September A new neighbourhood at Kemsing Station. Concept Masterplan

Transcription

1 September 2018 A new neighbourhood at Kemsing Station Concept Masterplan 1

2 Kemsing Station Neighbourhood - Key Benefi ts Transport Hub Extra parking, station improvements and links across the district and beyond makes Kemsing station work better for everyone. Station Access A safe network of footpaths and cycle paths connect the site and station to neighbouring communities and their facilities: 5 min cycle, min walk. Community Space A village green with shop/ cafe provides a focal point. The surrounding natural environment supports the wellbeing of the residents. Sustainable Up to 300 much-needed and attractive new homes designed with community, sustainability and countryliving in mind. Affordable St Clere is promoting an Alms Houses model for the affordable portion of houses, ensuring local residents have the opportunity to stay in the local area for future generations. Responsible St Clere has invested in solar, biomass and ground source heating for over 20 years and the estate will install renewable energy systems wherever possible. Protect Views The contained site, topography and existing woodland allow the housing to be laid out in a manner which protects key views looking into and out of the site. Recreation New publicly accessible park land, allotments, woodland and recreation space will wrap around the neighbourhood. Drainage Attractive water features will be created to manage water drainage positively. 2

3 Contents Foreword A new neighbourhood at Kemsing Station 1. Constraints & Opportunities 2. Local Precedents 3. Concept Masterplan Document version:14. Copyright. This document s contents must not becopiedor or reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of Savills Plc or The Norfolk Estate. Plans are reproduced from the Ordnanc nce Survey digital map Crown copyright 2017 License e number All rights reserved. 3

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5 Foreword St Clere Estate owns all of the fields and woodland to the east of Kemsing village in the parish. The Estate has played a significant part in the development of the desirable parish of Kemsing for over a century, providing communal spaces and facilities for the benefit of the parish. Ensuring development in the parish is appropriate and responsible is vital for the long term future of the Estate as much as the parish. With the challenges of increasing housing numbers in the area, developing land around the public transport hub of Kemsing Station is a practical solution and positive use of land which is largely redundant, not overlooked and contained on all sides to prevent sprawl. Improving the links to the station for the surrounding communities and using St Clere land to improve the road networks around the site will also offer an opportunity to ease the pressures facing the public road networks. The proposed site is in the heart of the estate and, as such, it is in St Clere s longterm interest to ensure any development is attractive, sustainable and in keeping with the beautiful parish. The estate aim to be a responsible partner for local and district councils in the face of inevitable growth in demand for housing which will need to be built somewhere in Kemsing. As a forward thinking estate, St Clere sees this development as a continuation of its role in working with the parish to move forward through this century and beyond. 5

6 Possible house types A commitment to quality Recently completed terrace housing on the estate Village development New village infill scheme Open spaces at the heart of development Village Street 6 Weatherboarding on the estate Locally inspired village housing Avenue character

7 Design Principles 1. QUALITY DESIGN The emphasis will be on retention of as much as possible of the existing hedges, mature trees and woodlands. The design will focus on achieving spacious and efficient layouts and garden spaces where possible, whilst incorporating Building for Life principles. 4. RENEWABLE ENERGY The new neighbourhood will be designed to accommodate a range of renewable energy initiatives. This could include Biomass boilers, district heating and solar energy production. 2. LOCALLY DISTINCTIVE The new neighbourhood will have a strong coherent architectural theme which is derived from the local traditional building styles and estate character. Streets will be generous with attractively designed roads and high quality semimature trees planted from the outset. 5. WELL BEING New routes through the existing woodlands in the northern part of the site will provide recreational benefits for residents and local people. In addition, the open spaces, greenways and private gardens within the development provide amenity spaces for residents. It is envisaged that there will be a linked network of open spaces, play spaces and cycleways through the development. 3. WELL CONNECTED TO NATURE The development will feature a network of easily accessible green spaces linked by tree lined streets. 6. TRAVEL CHOICES As well as being directly connected to Kemsing railway station, there will be a well-connected network of footpaths and cycle routes linking with the surrounding area. 7

