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CHAPTER 4: PLACE-SHAPING POLICIES

4.1 To provide more detail and supplement the Spatial Strategy, the Place-Shaping Policies assess how each of the settlements in the District are expected to contribute to the future of the District. Recognising that the role and function of each settlement can vary and that each has locally defined characteristics, 'place-shaping' policies have been developed for each level of the Settlement Hierarchy set out in Chapter 3.

4.2 Further background information on each settlement is included within the evidence base document 'A Spatial Portrait of Three Rivers'.

4.3 Rickmansworth is the Principal Town in the District with the largest town centre, a good range of services and facilities and public transport facilities. It is therefore appropriate that a proportion of future development should be located within the town. There is scope for continued infilling within the urban area, primarily on previously developed land, subject to the protection of existing residential and historic character and amenities. However the scope for development on the edge of the town is generally constrained by the open space and Green Belt on all sides and by flood risk areas and wildlife designations particularly to the east and to the south.

PSP1 Development in the Principal Town (Rickmansworth)

 Development in Rickmansworth will:

  1. Focus future development predominantly on sites within the urban area, on previously developed land
  2. Provide approximately 15% of the District's housing requirements over the Plan period to include approximately 45% of affordable housing as informed by the Strategic Housing Market Assessment (2010), Development Economics Study (2009) and Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment Update (2010)
  3. Maintain the overall amount of existing employment floorspace in the town, including the general supply of office accommodation in the town centre
  4. Maintain the retail core in the town centre and where appropriate enhance it through a modest increase in retail floorspace in accordance with the Retail Capacity Study
  5. Contribute to an integrated approach to improve transport and movement into, and around, the town and connectivity with all other key centres in the District and service centres in adjoining Districts.  The priority will be improving and enabling use of public transport to increase public transport patronage
  6. Maintain and enhance the vitality and viability of the town centre by promoting a range of town centre uses including housing, employment, shopping, leisure and community uses. This should help to improve access to housing, jobs and services
  7. Support the town centre as a focus for community interaction and the viability of existing facilities such as Watersmeet Theatre
  8. Conserve and where possible enhance the distinctive and historic character of the centre, particularly within the area defined by the Rickmansworth Town Centre Conservation Area through appropriate and well designed development. This will be guided by the Conservation Area Appraisal and future updates
  9. Conserve and enhance the unique natural landscape, biodiversity and habitat surrounding the town, including in the River Chess Valley to the east and the River Colne Valley to the south, including the Colne Valley Park
  10. Improve the provision of, and access to, services and facilities to meet future demands, specifically through:
    1. Improvements to rail services and rail links at Rickmansworth Station primarily through the Croxley Rail Link
    2. Provision of a strategic cycle route between Rickmansworth Town Centre and Chorleywood and  Maple Cross with links into the National Cycle Network and Colne Valley Trail
    3. Improvements to parking and cycle facilities at Rickmansworth Station
    4. Improved bus services between Rickmansworth Town Centre and surrounding centres
    5. Road safety improvements to Park Road (A412) and Chorleywood Road (A404) by the Royal Masonic School
    6. The extension of cemetery facilities at the site in Woodcock Hill to increase capacity
    7. Maintain and improve biodiversity, recreational access and watersports facilities at Rickmansworth Aquadrome in accordance with the management plan and master plan
    8. Expansion of existing schools and/or provision of new schools meet identified needs in the Rickmansworth area.

4.4 The Key Centres include a range of medium sized settlements distributed throughout the District. All are fairly 'self-contained' centres that primarily serve the local population. They provide a range of services and facilities, and access to public transport is generally good.  Therefore it is appropriate that a proportion of future development should be located within and immediately surrounding the Key Centres.

4.5 There is scope for continued infilling within the urban areas, primarily on previously developed land, subject to the protection of existing residential and historic character and amenities.  Whilst the scope for development on the edge of the Key Centres is constrained by Green Belt and other environmental designations, there are opportunities to promote sustainable development through limited development within the Green Belt, including on previously developed land, and consequently to also improve services and facilities within the Key Centres.

