FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
Module LC421. Module tutor: David Booth. Assignment 1 Submitted by. Darren Nankervis
FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
Contents
‘‘
1.6.1
Land Designations
10.
1.6.2
Land Use Map
Chapter 1 : Context
11.
1.7
Landscape Character Areas
Page no.
12.
1.8
Transport
1.
Contents
2.
1.1
National Context
‘‘
1.2
Neighbourhood Context
3.
1.3
Industrial History
‘‘
1.3.1
Forest
‘‘
1.3.2
Iron Works
‘‘
1.3.3
Mining
‘‘
1.3.4
Quarrying
‘‘
1.3.5
Retail & Manufacturing
‘‘
1.3.6
Agriculture
4.
1.4
Settlement History
‘‘
1.4.1
Cinderford
‘‘
1.4.2
Coleford
‘‘
1.4.3
5.
Chapter 2 : Survey
Chapter 4 : Precedents Page no. 20.
4.1
Building Design & Technology
Chapter 5 : Proposals Page no.
Page no. 13.
2.1.1
Area Images - Cinderford
14.
2.2.1
Area Images - Coleford
15.
2.3.1
Area Images - Lydney
Chapter 3 : Analysis
21.
5.1
District Proposals
“
5.2
Physical
“
5.3
Biosphere
“
5.4
Natural Resources
“
5.5
Community Heritage
District S.W.O.T Analysis Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
22.
5.6
Transport
23.
5.7
Settlements
Lydney
Page no. 3.1 16. 3.1.1 “ 3.1.2 “ 3.1.3 “ 3.1.3 “
1.5
Natural History
17.
3.2
District Constraints
Page no.
‘‘
1.5.1
Geology
“
3.2.1
Physical
‘‘
1.5.2
Soils
24.
6.1
Masterplan Overview
“
3.2.2
Biosphere
6.
1.5.3
Landform
“
3.2.3
Natural Resources
25.
6.2
Masterplan Overview Detail
‘‘
1.5.3.a Landform of Cinderford
18.
3.2.4
Community Heritage
25.
6.3
Masterplan Summary Cinderford
‘‘
1.5.3.b Landform of Coleford
“
3.2.5
Transportation
‘‘
1.5.3.c Landform of Lydney
“
3.2.6
Settlements
‘‘
1.5.4
‘‘
1.5.4.a Watercourses of Cinderford
19.
3.3
District Opportunities
‘‘
1.5.4.b Watercourses of Coleford
“
3.3.1
Physical
Page no.
“
1.5.4.c Watercourses of Lydney
“
3.3.2
Biosphere
1.5.5
3.3.3
Natural Resources
27.
7.
“
‘‘
1.5.5.a Rainfall
“
3.3.4
Community Heritage
‘‘
1.5.5.b Temperature
“
3.3.5
Transportation
8.
1.5.6
Flora & Fauna
“
3.3.6
Settlements
9.
1.6
Land Use
Watercourses
Climate
Chapter 6 : Masterplan
Appendix
Tree Station - Bio-Energy
Bibliography Page no. 28.
Bibliography
FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
CONTEXT
FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
1: CONTEXT
Chapter 1 : Context 1.1
National Context
The Forest of Dean district lies just within the South West region of England and on the West border of the county of Gloucestershire (Fig. 1.). The district lies between the river Wye to the West and the Severn to the East. There are no large towns in the area, however larger urban centres, including Gloucester, Ross on Wye and Bristol, are within daily commuting distance. The land covers an area of approximately 526 km2, of which 110 km2 is forested. The Forest of Dean District contains the first National Forest Park, created in 1938, it is currently the second largest forest in England. The underlying geology gives rise to areas of carboniferous limestone with associated coal measures, which occur widely within the central district plateau. The surrounding landform plays a large part in the relative isolation of the area, the width and tidal nature of the Severn and the precipitous meandering Wye Valley forming a barrier to simple engineering works. The ground topography generally forms a series of ridges running roughly North to South that are most pronounced toward the East, enclosing a central undulating plateau within the statutory forest area. Settlements have tended to develop between around the plateau edge or on ridge sides. 1.2
Neighbourhood Context
The settlements forming a ring around the central plateau of the forest are Cinderford, Coleford and Lydney. Further out lie the larger villages of Lydbrook, Drybrook and Mitcheldean to the North, Newnham and Blakeney to the East and Bream to the South. Parkend is the only settlement of note within the central plateau area (Appendix 1. Forest of Dean District Local Plan).
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Not to scale
Adapted from map of Gloucestershire(www.wikipedia.org) and Forest of Dean & Cotwsolds AONB (www.cotswolds.info)
Gloucestershire County
District Boundaries
Forest of Dean District
Cotswolds AONB
Fig. 1. Forest of Dean within Gloucestershire county (Inset shows location of Gloucestershire within the British isles)
The Forest of Dean contains a wide variety of habitats ranging from estuary and salt marsh to pastures, species rich grasslands, lowland heath and semi ancient woodland. Man-made habitats such as industrial spoil and old orchards also occur.
The population of the Forest of Dean district is approximately 81,000 (circa 2005) with around half of this number residing within the larger settlements. According to the Forest of Dean District Council, population growth was around 5% over the last decade. However Census 2001 figures show that people aged 20 to 35 are migrating away to find opportunities, also that net out commuting beyond the district to the neighbouring centres of Gloucester and Bristol is around 12,000 (about 1 in 5 of the working population), with low use of public transport.(1)
1. Office of National Statistics : Census 2001 profile : Forest of Dean<http://www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/profiles/23ud.asp> [Accessed Nov 2008]
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Not to scale
Adapted from The Forest of Dean Landscape Assessment study area map. November 2002 (Courtesy of Landscape Design Associates) and Surveyor Areas & Parishes map (fdean.gov.uk , April 2007)
Forest of Dean District
District Boundaries
Statutory Forest Boundary
Study Area
Fig. 2. Forest of Dean Parish,District and County boundaries
Page.2
FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
1: CONTEXT
1.3
Industrial History
The Forest of Dean has a distinct industrial history due to its timber and mineral resources. The forest lies on a plateau of carboniferous limestone, with fields of coal and iron ore. Many traditional industries became uneconomic in the 20th Century and the forest has struggled at times to find other forms of employment. 1.3.1
Forest
Once the forest covered all the land between the Severn, Wye and Leadon rivers. Its extent has fluctuated since the 13th Century, but has been more stable since the mid 20th Century, after land came into Forestry Commission ownership, and also becoming the first Forest National Park in England in 1932. From the onset of the Middle Ages, considerable pressure on the forest existed from agricultural expansion and wood used for charcoal in the iron industry. At one point only the central hills were forested and this was largely due to the ‘Royal Forest of Dean’ status, even so it became necessary to ban charcoal burning at various times up until the 19th Century. Political intervention in the 1950’s caused forest to be replaced by conifer plantation, however the increase was rapid and not acceptable to the inhabitants, and today a balance of 55% conifer woodland is the general aim. Apart from charcoal use the woodland had traditionally been used by ship builders, tanners and craftsmen. The largest remaining saw mill in the forest now owned by Forest Products Ltd on the site of the former Lightmoor colliery has expanded to produce many traditional fencing, gates, furniture and ironmongery products, with two distribution centres at Huntley, North of Cinderford, and Cowbridge in Glamorgan. 1.3.2
Iron Works
Ore has been mined in the Forest of Dean since Roman times. Much iron was sent to Gloucester from 1066 and throughout the Middle Ages. The need for charcoal put much pressure on the forest until the late 18th Century when coke began to be used.