8 1. Constraints and Opportunities 8

9 Conservation Area Listed Building Public Right of Way Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Kemsing Station Ancient Woodland Woodland Priority Habitat Watercourse N Designations and Features

10 View 1 - Looking south west with Chaucer business park buildings View 2 - View looking towards woodland in the north View 3 - View looking west View 4 - View into the station View 5 - View looking south east View 6 - View looking south View 7 - Western woodland edge on PROW View 8 - Looking north east View 9 - Public right of way looking south View 10 - Looking south west View 11 - Public right of way through woodland View 12 - M26 bridge 10 Aerial photograph and photograph viewpoints

11 Honeypot Lane M26 Site Description Topographically, the site consists of level ground at approximately 88m Above Ordnance Datum (AOD) rising to 103m AOD in the north of the area adjacent to the M26. Walking across the site, it is clear that in general terms, the site forms a bowl which offers views out across the valley to the south Watery Lane Most of the boundaries are defined by woodland and mature tree belts so there is a significant degree of enclosure, particularly on the lower slopes. There is intervisibility between the Chaucer Business Park and the site; with some building roofs being visible. The railway line which runs along the southern side of the site creates a barrier to north/south movement but there is a public right of way which crosses the railway line in the south western corner via a level crossing. Access to the land north of the M26 is provided via a bridge over the motorway over which a public right of way runs. This connection allows access to Kemsing to the north west via the public right of way network. 4 Station Currently there are no connections into the Chaucer Business Park from the site. 11

12 Watery Lane Vista into the site Vista to oast houses Constraints Plan Honeypot Lane Vista to Seal Church 12 N

13 Motorway PROW Limited access to station Woodland/ Tree Vista Contour Slope Ridge Exposed building Tower Noise 15m buffer next to ancient woodland Constraints NOISE Noise from the M26 will make the northern part of the site unsuitable for residential development. RIDGELINE The ridgeline is a prominent feature which can be viewed from the other side of the valley in views looking north towards the site. This should be kept free from built development. VEGETATION The pattern of vegetation across the site is an important constraint which should be respected and accommodated within any future development layout. VIEWS Views into the site from Watery Lane will demand a particular response from any future development layout. For example, it may be important to set development back here to allow for a green edge/frontage to the new scheme. Views out across the valley to the oast houses in the south and the views to Seal Church are important constraints to the development layout. These views should be used to define the alignment of future streets to protect the vistas. Equally there will be views back into the site from these features which means that the development should sit comfortably in the wider landscape. EXISTING BUILT FEATURES The existing communications tower and the exposed roofs of the employment buildings will need to be screened in some way. It will also be important to ensure that the new housing does not front onto these features as they are unnattractive. TOPOGRAPHY The land slopes down to the railway line in the form of a large shallow bowl. The proposed scheme will need to respect the impact that the topography will have on the way the site drains and the visual impact of development upon the upper slopes. ANCIENT WOODLAND The ancient woodland of Cockney s Wood will need to be protected by ensuring that there is a 15m buffer of open space between the trees and any proposed development. STATION ACCESS It is not currently possible to access the station platforms from the site. PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY Existing public rights of way should ideally be left in situ to avoid the Diversion Order process. DRAINAGE As the name Watery Lane suggests, there is a history of flooding in the portion of the road that passes under the railway line. 13

14 Watery Lane Vista into the site Vista to oast houses Opportunities Plan Honeypot Lane Vista to Seal Church 14 Kemsing 15 min walk N

