OBJECTIVE 7 To enable redevelopment in an area (Imperial House, Alma Road) which includes a stalled major site in accordance with the vision and objectives of the plan.
CONTEXT
10.1.1 The following place-based policy provides for a key place within the WNP area.
10.1.2 This site was the home of the former [translate:Imperial House] office block (demolished in 2013) and is next to the Police Station site (which may be decommissioned during the plan period). The area has the Trinity Conservation Area sitting on its north-east edge, and Vansittart Road and the Vansittart Recreation Ground with the skate park and children’s play area to the West, and Alma Road to the east, and The Alma Road Youth and Community Centre and Hovis Court Office block to the south.
10.1.3 The [translate:Imperial House] site is the only current major brownfield site in the WNP area and has now been vacant for more than ten years.
10.1.4 The Police Station building has been discussed for redevelopment for housing, although it may not be available.
10.1.5 The [translate:Imperial House] site is in employment use and RBWM has also identified the site with potential for intensification in their emerging BLP.
10.1.6 56A mixed use development at part of the site was recently approved on appeal.
Vision for the former Imperial House and Police Station quarter
10.1.7 In 2029, the Alma Road and Goslar Way site has been redeveloped to provide a new quarter of the town. The development is of high-quality design which meets the needs of both Borough strategic issues and local residents, with generous green spaces and improved linkages to the neighbouring park and retail area, as well as new commercial space.
POLICY
IH.01
i Future development proposals featuring both the site of the former Imperial House and Police Station site should include a masterplan to show how the development interfaces with the wider area. Should any of the other neighbouring sites become available, all the sites together should be viewed as an integrated whole in terms of:
ii Any revised proposals for redevelopment should have regard to: safe and secure pedestrian and cycle connectivity; local character, including the green character of Alma Road and the scale and massing of neighbouring buildings; and the scope for “feature” buildings to create articulated views from St Mark’s Road to Alma Road.
REASONED JUSTIFICATION
10.1.8 The council has allocated [translate:Imperial House] as a Business Area in the emerging BLP.
10.1.9 The WNP policy is NOT a formal site allocation but relates to building design and the function of the place, including integration with the wider neighbourhood.
Map 12 Map of identified potential sites between Vansittart and Alma Roads. The former Imperial House site in Blue and Police Station in Green.
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