Furnaces at Parkend and Cinderford were unable to compete with industry in Wales and Staffordshire, and for a short time alternative uses were found for the waste by-product of slag in road mending and glass production. Iron works had almost ceased by the early 20th Century. 1.3.3
Mining
Mining has been carried out in the forest since antiquity, but only documented since the 13th Century. It wasn’t until the 17th Century that deeper mines were opened and that coal exceeded the importance of iron ore. The end of this Century saw a proliferation of pits as miners acquired rights to dig their own coal. The deepest mines are those of Colefords ‘High Delf’ at a depth of 400 to 600ft. Below this the millstone grit that underlies the whole forest contains a bed of iron, red oxide and yellow ochre that due to the underlying deformation of geological layers rise closer to the surface at the forest margins. The margins were depleted by the 17th Century and mining became necessary to reach these deposits. The coal fields supplied the whole county at this time, but never gained a competitive edge over other coal producing areas due to the high cost of carriage. Coal production reached its height in 1936 and thereafter declined as deeper pits became increasingly flooded. Iron ore, that was formerly quarried and mined in the Forest from the Crease Limestone band within the Carboniferous Limestone that outcrops between Drybrook and Upper Soudley, and between Hearkening Rock and Lydney Park, had plummeted in production by 1901. 1.3.4
Stone Firms Ltd. The principal quarry remains at Bixhead in the central forest and supplies stone for restoration, statuary and dressing. 1.3.5
Retail and Manufacturing
Relative prosperity in the later part of the 19th Century saw retail shops open in many settlements. Cinderford was the centre for retail trade and the co-operative movement. A general decline was successfully avoided from the end of the second world war by attracting new and expanding industries, particularly to Cinderford. Manufacturing and engineering continued to prosper in the Forest of Dean until the recession of the 1980’s. Some larger companies such as Rank Xerox continued to have a presence after this period. However, increasing outsourcing to stay economically competitive has seen a relocation away from the forest of larger companies such as Rank Xerox from the 1990’s until the present day. Retail has also seen a general decline due to a shrinking local work force, with the result that smaller settlements such as Lydbrook recorded as having only one general store in 1991. 1.3.6
Agriculture
The microclimate of the vale on the East of the Forest of Dean is particularly suited to orchards. The growing conditions are also more fertile on the Severn Vale margins than in the central Forest of Dean area. Because of this is a large number of orchards were planted in this area compared to the surrounding district..
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Not to scale
Taken from British History Online website
Fig. 3. Forest of Dean historic railway map
Quarrying
For many centuries limestone and sandstone have been worked for grinding, building, paving and for lime production. Workings have tended to be small and scattered but reached a peak in the later part of the 19th Century, encouraged by the development of tram roads. Stone was transported through Lydney harbour to Birkenhead, Cardiff and Newport Docks. A decline in the quarrying industry has left a lower level of production since the 2nd world war. Many of the quarries today are owned by Forest of Dean
Page.3
FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
1: CONTEXT
1.4
Settlement History
Since antiquity settlements in the Forest of Dean have grown up around industry resulting from the underlying geology. Settlement appears to have first existed along the edge of the river Severn with Roman remains at Lydney. Medieval occupation appears to have been concentrated more toward the South and West of the forest. Only with the increase in industry from the 17th Century and the advent of rail do settlements appear to have become more established across the forest, with the exception of the statutory forest area. 1.4.1
Cinderford
Toward the Eastern edge of the central Forest of Dean plateau Cinderford came into existence around the concentration of rail routes that developed to transport coal, ore and stone in the 19th Century from Bilson Green and Lightmoor. This growth enveloped the few existing isolated dwellings that existed beforehand. Due to rapid growth, the pattern of terraced dwellings is like that of a typical terraced mining town, and did not have time to develop a historic centre. These industries made Cinderford the principal forest town and relatively prosperous into the 20th Century, before a general decline set in following the 2nd world war. 1.4.2
Coleford
Coleford grew on the Western side of the statutory forest in the parish known as Newland in the 13th Century. It developed into a market town through the middle ages due to relatively good transport links, as with the other settlements around the statutory forest. Its economy also grew through the exploitation of coal and ore deposits. However, since the decline of traditional industries, Coleford has become better placed than other towns in the forest, in part due to its historic core having had time to develop culturally and aesthetically. In this sense it has become the new principal town of the forest, suitable as a base for tourism. It is the location of the Forestry Commission, and its manufacturing base
includes Glaxo Smith Kline. Recently the relocation of the Forest of Dean District Council indicated the town’s growing importance. 1.4.3
Lydney
Lydney, situated between the river Severn and Forest of Dean has existed in some form since Roman times, indicated by the Roman ruins within Lydney Park gardens. The area was occupied by a manor and estate lands in the middle ages. 1.4.3.a
Lydney Harbour
Lydney has always had some importance as a harbour site. From Roman times through to the beginning of the 20th Century the site has been used to export iron. It was the location of ship building using trees from the Forest of Dean in 1588 during the opposition to the Spanish armada. The docks reached their present form with a canal running 1 mile inland circa 1810, when 300,000 tons of coal were exported annually. The harbour declined in tandem with the mining industry and was finally closed in 1977. In 1985 the harbour downstream of the swing bridge was scheduled an ancient monument. The docks have recently been restores to create a marina.
Image 1. Cinderford
Image 2. Cinderford today
Image 3. Coleford
Image 4. Coleford today
Image 5. Lydney
Image 6. Lydney today
The economic condition of Lydney had always been linked to its harbour and iron smelting furnaces, with the decline of these from the 1950’s the town has suffered. However, it’s location on the A48 and railway link have of late began to have a benefit in attracting new development in business and residential expansion. As a result there has not been a general decline in retail as at Cinderford, and though it does not match Coleford it appears poised to expand substantially.
Images from today are own, historic photos are taken from (http://www.forest-of-dean.net/gallery) Forest of Dean Family history photo index)
Page.4
FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
1: CONTEXT
1.5
Natural History
1.5.1
1.5.2
Geology
The central forest contains a plateau of carboniferous limestone with a series of coal-measures. Beneath this layer is a larger area of old red sandstone that extends beyond the plateau and continues North beyond the Forest of Dean district toward the Malverns (Fig. 4.). Towards the river Severn, a few km West of Newnham, mercia mudstones start to predominate, forming a North South boundary that runs through the area of the Forest of Dean district that also is designated as being in the Severn Vale.
Soils
The soil types of the Forest of Dean district are varied, ranging from acid soils over rock to coastal flat sediments (Fig. 5.). The central plateau area is classified as non agricultural approximately where shallow soils occur over rock. Grade 3 soils and above are almost absent in the central area but they increasingly occur South of Lydney and in the North of the district around Newent (Fig. 6.).
Study are South of line
Lime-rich, loamy and clayey soils with impeded drainage Slowly permeable, seasonally wet, slightly acid but base-rich loamy and clayey soils Freely draining slightly acid but base-rich soils
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Slightly acid, loamy and clayey soils with impeded drainage Freely draining, slightly acid loamy soils Freely draining acid loamy soils over rock Loamy and clayey floodplain soils with naturally high groundwater Loamy and clayey soils of coastal flats with naturally high groundwater
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Not to Scale
Adapted from illustration showing the geology of the Forest of Dean taken from The Mines of the Forest of Dean by Tony Aldham
Adapted from http://www.landis.org.uk/soilscapes/
Adapted from http://www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/docs/swchapter/section11
Fig. 4. Forest of Dean Mines
Fig. 5. Soil Types
Fig. 6. Agricultural Soil Grades
Page.5
FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
1: CONTEXT
1.5
Natural History
1.5.3
Landform
The Forest of Deanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s appearance from the East is that of a steep-sided, deeply dissected plateau. In the central forest the form is that of an undulating, asymmetrical, synclinal basin. Toward the North lie the highest hills of the forest. To the East the land merges into a rolling vale that becomes flat toward the course of the river Severn (Fig. 7.). 1.5.3.a Landform of Cinderford Cinderford is the most elevated town in the forest, with a long North to South running ridge flanking its East side. Much of the town is on a Westward sloping gradient which starts to level out as it reaches the East side of the central plateau. 1.5.3.b Landform of Coleford Coleford is on slightly elevated land but ringed by higher hills forming a bowl like depression. 1.5.3.c Landform of Lydney Lydney lies beyond the South end of the North to South running ridge that borders Cinderford, where the hills begin to level out and merge in to the Severn Vale.
