STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES MAY 2009
Orkney Islands Council Department of Development Services Council Offices School Place Kirkwall Orkney KW15 1NY
Stromness Urban Design Framework Final Report
May 2009 WMUD yellow book Leslie Burgher Architect Hamilton Baillie Associates Jacobs Drew Mackie Associates
study team: Leslie Burgher Gen Cannibal Ruth Foxon Bill Grimes Ben Hamilton-Baillie John Lord Drew Mackie Willie Miller Lucy Natarajan Vicky Smith Ines Triebel
Stromness Urban Design Framework Final Report
contents introduction
1
urban design appraisal
7
economic appraisal development
51
towards a framework
63
urban design framework
71
implementation plan
117
conclusions and summary
121
STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
section 1: introduction In March 2008, Orkney Islands Council
The Urban Design Framework is also intended
commissioned Willie Miller Urban Design (wmud)
to inform the review of the Local Plan for Orkney
to carry out a study of the town of Stromness and
which is currently underway.
produce an urban design framework. The study comprised three parts namely:
THE BRIEF
•
the urban design framework itself
Orkney Islands Council drew up a detailed and
•
an economic appraisal and strategy
comprehensive brief for this study. In particular,
•
a Strategic Environmental Assessment (sea)
the objectives of the Urban Design Framework study were:
The purpose of the urban design framework was to provide a strategic overview which would
•
to review historic economic and physical
coordinate existing projects and act as the basis
development patterns, identifying
for future development briefs and masterplans
opportunities, constraints and linkages
for individual sites. The economic appraisal and strategy was intended to provide background
between different parts of the town •
to examine the socio-economic character
evidence in support of the urban design
of Stromness and its role in Orkney in order
framework and supporting grant applications
to formulate scenarios for the growth of the
for key projects identified in the urban design framework. A Strategic Environmental
town to 2017 •
to examine capacity for future development
Assessment has been undertaken as a necessary
and identify necessary infrastructure
and integral part of the study process under the
requirements and the planning management
Strategic Environmental Assessment (Scotland)
required to ensure a legible and high quality
Act 2005.
urban form
the setting of the town
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•
to define the key spatial qualities of the town in terms of character, urban form and public realm hierarchy including urban grain and permeability, landmarks, mix of uses,
•
heights and massing, heritage and character to advise on the necessary delivery mechanisms to implement the Urban Design
•
Framework objectives to provide a robust economic analysis of opportunities and constraints which can act
•
as the basis for future funding applications to advise on the direction of future planning policy for key land uses and development opportunities in the town in relation to the review of the Local Plan which dates from 2004
location and context
In response to this, wmud assembled a multidisciplinary team to undertake this work comprising: •
Willie Miller Urban Design: project direction, urban design, spatial planning and urban structure, statutory planning and landscape frameworks
•
yellowbook: stakeholder consultation, assessment of socio-economic conditions and prospects, workshop scenario development
•
Drew Mackie Associates: consultation, networking and community engagement, community planning event leader
•
Hamilton-Baillie Associates: traffic and access, transport, strategic public realm
population and settlements
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networks, urban structure
STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
• •
Leslie Burgher Architects: heritage and
In addition to the foregoing factors which may
conservation architecture
be described as day-to-day or dealing with the
Jacobs: Strategic Environmental Assessment
reality of the here and now, there is a long list of hopes and aspirations for other projects in and around Stromness which include the following as
RELATED INITIATIVES AND PARAMETERS
listed in the brief:
This work has been carried out in parallel with
•
other studies and initiatives which aim to
Stromness Pierhead Regeneration project – including development of a new library
improve the town. The most significant of these
•
a new Primary School at the Lorry Park site
are the Townscape Heritage Initiative (thi) study
•
HIE Orkney has been investigating a new
being carried out by Gray Marshall Architects
centre for renewable energy development
for the Council, and the Pierhead Project run by
encompassing the European Marine
the Council itself which has been the subject of
Energy Centre and the existing Heriot-Watt
an architectural competition during the course of the study. The thi study is focused on the
University campus •
the Heritage Lottery Fund project which
Outstanding Conservation Area which covers
includes conversion and re-use of the
most of the historic core of Stromness and the
former Commercial Hotel and other derelict
Pierhead Project (also within the thi area) covers significant buildings and spaces at one of the
buildings within the conservation area •
town’s principal focal points.
town •
As with all work of this nature, the town itself is a
Stromness Auction Mart site Development Brief identifies potential for mixed use development,
dynamic entity which is constantly changing and evolving. In a town as small as Stromness, any
interest from retailers in developing in the
fronting the Hamnavoe •
demand for new housing development,
change can have a significant impact. During the
including affordable housing and other
study there have been significant events such as
specialised housing types such as
the decision to move Stromness Primary School,
keyworker and very sheltered housing
the purchase by the Council of the Commercial
•
zero waste project / renewable garden
Hotel in the thi area and the Council decision
•
land reclamation and boardwalk/new street-
to declare the Library unfit for purpose with
link and district heating system, Hamnavoe
a view to moving it to the Pierhead. All these
•
new/upgraded caravan and camping facility
decisions create related opportunities for new
•
Stromness marina
development as well as tensions around how the
•
Ness Battery Visitor Centre
rest of the town functions.
•
children’s nursery/care facilities
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•
community centre development
Many of these have been assessed in relation to
•
localising urban design
•
traffic by design
•
sustainability – a fundamental theme
their economic benefit to the town. Most play a role in the Urban Design Framework for the town.
These are still the basic foundations of the urban design framework. If anything the contrast between the old town and the surrounding
KEY ISSUES AND FINDINGS
areas is more marked than we thought. We have a strong sense that the old town is regarded,
We noted in our proposal for this work that there was a striking contrast between the centre of the
like the library, as unfit for purpose in the 21st century. The decanting of uses to Hamnavoe
town and its peripheral areas – almost as if the
and Garson is evidence of this while the Pier Arts
centre mattered but the rest didn’t. We had a
Centre seems to represent the very opposite view
strong feeling in Stromness that there was a need
– a well received triumph of careful design and
to re-learn how to build places – not so much
function in constrained circumstances.
in terms of architecture but in relation to the basic components of the external environment,
At the same time, the quality of the old town
the siting of development and the overall form
deteriorates in a myriad of small ways – vinyl
of settlement. Our anticipated headline issues
street signs replacing old painted versions,
were:
unnecessary parking restrictions, inappropriate ‘heritage’ street lighting, vacant property and
•
the presence of the past
insensitive repairs to buildings and the public
•
a distinctive sense of place
realm.
•
learning how to build anew
Stromness North Pier and ferry terminal
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STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
fig 1.1 methodology diagram from proposal
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In parallel with this is the sense that Garson is
STRUCTURE OF THE REPORT
used as a convenient place to site things that can no longer be accommodated in the old
The report is in seven sections, with an
centre. So the town has no real structure or
appendix:
cohesion. This is recognised in the brief for this work which states that the purpose of the study
•
Section 2 reviews the town itself through
‘is to establish a strategic framework and vision
an urban design appraisal and Local Plan
which would direct future proposals towards a
review
coordinated and legible urban form’. All these
•
issues are addressed in this report.
Section 3 contains an economic appraisal and strategy
•
Section 4 brings together spatial factors, economic issues and projects
WORK PROGRAMME AND METHOD
•
The consultant team’s work programme spanned
•
Section 5 contains the urban design framework
three stages of audit, appraisal and framework development. In parallel with this was a process of stakeholder and community consultation. Stromness has been the subject of a considerable amount of community consultation over a range of projects and we were anxious not to repeat any of this. The methodology for the study programme is set out on Fig 1.1 and consisted of 24 discrete tasks. These were modified somewhat as the scope of the work became clearer. We worked closely with Jacobs throughout the study process, assessing our proposals through the SEA. We have benefited from the active involvement of Council officers, key stakeholders and residents of Stromness, many of whom attended a two-day Planning Event held in June and a second event in October 2009. We are particularly indebted to the town’s elected members for their enthusiasm and interest. 6 |
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Section 6 describes an implementation plan for the urban design framework
•
Section 7 sets out the conclusions and a summary of this Final Report
STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
section 2: urban design appraisal This section of the report examines the
History
evolution of the town from an urban design viewpoint, dealing with spatial structure, place
The bay of Hamnavoe is an inlet off Hoy Sound,
and character. Following on from this is an
on the north-west approach to Scapa Flow. The
urban design appraisal of Stromness which
port of Stromness grew up on a narrow shelf of
includes visual qualities, traffic and movement,
land on the west side of the bay, and the town
conservation and heritage and development
is sheltered from the westerly winds by the
dynamics. The section also includes a brief
granite ridge of Brinkie’s Brae, a name forever
review of the Local Plan and concludes with an
associated with the town’s great poet, George
outline of issues and potential directions for the
Mackay Brown.
town. Stromness remained a very small settlement EVOLUTION
until the 18th century when the Hudson’s Bay Company began to use the town as a base for
The Tourist: ‘Do you live here?’
provisioning and recruitment. Later, whaling
GMB: ‘Yes, I do.’
ships en route to the Arctic used the harbour. As
The Tourist (with heartfelt envy and
the town grew in size and wealth, the merchants
longing): ‘YOU LUCKY MAN!’
of Stromness sought the same rights of free trade as Kirkwall: after a long struggle that right was
George Mackay Brown, Under Brinkie’s Brae1
won in 1758; the town became a burgh in 1817 and shortly after that milestone its population
1 First edition published by Gordon Wright Publishing, 1979
peaked at around 2,500. It was during this
Stromness - from a 1931 aerial photograph
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the character of historic Stromness - images from the Council Archive
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landing fish
the former Stromness Academy
near Ness Road
Graham Place
Victoria Street
Stromness from Cairston Road
STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
Stromness Hotel
Hamnavoe and Scapa Flow beyond
Victoria Street
Dundas Street
private piers and slipways
Old Harbour from the New Pier
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period that the distinctive built form of
Stromness has continued to evolve in the
Stromness took shape: “houses and storehouses
modern era. It is still an important ferry port,
were built gable-end to the sea, with their own
with regular daily services to Scrabster. Tourism
storehouses and piers furnished with post-
still plays a key role and new markets have
cranes for loading and unloading the boats”.2
emerged, especially diving and (thanks in part to the success of the Pier Arts Centre) art and
By the late 19th century, fishing was a staple
culture. Fishing continues, albeit at a much
activity: “Large herring-boats from Aberdeenshire
reduced level, but Stromness is an important
ports and the Moray Firth crowded into
centre for fish processing and other forms of
Hamnavoe from mid-May to mid-July, and every
food production which are important export
pier became a gutting and curing station”. But
earners for Orkney. More recently, Stromness
the heyday of the herring fishery was relatively
has played a key role in the emerging renewable
brief and the decline had set in before the
energy sector: through the pioneering work of
First World War. By this time transport and the
EMEC and Heriot Watt University the town is at
beginnings of tourism were key activities. The
the leading edge of research on wave and tidal
port was busy with cargo ships and passenger
energy. Spin off business from this industry has
steamers including regular services to the
also emerged.
Scottish mainland and Liverpool: the 1901 the Stromness Hotel was built on a site overlooking the Pierhead. Stromness played its part in the two world wars. During the first war, the harbour was a base for minesweepers and water boats serving the navy fleet in Scapa Flow. By contrast, the second war was “an Army affair”: the Stromness Hotel was commandeered as the Orkney and Shetland Defence Headquarters: the town “was inundated by troops”, and Ness Battery was built to guard the entrance to Scapa Flow.3
Pole Star Pier - mid distance - with traditional harbourside buildings in the foreground
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2 See Caroline Wickham-Jones, Orkney: A Historical Guide, Birlinn, 2nd edition 2007; and Anna Ritchie, Exploring Scotland’s Heritage: Orkney, Stationery Office, 1996 3 George S Robertson, A History of Stromness 19001972
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STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
Description
named them after their old ships, or the trading posts where they had spent their working lives:
Stromness has changed in many ways since its
Hopedale, Arranmore, Manora, Pictu.
traditional industries began to decline. The town has expanded from the confines of its original
Anna Ritchie notes that, despite “its archaic
shoreline setting, gaining “suburbs” which have
air”, the street that runs the length of the
climbed the hillside to the west and expanded
town is no earlier than mid-19th century: “…its
to the north and round the head of the bay into
crooked alignment and variable width reflect
Garson. The harbour has been improved over
its origins as a pathway along the rear of the
the years, and the introduction of roll-on, roll-off
waterfront buildings, for whose occupants
ferries led to the creation of a new access road
the sea was a vastly more important means of
along the shore.4
transport”. Ritchie quotes Sir Walter Scott, who visited Stromness in 1814, and described it as
Nevertheless, the built form of the historic heart
“a little, dirty, straggling town which cannot be
of the town remains remarkably intact. George
traversed by a cart, or even by a horse, for there
Mackay Brown’s biographer, Maggie Fergusson,
are stairs up and down, even in the principal
describes the town and its setting:
streets”. Of course, it is this distinctive urban form that makes old Stromness so attractive
Following the shoreline, a flagstoned street winds
and distinctive today, although vehicular access
a mile from one end of the town to the other. To
continues to be a problem.
the seaward side, squat, thick-walled fishermen’s houses are built into the rock, gable-ends to the
Some of the urban design qualities associated
road, standing out into the harbour like stone
with the old town are:
arks. Beside each is a cobbled pier, so that as one walks down the road the grey houses are separated by bright, bookmark-shaped glimpses of the sea. To the other side, merchants and
• •
distinctive places – the piers, the former lifeboat station, the Pierhead building uses that create focal points – the
shopkeepers built their houses and small plots
library, the museum, the Town Hall, the Pier
of garden along steep, narrow closes twisting
Arts Centre
up Brinkie’s Brae. At the top, commanding wide views over the harbour, and beyond to Scapa Flow, retired sea captains and shipping agents put up solid, double-fronted villas, and 4 For an account of the evolution of the town and its architecture see, Leslie Burgher, Orkney: an Illustrated Architectural Guide, RIAS, 1991.
• • • •
shelter - against the northerly climate working with the landscape rather than against it natural materials and scale – the easy blend of stone and slate, timber, tin and paint walkability – having most facilities within 5-10 minutes walking distance
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topography
topography and figure field
•
a relationship between buildings and their orientation, their private spaces and their public spaces that creates a model for new building in keeping with the old principles
Some of the less endearing characteristics of the old town are:
• • • • • topography, figure field and movement
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•
restricted access for businesses and residents poor accessibility due to gradients and steps limited natural light in many buildings small or no gardens low profile and lack of visibility for shops and businesses limited scope for expansion of businesses
STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
For many people, the historic core is the town
URBAN DESIGN APPRAISAL
but in fact, it now occupies only around 7% of the current land area of Stromness. Nevertheless
a)
Visual Qualities and Urban Form
there is much to be learned from the positive characteristics of the old town and much that
Much work has been accomplished and is
is transferrable to new development proposals in
currently underway to describe and characterise
terms of principles for new sustainable town making.
the visual qualities and urban form of Stromness, particularly concerning the town centre and the areas extending westward from it. This urban design framework is tasked with identifying those qualities and form elements that shape the community today and impact on its ability to achieve its desired future. Actions contemplated in the short term are to be set in the context of Stromness’ visual qualities and urban form and it is in that spirit in which this assessment is offered. Many studies, including the contemporary thi, focus on the historic core of Stromness, its use of land and the quality and integrity of its built form. They play upon the community’s historic asset and the charm and character that have uniquely defined Stromness. These studies also identify likely targets for public investment designed to enhance the town centre’s vitality and heritage quality. Recommended implementation strategies in those studies are founded on historic integrity and seek to reenergize the community’s historic core while maintaining the visual qualities and urban form that have developed over centuries. There is little need to restate here the findings of the previous and current work, but it is important to incorporate their findings and
robust traditional detailing
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generalised land use
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STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
recommendations as they relate to an urban
town centre, is proposed to be located near the
design framework for the entirety of Stromness.
north end of the Hamnavoe. The new Stromness Academy was relocated from its position just
As explained above, Stromness consists of much
west of the town centre to a site near Garson in
more than just its historic centre. While the
the 1980s. The library, constructed in the early
centre remains the civic, social and wharfside
1900’s, is also to be relocated further to the
focus, it has become less the primary focus for
north. The historic core remains, but its centrality,
the community’s economic activity and provision
relevance, and accessibility to the rest of the
of housing. New industrial development has
community is being redefined. The community
stretched east of the Hamnavoe, where land is
is relocating and realigning its important public
more plentiful. Industrial uses there can expand
facilities to reflect shifts in demand.
more easily, accommodating transport and facilities requirements that would be difficult
While development has tended to push outward,
to realize in the town centre. Housing, too, has
it has also located in areas of exceptional beauty.
expanded into this area, as well as to the west.
