quakers_walk_planning_brief.pdf Quakers Walk ... - Wiltshire Council

QUAKERS WALK, DEVIZES
Site Opportunities
4.27 The Quakers Walk site has several natural advantages
as a development location. It is in close proximity and
well connected to the town centre. Importantly, there are
good pedestrian and public transport links, with scope
for further enhancement.
4.28 In allocating the site for development, the Inspector at
the Local Plan Public Inquiry observed that ‘Quakers
Walk is definitely the best site (outside the town centre
itself) as far as minimising the number, and length, of
additional car journeys is concerned’.
4.29 Water, electricity and gas supplies are readily available
to the site. Foul and surface water sewers are also
readily available.
4.30 In addition to the above opportunities, development of
the site will deliver a number of important community
benefits. This Planning Brief will play an important role
in ensuring the delivery of these benefits, through
appropriate design, siting and layout of development on
the Quakers Walk site.
4.31 Key community benefits will include:
• Upgrading of the Quakers Walk footpath for pedestrians
and cyclists, pushchair users and the mobility impaired.
• Improved pedestrian linkages between Quakers Walk
and residential development to the north and east,
including Roundway Park and Parkfields.
• New casual and formal play areas, including a meeting
place for teenagers.
• The opportunity for an improved access to the Devizes
Sports Club, allowing the existing dangerous access off
London Road to be closed.
• An increased catchment for public transport services
along London Road, and a more efficient route that
avoids the need for buses to travel up and down
Roundway Park.
• The creation of new habitats for local wildlife, in place of
the current agricultural land, which has limited ecological
value.
• A significant contribution to affordable housing
requirements in Devizes, particularly of the type required
for families and young couples.
• Financial contributions towards secondary education,
sustainable transport, community infrastructure and off
site formal sports pitches.
• New pedestrian crossing of London Road, near to the
proposed Quakers Walk site access.
4.32 The constraints to development and opportunities
summarised above are addressed in the design
framework outlined in Section 5.0 of this Planning Brief.
• Provision of a new primary school with facilities for use
by the local community, including a floodlit multi use
games area.
Ref: 04744
May 2005
Issue Number 1