1.5.4
Water Courses
The central Forest of Dean is bounded on the West by the river Wye and on the East by the river Severn. A larger number of tributaries run toward the Severn than toward the Wye, with the later tributaries being shorter in length. The origins of these watercourses appear generally below higher ground and around the central plateau (Fig. 7.). 1.5.4.a Watercourses of Cinderford Cinderford is bordered on the West by Cinderford and Old Engine Brook which originates to the North and runs along the East side of the central plateau forming a boundary between the town and central wooded area.
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Cinderford
1.5.4.b Watercourses of Coleford Coleford appears to have few surface running streams possibly due to sink holes and caves draining water to a lower level. 1.5.4.c Watercourses of Lydney Lydney has the largest number of watercourses in its vicinity and has an environment that merges in to the wider Severn Vale, with many field drainage ditches towards the South of the town
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Coleford
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Not to Scale
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Lydney Adapted from Digimap OS, Contour Data and GIS
Fig. 7. Forest of Dean Topography and Watercourses
Page.6
FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
1: CONTEXT
1.5
Natural History
1.5.5
Climate
The climate is increasingly mediated by maritime winds coming up through the river Severn as one leaves the East slopes of the Forest of Dean. Because of their elevation the hills of the forest are exposed to cold North Easterly winds at times.
1.5.5.a Rainfall
1.5.5.b Temperature
Annual rainfall is high in the area to the South of Coleford. The level gradually drops toward Cinderford although still above average at higher elevations. It is once leaving the East and North side of the central Forest of Dean area that rainfall drops to a low level. It seems that prevailing weather patterns from the South West are releasing precipitation on encountering the first hills and losing their moisture by the time they reach the North Forest of Dean and Severn Vale areas. (Fig. 8.).
There is a clear correlation between land elevation and below average annual temperatures. The higher and more landlocked areas are generally colder and more exposed. A more maritime climate can be seen along the border of the river Severn with above-average annual temperatures. A temperature difference of several degrees can occur between the elevated areas at Coleford and Cinderford bordering the central plateau of the forest and Lydney bordering the river Severn (Fig. 9.).
Adapted from http://www. defra.gov.uk/erdp/docs/ swchapter/section11
Adapted from http://www. defra.gov.uk/erdp/docs/ swchapter/section11
Fig. 8. Annual rainfall
Fig. 9. Annual temperature
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Not to Scale
Not to Scale
Page.7
FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
1: CONTEXT
1.5
Natural History
1.5.6
Flora & Fauna
The Forest of Dean wooded area is largely owned by the Forestry Commission and almost completely covers the central plateau. There are also a significantly number of wooded areas outside the central area not owned by the Forestry Commission. The forest was designated the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first National Forest Park in 1938 and is the largest oak forest in England.
Cinderford
The forest area contains deer, and wild boar have been reintroduced . Otters and kingfishers are now resident along the Wye valley area. Kestrels and goshawks can often be seen around the area of Speech House West of Cinderford. An R.S.P.B. nature reserve at Parkend has seen many bird species including pied flycatchers, wood warblers, redstarts, woodpeckers etc.
Coleford
Lydney
National inventory of grassland National inventory of woodland Forestry Commission land
Image taken from geograph.org.uk
Image 7. Grasslands near St Briavels
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Scale 1:75,000
Adapted from magicmap.gov.uk and Digimap OS
Fig. 10. Annual temperature
Page.8
FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
1: CONTEXT
1.6
Land Use
1.6.1
Land Designations
There are several landscape designations in the study area including Woodland Grant Schemes and various types of Countryside Stewardship. There are several National Nature Reserves but these are all bordering the Wye Valley and unlikely to be a consideration in any development planning in the ring of development around the central plateau. It can clearly be seen from the map (Fig. 11.) that there are no designations within the central Royal Forest of Dean area. There is a large woodland grant scheme near Lydney. The majority of designations are the older countryside stewardship and entry level stewardship. There is only a small proportion of higher level and organic stewardship, a classification that would need to be increased if following stricter sustainability guidelines.
Cinderford Coleford
Lydney English Woodland Grant Scheme Entry level plus higher level stewardship Organic entry level stewardship Countryside stewardship agreement Woodland Grant Scheme
Adapted from magicmap.gov.uk and Digimap OS
Entry level stewardship
Image 8. Uncultivated field margin as would be encouraged under Countryside stewardship scheme.
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Scale 1:75,000
National Nature Reserves
Adapted from magicmap.gov.uk and Digimap OS
Fig. 11. Land Designations
Page.9
FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
1: CONTEXT
1.6
Land Use
1.6.2
Land Use Map
Land use in the Forest of Dean shows an increase in arable farmland since the 1930’s (Fig. 13.). A large amount of orchard land existed East of Cinderford, today marked as horticultural it is unclear if these orchards have increased or decreased since that
time, though the later is likely based on national figures for orchards. Woodland cover shows a similar extent and any new woodlands in the 1930’s would now have reached maturity. Areas shown as built up have increased around all the three larger settlements in the current day land use (Fig. 12.). There appears to be a replacement of heath and marsh with woodland. This matches national decline in these landscape habitats.
Cinderford
Cinderford
Coleford Coleford
Lydney
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Scale 1:75,000
Lydney
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Scale 1:75,000
Adapted from LDA landscape Character Assessment Forest of Dean
Adapted from Digimap Historic map
Fig. 12. Land Use Today
Fig. 13. Land Use 1930’s
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FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
1: CONTEXT
1.7
Landscape Character
1.7.1
Landscape Character Areas
The landscape character of the Forest of Dean district is varied, with an industrial heritage including old mines, ports and coastal towns on the Severn Estuary. There are several archeological remains, such as the ruins of Tintern Abbey in the Wye Gorge, as well as Iron Age hill forts, medieval moats and castles and deserted villages. Woodland is abundant in the river valleys and Wye gorge. Oak, ash, lime, whitebeam and beech are the main tree species, with alder occurring on wetter soils. Pasture land occurs toward the Welsh border. In areas of limestone, small remnants of species rich grassland can still be found. Green winged orchid and dropwort can be seen, as can sheep’s fescue, common bent grass and wild thyme. Other habitats include acidic grassland, heath and bog. Rivers and streams divide the plateaux and ridges, with the larger rivers like the Wye forming wide floodplains. These habitats provide valuable opportunities for otters and important species of invertebrates. Some former mine workings within the forest are nationally important winter roosts for horseshoe bats. Coleford falls with area 2c Limestone Hills. Cinderford falls within area 5c Wooded syncline and settled forest margin. Lydney falls within several areas ‘9a' undulating farmland and ‘7b' drained riverine grassland and grazed salt marsh.
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Not to scale
Adapted from LDA landscape Character Assessment Forest of Dean
Fig. 14. Landscape character areas
Page.11
FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
1: CONTEXT
1.8
Transport
1.8.1
Transport Routes
Transport routes surround the Forest of Dean, but none provide easy access in and out of the central forest area. The A40, forming the Northern boundary of the study area, runs through the district from East to West, creating a dividing line between the settlements of the central forest and that of Newent to the North. Some areas of the district such as Tidenham parish, forming the Southern boundary, are relatively remote from the central forest and have more links with outside areas such as Chepstow (Fig. 15.). The A48 forms the main access route from North to South along the East edge of the district. In June 2008, the 44 km stretch of the A48 between Chepstow and Gloucester was named as the most dangerous road in the South West of England in a report published by the Road Safety Foundation. The river Severn is navigable as far upstream as Stourport on Severn, though the main ports have historically been Gloucester, Sharpness and Bristol/ Avonmouth. The Wye is also navigable, but only to small craft, and has no significant ports. There is only one significant rail route, which runs between Chepstow and Gloucester alongside the A48. Cinderford is at the convergence of several national cycle network routes.