Homes on the east of the Hamnavoe enjoy an
Newer housing development borders the Garson
impressive view of Stromness’ town centre and
Industrial Estate, providing detached, single-
waterfront. Homes on Brinkie’s Brae have views
family housing types that suit contemporary
over the historic town centre and extend from the
family needs for space. Housing is also
Hamnavoe to the entrance to Scapa Flow. These
developing along Stromness’ western fringe,
new places may be exposed to greater wind and
locating community residents some distance
extremes in temperature, but they benefit from
from the town centre in detached or semi-
access to landscape vistas that are unique to this
detached single-family homes.
part of the world.
The overall result is a land use pattern that is
Mature trees are an important part of the
complex and far more expansive than the historic
Stromness townscape not only in panoramic
settlement could have anticipated, with housing
views of the town but also as relief in tight-knit
and employment located on the periphery and
urban form.
a population increasingly reliant on personal, often motorised, transportation to conduct its daily business.
b)
Recently, the community’s institutional fabric
The character areas here are differentiated
has begun to reflect this shift in land use. The
generally by the eras in which they were
primary school, located now in the middle of the
developed and by the populations or land uses
Character areas
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character areas
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STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
they serve. Inclusion within a district does not imply homogeneity of building type or land use, however. Instead, the character area definitions apply to a range of building types and uses that present an essential commonality that differentiates one particular area from another. In addition, the district boundaries are not necessarily discrete. They only suggest where one district may begin and another ends, risking the overstatement of the more organic or fluid transitions between areas that seem distinct in character. Historic Core and Town Centre areas are characterised by the densely developed main street corridor and the structures directly adjacent to it. It is also divided further into subdistricts, with those defined by particular types
historic core areas
of land uses, elevation changes, deflected views or other characteristics that distinguish one area from another. The relevant parameters in relation to this area are: +ve high quality environment walkable sustainable materials shelter and climate response history and stories pedestrian scale relationship with the sea
-ve loss of traditional roles loss of town centre functions vacancy – residential and business poor accessibility lack of flexibility (for businesses) too many historic buildings at risk risk of flooding
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architecture and tradition
municipalisation of signage and detail
adaptability within limits a suitable environment for the arts unstable
First-Tier areas are those that work their way
better accessibility than centre pedestrian scale in places adaptable – larger sites and buildings
but accessibility still poor inconsistent scale
starts to impact on landscape risk of flooding relatively stable
up the hillside from the Town Centre, generally consisting of residential or larger institutional
Second-Tier areas include almost exclusively
uses closely tied to the Town Centre by a series of
residential land uses, located within the Back
narrow lanes and footpaths. Some of these First
Road perimeter. They incorporate the historic
Tier areas are also found at the extreme northern
elements that distinguish Stromness, and
and southern ends of the Town Centre areas.
they are still linked to the more historic areas
These areas are developed less intensively than
by footpaths and lanes. They are sparsely
the Town Centre, but the structures still retain the
developed, however, with land apparently
historic character of Stromness.
available to accommodate additional housing.
+ve opportunities for new uses some walkable connections with centre generally sustainable materials right: Stromness Primary School - first-tier area
far right: Back Road - second-tier area
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-ve loss of functions to other areas less compact – requires transport less concern for materials
STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
+ve -ve predominantly less compact – requires residential transport walkable and connected less concern for to centre materials and design reasonably good access breaches ridge line adaptable sites inconsistent scale views and countryside impact on landscape stable but potentially damaging
Third-Tier areas are the most recently developed residential areas, located furthest from the
+ve predominantly
-ve less compact – requires
residential reasonably good access
transport less concern for
materials and design remote from facilities microclimate issues impact on landscape risk of flooding stable and unlikely to change though
adaptable sites views and countryside
unsustainable in terms of travel patterns
town’s historic core. They are designed to suit automobile access and have little direct
Fourth-Tier areas include the ferry terminal and
pedestrian relationship to the Town Centre.
its car park, the Garson Industrial Estate, the lorry marshalling area and the low-intensity land uses adjacent to it, and the commercial complex west of the roundabout. These areas are put to use in a land-intensive fashion, with substantial area dedicated to the movement of vehicles.
far left: third-tier area, Citadel Road
left: fourth tier area, Ferry Road
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+ve opportunities for larger
-ve land intensive and
+ve predominantly
-ve less compact – requires
scale building reasonably good access
movement linked non-existent design
residential reasonably good
transport less concern for materials
important working port
standards bleak and over-scaled
as focus proximity to the sea
infrastructure microclimate issues -
access views and countryside opportunities for
and design remote from facilities microclimate issues
improved design opportunities for
impact on landscape
underused sites an
exposure impact on landscape
opportunity risk of flooding huge potential for positive change
improved landscape sporadic development has a limit unsustainable sporadic development
Fifth-Tier areas include the outer areas of the
Green areas include the southern recreational
town that are more rural than urban, containing
complex, golf course, Ness Battery, Marwick
scattered groups of houses or series of individual
playing fields, Market Green, and the new
houses.
Stromness Academy. They are the large recreational open spaces of the town.
left: fifth-tier area, west of the town
far left: green space at North Hamnavoe
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STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
+ve most reasonable well
-ve bleak and poor design
located reasonably good access
remote from existing
opportunities for
centre microclimate issues
linkage opportunities for better
limited contribution to
monuments exist that residents and visitors use
access opportunities for
landscape no sense of strategy for
for orientation and navigation. They represent
how residents and visitors inhabit and function in the space. The 25 nodes identified here represent the specific sites where community activities occur, where people gather or where structures or
improved landscape greenspace scope for improvement
important locations in the community fabric. In many cases they are institutional in character, identified here as nodes because of their essential and popular public purpose. Others are commercial or historical. Some serve a
c)
Places, nodes and focal points
transportation purpose, made more significant because of the importance of the junction or its
For its size, Stromness is complex and diverse. It serves resident populations that extend well into the countryside, providing employment, services and shopping for community residents as well as for the rural households on the west Mainland. It also serves a transient population, peaking in the summer months, with a tourist season extending from spring through autumn. Its waterfront is also diverse, accommodating commercial fishing, commercial ferry service, Lifeboats, and a growing dive-oriented tourism sector benefiting from the scuttled WWI German fleet in Scapa Flow. The community’s diversity is further enhanced by the importance of academic and practical research, with renewable energy development at its core. Stromness remains a small community, but the variety of activity it hosts makes it seem much larger. important node:
Over time, the town has developed a series of
Stromness Hotel
activity character districts and nodes, reflecting
and fountain
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relationship to other activities. In all cases, they
7
are places that are universally recognized by and
8
Town hall
familiar to Stromness residents.
9
Parish church
10
Old Folks Home
It is difficult to imagine a day when a person in
11
Library
Stromness does not visit at least one of these
12
Museum
community nodes. They are integral components of town living. Accessibility to the nodes and the linkages between them will, in large part, dictate the way the community moves about. Travel on foot, by car, bicycle, boat or bus is largely determined by the relative locations of these nodes and the way they are interconnected. Many of Stromness’ nodes are located in the historic town centre, reflecting a more traditional pedestrian development pattern. Other nodes, however, are located in outlying areas, reflecting a more contemporary satisfaction with travel by car and less compelling need to have these facilities located in close proximity to each other or to the resident populations they may serve. In some cases, nodal location is determined exclusively by topography, in which case proximity either to population or to other nodes may not be terribly important. They represent the punctuation marks of the town – important features or landmarks that might be the subject of improvement proposals. 1
Stromness Hotel and fountain
important nodes and focal
2
Pierhead
points - top to bottom:
3
Lifeboat pier
former Stromness Academy
4
Ferry terminal
Museum
5
Primary school
Campsite
6
Old Academy
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Community Centre
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STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
Stromness nodes: important focal points
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13
Surgery
particularly at Garson. Indeed much of the
14
Cooperative store and petrol filling station
existing built up area north of the Ferry Terminal
15
Roundabout
along Ferry Road, the Lorry Park and towards
16
Market Green
Garson is set back from the waterfront breaking
17
Swimming pool
the traditional building line.
18
Lorry Park
19
Stromness Academy
Stromness sits in a National Scenic Area and
20
Garson Industrial Estate
abuts the World Heritage Site Zone of Visual
21
Southern sports complex
Influence. Despite this, the 2004 Local Plan
22
Caravan camp site
commented that, ‘It is questionable whether
23
Ness Battery
much of the new development on the edge of
24
Garson Recycling Centre
Stromness respects this high quality landscape’.5
25
Squash Club There is indeed an issue here and the urban
d)
Landscape setting and visual envelope
design framework is an opportunity to rethink some aspects of building in the countryside
Much is made of how Stromness clings to
around the town. There has been much damage
the sheltered shoreline of Hamnavoe. This is
caused to the landscape context of the town,
undeniable and correct but in fact only 10% of
some of it in ways that will be hard to remedy –
the town clings to sheltered sites while the rest
for example the construction of large individual
of the town has spread itself over the ridge line
dwellings on prominent sites above the town –
to the west, to the north along North End Road
especially in an environment where trees play a
or onto the north and east shores of Hamnavoe
5
the town in the landscape
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Orkney Local Plan 2004, p179, para 11.2.11
STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
non-existent role in screening or framing views.
and co-ordinate future planning, transport and urban design issues for the town.
Part of the issue here is the extent of land that needs to be allocated to building and where that
This element of the urban design appraisal
should be. It is frequently stated that Stromness
addresses issues associated with traffic and
has a key physical constraint caused by its
movement and the qualities of the streets
location. This certainly was true but now that
and public spaces in and around the town. In
the town has expanded west, north and east,
particular, it focuses on the relationship between
this seems less of a constraint. We consider
traffic flows, pedestrian movement, spatial
that the quantum of land allocated to residential
quality, and related issues of parking, traffic
development in the current Local Plan is over-
management and highway engineering. Whilst
generous and this is discussed further in the
such questions will be of immediate relevance
Local Plan review later in this chapter.
to transportation policy and the management and maintenance of roads, the appraisal and observations will have direct relevance to
e)
Traffic and movement
broader aspects of the study, including planning and development policy, the environmental
Introduction
assessment and economic factors.
The following notes and observations are intended to provide a strategic overview to guide
John Street - a tight fit for cars
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Background to current public realm
Conventional highway design has long
and traffic issues
been based on the principle of segregation between traffic and other civic functions. Such
This Urban Design Framework is in preparation
segregation was a key recommendation of the
at a time of rapid changes in policies and
Buchanan Report of 1963, Traffic in Towns. Ring
practice relating to traffic in towns. Across
roads, pedestrian precincts, signs, barriers,
mainland Europe and the UK, a fresh approach
traffic management systems, underpasses
to reconciling the relationship between people,
and overbridges are all manifestations of such
places and traffic is evident. Such changes
recommendations. More recent developments
build on a greater appreciation of the social
and policy recommendations have started to
and economic values of streetscapes as part of
explore the potential for greater integration of
the public realm, as well as new insights into
drivers and traffic into the social fabric and civic
behavioural psychology and driver behaviour.
context of streetscapes. Such changes present
Often labelled “shared space” or “simplified
significant new opportunities and issues for
streetscapes”, recent developments challenge
towns and villages seeking to preserve and
many long-standing assumptions that have
enhance the quality of the urban environment
defined and guided recent street design and
under pressure from growing traffic volumes.
traffic engineering. In England and Wales, the publication of the Manual for Streets in
The Local Context
2007 and the rejection of Design Bulletin 32 reflected many of these changes, as does the
Stromness is no ordinary town. Its remote
Scottish Executive’s Planning Advice Note 76,
location on the south-western edge of Orkney,
“Residential Streets”.
its beautiful and bleak setting around Stromness Harbour, and its well-preserved linear street
pedestrian scale streets and materials
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STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
pattern combine to create a unique, memorable and distinctive sense of place. Its position as a terminus for the ferry lends a special importance to its role as a gateway and entry point to the islands. The combination of climate, geography, history and human settlement have combined to create a collection of buildings and spaces of remarkable quality. Such characteristics are of increasing importance as the economic foundation for rural settlements shifts from traditional industries such as farming and fishing towards small businesses and tourism. Research by CABE, by John Moore’s University, Liverpool, and by other bodies increasingly points to the ability of communities to attract investment through retaining and enhancing a distinctive, memorable and coherent public realm.
Transport, Access and the Urban Form The public realm of Stromness is characterised by a linear sequence of streets and spaces running north-south parallel to the harbour shore, set back and protected from the elements by the buildings along the front. The relationship of buildings, streets and water has been determined by slipways and access for boats from the harbour, and pedestrian and carts moving along and up the steep shoreline. A series of narrow lanes and passages connects the main street to the housing, institutions and spaces set above the foreshore, principally around Franklin Road, Hellihole Road, and Whitehouse Lane. The street pattern reflects the
pedestrian environment
predominance of pedestrian movement, with the
near Stromness Primary
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sequence of John Street, Victoria Street, Alfred
Current transport-related issues
Street and Southend linking the principal shops, businesses and institutions. The introduction
Discussions with the Head of Transportation and
of vehicular traffic during the past century has
the Roads Services Manager at Orkney Islands
prompted changes to the streets and spaces
Council have been helpful in establishing an
surrounding the core of the town, most notably
overview of the issues for Stromness relating
through the construction of Ferry Road and
to transport and movement. There are few
the northern approach to the town. This has
immediate critical strategic transport issues.
introduced a different type of street form and
Congestion is limited to short periods at
steetscape characterised by wider, more open
embarkation from ferries, and is not a major
road vistas and strictly segregated pedestrian
problem. Accident rates, in common with the
and vehicular spaces. However the main
rest of the Islands, are low. Parking enforcement
sequence of streets and spaces through the town
is not de-criminalised, and traffic management
has survived the change in transport patterns,
generally relies on local self-enforcement.
and has retained its essential character despite
Current issues and problems include:
the presence of traffic and parking. •
problems of growing on-street parking and the underuse of the Ferry Road car park
•
lack of parking provision, especially for residents in the southern half of the town
•
occasional damage to buildings and paving from larger vehicles in the historic core
•
occasional problems arising from caravans or trailers attempting to negotiate the main street
•
poor pedestrian links between the old town and Hamnavoe, especially to the new Academy and developments to the north of the Harbour
In general, Stromness illustrates many characteristics commonly associated with historic coastal settlements undergoing economic and social change as their role shifts pedestrian scale streets and materials
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away from reliance on marine industries towards tourism and specialist small enterprises. Such
STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
a change places new demands on the street network and influences patterns and demands for transport and movement. This in turn has important implications for planning policy and for any long-term urban design framework. Retaining and strengthening the assets The core of Stromness has survived the changes of the past century relatively intact. The quality of the main street south of the Pierhead provides Stromness with its unique and distinctive identity. The waterfront, with its sequence of slipways and spaces linking back to the main street, provides the essential identity for the town. Retaining and enhancing this identity, in ways exemplified by the architecture of the recent Arts Centre, remains critical to the future of Stromness. It is vital that the core of the town, represented by the linear sequence of its main street, retains a role. At present, it is only the yellow parking lines, the occasional road markings, and a few road signs that allow modern highway engineering to intrude into the timeless qualities of the streetscape. Minimising such intrusions, and preventing further erosion and standardisation of the town’s key asset, is likely to represent a key theme in any emerging design framework. Road Accidents in Stromness In the past ten years, the Stromness area has seen over 90 recorded road traffic accidents. Most of these have been accidents involving
road accident
damage to vehicles rather than to drivers,
locations
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passengers or pedestrians. However there have
essential activities to those that are optional.
been eight serious incidents and two fatalities.