 

PSP2 Development in the Key Centres (South Oxhey, Croxley Green, Abbots Langley, Chorleywood, Leavesden and Garston and Mill End)

Development in Key Centres will:

  1. Focus future development predominantly on sites within the urban area, on previously developed land
  2. Provide approximately 60% of the District's housing requirements over the Plan period to include approximately 45% of affordable housing as informed by the Strategic Housing Market Assessment (2010), Development Economics Study (2009) and Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment Update (2010)
  3. Maintain and enhance employment opportunities in the Key Centres but reduce over supply of office provision at Leavesden Aerodrome through mixed-use development including housing
  4. Recognise that the former Leavesden Aerodrome site which includes the nationally important film studios is anticipated to be significant in meeting needs for housing and employment through mixed use redevelopment. Specific proposals for the site will be included in the Site Allocations Development Plan Document
  5. Maintain and enhance primary and secondary shopping frontages within Abbots Langley, Chorleywood and South Oxhey District Shopping Centres and the Local Shopping Centre at Croxley Green to meet needs from existing and new housing development and to enable Key Centres to be sufficient in meeting local daily needs
  6. Provide for a modest extension of retail floorspace within the Key Centres where opportunities arise in accordance with the Retail Capacity Study
  7. Contribute to an integrated approach to improve transport, including public transport, and movement into, and around, the Key Centres and connectivity with all other centres in the District, and service centres in adjoining authorities in Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and London and to increase public transport patronage
  8. Promote development, infrastructure and services that will help tackle deprivation affecting South Oxhey (Ashridge, Hayling and Northwick wards) particularly in relation to improving access to education, skills, training and employment and reducing crime. Some improvements identified include the 'Step Up' building on Oxhey Drive which will provide courses to help people get back into work and counselling to people with mental illness. In addition the 'South Oxhey Initiative' involves engagement with stakeholders, the public and other technical work to produce a Masterplan to set out how future development in South Oxhey can respond to identified challenges. Detailed proposals will be included in the Site Allocations Development Plan Document.
  9. Promote development, infrastructure and services that will help tackle issues of deprivation affecting Penn Ward particularly in relation to children and young people. In particular, the Local Strategic Partnership is promoting projects to stimulate greater participation in local learning by adults and families, and are funding a project to target training in literacy, numeracy and IT in areas including Maple Cross and Mill End.
  10. Provide improved access to healthcare services in Mill End
  11. Promote regeneration in parts of South Oxhey to improve housing stock quality and reduce inequalities through the provision of targeted services in more efficient ways. This could include mixed use development consisting of new housing, offices, shopping and community uses. The 'South Oxhey Initiative' involves engagement with stakeholders, the public and other technical work to produce a Masterplan to set out how future development in South Oxhey can respond to identified challenges. Detailed proposals will be included in the Site Allocations Development Plan Document.
  12. Conserve and enhance the local distinctiveness of the Key Centres, particularly the historic cores of Abbots Langley, Croxley Green and Chorleywood
  13. Improve provision of, and access to, services and facilities, to meet future demands, specifically through:
    1. Highway improvements to A41 and surroundings in relation to Leavesden Aerodrome
    2. Improvements to bus services to and from Leavesden area including to the shuttle service from Leavesden Aerodrome to Watford Junction Station
    3. Improvements to bus services providing access from key centres to Watford Junction and Watford General Hospital/ Watford Health Campus
    4. Traffic management improvements to A4125 (Hampermill Lane)
    5. Provide a strategic cycle link between Croxley Station and the Ebury Way cycle route via the Byewaters estate
    6. Improvement of parking and cycling facilities at Croxley and Chorleywood stations
    7. Road safety improvements to A404 by St Clement Danes School
    8. Improve the range of youth facilities in all Key Centres
    9. Improve facilities and accessibility at Leavesden Country Park
    10. Maintain biodiversity and access improvements to Chorleywood House Estate as part of agreed management plan
    11. Improve access at Croxley Hall Wood
    12. Develop a play area in Chorleywood to address current deficiency in provision
    13. Improve facilities at Oxhey Woods Local Nature Reserve including the provision of an education centre on site
    14. Improve quality of and access to children's play space in South Oxhey
    15. Improve outdoor leisure facilities for residents of Abbots Langley
    16. ­Provide additional neighbourhood policing and facilities in the Abbots Langley area
    17. Expansion of existing schools and/or provision of new schools meet identified needs in the Key Centres.

4.6 Secondary Centres include a range of smaller sized settlements distributed throughout the District. They provide a more limited range of services and facilities than the Key Centres but are still important in meeting local needs. They are generally well located with regard to access to adjoining centres and public transport facilities. Therefore, it is appropriate that a proportion of future development should be located within and immediately surrounding the Secondary Centres.

4.7 There is scope for continued infilling within the urban areas, primarily on previously developed land, subject to the protection of existing residential and historic character and amenities.  Whilst the scope for development on the edge of the Secondary Centres is constrained by Green Belt and other environmental designations, there are opportunities to promote sustainable development through limited development within the Green Belt including on previously developed land.