M50
Image taken from geograph.org.uk
Image 9.. Rail crossing at Alney Island
A40
A48
Image taken from geograph.org.uk
M5
Image 10.. Gloucester to Chepstow line near Lydney
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Scale 1:250,000
Adapted from The Forest of Dean Landscape Assessment study area map. November 2002 (Courtesy of Landscape Design Associates) and Surveyor Areas & Parishes map (fdean.gov.uk , April 2007)
Not to scale
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Main Road Routes
District Boundaries
Motorway
Railway
Fig. 15. Transport Routes
Imageadapted from Digimap data and SUSTRANS online map
Fig. 16. National Cycle Network
Page.12
FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
SURVEY
FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
2: SURVEY
2.1
Area images
2.1.1
1
Cinderford
Aerial Views 1. Lower Cinderford along Cinderford Brook 1a. Ruardean walk and Steam Mills area 2. Cinderford town centre war memorial area Images Image 11. High street West of war memorial Image 12. East high street approaching war memorial Image 13. Local butchers shop on high street. Image 14. Empty shops on Market street. Image 15. Buildings with civic appearance (Lloyds TSB). Image 16. Views down South West slope, ugly building on right. Image 17. Local community newspaper offices. Image 18. Carpark view between Edge Hills road and High Street
2 Image 11.
Image 12.
N Image taken from google mapping
Fig. 16. Cinderford Aerial view from the East
Image 13.
Image 14.
1a Image 15.
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Image 16.
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Scale 1:5,000
Sourced from Digimap data 1;10,000 map
Fig.. 18. Cinderford town centre map of image locations
Image taken from google mapping
Image 17.
Image 18.
Fig.. 17. Steam Mills Aerial view from the South
Page.13
FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
2: SURVEY
2.2
Area images
2 2.2.1
Coleford
Aerial Views 1. East area of Coleford. 2. Edge Hills to the North East of Coleford Images Image 19. Without vernacular, buildings on B4028 junction. Image 20. Railway Museum. Image 21. Derelict land between Railway Drive and Bank St. Image 22. Ugly modern library on Bank Street Image 23. Focal point and meeting place at the cross. Image 24. Looking into St Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s St, attractive area. Image 25. Hotel on Market Place. Image 26. Modern and old vernacular near Bowens Hill.
Image 19.
Image 20.
1
N Image taken from google mapping
Image 21.
Image 22.
Fig. 19. Coleford Aerial view from the South
1
Image 23.
Image 24.
2
N
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Scale 1:5,000
Sourced from Digimap data, 1:10,000 map
Fig 21. Coleford town centre image locations map
Image taken from google mapping
Image 25.
Image 26.
Fig 20. Edge End looking South towards Coleford
Page.14
FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
2: SURVEY
2.3
Area images
2.3.1
Lydney
Aerial Views 1. Land South and East of Lydney Images Image 27. Sluice gate above basin. Image 28. Lower basin. Image 29. Stone artwork along riverside walk. Image 30. Boat on bank of river Severn. Image 31. Lydney Yacht Club Image 32. View toward Sharpness across the river Severn.
1
Image 27.
N Image taken from google mapping
Fig. 22. Lydney and Lydney Harbour Aerial view from the South
1 N
Scale 1:5,000
Image taken from Digimap data 1:10,000 map
Fig 24. Lydney Aerial view from the North
Image 28.
Image 29.
N Image taken from google mapping
Image 30.
Image 31.
Image 32.
Fig 23. Lydney Aerial view from the North
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FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
ANALYSIS
FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
3: ANALYSIS
Chapter 3 : Analysis 3.1
District S.W.O.T Analysis
§ The Forest of Dean is an area inhabited by fiercely independent people who feel a strong sense of ownership. However, they lack some of the opportunity in career and life interests that other areas have in more abundance. The landscape itself is a unique environment, at least within England if not Britain, with its extensively wooded landscape and myriad mine workings (Image 33.). Comparisons have been drawn with the Celtic fringe in places such as Cornwall, which also has a mining history. 3.1.1
Strengths
Natural diversity : § Habitats include ancient woodland, remnant heath and grasslands. § A landscape of ridges and hills around a central plateau, numerous streams and sink holes (often filled) and caves. § Contrast between an almost upland landscape and that of a maritime one along the border of the river Severn. Culture § A unique combination of forest and mining history. § Slightly akin to the Welsh border, with the feel of being in another kingdom from the surrounding shire counties. § A thriving arts and craft community. Resources § Locally plentiful raw materials such as timber and stone. § Many opportunities for outdoor recreation. § Potential for education in land and recreation based industries. Transport and Industry § Provides North route to wales. § Local resources can reduce transport miles for raw materials. 2.1.2
Weaknesses
General § Seen as geographically distant from other areas of Gloucestershire. § Inhabitants seen to be reclusive rather than inclusive. § Lack of economic investment, outflow of human resources. § Lack of higher education facilities is a barrier to opportunity.
§ The only existing gateway to the forest at Lydney is not well situated since it is half way down the A48 and cut off by the river Severn. § Transport routes lack legibility, winding roads through the forest may be enjoyed at leisure but not in commuting. § There is a lack of inspiration in what the forest could be as a whole entity, and a compartmentalisation between various bodies which can lead to a lack of action. § There is a financial dependence on other towns such as Gloucester by providing income from employment or through goods and services. § The river Severn forms an obstacle to transport as does the Wye valley to the West. These have dictated the location of trunk roads. § Trunk roads in the district do not provide adequate access to the central forest, the A48 and A40 are on the periphery. Internal roads are too indirect to provide good capacity.
§
§
§
§ §
3.1.3
Opportunities
General § Enhanced forest wildlife, education, recreation, transition, industry. § Encourage ownership of forest, community involvement. § Encourage funding through various planning bodies to fulfil management aims and objectives, bringing in more funds to the area and facilitating less commercial community based projects. § Community and sustainable rural development projects for a forest environment should be fostered, to enhance the positive characteristics that give the Forest of Dean its identity. § The archaeological and industrial features of the plateau have potential to be expanded and invite commerce. § The forest has a large capacity to provide land based education such as recreation, equestrian, tourism and forestry practice. § New woodland planting, the right balance between woodland and open land is essential to the landscape character of the area. § A greater level of community involvement should be sought wherever possible. 3.1.4
§
Associated effects include heavy quarry traffic, long views of quarries and buildings, intrusive screening bunds and possible changes to aquifers and surface watercourses. Lack of site interpretation causes inappropriate usage. Motorcycles driven on narrow woodland paths cause a nuisance or even danger to pedestrians and damage unsurfaced areas. Inappropriate developments could remain unused within the forest as there is not likely to be a large enough incentive unless there is an overall improvement in the quality of the wider environment. A lack of thinking outside the box in living and working will see a continued outward drain. The Forest’s potential for providing exemplary environmental design could remain dormant. There is a need to avoid damage from developments in terms of the forest ecological, material and social resources. Retention of existing conservation, access and educational facilities is vital. Relocating resources is not always a good choice. Carrying out landscape works within the forest must be handled carefully or this has a negative impact on community views of the forest. A programme of education and sympathetic work practice may be required, placing a constraint on the management and management resources.
Threats
General § Possibility of some sites suffering from increasing congestion, environmental damage through pressures for new facilities. § Former mining features, karst features and archaeological sites are being degraded or lost. § Excessive numbers of visitors are detrimental to the wildlife through disturbance of the habitat at certain sites and can pose a fire risk. § Quarrying is a working industry, with potential to expand further.