In former centuries, people had to congregate in urban centres for trade, exchange and access
Over 50% of the accidents have occurred in the
to day-to-day supplies. By contrast, modern
historic core of the town particularly along Ferry
distribution and communication patterns mean
Road, at the Pierhead and down the main street.
that we no longer have to congregate in town
Another noticeable black spot is the roundabout
centres. Instead, we decide to enter and spend
at the north end of the town where 15 incidents
time in the public realm because we wish to;
have occurred in recent years.
because it fulfils other needs for leisure, interest and human interaction. Stromness is subject to
Background to public realm analysis
the same change – people choose to visit and enjoy the town as a voluntary, optional activity.
Professor Jan Gehl, in his many studies such as
For this reason the quality and distinctiveness of
New City Life (Copenhagen 2006), highlights
the public realm becomes much more critical to
the essential change in the role of streets and
attracting activity and movement, and to giving
public spaces as places serving necessary,
the town an economic foundation.
distinctive and high quality public realm
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STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
This factor is critical in maintaining and
Emerging methods of predicting and modelling
enhancing the role of the main street and the
pedestrian activity allow us to study the
waterfront in Stromness. It offers a rare example
changing dynamics of town centres, arising from
of a set of urban spaces that successfully
the location and relationship of key attractors.
integrate pedestrian and social interaction
Streets and spaces are typically colour-coded,
with limited vehicular movement. However this
with red indicating the greatest pedestrian
relationship relies on two key factors. Firstly, it
presence (usually the main street or town
needs people – the presence and expectation
centre), through to blue for the quietest and least
of pedestrian movement helps retain low
accessible streets. Were it possible to record
speeds and informal interaction between
changes in pedestrian activity in Stromness, it is
drivers and others. Secondly, the absence of
likely that we would observe a shift of the “red”
elements conventionally associated with “the
(busier) spaces northwards, with a corresponding
highway”, help to blur the boundaries between
cooling of the southern part of the town. This will
“carriageway” and “public realm”. Reinforcing
have resulted from the concentration of activities
and building on these two factors is essential to
around the Pierhead and ferry, and the relocation
retain and enhance the core asset of the town.
of institutions (such as The Academy) and new developments to the north of the harbour.
poor pedestrian environment at the entrance to the town
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Maintaining footfall in Stromness Main Street
Arrival points and transition spaces
The threat to Stromness from a shift in the town
First impressions count. The quality of the spaces
centre northwards lies in the loss of pedestrian
defining the gateways and entry points into the
presence along the main street, especially the
town serve a critical purpose in defining the
southern portion of Dundas Street and Alfred
character and quality of a town. Clear transition
Street. Without adequate pedestrian footfall,
spaces are also essential in order to signal the
shops and other facilities will inevitably fail
change in context and expected behaviour (such
or relocate northwards, further reducing the
as driver speed) between the highway and a town
attractiveness of the core street. In turn, the
centre. For ferry ports, such arrival points can
reduction in pedestrian presence will shift the
be particularly problematic. Space tends to be
balance towards vehicular movement, further
determined by the need to store and manoeuvre
reducing its attractiveness. It is therefore
vehicles, often resulting in bleak and featureless
essential to promote measures to retain
spaces. Towns that have expanded beyond
and encourage the presence of shops and
their historic cores in haphazard development
institutions (such as the excellent town museum)
also tend to suffer from blurred and ill-defined
to remain to the south of the town, and to serve
boundaries and edges.
as attractors for pedestrian activity. Increasing residential population to encourage movement on foot between different locations is also important. The quality of space at the small lookout just south of the old town on Ness Road is likewise important as a potential attractor and terminus point for the journey through the town. At the same time, it is vital to resist pressure to introduce further highway clutter, such as signs and road markings that will erode the critical quality of the core street. We understand that traffic management proposals, such as the introduction of one-way flows, have proved unpopular. We would argue against the use of any measures that require more signage or traffic engineering, and to find creative ways to poor arrival environment at the ferry terminal
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retain the unique and distinctive qualities of the streetscape.
ORKNEY ISLANDS COUNCIL
STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
The public realm and streetscape of Stromness
waterfront and tighter street planning in order to
suffers from many such characteristics. The
improve enclosure, identity and sense of place.
magnificent quality of the main street stands
This work has been ongoing over the past months
in marked contrast to the bleak and standard
through the Stromness Harbour Working Group.
municipal character of the open space around the ferry port and along Ferry Road. Visitors
Pedestrian connectivity
arriving by car from the north are greeted by an over-sized municipal roundabout and road
The development of Hamnavoe and the land to
network that do little to announce the special
the north of the town have stretched the formerly
qualities of place upon which the vitality of the
compact and well-defined boundaries of the
town depends. The wide and featureless tarmac
old town. With limited space for vehicles in the
of Ferry Road provides essential storage for
historic core, high-quality, attractive pedestrian
embarking vehicles, but contributes little to the
links become more critical. At present there is
quality or cohesion of the public realm.
little to promote or celebrate a route around the north end of the harbour. Protecting and
We would recommend that future investment
enhancing a pedestrian route along Ferry Road
in the approach roads and sites around the
and North End Road and on towards Garson
ferry terminal take careful account of the scale
is essential for the cohesion and movement
and character of the historic core of Stromness,
strategy for Stromness, and will be particularly
and measures are planned that help reinforce
important when development of the former lorry
a distinctive and memorable sense of arrival.
park takes place.
This could include a strategic proposal to realign Ferry Road, the roundabout and development
At either end of the main street, the change
along this stretch of town which respond better
in scale and character are well served by the
the historic urban pattern of addressing the
transition to the large flagstone paving stones.
the fragmented environment around the ferry terminal
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This transition should be retained and reinforced
of long stay car parking further along Ferry Road
through maintaining other contrasts, such
- between the public WC and the Lieutenant’s
as in the use of lighting and absence of road
House.
markings and signs. From the main street, the links to the inner town up the alleys, streets
This is especially important for the southern
and passageways provide important clues
portions of the town, which are less- well served
and encouragement to pedestrian movement
by the two car-parks, but where it is important to
and exploration. Carefully positioned street
reinforce the attractiveness of businesses and
nameplates and other clues in the use of
facilities whilst preventing further erosion in the
paving and street furniture can help highlight
quality of the streetscape. Any opportunities
such connections, and contribute to a sense
to provide discrete and accessible off-street
of legibility and permeability for the town. The
parking should be investigated. As far as
layout of new development proposals must
possible, incentives and encouragement should
demonstrate that they engage with existing
be provided to limit the use of on-street parking
townscape and pedestrian routes, offering a
in the historic town to very short-term use for
continuation of the historic pattern of pedestrian
deliveries, loading, and access for disabled
permeability.
people.
Parking
Resources for parking management and enforcement are limited, and likely to remain so.
Space for cars and other vehicles in the centre
It is therefore sensible to seek ways to build on
of Stromness is very limited. There are two off-
the existing informal self-policing qualities of the
street car parks; one at the ferry terminal, and
current streetscapes. Facilitating the residents
one at the Business Centre (the former Academy
and community of Stromness to take control
site). The ferry terminal car park is reported to
and responsibility for parking provision will be
be underused for most of the year except during
more effective than any measures that are seen
Shopping Week, due to time restrictions and
to require the presence of the local authority or
parking charges, and these are currently due to
police. Parking issues are dealt with on p109.
be reviewed. With such limited opportunities for on-street parking, it is essential that maximum
Beyond the historic centre
use be made of any off-street sites, and it may
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be appropriate to seek means of encouraging
The contrast between the quality of space in
and promoting further off-street, remote parking
the historic core, and the streets, approach
potentially including new development sites
roads and intersections on the outlying areas
such as the Primary School. There is also an area
of Stromness is particularly striking. In part this
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STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
is related to the change of scale and density,
intersections and junctions, and to parts of the
but there is a general lack of enclosure and
street network associated with major buildings
place-making formed by the spaces between
or significant landmarks. Examples might
buildings in many of the more recently developed
include the Hamnavoe roundabout by the lorry
parts of the town. The streetscapes and spaces
park at the north end of town, the intersection
that connect the historic centre to the rest of
of Hellihole Road, Outertown Road and Back
the community lack the qualities upon which
Road, and the spaces associated with the former
town’s economy is increasingly likely to depend.
Academy, St. Peter’s House, the Primary School,
Encouraging a greater sense of enclosure for any
and the Ferryport.
new developments may address this issue over time. However, more immediate benefits could be gained by ensuring that any highway changes
f)
Conservation and heritage
or maintenance measures to the streetscape take careful account of the potential for creating
The historic core of Stromness is designated as
and emphasizing distinctive places. This could
an Outstanding Conservation Area containing
be achieved by avoiding excessive highway
133 listed buildings (Category B and C(s). The
markings, signs and barriers, and by introducing
particularly dense development fronting or
a local language for paving, detailing and lighting
connecting onto the winding main street running
that help to define a network of simple places.
parallel to the sea is recognised as a unique and
We would recommend that particular attention
valuable piece of traditional townscape.
is paid to the design and configuration of street
the North Hamnavoe, Cairston and Garson environment is less pedestrian friendly than the historic core
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The Townscape Heritage Initiative Study (thi) running in parallel with this Urban Design Framework study aims to encourage partnerships to carry out repairs to historic properties and improve the conservation area for those who live, work or visit it. The full thi report is a companion document to this framework. Vision for the thi The vision for the Stromness thi is to focus on ‘investing in the unique built heritage, waterfront place attributes and identity of the retail and commercial core of Stromness town centre’. Initially this will be by repairing buildings in the area and improving the public realm as well as encouraging independent businesses and develop distinctive niche products and services. It is anticipated that the overall result of this will be to:
•
improve and enrich the retail and visitor offer by focusing on higher value niche
• •
markets establish a ‘ centre of excellence in the arts and contemporary crafts’ increase the number of visitors and residents who use the town centre and
• •
encourage longer visits extend the visitor season increase the footfall in the town centre, create wealth and make businesses more
Stromness Outstanding Conservation Area and • Listed Buildings
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profitable complement other future proposals for Stromness
ORKNEY ISLANDS COUNCIL
STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
The objectives in Stromness
identified under Theme 1. These include:
The fundamental objective of the THI is to
1. Eight key buildings and sites identified as
promote sustainable, distinctive heritage
target projects at stage 1 namely:
led regeneration of the historic retail and
•
the Commercial Hotel
commercial core of Stromness. This will be
•
Argo’s Bakery
delivered by adopting an integrated approach
•
44 Alfred Street and pier building behind
that will stabilise businesses, actively encourage
•
47-49 Graham Place
business growth and appropriate investment
•
the Arctic Whaler
in the core of the town centre which will in turn
•
87 John Street
act as a foundation for the wider regeneration of
•
94 Victoria Street
Stromness.
•
6 Alfred Street (Lighthouse pier building beside square)
To achieve this vision, a series of four strategies themes have been established that respond to the key challenges that have been identified. These are:
1. Promote the Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (cars) proposals with Historic Scotland 2. Prioritise third party grants to independent business and property owners focussed on
Theme 1 – investing in the unique identity of Stromness
repairing historic fabric 3. Promote improvements to shop fronts
Theme 2 – boosting town centre business and improving the retail and visitor offer Theme 3 – promoting the creative industries Theme 4 – delivering an effective training plan Based on the four themes, an Action Plan that includes a series of priority initiatives has been identified and is explained in the thi report. Although the whole thi report is a critical part of the strategy for Stromness, of particular relevance to this study is the list of proposals
key buildings identified in the thi study
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and street frontage focused on restoring
Development dynamics
architectural detail 4. Use vacant and underused historic buildings
We stated in the introduction to this report
to promote an increase in appropriate
that the contrast between the historic core of
residential accommodation in the town
Stromness and the rest of the town was striking.
centre
It is not just a visual contrast but increasingly a
5. Invest in the ’public realm’, appropriate
functional contrast. The old town can no longer
signage and way finding to better connect
cope with the requirements of businesses,
the different parts of the town centre.
pressure for increased car access or the desire to live in reasonably priced modern family
These proposals are very positive for the town although in some cases they lack a connection with real projects or developers – for example more specific information on end uses and potential developers would be useful to the Council. It should also be clear that the real purpose of the thi project is regeneration and a broader vision for the historic core – not just the completion of projects that have only a provisional fit with a vision of positive change.
key buildings identified in the thi study
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accommodation with a garden and garage. This
STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
change over time is nothing new.
and Stromness Academy so it is not a purely industrial area.
In the late 19th and early 20th century, the centre of Stromness was situated around Alfred Street
The growth of residential development outside
and Dundas Street with the Police Station, Town Hall and Post Office all in a relatively southerly
the historic core has been taking place since the early 20th century. Initially development extended
location on the main street. Today the centre has
partially up the western slopes of the town and
moved to the Pierhead area although this has
also to the north. The second half of the 20th
not been accompanied by much sense of retail
century saw substantial growth in the number
or community refocus – the sense of centrality
of individual dwellings in the countryside to the
is related to the activity of the port and the ferry,
west and north of the old town. There have also
as well as good accessibility. The Library may
been residential developments in Garson and
move north to the Pierhead in the next few years
North End Road and most recently at the Citadel
leaving the museum as the only draw in the
area in the south west of the old town.
southern part of the core. Another area of expansion has been the ferry In terms of public and community buildings there
terminal, marina and associated activities
has been a gentle progression to the north of
including short and long stay parking and the
Hamnavoe from the historic core over the past
lorry park which is currently an integral part
twenty years. Stromness Academy has relocated
of the port facility. This is a core part of the
there and the Primary School will follow suit.
structure of the town. It is an important arrival
Other facilities such as the Swimming Pool and
point and gateway to Stromness and the Orkney
Squash Club have been in the north for some
mainland yet the old town does not benefit as
years. The town’s main convenience store is also
much as it might do from visitor traffic.
located outside the historic core on North End Road although some local residents would prefer
Over time the changing locational and
to see more and smaller convenience stores.
development dynamics have had a significant
Equally other residents would prefer to see a new
impact on the character and vitality of the town.
local supermarket.
The Pierhead is now the town’s most active area and natural focal point. The arrival and
Over the past twenty years, industry has also
departure, several times a day, of the ferry still
established itself outside the historic core, partly
determines the rhythm of life and the peaks and
along Cairston Road but increasingly at Garson
troughs of activity. As well as the mainland ferry,
which is now the town’s designated industrial
services to Hoy and Graemsay, cruise ships,
area. This area also contains residential areas
fishing boats and yachts help to maintain a vital
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sense of purpose in Stromness, and a buzz of
concentrated in one shop on North End
activity on the shore. With its car parks, bus
Road outwith the historic centre and
terminus and taxi services, the Pierhead is the
designated town centre
principal point of arrival in the town, and it is
6. the port and its associated functions form an
surrounded by other services and facilities that
important central part of the town structure
are vital to locals and visitors – for example the hotels, cafes and shops like Argo’s, Flett’s and
Towns are dynamic places which naturally
Wishart’s. It is also a popular events venue which
grow, contract or change function over time.
plays a key part in Shopping Week, the Folk
Stromness is no different but the Council and the
Festival and other festivities.