15 Motorway Local road PROW Station Woodland/Tree Vista Contour Slope Ridge Exposed building Parkland Potential Pedestrian access Tower New Planting Possible station car park Opportunities RIDGELINE The ridgeline is a significant constraint but it is also an opportunity to accommodate uses such as playing fields within the affected areas. VEGETATION The existing mature woodland in and around the site screen it from many external views. This vegetation is an important opportunity in that it provides instant mature capital to any proposed development and assists greatly in creating a sense of place for the new neighbourhood. New screening planting along the upper slopes will be a positive addition to the existing pattern of vegetation. VIEWS Just as the vegetation assists in providing a sense of place, the views will also allow the new neighbourhood to respond directly to the setting of the site by capturing the vistas along streets and from open spaces in the scheme. ANCIENT WOODLAND The ancient woodland of Cockney s Wood will create a soft and attractive backdrop to the scheme. STATION ACCESS The development proposal could include potential access options to allow access into the scheme from the north. New car parking could also be facilitated by the scheme. PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY The internal street network of any new layout should seamlessly connect with the existing public rights of way to allow for easy pedestrian links to nearby settlements such as Kemsing. DEVELOPMENT DENSITIES The densities should directly respond to the topography by having lower densties along the upper slopes. This will reduce the visual impact of the scheme by having buildings laid out in a looser arrangment with larger gardens between the buildings. Main access Pond EXISTING BUILT FEATURES The unnattractive features could be screened by the new development. DRAINAGE The development will be designed to improve the drainage situation within and around the site. Lower density housing Medium density housing Higher density housing TOPOGRAPHY The distinctive topography should assist in creating a distinctive new place where buildings can step down the slope to create an interesting townscape. The lower slopes will need to accomodate storm water run off through attenuation features. These can become distinctive and attractive water bodies in the layout. LOCAL ROADS AND MOTORWAY The site is well connected - local roads provide good opportunities for access and the M26 allows easy connections by road to nearby Sevenoaks and Maidstone. 15

16 15 min walk from site to Kemsing 15 min walk from site to Heaverham 10 min walk from site to Noahs Ark 16 Public Rights of Way Shortest footpath links to neighbouring villages N Wider Linkages

17 Library Convenience Store & Pharmacy The Bell Inn Chequers Inn Supermarkets Petrol Station Borough Green Convenience Store Sevenoaks Local services Primary school Secondary school Railway station N Local Facilities 17

18 Historic Mapping This map from 1840 shows the area prior to the arrival of the railway line. Honeypot Lane and Watery Lane can be seen and the site has a similar pattern of woodland and tree belts as can be seen today. This map from 1896 shows the new railway line and Kemsing station. This map from 1947 is at a smaller scale than the others but shows the site s historic relationship to the nearby settlements. The noticeable feature in this map from 1957 is the introduction of the pond just to the south east of the site which is now part of the Chaucer business park.

19 2. Local Precedents 19

20 Kemsing - Situated within close proximity to the site View 1 View 2 View 3 View 4 20

21 Key Features: Evolving vistas along the High Street Soft green gateway from the east on St. Clere Estate land The Common Field is a focal point that was gifted by the St. Clere Estate Interplay between the topography and buildings Boundary walls, picket fencing and hedgerows Mix of tile hanging, brick and white painted render

22 Seal - Situated within close proximity to the site View 1 View 2 View 3 View 4 22

23 Key Features: Evolving vistas along the High Street Triangular spaces dominate the village at key junctions Interplay between enclosure and open spaces Terraces help enclose space Boundary walls, picket fencing and hedgerows Mix of tile hanging, brick and white painted render

24 Goudhurst - Traditional hillside village View 1 View 2 View 3 View 4 24

25 Key Features: Church Road climbs and winds its way up the hill Village pond is the focal point of the lower village Church tower celebrates the hilltop position Buildings step down the hill Retaining walls create interest at ground level Buildings frame dramatic vistas to the surrounding countryside Mix of tile hanging, brick and white painted render

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27 3. Concept Masterplan 27

28 The existing tree belt which follows the alignment of the railway line will be enhanced with new native tree planting Drainage attenuation ponds will be designed an attactive manner Local materials would be used on the proposed buildings 28 Southern edge of the site next to railway line The new parkland surrounding the housing will be a key resource for all