PSP3 Development in Secondary Centres (Kings Langley, Carpenders Park, Eastbury, Maple Cross, Moor Park, Oxhey Hall)

 Development in Secondary Centres will:

  1. Focus future development predominantly on sites within the urban area, on previously developed land
  2. Provide approximately 24% of the District's housing requirements over the Plan period to include approximately 45% of affordable housing as informed by the Strategic Housing Market Assessment (2010), Development Economics Study (2009) and Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment Update (2010)
  3. Maintain and enhance employment opportunities in Secondary Centres but redistribute some employment floorspace through mixed use development in Kings Langley employment area and an extension of floorspace at Maple Cross/ Maple Lodge
  4. Maintain and enhance the provision of local shops within the Secondary Centres to meet future local daily needs
  5. Contribute to an integrated approach to improve transport and movement into, and around, the secondary centres and connections with all other centres in the District and service centres in adjoining Districts and to increase public transport patronage
  6. Promote development, infrastructure and services in order to meet local community and business needs, and to maintain the vitality of communities. This should help tackle deprivation affecting Maple Cross and Carpenders Park particularly in relation to access to housing and services and reducing crime
  7. Preserve and enhance the local distinctiveness and the historic cores of Eastbury and Moor Park
  8. Recognise Kings Langley as a cross boundary village shared with Dacorum Borough Council which therefore requires a co-ordinated approach between the two authorities in planning for the future of the village
  9. Improve provision of access to services and facilities, to meet future demands, specifically through:
    1. Traffic management improvements to the C76 between Kings Langley Station and Barnacres Lane (in Dacorum Borough) and to the A412 (Denham Way) in Maple Cross
    2. Traffic management improvements on Toms Lane
    3. Improvement of bus services from Maple Cross to Rickmansworth
    4. Improvement of bus services from Kings Langley Employment Area to Key Centres in District
    5. Improvement of parking and cycling facilities at Kings Langley, Moor Park and Carpenders Park stations
    6. Expansion of existing schools and/or provision of new schools meet identified needs in the Secondary Centres.

4.8 Bedmond and Sarratt are small village settlements within the Green Belt to the north and west of the District, surrounded by open countryside. They provide a limited range of services and facilities to serve the villages and other smaller surrounding populations. Access to public transport is also limited. The villages provide an important role in supporting the local economies of agriculture, forestry and other small businesses.

4.9 There is some scope for development within the villages, although this will be limited in view of the nature and scale of these settlements and surroundings. Development will need to be small-scale and help sustain the rural communities through the provision of affordable housing, rural employment opportunities and improved services and facilities.

PSP4 Development in Villages (Bedmond, Sarratt)

 Development in Villages will:

  1. Be strictly controlled in order to protect the character, landscape, heritage and wildlife of the wider countryside, and the openness of the Green Belt
  2. Be well designed and inclusive, in keeping and in scale with its location and sensitive to the character of the countryside and local distinctiveness
  3. Allow some limited small-scale development in or on the edge of the villages in order to meet local community and business needs, to maintain the vitality of these communities. This should help tackle deprivation in these villages, particularly in relation to access to housing, employment and services
  4. Improve the viability, accessibility and community value of existing services and facilities, for example village shops and post offices, rural petrol stations, village and church halls, rural public houses and bus services that play an important role in sustaining village communities
  5. Support public transport services to Rickmansworth and other centres within and adjacent to Three Rivers, enabling the increased use of more sustainable modes of transport
  6. Allocate and release sites solely for affordable housing using a Rural Exception Site Policy approach to accommodate households which contain current residents or have an existing family or employment connection in perpetuity. These will be identified through a subsequent Site Allocations document
  7. Provide approximately 1% of the District's housing requirements over the Plan period to include affordable housing to meet local needs and as informed by the Strategic Housing Market Assessment (2010), Development Economics Study (2009) and Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment Update (2010)
  8. Improve provision of and access to, services and facilities to meet future demands, specifically through:
    1. Traffic management improvements to the C77 (Bedmond Road)
    2. Extending provision at Bedmond Sports and Social Club site, Toms Lane, to include facilities for young people
    3. Extending and improving facilities at Frogmore Meadow Site of Special Scientific Interest, Sarratt 
    4. Creating a play area in Sarratt to meet identified need
    5. Expansion of existing schools and/or provision of new schools meet identified needs in the Villages.

 



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