Stromness business and residential community should neither powerlessly spectate on this
The drift of uses from the core to other areas has
process nor encourage negative trends. What
been matched by some replacement of old uses
is required is a joint sense of vision for the town
by new functions. There are two galleries and
and then for the role that the component parts
gift shops and a couple of dive businesses which
can play in its future. Individual projects will
cater for visitors rather than residents. Also the
follow from that.
old Academy building has been converted to business units.
g)
The current Local Plan – a brief urban design review
In summary: The current Local Plan for Stromness is the 1. the town centre has moved from around the
Orkney Island Local Plan 2004. The document
Hellihole area to the Pierhead and beyond
provides a useful and concise overview of the
over the past century
issues facing the town and its prospects. The
2. there has been a long term drift of functions
main considerations are:
from the old town to the north and east of Hamnavoe with poor connections
•
3. new residential development has tended
need to provide for 140 dwellings during the
to be located outside the historic core on greenfield sites either on individual plots or
Plan period (up to 2010) •
more rarely as unified schemes
and the need for major infrastructure •
Garson or have located there in the absence
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industrial land and business space are catered for at Garson and the Old Academy
of suitable sites in the historic core 5. convenience shopping is now effectively
housing sites remaining undeveloped from the previous Plan period due to ownership
4. business and industrial uses have generally moved out of the centre to Cairston or
continuing demand for new housing and a
respectively •
measures that support the provision of
STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
•
visitor facilities
current capacity for over 600 dwellings in the
recognition of the quality of the built
Stromness Town Boundary or Developed Area (as
environment of the historic core and the
defined on the OIC GIS).
need for better design standards • •
• •
•
recognition of the need for better design
We appreciate why there is such a quantum of
standards in the National Scenic Area
land allocated for residential development in
acceptance that the quality of new
the current Local Plan – there are infrastructure
development on the edge of the town has
issues, some of the sites are very difficult to
not respected the high quality landscape
develop (such as H2 East of Garson Road) and
setting
others are dependent on the current owners
physical constraints of the town’s setting
having a more positive attitude to development.
hampering new development
Nevertheless a focus on specific sites where
the need to balance the operational
development could contribute to a range
requirements of the port and ferry with the
of urban design objectives might be more
need for an attractive visitor environment
constructive than a blanket approach. This will
sport and recreational facilities and access
be addressed in section 5.
to the countryside • •
pedestrian vehicular conflicts in the historic
Business and industry: the Local Plan identifies
core
four sites for business and industry – two at
issues with infrastructure impeding the
Garson Industrial Estate for general use and
realisation of plans and policies in the Plan
food processing, a site at Cairston Industrial Estate for continuing general industrial use and
Residential development: the Local Plan deals
Stromness Old Academy primarily for Class 4
at some length with the 12 sites allocated for
Business use. It is clear from the Local Plan
residential development in Stromness. The Plan
that the quality of the environment on offer to
seeks to provide land for 140 new dwellings in
prospective companies at Garson and at the Old
the period up to 2010. A number of housing
Academy is important and that clean, secure and
sites identified in the Local Plan 1979 remained
attractive premises set in a desirable landscaped
undeveloped in 2004. At the present time the
environment are key components in attracting
land area allocated for housing but currently
the right businesses to these sites.
unbuilt is 31 hectares. Even at a modest density of 20 dwellings per hectare, (the Local Plan
We have two comments to make on this. Firstly
requires densities of 25 units/hectare in and
in the absence of a completely new approach
close to the town centre and 15 units/hectare
to the structure and development of Garson,
in the remainder of the town) this indicates a
it is never going to be an attractive place in
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Proposals Map for Stromness from the Local Plan 2004
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STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
which to locate anything other than functional
entry to the historic core with car parking and
industrial and business buildings which are
shops, cafes, hotels and other services clustered
not particular about their surroundings –
around it. It is an important outdoor space,
neither is it an attractive place to work as it is
playing an important part in Shopping Week and
isolated from the rest of the town. Secondly,
other community events.
the idea that industries or businesses should be segregated out from the rest of the town is
An extensive community consultation (which
rather antediluvian – the Old Academy building
is described in more detail elsewhere in this
represents a good example of integrated land
report) has shown that local people recognise
use while Garson demonstrates the opposite.
the importance of the Pierhead for both residents and visitors, and it has also revealed some
One response to these issues might be to regard
frustration with the condition of an area which
Garson as an integrated part of Stromness with a
is thought to be a disappointing introduction to
range of roles to play in the future of the town. To
Stromness. Because of this, OIC decided to run
achieve this, and to encourage a better physical
an architectural competition for the Pierhead
and emotional connection with the old town, it is
in collaboration with the Royal Incorporation of
necessary to improve physical linkage and public
Architects in Scotland. The proposals for the
realm between Garson and the old town. An
site were exhibited during Shopping Week and
improved linkage round the head of Hamnavoe
Malcolm Fraser Architects have been chosen
could assist with this aim.
to develop ideas and a detailed design for the area. The submissions for the competition
Environment: the Local Plan makes specific
underline the difficulties of approaching urban
mention of the opportunities for creating a major
projects as architectural exercises where the
focal point for Stromness around the Alexander
focus is inevitably the new building and not the
Graham Fountain, the Registrar’s Office and
existing town, its businesses and community.
the former Harbour Office. This proposal has subsequently become the Pierhead Project
While improving the Pierhead is a worthwhile
which is currently the subject of an architectural
project, the area’s function, content, structure
competition run by the Royal Incorporation of
and economic goals all require to be addressed.
Architects in Scotland and the Council following
So must the operational requirements of the
extensive consultation with the local community.
port. These key issues – which are all addressed in this report - provide the context for any
The Pierhead area plays a pivotal role in the life
design proposals for the Pierhead. The strategic
of the town. It is the principal point of arrival for
directions set out in this framework will help
ferries, cars and buses. It is also the point of
to clarify what should be done with the area
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Malcolm Fraser Architects winning concept for the Pierhead
and this document should be referred to in
them to stay
developing designs for the area.
•
Stromness Harbour: the Local Plan identifies a
•
short and long stay car parking may sterilise key development sites the lorry park which is identified as a
number of issues around the harbour and its use
redevelopment opportunity site (R1) is now
by ro-ro ferries, cruise liners, bulk cargo, inshore
the site for the proposed new Stromness
and deep-sea fishing as well as leisure users
Primary School – it is regarded by the port
visiting the marina. This results in difficulties
operations staff as an integral part of the
between users in the form of traffic conflicts and
port operation, linked to the ferry terminal
the amenity of the town centre. The Local Plan
by private road and providing weighbridge
aimed to reduce the impact of harbour related development on the town centre and enhance
and transhipment facilities for the terminal •
the overall appearance of the waterfront.
the marina may require a new northern breakwater and causes a degree of interference with port operations
There are clearly difficulties with this such as:
•
Ferry Road itself is an exposed and unpleasant place for pedestrians yet it is an
•
the ferry terminal layout encourages visitors to leave Stromness rather than encouraging
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integral part of the port •
the car parking areas on the ferry terminal
STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
•
are rarely used to capacity and are bleak and
between the port and the town could certainly be
unattractive
improved – in physical terms the new terminal
while there are conflicts around the new
has moved the port focus north of the Pierhead
ferry terminal, other areas of the port to the
yet local businesses and facilities have little
south are underused – especially the former
opportunity to connect to the activity generated.
Polestar’ Pier There is a need for greater coordination of port This is a complex set of difficulties that requires
and town activities – it has often been said to
a sense of proportion and a reasoned response.
us that as the ferry arrives the bus leaves for
Our starting point is that the port of Stromness
Kirkwall before the passengers disembark as an
is a functioning entity and its attractiveness is
example of poor cooperation. Whether this is
in part due to its constant bustle across a wide
wholly accurate or not, there has to be a greater
range of activities from leisure to freight. The
sense of corporate endeavour between the port
port also has to survive in the face of competition
and the town and a sense that their futures are
and needs flexibility – whether that means
integrated rather than separate.
room to expand or simply the means to change the way in which it operates. The relationship
the lorry park at North Hamnavoe
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Sport, recreation and community facilities: the
Transport: the Local Plan refers to the need to
Local Plan outlines four streams of policy and
evaluate long term solutions for traffic in the
proposals relative to this subject area. S1 deals
town. We have already set out our approach to
with playing fields, parks and other recreation
these issues earlier in this section.
areas where the focus of the Plan is on retention of existing facilities at Market Green and Marwick
Redevelopment opportunities: the Local Plan
Playing Fields. Mention is also made of the
deals with three redevelopment opportunities –
golf course and children’s play areas which are
R1 North End Marshalling Area (the lorry park),
also to be protected. S2 and S3 deal with the
R2 the former Mart and adjacent areas, and R3
protection of amenity areas and the Stromness
Stromness Water Works.
Marina development respectively. S4 deals with footpaths and cycle tracks and the need
We have dealt with the Lorry Park earlier in our
to develop and extend the existing network of
consideration of the issues surrounding the
facilities.
harbour. The Council have decided to use this site for the new Stromness Primary School. As
These are important subject areas that affect the amenity and quality of life of Stromness residents. Some of the areas mentioned in the Local Plan are very beautiful – such as the golf course – while other well regarded facilities are rather second rate. The Market Green may be well used and have some historic significance but it is a wasted opportunity – an exposed and featureless green space. We are not suggesting that it should be completely developed but there may be opportunities to improve it as part of the Urban Design Framework in association with new development. Also it would be constructive to set out clear guidelines for the expansion of footpath links around Hamnavoe in association with other development proposals. This would start to view to the harbour from underline the integrated and connected nature of Victoria Street the Urban Design Framework.
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STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
the green elements of the Local Plan and other related features
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yet no decision has been taken regarding the
suggest a need to ask some very basic questions
relocation of the Lorry Park. Some options are
about the future of the town. Some of these
examined in section 5
might be:
The former Mart site to the west of Ferry Road is
I.
already the subject of a design and development
II. What is the future of the historic core and
brief prepared by the Council. This is a critical site but cannot be dealt with in isolation as a development opportunity.
What is the purpose and role of the town? what function might it perform?
III. What are the roles of the various other parts of the town and can these areas work in an integrated and holistic manner?
Conclusions
IV. Are there too many proposals competing for scarce resources and might fewer and
This urban design appraisal has highlighted that the historic core of Stromness is a unique and attractive place – a wonderful by-product of landscape setting, traditional building and a stunning waterfront. At the same time, it is declining with loss of roles, increasing vacancies and a declining environment. This special place occupies less than 7% of the town area while much of the rest of the settlement is
stronger proposals help to fulfil more integrated spatial objectives? V. Should the unrelenting drift to the north be reflected in a new spatial structure for North Hamnavoe? VI. Is there a positive future for Garson other than as a home for things that can’t be accommodated elsewhere? VII. What can be done about the low quality of
disappointing, lacking basic qualities of shelter,
design of new buildings on the edges of the
place and form.
town and in the surrounding countryside? VIII. What size should Stromness be? Is building
An early and obvious conclusion would therefore
140 houses by 2010 (as per the Local Plan)
be the need to bring some sense of structure and
sensible or just very unambitious?
form to the town as an integrated functioning unit.
IX. How do we build urban form in such a low demand environment – can low density be a sustainable solution?
While preserving and enhancing the historic core has been an objective of the Council for some time, changes in land use patterns, changes in the type and location of housing, the relocation of important community institutions and the growing rate of vacancies in the historic core
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X. Each of the character areas described needs attention of some kind – the 4th and 5th tier areas have the most potential for change but how should these be improved? XI. Can the town put its energy and sustainability research credentials to work
STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
for the Stromness environment?
ensuring that it starts to work for the benefit of the town and
If robust answers are supplied to the first three
•
creating a spatial strategy and development
questions then the rest will start to fall into
framework for the Ferry Road, North
place. Our point is that roles, strategy and
Hamnavoe and North End Road including
structure are the top level components of an
the existing lorry park and former cattle mart
urban design strategy – everything else will
site
flow from these including spatial strategy, site
•
producing a spatial strategy for Garson
development frameworks, design briefs and
•
tackling the design and sustainability issues
guides, place strategies, connections, networks
around proposed residential development
and individual building proposals.
sites and their location •
The urban design framework has to consider the
developing a more coherent and connected place strategy
following matters as core subjects, namely: Before that in Section 3, the report focuses •
•
driving vitality and demand in the historic
on the economic appraisal of the town and
core while improving the environment of the
identifies the key economic assets and drivers of
conservation area
the Stromness economy and assesses priorities
setting out a role for the Pierhead and
for action.
the Ferry Road environment of concrete yards, storage and backs of properties
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STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
section 3: economic appraisal Socio-economic profile
it slipped back between 1991 and 2001, while Kirkwall continued to grow steadily. This tends
a)
Population
to confirm the view of many of our consultees that Stromness has declined relative to Kirkwall
Stromness is a small community. The settlement
in recent years. While Kirkwall has cemented
itself (as defined for the 2001 Census) has a
its role as the capital of Orkney, Stromness has
population of about 1,600. The total population
experienced a loss of status, reflected in events
of the three wards that include the town and its
such as the loss of the Aberdeen-Shetland ferry
rural hinterland is around 2,700.
service, the closure of the auction mart, and the
1
continuing leakage of retail expenditure. The population of Stromness town peaked at around 2,500 in 1831, but declined steadily
Figure 3-1 summarises key data from the 2006
during the 20th century, dropping to 1,650 in
Annual Population Survey. It shows that the socio-
1971 when the population of Mainland also
economic characteristics of the area are broadly
reached a low.
in line with Orkney, which is markedly different from Scotland in some respects. However, t he
By 1991, the population of the town had recovered
percentage of the population of the Stromness
to 1,890, reflecting strong growth in Orkney, but
area which is of pensionable age (23.1%) is
1 Source: SCROL. The three wards are: Stromness North; Stromness South, Graemsay and North Hoy; Sandwick and Stromness Southward.
higher than both Scotland and Orkney, another symptom of relative decline and the lack of economic vitality.
Scotland
Orkney Islands %
Population %
Figure 3-1: Annual Population Survey 2006, Scotland, Orkney, Stromness; Source: NOMIS
Child population Working age population Pensionable age population Working age: income deprived Aged 16-24, claiming Jobseekers Allowance Aged 25-49, claiming Jobseekers Allowance Aged 50-pension age, claiming Jobseekers Allowance Working age: employment deprived Aged 16-19 in Workless Client Group Aged 20-24 in Workless Client Group Aged 25-49 in Workless Client Group Aged 50-pension age in Workless Client Group
18.0 62.8 19.2 13.9 4.2 2.5 1.9 12.9 8.0 13.1 14.2 20.0
18.1 60.2 21.7 7.8 2.3 1.1 1.4 7.7 3.3 7.4 6.2 12.8
Stromness area S02000946 % 17.0 60.0 23.1 7.4 2.3 1.0 0.9 6.0 4.2 11.0 5.6 9.9
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51
b)
Employment and the business base
some results are suppressed for reasons of confidentiality. Nevertheless, the results appear
We have analysed the results of the Annual
to be broadly consistent with the anecdotal
Business Inquiry (ABI) 2006, focusing on
evidence we have gathered and our observations
Intermediate Datazone SO2000946, which covers
on the ground. Compared with Scotland, Orkney
the three wards. The results, which may be subject
has:
a margin of error, show that there were 1,043 employees in employment in the Stromness area.