Taken from http://www.geograph.co.uk (Lightmoor Colliery Engine House near Cinderford)
Image 33. Mining heritage
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FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
3: ANALYSIS
3.2
District Constraints
There are many constraints in the Forest of Dean at the district scale, that also apply at the local scale. This is particularly so at Cinderford where measures to improve the environment have not been as effective as other areas. Coleford and Lydney being less constrained have been more invested in terms of transport and services. 3.2.1
Physical
Geography and Geology § The central Forest of Dean District is physically cut off from surrounding areas by the Wye Valley and river Severn, which form a barrier to settlements and transport routes. § Around the central forest margins land form tends to become pronounced in its sudden change in level. This limits land use opportunities in these areas and forms a secondary barrier within the river courses. § Ridges tend to run North South which creates exposure to cold wind on East facing slopes. Watercourses Severn § The river Severn is a barrier to access from East Gloucestershire, with crossings far apart as the Severn crossing near Chepstow in the South, and the Over crossing at Gloucester to the North. § The Severn Vale contains a large floodplain that is subject to flooding, affecting parts of the East Forest of Dean that lie within the plain. Tidal water makes any development a major project, as the river bed is often re-sculpted. Silting up is a problem at all the smaller inlets along the river Severn. Wye § The river Wye forms a deep valley that blocks access from the West, with only four crossing points between Chepstow and Monmouth Forest of Dean Tributaries § Numerous watercourses have created steep sided, narrow valleys where crossing points are restricted. Settlements tend to be forced to valley sides above flood levels. 3.2.2 Biosphere § There are many protected habitats such as grasslands around St Briavels, and Semi Ancient Natural Woodland around Beechurst. § The existence of rare bird species and amphibians in the central forest area demand that habitat surveys are carried out.
3.2.3
Natural Resources
Finance § Financial resources sometimes need to be raised by local community groups or local businesses. § The needs of local industry should be respected, resources for future generations should remain available where sites allow for this. § There is a need for a compromise between commercial productivity and issues sympathetic to community needs and aspirations Forest Landscape § The management of the forest as a multiple benefit resource places certain restrictions on development that could be beneficial to a community but not to the environment. § The particular character of the forest landscape should not be lost. Mining features, extent of habitat types will often be guiding restraints in development. Commerce, Industry § The area’s mineral wealth has historically created a dependence on mining of coal and ore and extraction of various stone and ochre. Inaccessibility and economics of scale have meant that this economic base has shrunk to a few local producers. § The large scale prevalence of forestry land means that there has been little diversification over the larger area of other kinds of industry. § Attempts to bring in commercial enterprises from outside have in the long term failed because the economic environment often forces a relocation to more profitable areas. § Hindering business enterprises are a poor transport infrastructure, low level of local skills in technical areas and a lack of prestigious sites with facilities that encourage interaction and growth. § There have been no large scale responses to solving the steep decline in the economy of the area, which has resulted in a district with higher than average unemployment and a lower than average wage. § A lack of higher education and technical training means that there is no inflow of skills that lead to a more diverse economic base. Rather there is currently an outflow to towns further away that provide the facilities needed. Agriculture § Many sites within the forest are poor grade 3 or 4 soils that are not base rich. Over the central plateau they form a shallow layer over the base rock, which makes cultivation difficult. § The whole forest area is moderately wetter and also more prone to cold Easterly winds at higher elevations, which makes agriculture less productive than the nearby Severn Vale. § Level land that also has good soil is a very small percentage of the forest area and occurs more often toward the river Severn.
Image taken from http://www.Flikr.comld
Image 34. Bigsweir Bridge over River Wye
Image taken from http://www.geograph.org.uk
Image 35. Bridge at Over near Gloucester
Image taken from http://www.wikipedia.org
Image 36. Old Severn Crossing
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FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
3: ANALYSIS
3.2.4 Community Heritage § The community would not tolerate development which necessitated large-scale and homogenous change to the forest over a short period of time. § From the community’s perspective, the most appropriate form of development is one of slow change with little disturbance to the forest and its users. This places extra pressure on finding solutions that are widely beneficial. § The Forest of Dean community would like to encourage some forms of recreational use, but not those that are seen as inviting large scale change or being inappropriate within the forest setting. § Local byelaws that are in place, and local authority guidelines for the area should be respected. There is a wide awareness of forester rights that enables access to the surrounding landscape. This would be ignored at the developers peril. 3.2.5
Transportation
Infrastructure as a whole has degraded since the 1960’s compared to other areas of the country. Although there have been highway improvements on the A40 and A48 locally, they do not serve the forest directly. The rail bridge to Sharpness and Stroud was not repaired after being hit by a boat in the 1960’s and today only the footings remain (Fig. 16.). Overall, the lack of transport alternatives causes an over reliance on car as the main form of transport, and holds back the Forest in terms of sustainability.
Rail § The principal railway line now runs from Gloucester to Chepstow through Lydney, which mirrors the route of the A48. The rail route gives no particular incentive for local use but instead is often used as a throughway between South Sales and the Midlands areas. It does not serve the other large settlements in the forest because of its location. § Many of the forest’s original railways have become disused and often entirely removed. Links between the larger settlements of Coleford and Cinderford were cut with the ‘Beeching Axe’, British Railways’ attempt to rationalise railways in the 1960’s. § Lydney station is unmanned and has no ticket office. Disabled access has to be confirmed 24 hours in advance. There is no storage for cycles, and there is dedicated car parking only at Norchard, which is oddly placed for accessibility. Trains generally run hourly with no short time interval alternative. § The Forest of Dean Railway that runs up to Parkend has a limited timetable that must be checked in advance. Because of this it is most often used by tourists who have planned days out.
Road § Only short stretches of the A40 and A48 are dual carriageway and these areas lie outside the central forest anyway. § Almost all routes within the forest are unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles. This includes the towns as well as the wider district. § Traffic into the forest tends to be concentrated onto the A4136 and A4151, and both of these roads have winding sections unsuitable for such heavy traffic. The A4151 also runs through the centre of Cinderford causing local congestion. § Only the main bus routes have a timetable that runs regularly throughout the working day, but few start early before 8.30 (except for school buses) or end late after 18.00. Many other bus routes do not have regular times and appear not to be aimed at providing a service to people travelling to work. § There is poor integration of different services such as park and ride, cycling and rail or bus services. These should link up seamlessly, but often occur in unrelated areas such as the car park at Norchard and Rail station at Lydney. § Services between the various areas of the forest are circuitous because of the concentration of routes linking at Coleford. Boating § The river Severn has a highly variable mean water level that restricts boat use to times of high tide. § The river Wye is more navigable to smaller vessels but the surrounding topography offers an immediate barrier.
Extracted from (http://www. natiimageail.co.uk /stations/lyd/localarea.html) illustrating the lack of local travel information..This page is supposed to illustrate bus routes
Fig. 24. Poor quality transport information
Cycling § There is a lack easily traversable areas for cycling provision. Roads are generally not safe for cycling because of lack of capacity. Pedestrian § Although the forest offers many walking opportunities, adequate pavements and routes are not universally provided in the towns. The busy through road at Cinderford hinders pedestrian movement. 2.2.6 Settlements § Many of the towns do not contain quality retail areas. There are no prestigious stores. Particularly badly affected is Cinderford, which has lost trade to Coleford, Lydney and Gloucester. § The forest, watercourses and topography often create a physical barrier to development which tends take a linear form and occur on valley sides rather than the valley floor.. § Winding routes provide unsatisfactory links between settlements.
Taken from http://www.forest-of-dean.net/ (Forest of Dean Family History pages)
Image 37. The rail bridge crossing to Sharpness and Stroud
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FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
3: ANALYSIS
District Opportunities
3.3.
The Southwest Region of England has been given an EU designation (2) and is able to apply for grant aid. This grant funding covers many areas, but those that could apply particularly to the Forest of Dean are:
§ § § § §
Neighbourhood Action Plan for urban and economic regeneration. Community Action Plan encourage local participation in planning. Higher education investment. Transport infrastructure. Local economic initiatives that allow specialisation.
Apart from the areas in need of renewal there is also the possibility of one-off developments that could be built such as the ‘Eden Project’ and ‘Tolvaddon Energy Park’ in Cornwall. The first example promotes education and conservation, the second is a good example of sustainable development in an economic context. 3.3.1
Physical
Geography and Geology § The Forest of Dean has a great wealth of landscapes. Apart from its densely wooded plateau dotted with industrial archaeology, there are deep valleys with running streams, heathlands, meadowlands and a patchwork pattern of small fields. Some areas such as Symonds Yat are well known, but there are many other parts of the Forest that could be promoted as walking country. § There are already many activities to take part in such as canoeing on the river Wye, ‘Go Ape’ assault course, cycling and exploring areas such as ‘Puzzle Wood’. Local tourism is well placed to expand in the current economic climate when fewer people will be going abroad. Watercourses § The enhancement of aquatic environments to bring in wildlife and form a network to other areas such as Slimbridge across the River Severn. § Micro turbines could be used to create electricity on many of the tributaries within the forest. 3.3.2
Biosphere
§ As the coniferous plantation plan initiated in the 1950’s has reached maturity, there is opportunity to create a more natural fringe with mixed deciduous woodland. In the central forest, former mining sites should be restored to heathlands rather than return to woodland, to provide a patchwork of habitats through the forest.
