • All greenspace must be useable and preferable pooled together (with

multipurpose uses such as cricket and football pitches) as opposed to being pepper potted around the development.

• Well equipped sports pitches such as basketball courts, football fields on

greenspace will be useful to prevent children jumping over school fence during school holidays to play.

• Public realm by the canal as in Option 2 may attract a certain type of crowd and

be more accessible to Redrow estate and not the CWE residents. • The canal isn’t used much at the moment; barges do not go past frequently.

There is a local fishing club but the space isn’t utilised. • Using rear access to the school as a drop-off/pick up point may be a traffic

calming measure around the school. There are gates at the back of the school that can be accessed from Wellington Street.

• With regards to the traffic issues around the school, looking at areas of best

practice where there have been similar situations to see what their solutions are and questioned whether the school have been consulted with to gauge their opinion on the situation might be the best approach.

• There is no huge demand for retail in the area because of the proximity of Hanley

Town Centre. • The community has been given some community speed watch equipment that

can be used in the community by the community. • It might be best not to have houses on the boulevard and it being a traffic free

zone so people can walk up and down as they please. • With regards to the tree lined boulevards an alternative to trees would be

preferable because of the following reasons: o The up keep of the trees must be maintained over the years with branches

needing to be cut, leaves swept and drains unblocked if the leaves get in. o Trees also block light out of residents’ windows, in some recent cases

causing anti social behaviour. o Trees roots also cause pavements to become uneven and in extreme

cases start affecting outside walls on houses


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FINAL PREFERRED OPTION


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City Waterside East Final Preferred Masterplan Desi gn Option

Centre for Health Impact Assessment

Documents

Health-Proofing Masterplan Designs: A Guidecloud.snappages.com...These case studies link to the publication Health-proofing Masterplan Designs: A Guide See also the City Waterside