•
a higher proportion of employees
This understates total employment because (like
in the public sector, transport and
other island communities) the Stromness area has
communications, construction and primary
a high proportion of self-employed people who are not included in the ABI count. At the time of
industries, and •
the Census there were 330 self-employed people in the three wards. We have no way of monitoring
services and manufacturing. •
change since 2001, but on the assumption that there has been little movement, it is reasonable
a lower proportion in financial and business Compared with Orkney, it appears that the Stromness area has:
•
a higher proportion of employees in tourism,
to assume that there are 1,300 – 1,400 employed
construction, transport and manufacturing,
people in Stromness and district, including the
and
self-employed.
•
a lower proportion in the service sector and public administration.
Figure 3-2 shows the breakdown of employment
Figure 3.2: Share of employment by industry sector; Source: ABI 2006. Note: excludes selfemployment
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in Scotland, Orkney and the Stromness area by
Analysis of 2-digit ABI data should be treated
broad industry sector. This analysis must be
with even greater caution, but it does suggest
treated with caution. The numbers involved
that, allowing for the small size of the total
are very small and may be subject to error, and
employed population, the economy of the
Industry 1: Agriculture and fishing 2: Energy and water 3: Manufacturing 4: Construction 5: Distribution, hotels and restaurants 6: Transport and communications 7: Banking, finance and insurance 8: Public administration, education, health 9: Other services Total
ORKNEY ISLANDS COUNCIL
Scotland % 1.5 1.6 9.4 5.8 22.4 5.1 18.3 30.4 5.4 100.1
Orkney % 2.6 0.5 6.1 10.4 22.9 9.5 6.7 37.1 4.2 100.0
Stromness area % 0.9 0.2 11.6 8.2 32.0 7.8 5.9 30.3 3.2 100.0
STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
Stromness area specialises in the following
employ 1-10 people. However, these micro
activities:
businesses account for only about a third of total employment (Figure 3-3).
•
food manufacturing
•
tourism (hotels and restaurants)
•
wholesale trade
•
construction
Two important points should be noted. First,
Share of total workplaces Share of total employment
Workplace size band 1-10 11-49 50+ 82.2% 16.4% 1.4% 34.1%
50.8%
15.1%
Figure 3.3: Workplaces by size and share of total employment, Stromness area; Source: ABI 2006. Note: excludes self-employment
food processing and tourism are key drivers of wealth creation in Orkney, and important
Conclusion
sources of revenue earnings. Second, although there are a number of renewable energy and
The future of Stromness hangs in the balance.
related enterprises in Stromness, they do not
The long-term perspective suggests that, at best,
yet account for a significant proportion of local
the economy of the town has evolved but without
jobs. However, as we shall see, the renewables
achieving significant growth. New activities and
sector is one of the keys to the future prosperity
industries have compensated for the decline
of Stromness.
of staple industries such as agriculture, fishing and port operations, but they have not created
Public sector employment in Stromness is
net additional jobs. In that respect, Stromness
dominated by education. We do not have up
has stagnated while Kirkwall has continued to
to date data on the sectors in which the self
grow, with public, service and retail sector jobs
employed are working, but evidence from other
gravitating towards the islands’ capital.
areas combined with observation and anecdotal evidence, suggests that they will include:
Despite this, there are real grounds for optimism and even excitement. Although the economy
•
agriculture
of Stromness is small and, in some respects,
•
fishing
vulnerable, the town has competitive strengths
•
tourism
in a number of sectors which will play a key role
•
crafts and creative industries
in the Orkney economy in the next 20-30 years.
•
owners of micro businesses in a range of
These key drivers – culture, tourism, transport,
sectors
renewable energy and food processing – are discussed in Section 3.
ABI 2006 identifies at total of 146 workplaces in the Stromness area, of which 120 (82%)
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c)
Key economic assets and drivers
important, they have the potential for significant future growth and synergies. The urban design
We have identified five key drivers of economic
framework has a key role to play in realising the
vitality in Stromness:
potential of these five key sectors.
•
culture and creativity
Assets
•
tourism
•
transport links
Despite its small size and current uncertainties,
•
renewable energy
Stromness has an impressive asset base.
•
food manufacturing.
Capitalising on these assets, developing them and exploring the potential synergies between
Together, these sectors account for a significant
them will be important themes of the strategy.
proportion of employment and wealth creation
The following audit of assets (Figure 3-4) has
in the Stromness and they contribute to
been developed following a programme of desk
the competitiveness of Orkney. Even more
research, consultations and field visits.
Pier Arts Centre
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STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
Culture and creativity
Pier Arts Centre: the PAC houses a collection of international quality in an award-winning group of buildings on the waterfront. Year-round programme of high quality temporary exhibitions. PAC is one of the Scottish Arts Council’s Foundation Organisations. On target for 38,000 visitors in the year to July 2008. Visual arts: Stromness is one of the focal points for visual artists in Orkney, attracted by the history, landscape and cultural traditions. Available studio space has reduced as commercial lettings have increased at the Old Academy, but there is still evidence of demand for purpose built artist/ workshop space in Stromness. Creative industries: a number of micro-businesses including several design businesses at the Old Academy (Digitata, Muddy Funksters etc). Literature: strong literary tradition associated with George Mackay Brown; successful residencies over several years will be carried forward by the GMB Foundation. Stromness Museum: highly regarded local museum telling the history of the port and the community – a “hidden gem” with strong community/ volunteer involvement. Folk Festival: the Orkney Folk Festival is now in its 27th year and has a strong base of patrons/supporters. Events take place throughout Mainland, but focus on venues in Stromness. Shopping Week has been an annual event for many years.
Porteous Brae Gallery
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Tourism
Marina: the new marina has proved popular, with high take up of berths by local boat owners. Some berths have been reserved for visiting sailors however direct services/facilities are limited. Diving is an increasingly important niche market, with Stromness-based companies providing services for experts and beginners. Accommodation: a range of accommodation in hotels, guest houses and self-catering; demand is reportedly high in the summer months, holidays and festivals. Campsite: a beautifully situated camping and caravan site at the south end of Stromness; However the site is cramped in summer and has complicated access for larger vehicles it is also seasonal opening. Golf course: a very attractive and well maintained golf course on the south side of the town, with a modern clubhouse; open to visitors. Local services: Stromness is one of the most popular local service centres for visitors to Orkney. The town has a small supermarket and a range of independent shops. There is a range of cafes, pubs serving food and restaurants. Cultural attractions: the Pier Arts Centre is one of the principal visitor attractions in Orkney. It adds a contemporary dimension to Orkney’s traditional strengths: archaeology, traditional crafts and culture, and the natural environment. World Heritage Site: As the historic ‘capital’ of the West Mainland Stromness has been identified as a potential site to act as a gateway to the remarkable series of archaeological sites in the WHS. There is also growing demand for archaeological education, training and research in Orkney. Orkney at War: Stromness played a key role in both world wars, and was the army headquarters in WW2; there is a growing interest in the sites and stories of Orkney at war and a valuable archaeological record, including the fascinating Ness Battery site south of the town,
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STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
Transport
Gateway to Orkney: Stromness continues to be one of the principal gateways to Orkney. Regular ferry sailings animate the town and generate additional visits.
Figure 3-4: Stromness key assets
Port infrastructure: modern ferry port with good road access and parking nearby. Lorry park at the north end of the bay for marshalling trailers. Ferry services: regular Northlink sailings on the short crossing to the Scottish mainland at Scrabster; modern RO-RO ferry, the Hamnavoe. Passenger services to Graemsay and Hoy. Cruise liners: regular visits from small cruise liners and special interest tours Travel Centre: bus services coordinated with ferry arrivals and departures; bus station alongside ferry terminal.
Renewable Energy
European Marine Energy Centre: The first centre of its kind in the world, EMEC provides facilities to test full-scale prototype marine energy devices. Test sites at Billia Croo and Eday are monitored at Stromness. Heriot Watt University: the University’s International Centre for Island Technology (ICIT) has been established in Stromness for more than 20 years. ICIT offers PhD studies, Masters courses and research/consultancy services. Commercialisation: ICIT has acted as the catalyst for a significant number of spin-out businesses over the years, some of which are now wellestablished local businesses. Start-up space at the Old Academy for new/micro businesses in the renewables sector and other industries. Key companies include Aquatera, Exodus Aurora, Orkney Sustainable Energy and Scotrenewables, with supply chain linkages into other energy sectors and engineering. Orkney Renewable Energy Forum: OREF is an Orkney-wide group, but many of the key players are based in Stromness. OREF promotes Orkney as a centre of excellence for renewables.
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Food manufacturing
Export trade: food products are among Orkney’s principal exports. A number of the county’s leading businesses are located in Stromness. Garson Food Park provides modern business premises and development sites targeted on the food sector. Orkney Herring Co processes North Sea herring. The company is the largest UK producer of sweet cured herring and has diversified into other fish and seafood products. It has recently won a contract to export kosher products to the US. Orkney Fishermen’s Society is a large and successful cooperative; OFS exports live lobster and crab and it processes crab at its factories, including one in Stromness. It is now the 3rd largest specialist crab processor in Europe The Original Orkney Hamper Co is a mail order business selling hampers of food all produced in Orkney and Shetland. Based in Stromness, the company has also set up a smokery.
d)
Challenges •
the high cost of travel places a cost
This is a significant and diverse asset base,
premium on business transactions and
remarkable for such a small community, and it is
limits visitor numbers.
underpinned by active, involved and enterprising community organisations. However, like many
Other challenges also need to be addressed,
peripheral places, the economy of Stromness
notably the high level of dependency on the
remains fragile. Our research and consultations
public sector for capital and revenue funding. For
have identified a number of major challenges.
example:
These include some which are intrinsic to a remote island community, for example:
•
EMEC has already received £15m of public funding, and future expansion plans are also
•
a small labour market pool places limits on
expected to require subsidy; slower than
expansion and inhibits the development of
expected build-up of development contracts
labour intensive businesses •
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distance to markets and suppliers may be a
has resulted in operating deficits •
the Pier Arts Centre depends on grants from
constraint on business growth and make it
the Scottish Arts Council, Orkney Islands
hard to establish high order functions
Council and various foundations
ORKNEY ISLANDS COUNCIL
STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
•
ICIT is required by Heriot Watt to recover its
e)
costs: budgetary pressures mean that the
Industry and commerce: the spatial dimension
centre has reduced in size in the past few years. Other challenges include:
As explained in the previous section, the latter part of the 20th century saw a marked shift in the economic geography of Stromness. Originally, industry and business was concentrated close to
•
the decline and changing patterns of
the waterfront in the historic heart of the town,
traditional industries reflected in the
although retail premises had always dominated
closure of the auction mart in Stromness
the core area from Dundas Street, through
(consolidation in Kirkwall) and the loss of
Victoria Street to John Street.
designated fishing port status •
•
the loss of the ferry link to Aberdeen and
The list of shops and businesses included in
Shetland and new competitive threats
George Robertson’s short history of the town in
including the catamaran service between
the 20th century conveys something of the flavour
Gill’s Bay and South Ronaldsay
and character of the place. The activities noted
the long term and continuing drift of activity
by Robertson include (from south to north):
of all kinds from the historic core of the town to the urban fringe to the north; this
•
Macpherson Bros. distillery (closed 1928)
is continuing with the planned closure and
•
Charlie Gould’s kippering house
relocation of the primary school and the
•
Orkney Fishermen’s Society crabs and lobsters (26-32 Alfred Street, from 1953)
library •
the generally disappointing quality of
•
accommodation and food for visitors •
•
• •
the decline in the number and quality of
Northern Lighthouse Board gas works, stores and pier
•
various ships’ chandlers, fish curers, coal
shops in the town has reduced its vitality
merchants, warehouses, transit shed,
and visitor appeal
stables and cattle sheds
vacant, underused and deteriorating buildings are damaging the image of the
Robertson’s list charts the movement of
town for visitors and prospective residents
businesses along the North End Road in the first
limited supply of office and studio space in
half of the 20th century, in the direction of the
the town centre
Auction Mart which itself closed in the 1990s.
poor design and environmental quality of
As well as new uses such as showrooms, garages
the food and business park at Garson.
and a picture house, the north end became a popular location for blacksmiths, farmers’
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clockwise from top left: Orca Hotel Victoria Street, Scapa Scuba in former Lifeboat Station on Dundas Street, Ring of Brodgar
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STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
merchants and saw mills. The current situation
•
is that:
the Pier Arts Centre opened in 1979 and shops, cafes and galleries catering primarily for visitors replaced neighbourhood shops
•
almost all industrial activities have left the
•
historic core •
•
port and fishing-related activities have been
tourism diversified and diving became a key activity in Stromness
•
the Old Academy buildings were occupied
reduced, and have relocated to new wharfs
first by artists’ studios and then by
and quays accessed from the Pierhead
technology and other small businesses;
competition and changing lifestyles have
professional practices and technology
had a negative impact on shops serving
businesses occupied other small properties
local people: convenience shopping has contracted into an area between Graham Place and the south end of John Street
in the town centre •
most significantly, industry migrated round to the north end of Hamnavoe, and a business park (primarily for fish and other
These symptoms of decline in the older parts
food processing activities) opened at Garson
of Stromness have been offset by changes to accommodate new and expanding industries, for example:
Ness Battery and Stromness Golf Course
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f)
Strategic priorities
Analysis of strategies and plans prepared by OIC, HIE and other partnerships and agencies suggest that, in Orkney generally, the strategic priorities for economic development can be summarised as follows: •
develop distinctive niche competences, including centres of excellence that will attract and retain talent
•
focus on activities and technology that fit with Orkney’s place attributes and brand values
•
commercialise Orkney’s research base, knowledge and creativity
•
create wealth by adding value to Orkney’s natural resources such as winds, tide, food and fish
•
focus the tourism offer on high value niche markets
•
build a set of complementary activities that will reinforce each other and create synergies
•
raise the bar to enhance quality of life and enrich the visitor experience
We are comfortable that these approaches are appropriate for Stromness. In the next section we flesh out a strategic proposition for the town.
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STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
section 4: towards a framework a)
Developing the framework
Role 3: Scotland’s Renewables Centre of Excellence
In the concluding part of the urban design appraisal in section 2, we asked a series of
Despite the presence of EMEC and ICIT, the
questions about Stromness and its future. We
position of Stromness as the key centre for
suggested that a distinctive role or roles should
renewable and marine energy development in
be established for Stromness as a starting point
the Highlands and Islands is not yet secure.
for the development of strategy and policy.
Building a cluster of related activities should
This can then lead logically to the urban design
be a priority which may need to be underpinned
framework itself and its component proposals.
by a marketing/lobbying campaign directed at
In reality the town will most likely have a number
the Scottish Government, HIE and others. It is
of roles that overlap to an extent. An associated
recognised that the industry is likely to establish
reason for establishing roles is the potential
a split in specialist operations between wave
benefits of image and place marketing.
energy development in Stromness and tidal energy in Kirkwall. However it is important that
The following five roles help to clarify the
Stromness builds upon its current status as the
directions in which Stromness can develop in the early 21st century:
main location for the renewables industry in Orkney and becomes the administrative capital of this industry in Orkney.
Role 1: Orkney’s Cultural Capital Role 4: Transition Town If Kirkwall is the administrative and business centre of Orkney, Stromness can be seen as its
It has been suggested that, in order to
cultural capital. This is associated with the image
demonstrate its green credentials and to reflect
(popular with our consultees) of Stromness as an
its stake in the renewables sector, Stromness
artists’ town – the St Ives of the North.
should consider becoming a Transition Town. Transition Towns are developing strategies to
Role 2: Service Centre for the West Mainland
deal with the twin challenges of peak oil and climate change.