3.3.3
Natural Resources
Forest Landscape, Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture § Some marginal sites of previous mine workings and poor grade agricultural land could provide areas for settlements to expand into. § The forest landscape itself should be emphasised aesthetically. With industrial estates for example there is scope for incorporating these sites into screened areas to give a sense of continuation of the forest. § The numerous mine workings and industrial remains are a historic resource that will gain in value over time. Alternative uses could be found for some derelict buildings to keep areas alive, whilst others should be promoted as part of the forest heritage. 3.3.4 Community Heritage § Planning that takes into account foresters’ rights would foster local distinctiveness and ensure the inclusion of inhabitants in developments. This could include bodies such as the Forestry Commission looking at innovative ways in which the forest could provide further forms of employment involving timber production or the use of sustainable biofuels. § The use of local materials such as larch lap and stone in building developments would enhance the local economy. 3.3.5
Transportation
with the Dean Valley Railway would attract tourists. However this would have to be well integrated.
Cycling, Pedestrian § Sustrans charity should be worked with to further develop cycle networks that are already using some disused railway lines in the forest and to foster use from within homezones. 3.3.6 Settlements § The arrangement of settlements around the forest core form a ring. It is through this area that the optimal transport route would exist. Bus services only partially complete this route and could be updated. § A light railway could be developed to link Cinderford and Coleford and through Parkway to Lydney. § There are areas in the forest still suitable for development. A slight redistribution of forest area whilst keeping the central core untouched is all that is needed. Level land exists near Cinderford, South East of Upper Lydbrook and North East of Coleford. § Buildings should create a new local vernacular, with modern technologies blended with local forest products such as larch timber cladding and stone materials. § Settlements should invite the forest in and avoid the regimented boundary lines that exist in some town areas. Boundaries to the forest should have more of a buffer zone than exists. Further developing areas along the lines of Cinderford Linear park would achieve this.
Increasing the diversity of transport should be aimed for, in order to reduce reliance on road transport.
Rail § The station at Lydney needs to be upgraded to match its position as gateway to the Forest of Dean. Park and Ride should be available immediately adjacent to the station, and facilities for cyclists also provided. § The existing footings of the Sharpness bridge could be used to rebuild a River Severn crossing. This would in effect make the Forest of Dean much closer to Stroud, Swindon and the East generally. § Reanalysing the topography of the Forest of Dean shows potential for a circular light railway following relatively level terrain around the central forest. A definite link to the existing Gloucester to Chepstow line exists at Parkway. Further links at Woolaston and Flaxley were identified but would entail considerable ground engineering. Road § The A40 and A466 to the west of the forest are more usable to heavy goods vehicles and congestion is much less of a issue. The A48 has potential to be improved and straightened as the relatively gentle topography is not an insurmountable barrier in the Severn Vale area. § Developing a water transport crossing North of sharpness to combine
2. Existing designations can be found at http://www.SouthWestuk.eu/pages/about-the-region/eu-activities-in-the-South-West/view.html#category1
Own image
Image 38. A more successful street in Coleford
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FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
PRECEDENTS
FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
4: PRECEDENTS
Chapter 4 : Precedents 4.1
Building Design and Technology
Kingspan Lighthouse The timber clad Kingspan Lighthouse has an elegant barn-form design derived from a 40-degree roof pitch that accommodates a photovoltaics array. The sweeping roof envelopes a central living space - a generous, open plan, top-lit, double-height area, with the sleeping accommodation at ground level. The living space uses a timber portal structure so that floors can be slotted between the frames or left open as required. This super-insulated, airtight building fabric was designed to provide generous daylight levels and includes effective solar control. Integrated building services are based around a platform of renewable and sustainable technologies. These include water efficiency techniques, such as low volume sanitary ware and appliances, and wide ranging renewable energy technologies.
Kingspan Lighthouse Sustainability 1. Wind Catcher 2. Solar Array 3. High Level of Insulation 4. Biomass Boiler
The Kingspan Lighthouse has achieved Level 6 of the Code for Sustainable Homes. This means it is a net-zero carbon home. It has zero carbon energy supply for space and water heating and all electrical power demand for the home, including electrical cooking and appliances. Several of the house’s multitude of sustainable features are described in the sections on design and construction. In addition, around 30 per cent of the water in the house is provided from rainwater harvesting or grey water recycling systems. This achieves the Code for Sustainable Homes’ requirement that no more than approximately 80 litres of drinkable water should be consumed per person, per day.
Adapted from http://www.bre.co.uk
Fig. 25. Kingspan Lighthouse
Renewable energy technologies include a biomass boiler, a wind catcher, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, building integrated photovoltaics and a solar-thermal array. The materials used in the construction of the Lighthouse all achieve at least a D grade in BRE Green Guide to Housing Specification. Marketing text from http://www.bre.co.uk
Fig. 15a. Kingspan Lighthouse Description
Micro-Compact Homes A village of seven micro-compact homes, sponsored by international telecoms company O2 Germany, has been built at the Technical University Munich. Its design has been informed by the classic scale and order of a Japanese tea-house, combined with advanced concepts and technologies. Living in an m-ch means focusing on the essential - less is more. The use of progressive materials complements the sleek design. Quality of design, touch and use - the key objectives for the micro compact home team for ‘short stay smart living’. Marketing text from http://www.microcompacthome.com/news/?newrub=&pid=32&l=
Adapted from magicmap.gov.uk and Digimap OS
Fig. 16a. Microcompact Home Description
Fig. 26. m-ch home.microcompact homes at Technical University Munich
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FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
PROPOSALS
FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
5: PROPOSALS
Chapter 5 : Proposals 5.1
District Proposals
The proposal approach is to maintain the heart of the forest and traditional mining area as a multi-use resource with a minimum of development. Any development will include maintenance of archeological features and will enhance the heritage of the forest. Circling the heart of the forest will be a light railway, which will provide a base for the reinvigoration of the surrounding settlements This will be linked by a connection at Parkway. Forest area lost should be compensated for by planting outside the inner ring of developments, and would include new commercial forest areas. The capacity of the road network will be improved locally to divert commercial traffic away from the centre of Cinderford. Cinderford will be the centre of promoting inward movement of resources. Green areas and tree planting will be brought back into Cinderford town centre. 5.2
Physical
Reduce the impact of the physical barrier created by the river Severn § Reinstate the railway link, using the existing footings at the crossing point to Sharpness from Purton. § Create road bridge link North of Newnham to link to the M5. Work with contours of land § Transport and settlement to be informed by analysis of contours. Reduce exposure § Settlement expansion to be located away from hill top areas. 5.3
Biosphere
Green Corridor § Enhance existing linear park at Cinderford by increasing existing area of heath and water habitat. 5.4
Natural Resources
Financial Resources § Building development to be energy saving and inexpensive to maintain, mixing low-tech local raw materials and high-tech building methods. § Defra’s Bio-Energy Infrastructure Scheme could aid funding.
Forest Landscape § A new visitor centre with the aim of promoting the forest will be provided near Mallards Pike, with an enhanced picnic area. § Quality timber production should be increased to stimulate demand and reduce amounts of imported timber from other areas. § A ‘tree station’ could provide biomass from fuel crops such as alder and salix, to be utilised in wood chip boilers.(Appendix 1) Commerce, Industry § Improve access to industrial park areas provided at Cinderford. § Redistribution of industrial park areas at Cinderford in favour of mixed use development. § Industries that can utilise local materials and products should be encouraged e.g paper mill etc. § High profile sites such as Steam Mills pool to be developed to hold education facilities near Cinderford to encourage an inflow of skills. The site should have a high profile appearance (Image 40)
Taken from http://www.forest-of-dean.net/ (Forest of Dean Family History pages)
Image 39. Cinderford seen from Steam Mills early 19th Century
Agriculture Appropriate land use should be encouraged. Where there is historic precedent for land use, such as with the orchards on the East of the forest, then this should be developed into a viable business.
