< Previous | Next >

3 VISION and OBJECTIVES

3.1.1 The Vision Statement and objectives encapsulate how we believe people want to see the area develop. The vision and objectives are the touchstone for all future development. Applicants should reflect the objectives within their proposals in order to contribute to the realisation of the WNP vision.

3.2 Vision Statement

In 2034 developments in the WNP area have provided a more attractive and a better place to live, work and visit. It has protected and enhanced the character of the area as part of the wider historic (market) and royal town of Windsor. The primarily suburban area has conserved local heritage, while developing a modern character fit for the future. This sustainable green and leafy urban environment has benefitted from the delivery of new green and blue infrastructure, including improved pedestrian and cycle links to the Thames, Great Park and local green spaces. These in turn have supported the businesses and attractions that are important to the local economy and met the needs of residents.

The WNP intends that by 2034

  1. The historic nature of the town and its key views have been preserved and enhanced by the conservation of heritage and through attractive new development that is sympathetic to the town’s distinctive and historic character.
  2. There is a green and leafy feel to the town, with a linked network of green and open spaces, and with new developments throughout the NP area contributing green boundaries and attractive front garden landscaping to “bring nature in”.
  3. The Parks and Gardens and Green Belt surrounding the urban area are protected but accessible.
  4. The outer suburbs have been enhanced through attractive new developments which have been thoughtfully designed to sustain and develop locally important character areas such as the Hatch Lane / Parsonage Lane / Mill Lane (Clewer) corridor and the Laing Estate.
  5. The WNP area Windsor is a cohesive, diverse and family friendly community where everyone has good access to shopping, community and leisure facilities, including a new health centre in West Windsor, a range of local pubs and restaurants.
  6. There are attractive and flexible new homes in a mix of sizes and types which provide a good level of amenity space and adequate and well-designed parking.
  7. Residents and visitors can move around easily and safely using both local public transport and a convenient and well linked network of improved footpaths and cycleways, and have easy access to the town centre and suburbs from the south and west using well linked safe and convenient underpasses and footways.
  8. There is a vibrant and diverse economy and sustainable facilities for business. The area maintains a sizeable and stable business and commercial sector housed in high quality premises and providing a range of jobs for local residents. Controls are in place to prevent the casual loss of some businesses including public houses.
  9. Leisure opportunities have been enhanced through a new riverside footbridge across the Thames allowing easier access to the Thames path and the north side of the river.

3.3 Key Objectives

3.3.1 Below are a series of key objectives grouped under the themes that emerged from comments received during our community consultation. The WNP is structured under these themes. Each objective includes accompanying aims that should be considered as integral to achieving the stated objective. The policies, projects and monitoring indicators are directly informed by the objectives.

Natural Environment (including Open Space)

OBJECTIVE 1: Protect the environment and enhance the green and blue infrastructure network and the safe access to it
Aims
  1. Keep Windsor green and enhance and expand the green infrastructure.
  2. Maintain and improve biodiversity, the green feel of the town and the green network.
  3. Encourage the re-greening of areas of the town where street trees and front garden landscaping have been lost.
  4. Protect and increase the quantity and quality of green space and the safe access to it.
  5. Improve flood resilience, drinking water sustainability and water supply and sewerage infrastructure.

Appearance (including Character, Heritage, Design and Views)

OBJECTIVE 2: Conserve local character and encourage high quality design
Aims
  1. Strengthen protection for heritage buildings and features.
  2. Improve the overall appearance of the town with development “in keeping” with the character and street scene.
  3. Enable new development of high quality of design, which enhances its surroundings.
  4. To preserve and enhance areas of special local character.
  5. Preserve key views.

Getting Around

OBJECTIVE 3: Encourage sustainable modes of transportation
Aims
  1. Reduce the impact of traffic.
  2. Improve opportunities for walking and cycling within the area.
  3. Improve and protect parking for residents and businesses.

Housing and Community

OBJECTIVE 4: Support the delivery of new housing and community facilities
Aims
  1. Find space for new homes on brownfield sites.
  2. Ensure that each new or enlarged dwelling is provided with adequate internal and external amenities.
  3. Protect and enhance community and health facilities.

Working and Shopping

OBJECTIVE 5: Grow the local economy and enhance commercial areas for the benefit of business, workers, shoppers and tourists
Aims
  1. Protect public houses from inappropriate development.
  2. Support improvement of appearance, shop fronts and public realm in local retail areas.
  3. Support healthy balance of retail uses including independent retailers.
  4. Support businesses uses and facilities.
  5. Support small and independent business.

Place Policies

OBJECTIVE 6: 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
Aims
  1. Enhance the public realm, street scene and sense of place.
  2. Improve movements (including traffic flows) within the local area and encourage sustainable modes of transport.
  3. Maintain and enhance green and blue infrastructure.
  4. Support mixed uses to maintain vitality and viability in commercial/retail areas.

Community Infrastructure Levies

OBJECTIVE 7: Direct the use of Community Infrastructure Levies and Section 106 Agreement funds in line with community priorities
Aims
  1. To steer the use of available funding towards community priorities.

3.3.2 Planning applications are decided on the basis of the statutory planning policies. When the WNP is made, it will form part of the Development Plan along with the Borough Local Plan. In instances where policy is silent, the decision maker should take into account the WNP’s vision and objectives as a material consideration in their decision taking.


< Previous | ^ Top | Next >