Stromness is the second largest town in Orkney and plays an important role in providing a
Role 5: Gateway Town
range of services for communities on the west mainland.
Stromness is an important entry point to the Orkney mainland through the ferry terminal, marina and cruise ship visits. The town is a natural gateway to the World Heritage Site, the
MAY 2009 | WMUD |
63
distinctive landscape of Orkney and more recent
in the arts and renewables sectors point towards
archaeology and history associated with World
a more prosperous future.
War I and II. Stromness is located within the National Scenic Area (NSA) and is renowned for
Our consultations have revealed a fair degree
its environmental quality. Future development
of consensus around an emerging strategic
must seek to capitalise on this status. Where
proposition for Stromness, which aims to
there has been poor quality development in
build on the town’s potential and tackle the
the past, efforts are made in this Urban Design
weaknesses which have contributed to long term
Framework to seek to contain these areas with
and gradual decline. Figure 4-1 attempts to draw
new built areas where a higher design standard
the threads of these discussions together by
will be required - for example at Garson and at
showing how the five key drivers can contribute
the settlement boundary. This will enhance the
to a vision for Stromness based on:
town’s visual gateways and further consolidate its status at the heart of the NSA.
•
b)
•
environmental sustainability in an outstanding natural setting
The strategic proposition
a town generating, disseminating and profiting from knowledge
Our analysis of Stromness revealed a fine
•
balance between the potential of the town’s
economic opportunity helps to attract and
economic assets and attributes and the fragility of the Stromness economy. In recent years, the
retain talented people •
a lively and attractive sea gateway to
status of Stromness has declined while Kirkwall
Orkney and the best point of arrival on the
has grown and prospered, but new developments
islands
Figure 4.1: Vision and strategy
far right: a sea gateway
64 |
a place where quality of life combined with
ORKNEY ISLANDS COUNCIL
STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
•
a place where culture, history and the
for self sustaining wealth and job creation. The
environment and natural resources create
framework must support an economic strategy
sustainable advantage and drive prosperity.
based on:
A number of cross-cutting themes knit the model
•
growing the business base by encouraging
together and encourage synergies. The diagram
businesses of scale, promoting innovation
gives examples (there may be others):
and commercialisation, and developing key sectors
•
developing the town’s role as a centre for
•
research and learning, extending into the
Stromness an attractive place to live, work
arts and other disciplines •
•
strengthening global connections by making and study
the role of Stromness as a centre for science
•
developing the skills of the workforce, and
and technology, arts and the creative
•
strengthening communities by capitalising
industries will give it a contemporary edge
on the town’s natural and cultural assets
to balance and enrich the Orkney offer
and creating new community assets
wealth creation in a small island community depends upon an outward looking approach, strengthening global connections
d)
Aspirations and opportunities
by developing export markets, participating in international knowledge networks and
The long list
attracting overseas visitors •
the future development of Stromness
Our research and consultations have generated
should embody Orkney’s evolving – and
a long list of proposals and ideas for Stromness.
increasingly sophisticated – brand values
The projects listed here are in varying stages of development: some are well advanced, while others are purely inspirational. They derive from
c)
Achieving the vision
a variety of sources: the public sector agencies, local businesses and the community. We have
The urban design framework will be an
discussed these ideas with officers of OIC
important vehicle for economic development
and the agencies, as well as at the community
and regeneration in Stromness. The framework
planning workshop.
must be informed by a clear understanding of the future sources of prosperity and growth
The long listing process generated a number of
in the town. In a small and fragile economy,
sectoral initiatives as shown on the next page.
over-dependent on the public sector, nothing is more important than creating the conditions
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65
Figure 4-2: Ideas for Stromness: the long list by project type
Culture and creativity
Link with Edinburgh
e)
Project short-list
College of Art/Orkney College
Following an initial review, the project list was
Artists’ studios and craft
trimmed back. This short-list (Figure 4-3) cuts
workshops
out elements of duplication and it also excludes
New Library and Writers’
projects which are unlikely to proceed in the
Centre Orkney Archaeology Centre/ORCA Tourism
Boat Museum
states of readiness. Figure 4.3: Major projects short list 1.1
EMEC Campus
1.2
World Heritage Site Gateway
1.3
Ness Battery and Landscapes of War
1.4
Orkney Archaeology Centre
1.5
Writers’ Centre
Park
1.6
ECA Orkney
Historic core
1.7
Zero Waste Village
Pierhead and port area
1.8
International Student House
Auction Mart site
1.9
Decentralised Office Space
Northern Lighthouse
1.10
Artists’ studios and craft workshops
Transport
Port improvements
Renewable Energy
UHI Renewables Coordinating Unit Zero Waste Centre
Key sites/buildings
The short list describes major projects in varying
Ness Battery and Landscapes of War
Food manufacturing
short-medium term.
Enhance Garson Food
Board Pier Primary School/lorry park site Other projects
International Student House
It is important to stress that this is a short-list of projects with potential economic development impact. It therefore excludes projects which we appreciate have popular support such as the Boat Museum.
Decentralised office space
It does not include projects of potential social
New Care Facility
or community benefit such as the new library and the proposed Orkney Islands Council
66 |
ORKNEY ISLANDS COUNCIL
STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
One Stop Shop which may be included in
We subsequently reviewed this project in the
the Pierhead proposals or housing and other
light of more information about emerging
developments which might create urban design
technologies and the idea of a split facility on
impact although this will be a by-product of most
the east and west mainland. In the uncertain
proposals.
circumstances it seems unnecessary to allocate a specific area of land for this project. However
f)
Major project descriptions
this Urban Design Framework seeks to allocate smaller business units which might be suitable
Project 1.1: EMEC Campus
for EMEC in the short term and of course in the longer term the campus project may still be
After a slow start EMEC’s operations are
desirable and possible.
gathering momentum, and the present site at the Old Academy will soon reach full capacity. HIE and EMEC have developed outline proposals
Project 1.2: World Heritage Site Gateway
which would create a new marine energy campus in Stromness. The project is only at concept
There have been discussions between OIC and
stage, but it is envisaged that the development
Historic Scotland about the possibility of creating
would (i) increase capacity for prototype testing
a new gateway centre for the World Heritage
and monitoring, (ii) create business space
Site. The centre would provide information,
for associated enterprises, (iii) provide office
orientation and refreshments; as well as an
space for developers, (iv) provide incubator
introductory exhibition, recent archaeological
units for spin-out businesses, and (v) offer
finds could be displayed, and the centre would
accommodation for researchers and visitors.
be a pick-up/drop-off point for bus services
We have considered a variety of options for
and tourist car parking for travel to the principal
delivering these elements. The assumption is
monuments. A number of sites are currently
that the project would require substantial public
under consideration. Should the decision be
sector funding but that the completed campus
taken to locate in Stromness, the Pierhead would
could achieve a modest operating surplus. A
be an ideal location for the Gateway Centre.
decision to create the campus would confirm the special status of Stromness in emerging marine/
Although this project appeared high on our list
renewables markets, and help to attract projects
of schemes with high economic development
like the proposed UHI Renewables Coordinating
impact we understand that it would be unlikely to
Unit.
proceed in the foreseeable future.
MAY 2009 | WMUD |
67
Project 1.3: Ness Battery and Landscapes of War
the Pierhead. The development of a new library provides an opportunity to fulfil a long-standing
The restoration of Ness Battery is the
ambition to create a Writers’ Centre which would
flagship project of the Scapa Flow Landscape
provide facilities for teaching and events, a base
Partnership which is the subject of a bid to the
for writers in residence and an office for the GMB
HLF Landscape Partnership Scheme. The site
Foundation.
includes a number of features including the Mess Hall which features murals painted by service
Project 1.6: eca Orkney
personnel in WWII. The aspiration is to restore the site and create a visitor attraction which will
Preliminary discussions have taken place
also act as an orientation centre for other sites
between Pier Arts Centre and the Edinburgh
(“Landscapes of War”) around the shores of
College of Art about creating an outpost in
Scapa Flow. Visit Orkney believes that Orkney’s
Stromness for postgraduate teaching, short
wartime story/heritage is an untapped market.
courses and summer schools. The concept would
More work is required to develop a conservation
require a link with Orkney College to create
plan and budget, and to establish the operating
routes of progression. This project could also be
costs of a staffed attraction.
the vehicle to provide artists’ studios and craft workshops: there has been a shortage since the Stromness Studios Society was displaced from
Project 1.4: Orkney Archaeology Centre
the Old Academy.
The Orkney Archaeological Centre would be the
Project 1.7: ZeroWaste Village
focal point for archaeology teaching and research in Orkney. UHI and Orkney College would
Orkney ZeroWaste has published plans for a
relocate their degree and postgraduate provision
Recycling Village which will “recycle and re-
to Stromness, and create a research centre;
process various waste streams and provide a
the OAC could also be the base for ORCA which
substantial waste education and awareness
provides commercial archaeological research
programme”. Stromness is the preferred site for
and consultancy services.
this project which some of our consultees believe would confirm the town’s status as a centre of excellence in renewables.
Project 1.5: Writers’ Centre Project 1.8: International Student House OIC has decided that the existing library in Hellihole Road is no longer fit for purpose, and that a new library is required, possibly at or near
68 |
ORKNEY ISLANDS COUNCIL
The growth of emec and the development of teaching and research in archaeology and
STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
visual art will generate a year-round increase
one examples of a single type. WASPS could
in the population of Stromness. The presence
therefore provide accommodation for a wider
of students and researchers will boost
range of artists.
expenditure in local shops and pubs and create a renewed air of vitality, especially in the
g)
Site selection
winter months. Accommodation for students, especially postgraduates in their 20s and
We have undertaken an initial review of the
30s, is a problem in Stromness, and this has
potential fit between these priority projects and
prompted a suggestion that dedicated student
the key sites and buildings described earlier.
accommodation – an international student
Figure 4-4 - Site Selection
Project
house - could be created in the old town, perhaps in the former Commercial Hotel.
provided as part of the Pierhead project. It would be beneficial for the new Heritage Lottery Fund
1.1
EMEC Campus
1.2
WHS
1.4
Orkney
Project 1.10 - Artists’ studios and craft
Archaeology
workshops
Centre
the range of vacant properties within the core. We have had informal discussions with WASPS
buildings with the Council. The attraction of
No
No
No
Yes
No
ECA Orkney
No
No
No
Yes
No
1.7
Zero Waste
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
Village 1.8
Student House
1.9
Decentralised office Space
on this subject and in principle they would be interested in working up ideas for some of these
no longer under consideration
1.6
has been the need for studio and workshop space for artists, particularly in the historic core of the town. The thi study has highlighted
considering other options
Gateway
project team to be located in Stromness.
A consistent theme raised in our consultations
Garson
Stromness, specifically to accommodation to be
Primary school
decentralise some of the Council services to
N Hamnavoe
Orkney Islands Council have decided to
Pierhead
Historic core
Project 1.9 - Decentralised Office Space
1.10
Artists’ Studios
Stromness is the historic environment and the range of properties available, rather than just
The space requirements of the oac and eca Orkney
MAY 2009 | WMUD |
69
need to be determined, but both projects appear
The International Student House should be
to be ideal candidates to occupy the Primary
located in the historic core of Stromness; the
School when it becomes vacant. This will help
student house would be an ideal THI project, with
to replace the activity generated by the school
the long-neglected Commercial Hotel an obvious
with other year-round, all-day sources of activity.
candidate.
There may be an opportunity to combine the re-use of the school with plans to create a town
In addition to this specific project, there is also
centre “campus� which would also incorporate
likely to be potential for private enterprise to
the nearby Old Academy building. Associated
develop individual artist studio properties within
proposals to create studio space for artists
the historic core. This would assist the overall
and craft workers create opportunities for the
objective of the urban design framework in
renovation and re-use of historic buildings
increasing vitality in the historic core.
included in the THI plan.
potential locations for major projects
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ORKNEY ISLANDS COUNCIL
STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
section 5: the urban design framework This section of the report brings together the
established for the relevant policy area. For
findings of the three previous chapters into a set
these small scale developments, the Design
of policies and proposals for the town.
Statement is likely to be very short outlining the key factors which have influenced the chosen
The policies and proposals are based on eight
design. Larger developments such as multiple
geographically distinct areas within Stromness
house or flatted developments, larger retail or
and set out a range of generic factors which must
commercial premises are likely to require a more
be considered to ensure that new development
comprehensive assessment of the policies in the
enhances the local context.
Design Statement. Where relevant they will also be required to demonstrate how they respond to
The proposals are based on site specific
the key criteria set out for each proposal area.
development opportunities and establish a
Clarification should be sought from the planning
framework for future development of these sites.
department at the pre-application stage on the level of information that will be required.
Planning applications will be expected to demonstrate how they respond to each of the
The General Design Guidance set out below is
relevant policies and proposals and the general
provided to indicate the range of information
design guidance at the planning application
which would be considered through the Design
stage. This information will be requested in
Statement and how a Design Statement should
the form of a Design Statement which will be
be laid out.
submitted in support of planning applications. The purpose of this is to ensure that all future
General Design Guidance
development that occurs in Stromness responds to the common approach to design quality and
As we stated in section 2 of this report,
key site development considerations which are
Stromness is a very special place but it suffers
established in this Urban Design Framework.
from a range of design issues that affect everything from the heart of the historic core
The level of information required will vary
right through to individual houses in the
depending on the scale of the development
countryside.
proposed. For example, it is likely that small scale development (such as a single house
At the same time, Stromness and Orkney
or house extension) will require very limited
generally have a very specific aesthetic which
information and that this will focus mostly on
is markedly different from 90% of mainland
demonstrating that the chosen design of the
Scotland though it has much in common with the
building respects the local context which is
Western Isles and Shetland. We think it would be
MAY 2009 | WMUD |
71
completely wrong to try to impose styles or ideas
officials to see the extent of analysis, as well
from Central Scotland or from England on this
as the quality of thought, time and effort which
unique place. However, this is in effect what is
has been dedicated to developing the scheme.
happening to Stromness where dilution of local
Providing the information is presented clearly,
character and tradition in building, disregard
a Design Statement will help The Council to
for the landscape and the embracing of UK
understand the thinking behind the design. It
suburban style are commonplace. Design is a
should therefore be an aid to more efficient
material consideration in determining planning
decision making and lead to an improvement in
applications. Councils may refuse an application
the quality of development.
and defend their decision at appeal solely on design grounds. The Scottish Government
The design process
has produced advice on Design Statements and much of this section of the Urban Design
The design process can be set out in 5 stages.
Framework has drawn on PAN68. Stage 1: Site and area appraisal The Council have taken some steps to improve
72 |
Stage 2: Identifying the design principles
knowledge of design issues by participating in
Stage 3: Analysis
Design Awareness Training from the Improvement
Stage 4: Design concept(s)
Service both for officials and elected members.
Stage 5: Design solution
Another way of moving design standards up the
Depending on the nature and scale of the
Council agenda is to ask applicants to do more
development, there may be a need for public
to justify their proposals for new development.
involvement during the design process. This can
Design Statements increase design awareness,
occur at any stage, however, early consultation
provide a sound basis for constructive
with the public or amenity groups should help
discussions and negotiations, and can lead
to identify any key issues or concerns. When the
to better quality development. They can also
design concept(s) have been worked up, it is
help individuals and communities understand
advisable to feed these back to the contributors
why a particular approach has been adopted.
in order to check that nothing has been missed
Design Statements allow applicants to explain
or interpreted incorrectly. This exercise will
the design of their scheme in a structured
also help to gauge any initial reactions to the
way. It is an opportunity to demonstrate what
preliminary design which may help to influence
has been done to appraise the context, and
the final design. Whilst each stage is presented
how the design takes account of it sensitively.
separately, in practice the design process is
The submission of a Design Statement allows
often more iterative, rather than linear. This is
ORKNEY ISLANDS COUNCIL
STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
because the site appraisal and analysis can be
lasting improvements to the built environment
reviewed by testing alternative design concepts.
and successful places.