Energy § Developments should be sited with long aspects facing South to take advantage of solar gain. § Developments should be sited below ridge tops ideally on land facing South or West, with shelter belts to reduce energy loss from exposure. § Micro turbines can be integrated into developments along Cinderford brook where gradients allow for constant water movement. § Buildings should have integrated solar panels and CHP systems within new developments. § Building materials such as larch lap, timber frame and sandstone should be sourced locally to reduce carbon. § Recycle spoil materials left over from mining and quarrying for use in building and ground construction. 5.5
Community Heritage
§ Development should involve the local communities, Local Authority, Forestry Commission and other investors. § Local enterprise initiatives funded by the European Union should be initiated to look at ways to develop local specialised skills and services. § Existing buildings with an industrial heritage should be preserved or re-used if found to be contributing to the local character.
Taken from http://www.tournorfolk.co.uk
Image 40. Whitlingham outdoor education and adventure centre
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FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
5: PROPOSALS
5.6
Transport
The aim of the transport strategy is to reduce road use by creating new, efficient public transport links and providing improved infrastructure. Lydney should be marketed as the transport hub for visitors from outside the forest and have enhanced facilities.
Services ยง Subsidised travel that links all modes of transport in the forest should be provided for groups such as pupils, students, pensioners and certain service industries. This could extend to free โ park and rideโ and the use of the light rail and bus services. ยง Disabled access should be provided universally at all transport nodes and integrated into bus and rail transport. Raised platforms should be built to allow quick wheelchair or pushchair access. ยง Bicycle access should be integrated into bus and rail transport. ยง Manned facilities such as news agents or tourist information points should be developed in tandem with all transport nodes to increase observance and safety, and should be well lit ยง Transport hubs at the larger towns should combining all modes of transport available and should be in or near multi-use development areas. ยง Covered walkways between stops and park and ride should be provided. Waiting areas should also offer shelter. ยง Buildings should be attractive, aspirational, and reflect in some way the landscape of the forest and industrial heritage. Rail ยง A light railway link, following the gentler gradients around the forest heart, will connect a series of new satellite villages with the existing settlements of Coleford, Cinderford and Parkway. Stops will be sited to be convenient to residential and commercial sites. Service hours should be extended to provide transport from early to late. A link to the mainline rail from Parkway to Lydney with enhanced facilities at both points will be provided. ยง The mainline railway will be reconnected to the Stroud Railway across the river Severn. This will have the effect of shortening journey times and will encourage visitors from further afield and provide improved freight capacity. ยง Upgraded facilities with park and ride should be provided at Lydney to encourage visitors to leave their car and reach most parts of the forest using the forest heart line. ยง Time tables should be linked to mainline services for services that go through Parkway to Lydney. The Forest Heart Line should provide an alternative timetable services above that of the mainline to reduce local travel times. A waiting room and simple refreshments should be provided at Coleford and Cinderford
stops, other stops would offer shelter from the elements. ยง Facilities should be provided at Parkway and Lydney where waiting times linked to the mainline service are longer. Warm waiting rooms, refreshments and storage lockers should be provided. ยง Light rail should be promoted to replace bus services between Parkend, Cinderford and Coleford.
Bus ยง Bus services within the forest should be coordinated to link villages without rail facilities. ยง Direct bus services should continue to provide direct links between the larger settlements and other proposed development sites outside the central forest including Woolaston and St Briavels and Elton and Westbury on Severn. ยง Principal catchment areas for bus services would be based at Cinderford for Micheldean and other North villages, Coleford for St Briavels and villages to the South and Lydney for villages along the river Severn. Car ยง Park and ride schemes should be provided at Cinderford, Coleford and Lydney for car users who wish to enter part way into the forest only. The schemes should be located to provide easy access to the rail network and should be no more than a 5 minute walk. ยง Car sharing or use of public transport should be promoted through local businesses. Boating ยง Boating for leisure rather than for transport should be encouraged along the river Wye and river Severn. With facilities at Lydney Harbour, Bullo Pill on the river Severn, and Chepstow, Brockweir and Redbrook on the river Wye being possible target areas to provide this activity. Cycling ยง An integrated Cycle route will be provided at bridge crossing points above Newnham and Lydney. ยง Cycling facilities including bike hire (manned or unmanned) should be provided at Lydney and all non mainline stops in the forest. this would bring all central areas within practicable reach for visitors. A possible model for this would be OYBike which has a website link - (http://www.OYbike.com obhome.nsf/how_it_ works.html). ยง Links to the National Cycle Network (Sustrans) will be provided at every stop on the Forest HeartLine.
M5
N
Scale 1:100,000
Adapted from Digimap OS, topgraphic relief and gradient analysis data.
Sharpness & Stroud Link
Optional Links
Rail Tunnel assessment
Fig. 27. Assess Transport Routes
Main line and Parkway Link
Forest Heart Line
M5 Road Link
Pedestrian ยง An integrated Pedestrian route will be provided at bridge crossing points above Newnham and Lydney.
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FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
5: PROPOSALS
5.7
Settlements
Areas of development will be distributed along a series of networks, with transport nodes. Some areas will be located on brownfield sites such as Cinderford and Lydney. A hierarchy with Coleford, Cinderford and Lydney with a concentration on mixed use. Woolaston / Alvington and Elton (near Westbury on Severn) are proposed as larger satellite villages with a focus on developing new employment zones. Finally several smaller villages at St Briavels, Parkway, Littledean, Brierley (near Cinderford) and Edge End (near Coleford) will be developed with an emphasis on sustainable eco-homes.
Settlement Hierarchy The map on this page shows the hierarchy of development along various routes (Fig. 28. ). § Red line - a light rail system that runs around the heart of the forest, with its main nodes at parkway, Cinderford, and Coleford. This line is the core of the development strategy, aimed at bringing improvements into the central area. § Orange line - based along the existing main-line rail and road network (not included in the masterplan, Lydney will see prior development plans take place in the future that will have a bearing on the masterplan). § Yellow line - an optional light rail, or road improvement route (not proposed in the masterplan but illustrates other potential areas of small scale development). § The Yellow and Green line show river crossings proposed in the masterplan. They would act as gateways to proposed development areas and should be designed to be a feature of the landscape.
Building Design The proposed settlements would follow sustainable principles and should achieve a reasonable BREEAM score. Any built form or landscape should use several of the following features:§ Greenroofs and S.U.D.S, including the use of swales and vegetation management, to reduce the throughflow of flood or surface water. § Water should be reclaimed by rain harvesting into wall built containers or underground storage. § Grey water should be reclaimed and treated through a reed bed system where possible.
§ Design specification should be high quality (e.g. attractive finish) and able to source from local materials where possible. § Some use of prefabricated units that are proven to be energy efficient would be an option for some dwellings or work places, and would be used on high profile sites. § Residential areas should have a traditional appearance and include building materials such as larch lap and local stone but with technological innovation e.g. photovoltaic collectors that double as solar shading, solar panels etc. § Building should maximise solar gain and have good natural daylighting. Organisation The existing large settlements will each have corresponding satellite developments. § There will be an emphasis on mixed use sites for commercial and residential use as well as being the centre for civic services in large settlements. § In existing larger settlements the conservation of existing historic buildings and sites of value will be necessary more often. Careful retrofitting, reorganisation of space rather than clearance will be the approach taken. § Small satellite settlements will have more emphasis on providing local facilities and home based industry rather than duplicating services provided by the larger towns. There will an emphasis on higher energy efficiency and sustainability, being built from the ground up, rather than retrofitting as in the larger settlements. § Large satellite settlements will also provide additional new areas of commercial activity and more mixed development than small satellite settlements. § Evidence of the forest industrial history should be retained and put to other uses when possible. § Commercial productivity should be facilitated in the larger towns to encourage inward investment. Prestigious sites that are good examples of sustainable business parks should be developed and marketed.