29 A new neighbourhood St Clere Estate aspires to develop a new neighbourhood at Kemsing Station, reflecting a blend of high quality, rural homes in harmony with the natural and historic surroundings. Using the existing natural features of the site and setting as the framework for the emerging masterplan, the new neighbourhood will feature the following elements: high quality homes, arranged in a manner which respects existing features, such as allotments, tree belts, mature trees and immediate landscape. aligning streets to create vistas to the open countryside and woodland placing parks and open spaces in locations next to existing mature trees or enclosing spaces next to woodland. a neighbourhood that is clearly reflective of its locality major open spaces, front and rear gardens, green verges and pocket parks will be bought together to create tranquility and beauty. design of houses, gardens, open space and community facilities will encourage social interaction in the village and neighbourhood which is so important in combatting loneliness for some more vulnerable residents. Station Access The neighbourhood will have the advantage of having immediate access to the rail network connecting it to surrounding districts Sevenoaks and Maidstone and beyond to London, Ashford and Canterbury. Vehicular Access Road access from Watery Lane and an additional position will be reserved for a second emergency access also onto Watery Lane. There will be a series of internal loop roads provided as well. Site Details The site area is 24 ha. At this stage of the assessments, the net residential area is 10ha, which at an average of 30 dwellings per hectare, would generate a housing yield of 300 new homeland at 30 dwellings per hectare. The remainder of the site would include a community building (0.1ha) and parkland, recreational areas, allotments and publicly accessible woodland (13.9ha). Site Design The locally distinctive features of this part of Kent and the Eastern end of the nearby village of Kemsing would be reflected and woven into the fabric of the new neighbourhood, as follows : Locally distinctive street scene will depend on a thorough understanding of the local features, such as placement and grouping of buildings. Materials used for defining private and public boundaries, including parkland fencing and split chestnut post and rail. The public realm will reflect locally used soft and hard landscaping materials as well as species trees and climbing plants. Common building styles, roof and chimney design, wall coping details and window details. Walling materials such as coursed field flint corbelling; a distinctive feature of neighbouring villages. Suitable palette of street furniture and signage. Commonly used colour palette for painted timber elements, painted brickwork and render. A network of green linear routes, which follow the alignment of the tree belts, linear drainage ditches and hedgerows. Building heights and densities will respond to the above structure and be greatest at the heart of the scheme around central and southern parts of the site. 29

30 Kemsing Station Neighbourhood Concept Sketch Wildflower meadows and native woodland planting 15 minute walk & 5 minute cycle to Kemsing village Country park wraps around the development Allotments are accommodated on the outer side of the new screening planting Species rich woodland buffer along the M26 Net Resi Area - 10ha (300 units at 30dph) Parks & Public Open Space ha Playing fields Emergency access Woodland walk & trim trail Screening planting Small green is a focal space in the western part of the site Live/work units New juction Street is aligned to accommodate the alignment of the existing public footpath Village street winds its way down the hill A community cafe/shop where people can mix and interact Station parking for residents Station car park - hardstanding only with no additional buildings m Aug 2018 South facing village green is the focal point of the whole scheme Not to Scale Savills UD for St. Clere Estate

31 New Green - Aerial view Village street winds its way down the hill South facing village green is the focal point of the whole scheme Sustainable design will be a key part of the proposal and will include measures such as solar panels Layout allows for two potential links to the station and additional car parking Village green with play areafor the well being of all A community cafe/shop where people can mix and interact 31

32 Built form & public realm themes Photographs demonstrating key features of the development design Large detached family housing Outward facing frontage against existing hedge Outward facing frontage overlooking open countryside Housing overlooking a SuDS street Weatherboarding used on new scheme Terraced housing in a woodland setting Detached properties with gravel drive 32 Community building Village street designed to create a strong townscape sense of place Shared drive leading to pedestrian link around the edge of development Attractively designed rear parking courtyard

33 Parkland estate approach road Public art in the parkland Tiered ponds linked by a stream Housing nestling in close proximity to tree belts Rural style split chestnut fensing Formal parkland approach road Water and nature as a key theme New hillside housing Trim trails through the parkland Housing set around water features Board walk through woodland Metal parkland fencing along appraoch road 33

34 Every decision I take at St Clere is based on a 100 year time line, for which I am thankful every day. This Masterplan is the result of collaboration with many people who have the longest term interests of Kemsing parish at heart. Houses will need to be built; given the opportunity I plan to build a neighbourhood that will be a positive for the entire parish, containing homes that local people will want to live in and can afford to live in, and that will be beneficial to the parish and St Clere 100 years into the future. Eliza Ecclestone Managing Trustee 34

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