For example, a design concept may have implications which were not initially foreseen.
As a starting point for the content of a design
Once all the stages have been completed, the
statement for a proposal in or around Stromness
design statement can be assembled, bringing
the applicants will be required to demonstrate
together all the thinking on the design issues.
an understanding and consideration of the following:
The applicant should choose the most effective form of presentation, as the contents of a design
Context of the proposal in its local area
statement will vary according to the nature of the development and the site’s characteristics. For
Location of the site
most applications, the design statement need not be elaborate. It can be a short document
•
(one or two pages), which sets out the principles
General description of the surroundings, eg urban, residential and industrial
on which the development is based and explains
•
Is the site in or near a conservation area?
the design solution. Irrespective of the scale
•
Is the site in an area of outstanding
of development, the design statement must be
landscape?
supported by good graphics. Requirements and suggestions for content are set out below:
Site description
All applicants, including developers, architects,
•
Planning history
designers and agents, should consider design
•
Ownership of the site
as an integral part of the development process.
•
Adjacent land uses, and relevant planning
This advice aims to encourage more attention
proposals
to be given to the design of developments.
•
Heritage conservation – listed buildings
Although it will involve some additional work to
•
Focal points
present ideas and thinking, in many cases it can
•
Landmarks
be achieved simply. It should not be an onerous
•
Vistas
task. By providing additional information, which
•
Views to/from/over site
explains and illustrates the design principles and
•
Topography – contours on the site
design concept, applicants are likely to benefit
•
Microclimate – wind, sun orientation,
from a greater degree of certainty in the planning
exposure, shelter
process, and quicker decision making. The result should be improved quality of new development,
MAY 2009 | WMUD |
73
Services
•
•
Soft landscaping
Public utilities, e.g. underground services,
Public art/sculpture trail
drainage systems, overhead power lines • • •
Network capacity and developer
•
Landscape character
contributions
•
Trees in the town
Public services available locally, e.g.
•
Quality of landscaping
schools, public transport
•
Need for ground modelling
provision of surface water drainage using
•
Nature conservation area
sustainable drainage systems (SuDS)
•
Wildlife habitats
•
Tree Preservation Orders
Identity
•
Play space/recreational space
Surrounding buildings
Connections
Building lines – groupings, rhythms and plot/feu
Vehicular movement
sizes •
Surrounding road and street layout
•
Entrances – styles and sizes
•
Access, parking and circulation
•
Windows – styles and sizes
•
Bus & tram stops and routes, taxi stops,
•
Active frontages
•
Scale – height and massing
•
Areas of vehicular/pedestrian conflict
•
Appearance – details and materials
•
Use of traffic measures
•
Servicing arrangements
cycle routes
Use of the space Pedestrian access •
Use of spaces between buildings – public/ private
•
Where are people coming from, going to?
•
Day, night, seasonal variation of use
•
Desire lines
•
Prohibited activities, security arrangements
•
Disabled access
•
Are people restricted from access due to any
Hard landscaping
74 |
•
Location of street furniture
•
Condition and maintenance
•
How people use it
ORKNEY ISLANDS COUNCIL
current aspects of design? Infrastructure Considerations Further specific requirements are set out in the
STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
individual policy requirements for each character
is a reality which cannot be ignored in the
area below.
development process and some sites which are identified in the UDF as having potential
The Urban Design Framework has not given
for redevelopment are within flood risk zones
detailed consideration to infrastructure capacity
where development may not be possible until
issues beyond clarifying with the statutory
strategic flood prevention measures are put in
providers that the principle of additional
place. Developers should therefore refer to the
development is acceptable. It will be necessary
Strategic Flood Risk Assessment work which was
for development projects to make contact with
undertaken in parallel with the UDF process to
infrastructure providers including Scottish Water
access the likely level of risk associated with
and the Council’s Roads Services
progressing development in flood risk areas. It may be that some sites which are identified
Department in order to determine capacity at
as having potential for redevelopment cannot
an early stage in the process. It is likely that
be brought forward until appropriate formal
upgrades may be require to be funded by the
flood prevention measures are put in place.
development process.
An assessment of the capabilities of existing formal flood protection measures (if any)will be
As a general rule, connections to foul sewers as
required at an early stage to determine the extent
defined in the Sewerage (Scotland) Act 1968 will
of new works which may be required. Detailed
be a pre-requisite for development in Stromness
consultation with the council as Flood Prevention
and efforts should be made, where possible, to
Authority, and if necessary SEPA will be essential
coordinate this through a strategically planned
to determine the likely works which may be
public foul drainage system. In all cases, early
required.
contact with Scottish Water will be important to determine the necessary sewerage infrastructure
Notwithstanding the above, a core objective of
requirements for new development. For
the Urban Design Framework is to encourage
example, a Development Impact Assessment
regeneration of the centre of the historic core
should be requested by Scottish Water at the
of the town and to promote new development
earliest opportunity and some proposals may
in central areas. It is also at its heart a land use
require to be assessed against SEPA’s Pollution
planning document, which seeks to direct the
Prevention Guidance.
broad direction of new development over a 5 to 10 year period and beyond. It is therefore
In addition, the Strategic Environmental
considered appropriate for the UDF to establish
Assessment report has highlighted areas
how development should proceed if flooding
where flooding is likely to be a constraint on
issues can be overcome to the satisfaction of the
development. As a coastal town, flood risk
relevant authorities.
MAY 2009 | WMUD |
75
established character areas and PO1 - PO6 policy diagram
76 |
ORKNEY ISLANDS COUNCIL
STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
As above, as a first step, developers are
in the approach to design of new buildings in
encouraged to make reference to the Strategic
Stromness and the way in which all new land
Flood Risk Assessment to determine the likely
allocations, particularly those on the edge of the
level of risk associated with any of the sites
settlement are developed. It is anticipated that
identified in the UDF. Developers are required
the pattern of single house and smaller scale
to ensure that proposals comply with Scottish
development projects will continue to be the
Planning Policy on flooding and this may limit the
norm in the town. The following guidance has
range of solutions which can be devised to deal
been prepared to provide a context for improving
effectively with flood risk of some sites. However,
the design quality of new development. It is
it is a priority for the Council that solutions are
not intended to be an exhaustive account and
found to ensure the long term regeneration and
planning applications will be considered on their
vitality of the central part of the town.
own merits.
Please note that it may not be possible to find
The policies represent urban design and
an appropriate solution without investment in
planning principles which will help to guide
formal flood prevention infrastructure.
development in Stromness for the foreseeable future. The policies are based largely on the
For example, Flood Risk Assessment studies will
character areas outlined in section 2 and are
be required to explore the potential to introduce
written with a view to maintaining or enhancing
mitigation measures (such as land raising) to
their qualities of these areas. As detailed
redevelopment proposals which will influence
above, planning applications will required to
the layout and design of the new buildings,
be supported by Design Statements which
particularly in central and coastal locations, and
demonstrate how they respond to the planning
those next to existing watercourses. Sustainable
and urban design principles for each character
Urban Drainage System (SuDS) techniques
area.
should be adopted in all development proposals. There is also a need to consider sustainable
The policy areas are:
building techniques and provision for recycling in new developments. Applicants should refer
1. the historic core
to the Council’s emerging Energy Efficiency
2. first tier areas consisting of residential or
and Sustainability in Planning Development Management Guidance to ensure that best practice is followed on these matters. As detailed above, the Urban Design Framework study has observed the need for a step change
large institutional uses close to the historic core 3. second tier areas which are almost exclusively residential 4. third tier recently developed residential
MAY 2009 | WMUD |
77
areas
the need to retain business in the historic core
5. fourth tier areas relating to the port, transport infrastructure and industrial uses 6. fifth tier areas consisting of urban/rural fringe sporadic development especially edge of town residential 7. green areas within and adjacent to the urban fabric and the connections between these areas 8. new approaches to traffic management The proposals are also based on maintaining and enhancing the character areas but they also consist of specific site improvements, particular building projects or initiatives identified in our economic appraisal for the town. The key areas for action are: 1. historic core projects 2. the port and Pierhead 3. the Old Academy and Primary School 4. North End 5. Ferry Road 6. Garson 7. town-wide placemaking and linkage projects In addition, these areas contain specific sites that are the subject of current proposals or have been the subject of specific proposals or simply a desire to develop them. The most significant are: •
the need for careful consideration of design matters in first tier areas
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ORKNEY ISLANDS COUNCIL
the lorry park at North End now proposed as a site for the new Stromness Primary School and designated in the Local Plan as a key redevelopment opportunity (R1)
STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
•
•
the relocation of the Primary School which
In addition to the above, the UDF also sets out
creates a development opportunity in the
new housing allocations which seek to integrate
town centre
with the character assessments set out in the
the former Mart site on Ferry Road is the
policies below.
subject of a development brief drawn up by the Council - the site is designated in
Policies by area
the Local Plan as a key redevelopment
•
•
•
opportunity (R2) and there has been interest
PO1 - The historic core of Stromness (refer
in the potential development of part of the
to page 17 for context) : this is a remarkable
site for a supermarket
area that demands special attention in terms of
as previously mentioned, the Pierhead is the
the protection of its physical fabric as well as
subject of a competition process to enhance
its health and viability as an economic entity
the quality and amenity of this area and to
and a place to live and work. Most of the area
make it a more attractive central place
is an Outstanding Conservation Area so to an
the historic core is the subject of a
extent it is unlikely to be heavily damaged by
Townscape Heritage Initiative which will
new development – the threats are more likely
hopefully undertake a series of important
to be through vacancy, neglect and the slow
projects involving the rehabilitation and
undermining of the area’s authenticity through
reuse of key buildings at risk
unnecessary or inappropriate signage, poor
the Ferry Road/Ferry Terminal area where
repairs and ill-chosen street furniture.
a new lorry and car marshalling area and freight park are now proposed
Nevertheless there are important urban design principles to be observed in the historic core, many of which will overlap with the aims and objectives of the thi for the area. Planning Applications must demonstrate that they: •
enhance the walkable nature of the area through designing for pedestrians rather than for the car
•
use natural sustainable materials throughout the core area wherever possible
• •
learn from the area’s qualities of shelter and
stone garden walls can make
climate response
a positive improvement to
work with the landscape and topography
otherwise undistinguished
rather than against it
developments
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•
maintain plot sizes, building sizes and
development (which affects the setting of the
orientation rather than amalgamating
historic core and is highly visible in the wider
buildings into larger units
context) – especially the design of new detached
•
maintain building lines
residential properties. Planning applications
•
are flexible and designed for future changes
must demonstrate that they
of use without significant change to the building
•
do not exceed two and a half storeys in height and should preferably be shallow
In addition to these application specific
plan wide frontage in form with a pitched
considerations, the Council should also promote
roof
the highest standards of authenticity and
•
consider new uses which might support
appropriateness in signage, public realm repair
activity and vitality in the adjacent historic
and maintenance and:
core rather than detract from it •
•
ensure that every attempt is made to keep its buildings in use or to actively promote
throughout •
surplus buildings for positive uses that will transform the area •
work with the landscape and topography rather than against it
•
engage with public bodies, charities, the
maintain plot sizes, building sizes and orientation rather than amalgamating
voluntary sector, private individuals and companies to promote the historic core as a
use natural sustainable materials
buildings and sites into larger units •
encourage the design of buildings for future
centre for science and technology, arts and
changes of use without significant change to
the creative industries
the building itself
PO2 - first tier areas (refer to page 18 for
•
maintain pedestrian links to the historic core
•
new development should take advantage of
context): these consist of residential or large
views to the surrounding countryside while
institutional uses close to the historic core, working their way up the hill to the north and
making a modest impact on the landscape •
new development should involve
west of the old centre. These areas are less
consideration of a range of building types,
intensively developed than the historic core
including semi-detached and terraced
but they have important linkages to the core
buildings which have advantages over
through lanes, flights or steps or ramped
detached dwellings in delivering better
footpaths. These are relatively stable areas
urban form and sheltered spaces
but are important to the health and setting
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of the historic core. There is a need for very
PO3- second tier areas (refer to page 18 for
careful consideration of the design of new
context): these are almost exclusively residential
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STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
and more sparsely developed than the core of first tier areas. There are still important links to the core but there is more potentially developable land in these areas. Planning Applications must demonstrate that they respond to the following urban design principles: •
new development should be predominantly residential although there may be opportunities for other uses such as community facilities or a small convenience store or corner shop
•
new development should set clear standards for plot sizes and building lines which will help to create sheltered spaces
•
new development should not exceed two and a half storeys in height and should preferably be (or appear to be) shallow plan wide frontage in form with a pitched roof
•
new developments should include stone boundary walls between 600mm and
aerial views of Stromness: top - general view of the town looking south bottom - the lorry park and North End
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3000mm in height to public areas rather than be ‘open plan’ •
•
storeys in height •
new developments should include stone
new development should take advantage of
boundary walls between 600mm and
views to the surrounding countryside while
3000mm in height to public areas rather
making a modest impact on the landscape
than be ‘open plan’
new development should involve
•
new development should take advantage of
consideration of a range of building types,
views to the surrounding countryside while
including semi-detached and terraced
making a modest impact on the landscape
buildings which have advantages over
•
new development should adopt designed-in
detached dwellings in delivering better
traffic amelioration wherever possible rather
urban form and sheltered spaces
than traffic calming (ie narrower streets, shared surfaces, limited regulation signs
PO4 – third tier areas (refer to page 19 for context): these are the most recently developed
etc) •
new development should involve
residential areas located furthest from the
consideration of a range of building types,
historic core. The urban design issues associated
including semi-detached and terraced
with these areas are lower standards of materials
buildings which have advantages over
and design, a greater impact on the landscape
detached dwellings in delivering better
and a much lower density than the rest of the
urban form and sheltered spaces
town coupled with road layout standards that favour the car over the pedestrian. In practical
PO5 – fourth tier areas (refer to page 19 for
terms it may not be possible to undo this legacy of the mid-late 20th century – much of it is recent
context): these areas include the ferry terminal
and is unlikely to change. Planning Applications
adjacent roundabout and commercial complex as
must demonstrate that they respond to the
well as Garson Industrial Estate. These areas are
following urban design principles:
the subject of specific urban design proposals
and car parks, Ferry Road, the lorry park and the
described in PR2 and PR4 to PR6 below. The •
•
•
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new development should be predominantly
broad aim of these proposals is to establish a
residential although there may be
more cohesive and appropriate urban for these
opportunities for other uses such as
areas. The urban design principles applying
community facilities or a small convenience
to these areas are similar to those for PO2
store or corner shop
tier one areas in that they favour traditional
new development should set clear standards
layout and sustainable development forms.
for plot sizes and building lines which will
It is acknowledged that this area will need
help to create sheltered spaces
to accommodate new larger scale buildings
new development should not exceed two
including a new school and supermarket.