M5
N
Scale 1:75,000
Adapted from Digimap OS, topgraphic relief and gradient analysis data.
Main town development
Fig. 28. Development hierarchy
Central Forest development
Large satellite Main Line development
Local satellite Local line development
M5 Road Link Sharpness Link
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FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
MASTERPLAN
FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
6: MASTERPLAN
Chapter 6 : Masterplan Upper Lydbrook 6.1
Masterplan Overview
Extended satellite village at Brierley
Nailbridge
Shapridge Relocated industrial park
English Bicknor
Areas of development are adjacent to the central light rail network, each with its own service stop. New high profile areas to be developed east of Coleford and Northwest of Cinderford with a mixture of mixed use and new educational facilities.
Brierley Extended satellite village at Edge End
Cinderford Updated linear park with more residential access and relocation of part of the industrial area
Development type Mixed Use, Light Commercial, Residential
Edge End
Berry Hill
Civic, Recreational, Open Space, Educational
New Linear park at Coleford
Residential, Private Land, Paddocks etc.
Little Dean
Ruspidge
Mile End
Cycle Network links light rail nodes
Broadwell
Commercial & Industrial
Coleford Map Elements
Upper Soudley Coalway
Transport Node
New visitor centre, picnic area
Indicative New Settlements
Lower Soudley
Moseley Green
Existing Settlements Main line and Parkway Link
Sling
Light Rail
Parkend
Cycle Network
Improved facilities & hotel at Parkway
Cycle Network extended route to transport nodes New Road Existing Road
N
Scale 1:25,000
Mill Hill
Yorkley
Whitecroft
Fig. 29. Proposals Masterplan
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FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
6: MASTERPLAN
Chapter 6 : Masterplan
Map Elements
Development type Mixed Use, Light Commercial, Residential
6.2
Masterplan Overview Detail
Map Detail Elements
Civic, Recreational, Open Space, Educational Residential, Private Land, Paddocks etc.
Park area
Cinderford
Cycle Network extended route to transport nodes
Indicative New Settlements
New Road
Existing Settlements
Coleford
Re-established links across river Severn
Existing Road
Main line and Parkway Link
Commercial & Industrial
Civic, mixed use building developments
Cycle Network
Transport Node
Light Rail
Visitor Centre Industrial, commercial buildings
Fig. 31. Proposals Masterplan Cinderford Area Overview
Fig. 30. Proposals Masterplan Coleford Area Overview
Extended satellite village at Edge End
Berry Hill
New Linear park at Coleford
Extended satellite village at Brierley
Edge End Cycle Network links light rail nodes
Brierley
Extended satellite village at Edge End
Updated linear park with more residential access and relocation of part of the industrial area
Coalway
Lower Soudley Ruspidge
Moseley Green
N
Scale 1:20,000
Cinderford
Upper Soudley
New visitor centre, picnic area
Sling
New access road
Ruspidge
Mile End
Broadwell
Coleford
Upper Lydbrook
Relocated industrial park
Parkend
Improved facilities & hotel at Parkway
Cycle Network links light rail nodes
N
Scale 1:20,000
Upper Soudley
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FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
6: MASTERPLAN
Chapter 6 : Masterplan Industrial park with access road 6.3
Masterplan Summary - Cinderford Lake
Development Plans § Extension of Linear Park into Steam Mills area and develop fingers of parkland extending into Cinderford. § Reconnect residential areas with the forest area on the west side of the town. § Relocation of a partial area of industrial estate and replacement area toward Nailbridge that has its own access road.. § Create a business and education park with primarily open space and woodland to the west side of Steam Mills. Buildings will have rainfall harvesting, Green roofs and be powered by CHP. § Create an enlarged water habitat at Steam mills, with waterside boardwalk. Use change in water levels to generate energy through a micro-turbine system. § Place a light rail transport node at an optimum position for pedestrians to reach from the town centre. § Create a series of small commercial units along the linear park, break up the continuous barrier of existing developments. § Redevelop the town centre around the war memorial and coop site, create a new central area. § Divert industrial and through traffic through new route to north of the town centre. § Develop a series of village greens that connect with outside forest area. § New residential areas will be designed along home zone guidelines and have integrated SUDS, good thermal insulation and solar panels.
Access road
New pedestrian routes
Larger town centre area Station
Commercial units on park boundary
Extended linear park Hospital
N
Scale 1:12,500
Fig. 32. Proposals Masterplan Cinderford Area Summary
Map Detail Elements Civic, mixed use building developments
Cycle Network
Water bodies
Visitor Centre
New Road
Park area
Industrial, commercial buildings
Pedestrian Routes
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FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
APPENDIX & BIBLIOGRAPHY
FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
Appendix 1
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FOREST OF DEAN LANDSCAPE PLANNING STRATEGY
Bibliography
Bibliography
Mapping
Books
Googlemaps
Barton, H. and (1995) ‘Sustainable Settlements’ UWE & Local Govt.
Magicmap
Guise, R.Management Board
Defra-geology,soil
Barton, H. Et al (2003) Shaping Neighbourhoods.Spon Press
Digimap Landmap 1:10000
Beer, A. (1990) Environmental Planning for Site Development. E&FN.Spon
Ordnance survey
Benson, JF & Roe, M.H. (2000) Landscape & Sustainability Spon Press
Soilscape viewer report,national soil resources institute,Cranfield university
Breheny, M. (ed.)(1992) ‘Sustainable Development & Urban Form’ Pion,
Reports and Publications
Breheny, M., Gent, T.& Lock, D (1993) ‘Alternative Development Patterns : New Settlements’.HMSO,
LDA, (2002).Landscape Character Assessment: Gloucestershire and Forest of Dean : County Scoping Study and County Typology, November 2002,Landscape Design Associates
Fishman, R.‘Urban Utopias in the C20th’
HMSO, (2004). Planning Policy Statement 7 : Sustainable Development in Rural Areas, TSO (The Stationery Office) Swanwick, C (2002). Landscape Character Assessment Guidance for England and Scotland, Countryside Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage, 2002 Countryside Agency, Draft National Landscape Typology. Countryside Agency English Nature (1999). Natural Areas in the South West Region. English Nature Colbourne, L. (ed.)(1996)‘Sustainable Gloucestershire’Vision 21,
Books The landscape institute with the institute of environmental management and assessment (2003). Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment 2nd ed., London: Spon Press.
Hall, P. (2002) ‘Urban and Regional Planning’ Routledge, Hall, P. (2002) ‘Cities of Tomorrow’
Blackwell
Hayward, R. & (1993) ‘Making Better Places’ Butterworth Architecture Herington, J. et al (1990) ‘Beyond Green Belts’Jessica Kingsley, Hough, M. (1995) ‘Cities and Natural Process’ Routledge, Kelbaugh, Owen, S.(1991)‘Planning Settlements Naturally’ Packard Rowe, P.(1991)‘Making a Middle Landscape’MIT Press Selman, P.(1992) ‘Environmental Planning’Paul Chapman , Selman, Paul H. (2006) Planning at the landscape scale Routledge,
Davidson, D.A (1992). The Evaluation of Land Resources, 2nd ed., New York: John Wiley & Sons. Morrison-Saunders, A & Arts, J (2004). Assessing Impact Handbook of EIA and SEA Follow-up. London: EarthScan. Therivel, R (2004). Strategic Environmental Assessment in Action. London: EarthScan Dreghorn, D (1967). Geology Explained in the Severn Vale and Cotswolds. David and Charles Alexander Et al (1987) A New Theory of Urban Design Oxford University Press Bell, S. (1999) Landscape Pattern, Perception and Process E& FN.Spon Blunsden, J. & N. Curry (1995)‘A Future for our Countryside’ Blackwell, Lovejoy, D. (ed.) (1979) ‘Land Use and Landscape Planning’ Leonard Hill
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