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STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
Notwithstanding this, all Planning Applications must demonstrate that they respond to the
residential land
following urban design principles:
allocations in the Local Plan 2004
•
new development should incorporate basic place-making principles of streets, mixed use and focal points
•
where possible, new development should be mixed use and should support activity and vitality as a fundamental urban design principle
•
there should be careful consideration given to the design of new development and the need to adhere to new street patterns and building lines
• •
new development should use natural sustainable materials wherever possible
roof forms to be proposed where these form
new building should work with the
part of a bespoke, high quality building
landscape and topography rather than
design for sites (for example the proposed supermarket or school buildings)
against it •
•
new development should set out an
new developments should include stone
appropriate pattern of plot sizes, building
boundary walls as appropriate between
sizes and orientation from the outset taking
600mm and 3000mm in height to public
reference from surrounding context and the
areas rather than be ‘open plan’ – in other
pattern of development
words, new development should maintain a
where possible, the design of buildings
built form to the street
should incorporate flexibility for future
•
•
•
new development should take advantage
changes of use without significant change to
of views to the sea and surrounding
the building itself
countryside while making only a modest impact on the landscape
new developments should not exceed two and a half storeys in height and should
•
new development should contribute to the
preferably be (or appear to be) shallow plan
creation of greater presence and activity
wide frontage in form with a pitched roof
along the waterfront with active ground floor
either parallel to the street or at right angles
frontages and (where possible) mixed use
to it. Roof forms should generally be pitched.
for example with residential uses above
However it is possible for contemporary
commercial
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proposed new housing allocations
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proposed phasing of residential development
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•
new development should contribute
Proposed new housing allocations
to the creation of improved pedestrian permeability and walking environment
In addition to specifying the above policies
around the Hamnavoe
which seek to ensure that new development responds to the existing character of a local
PO6 – fifth tier areas (refer to page 19 for
area, it is necessary to identify new areas for
context): these areas are the outer areas of
housing development. In setting out these
the town - more rural than urban - containing
areas, the intention is to ensure that the design
scattered groups of houses or series of individual
considerations set out in the above policies
houses. In these areas, for the avoidance of
(PO1-PO6) are reflected in new development
doubt, the overriding principle is to avoid high
– ie to ensure that new development responds
density field filling and instead to encourage
directly to the existing character of the area
scattered development forms, The following
around it.
criteria will apply: We suggested in our proposal for this work that • • • •
development will take a generally linear
the quality of recent residential development
form avoiding crescents and culs de sac
in and around Stromness was very low. This is
access will be taken directly from an existing
reflected in the Local Plan 2004 where it is stated
road
that the setting of the town is deteriorating with
any development will be no more than two
‘evidence of urban sprawl, ribbon development,
houses deep from the existing road
skyline development and a general lack of
there will be no fixed building line - so
any clear distinction between town and its
proposed buildings must avoid lining up
surrounding countryside’.1
with neighbouring buildings •
no more than three buildings should be
There are a number of separate and related
sited consecutively on adjacent plots - the
issues here namely:
fourth building of a linear sequence should be placed at least 50m from its neighbour •
•
•
the suitability of particular areas of land for development
development must respond to and work with the topography and landscape rather than
•
the number of houses to be accommodated
against it
•
the siting of these houses
plot size must reflect the established pattern
•
the design of individual houses
of the locality - reference the scattered residential development morphology examples set out on page 87
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Development patterns and numbers - the siting 1 Orkney Islands Council , The Orkney Local Plan 2004 , p179
STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
comparative morphology of scatter residential developments (1 - 5) and conventional field filling (6)
1 - density around 3d/ha, variable setbacks, no building lines, non linear, loose grouping
3 - density around 3d/ha, variable
2 - density around 10d/ha, variable setbacks, no building lines, linear
4 - density around
setbacks, no building lines, non linear,
2d/ha, variable setbacks, no building lines,
loose grouping
in groups, 20m spacing between buildings, 50-100m between groups
5 - density around 2d/ha, variable setbacks, no building lines, non linear in groups, 20m spacing between buildings, 50m + between groups
6 - density around 24d/ha, conventional field filling
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examples of award winning housing in the Scottish countryside
and design parameters that created Stromness were all related to restriction and scarcity. The basic topography of the old town, the need for shelter, the original rigg pattern, Udal Law and the limitations of traditional building all contributed to the form and layout of the historic core. As these restrictions began to disappear, the form of the town began to change. Plot size
settlement. A field filled with houses is
and shape is traditionally the most significant
completely non-traditional with no relationship
generator of urban form and even today it
to the existing town or surrounding landscape.
generates form and layout in and around Stromness. The difference today is that plots
While field-filling is highly damaging to the
are much bigger and the shapes are completely
Stromness environment, ribbon development
different from traditional feu or rigg boundaries
– which has been criticised for many years
– for example a field will be divided into plots
as an intrusive form of housing provision – is
for sale on the assumption that a deep plan
reasonably sensitive to the landscape. It works
dwelling will sit in the middle of each plot with
with existing roads, is arguably more sustainable
no physical connection with other houses. This is
than developing large fields and can work
the antithesis of traditional building.
with existing infrastructure. In the Stromness situation, new housing needs to work with the
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Developing housing sites on a field by field
existing landscape (which includes roads), with
basis is probably the most damaging approach
traditional building and with established urban
to residential provision for the Stromness
form. Ribbon development has an inherent
environment particularly on the edge of the
flexibility and potential sensitivity that larger
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STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
scale block development lacks. It retains the
objectives. At the same time, it is also important
balance of built to unbuilt that is a characteristic
to ensure that a diversity of sites is provided
of building in sensitive landscapes.
for. Therefore a number of sites where a lower density, scattered development pattern is more
In allocating land for residential development
appropriate are also identified. These sites are
it is necessary and desirable to move beyond
presented on page 84. This includes a number of
numbers of dwellings only and deal with the
larger site allocations within the central core and
actual forms that might be created as a result
at Garson.
of the land allocation. There are no good examples of new development in Stromness.
This new housing allocation strategy seeks
The latest, the Orkney Housing Association
to consolidate new housing development in
development at the Citadel, has interesting
a coordinated and coherent form, as well as
and potentially appropriate house types
providing a range of types of housing site, each
but the layout and external environment is
suited to different types of housing development
insensitive and inappropriate (but quite typical
according to the established character of
of new residential development whether it is in
different parts of Stromness, as identified in the
Canterbury, Swansea or Glasgow). There has to be a recognition that if Stromness is a place worthy of protection with an important setting, then new development has to be ‘of the place’ and an effort has to be made to build in a special way. We have already expressed some concern in earlier sections of this report at the extent of land allocated to housing in the Local Plan – enough land for over 600-900 dwellings at a modest densities of 20-30 dwellings/hectare - although the target number is only 140 dwellings. We understand that some of these sites may never be developed due to a range of issues including infrastructure and land ownership. However, a focus on developing fewer sites at higher densities in central areas would be likely to yield
example of award
better results in terms of fit with the landscape
winning house in the
and a host of urban design and sustainability
Scottish countryside
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previous sections of this report (PO1-PO6). In all cases, consideration should also be given to the Siting and Design guidance advice set out below at pages 93-95. Higher Density sites –Brinkies Brae, Hillside Road, Netherton Road, Ogalby Road and Citadel Road Higher density development is encouraged for the above sites. It is expected that development in this area can achieve a higher density form. To achieve this, planning applications will be assessed against the policy considerations set out at PO4 (page 82) above. As above, a Development Brief or Design Statement will be
example of award winning housing in the Scottish countryside
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STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
required to accompany planning applications
croft
to demonstrate how the proposals will deliver these design objectives and respond to local topographic and landscape considerations. Where possible, physical features should be built into the landscape solution for the sites, rather than engineering solutions in order to ensure that minimal disruption to landscape occurs.
farmhouse
Mixed density sites – Garson and Brownstone Road As detailed above, Garson developed historically in a high density suburban form. The urban design objective in this area is to seek to address this historic error, and develop a new higher quality environment. There is therefore the opportunity to plan a new phase of development of Garson which acts a s a transition in design and layout terms from the existing suburban
manse
character to a more rural/semi-rural scattered form. A mix of the PO4 (page 82) and PO6 (page 86) policy considerations will therefore be relevant in this area. Similarly, proposals for the Brownstone Road site should provide a transition from the higher density form at Grieveship to lower density scattered form as the site moves towards the more rural character to the west. A mix of PO4 and PO6 policy considerations will apply to this site and a Development Brief
For both areas, it is essential that a Design
or Design Statement must be prepared to
Statement or Development Brief is developed to
demonstrate this transition in the site layout.
manage this process and to set out the necessary
The housing allocation plan on page 84 sets out
phasing and layout of the area to ensure an
a starting point for this transition, with the higher
effective transition from a high to lower density
density elements being contained in the south
scattered housing layout and that development
eastern part of the site.
respects the local topography and landscape.
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Scattered housing sites – edge of settlement existing houses
expansion areas A number of new housing allocations are identified where a lower density, scattered form of development is encouraged. These include some of the previous 2004 Local Plan sites as well as new areas on the edge of the town where scattered housing is already established.
single storey houses This scattered development will provide an
alternative type of housing which has proven to be desirable and will establish a more natural transition between town and country and reflects the local settlement pattern and the high quality National Scenic Area status of many of these sites. A s a general rule, lower density pattern is therefore considered more appropriate for these areas. Planning applications will therefore be required to respect the policy considerations set
proposed housing allocations to meet the
out at PO6 (page 86) in these areas. However,
perceived demand for new housing in Stromness
there may be some circumstances where higher
for the period to 2020. This has been based on
density elements may be appropriate in parts of
the strategy objective to focus development on
these sites. For example, where local topography
the core and existing built up areas and to ensure
could accommodate a cluster of buildings. A
accessibility to infrastructure and services as
Design Statement or Development Brief would
priorities. The consultation process raised the
be required to set out the case for any proposal
issue of the need for affordable housing. The
which seeks to increase the scattered form in
Council’s affordable housing policy establishes
this area. The key considerations in determining
a requirement of 25% affordable housing in all
whether this is appropriate will be the impact of
developments over seven homes. This standard
a proposal on the semi-rural, scattered housing
would be applicable to all development in
character of these areas which must remain
Stromness.
the dominant character of these areas and the degree that the proposal respects the local
Given the scale of potential identified in this
topography and landscape setting.
urban design framework, including significant potential to regenerate and develop housing
The urban design framework has now set out
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within the historic core of Stromness, there is
STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
significant potential to increase the supply of
Farmhouse - In the early 20th century, one and
affordable housing in Stromness.
a half storey houses became commonplace. The sketch of a three bedroom house illustrates
Siting and design
an approach which reflects this style. North Ronaldsay crofts often exhibit a distinctive one-
The problem of fitting the standard modern
and-a-half storey section which is unusual in
bungalow into the Orkney landscape is that the
Orkney.
form does not reflect traditional patterns - the houses inevitably look alien and out of scale.
Manse - A further alternative approach is that
This is not to say that houses must be copies
of the typical 18th-19th century Orkney Manse:
of traditional styles – rather that they should
characterised by the late Laura Grimond as the
respect local traditions of scale and proportion.
‘pepper pot’. It has two storeys and a square
Contemporary design and traditional form can be
plan, with a symmetrical pattern. This form would
successfully combined in Stromness – the Pier
lend itself to subdivision as a semi-detached
Arts Centre is an example of this. At the same
block in an area of open landscape. Care needs
time it is important to reflect Orkney building
to be taken to match the proportions of windows
styles and not generic Scottish patterns, and for
and ceiling heights to create the effect of the
crisp simple and easily-maintained detailing to
traditional building. The sketch illustrates the
be incorporated.
proportions of a pair of 3-bed houses formed in this pattern. Consideration should be given to
Croft - The traditional Orkney Croft is a long low
providing a roof feature to match the original’s
building. It is possible to devise ‘longhouse’
chimneys.
style plans, although there may be cost implications. The illustration is for a semi
Modified Single Storey - By adding a bay to a
detached pair of houses, with one bedroom at
standard single storey house plan, it is possible
ground floor level and two low attic rooms.
to create an impression of a narrower plan
exemplar landscape design in a bleak landscape
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building. This is illustrated by the above sketch
character is set by the original building.
which is for a three bedroom private bungalow, however the principle would adapt readily to
The Scottish Tradition - There is a long and
varying house types. This has the advantage
distinguished tradition of Scottish architecture
that the main body of the house is a standard kit
which is alive and well today although rarely
pattern.
seen. A number of architectural practices have a strong reputation for merging the timeless
Adapting Existing Buildings - The narrow plan
elements of Scottish building with Modern forms
form of traditional buildings makes it difficult to
to create contemporary residential buildings
fit the required amount of accommodation in a
that are comfortable in Scottish landscapes and
modern house. An example of an extension to
towns.
a small cottage which maintains its character is illustrated above. The scale of the extension is
They are mostly highly energy efficient and use
kept similar to the original with a parallel ridge
sustainable materials as much as possible. They
which reflects traditional patterns. Although
also look energy efficient and sustainable which
there are cost implications, the form of the
is increasingly a highly marketable characteristic.
extension can be very simple and cheap as the
At the same time, until there is a widely held
successful shared surface scheme in Keswick
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STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
desire to build either traditional buildings or
a requirement to provide a broad indication of
contemporary versions of the Scottish and
the scale and location of housing land beyond
Orkney traditions, there will always be a problem
year 10 up to year 20. the Summary Policies and
with new development in sensitive locations like
Proposals Plan delivers these requirements by
Stromness.
identifying sites within a 5-10 year and a 10-20 year settlement boundary. For the avoidance
Design in general should be moved up the
of doubt, it is intended that development will
Council agenda so that it becomes a core
be phased according to this strategy. Therefore
corporate activity rather than a fringe effort. This
in principle, the 10-20 year sites will not be
would give wider publicity to appropriate design
supported within the first 10 year period unless
and afford greater legitimacy to efforts to impose
exceptional circumstances are demonstrated.
higher standards on the local community.
Exceptional circumstances could include the unavailability of effective sites within the 10 year
Development phasing: SPP3 establishes that
land supply within a reasonable period of time
development plans should allocate sufficient
(5 years). Evidence to demonstrate exceptional
effective land to provide for a minimum 10
circumstances would have to be provided to the
year housing land requirement. There is also
satisfaction of the planning authority.
successful shared surface scheme in Keswick
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PO7 - greenspace areas (refer to page 20
included specific proposals for green space and
for context): these are areas of open space
linkages in PR7 below but the relevant urban
within and adjacent to the urban fabric and the
design policy issues are:
connections between these areas. They include the southern recreational complex, Ness Battery,
•
the Council should develop better standards
Marwick Playing Fields and Market Green. These
of greenspace design drawing on best
are important resources for Stromness and given
practice in similar climates and combining
the ease of access to the countryside, it is easy
this with local exemplars
to overlook the importance of green space in and
•
around the urban area.
greenspace areas should be connected into a cohesive and obvious network – so new provision in residential areas should be
Much green space in the town is bleak and poorly designed and while the bleakness
linked to existing resources •
proposals for improved recreational
and exposed nature of these spaces is often
facilities including playing fields should
inevitable given the climate and exposure,
be considered, particularly consolidating
poor design – particularly generic municipal
the leisure uses around the Market Green/
design - is unnecessary. There is a need to
Cairston Road area
develop a language for landscape design that is appropriate to Orkney rather than import styles
PO8 - new approaches to traffic management:
and that can be seen in Bournemouth or Clacton. Major interventions in the transport The other aspect of green space is linkage
infrastructure and highway network are not
between the different elements and idea of
required in order to strengthen and preserve
developing an obvious network of spaces rather
the essential qualities of Stromness. The
than separate entities. This could include
measures necessary to underpin an urban design
an improved shoreline link round Hamnavoe
framework involve relatively minor changes of
connecting up green spaces (and focal points)
approach, changes that build on recent best
from Point of Ness to the Whitehouse Rocks.
practice in encouraging place-making and the informal integration of traffic with the public
Specific proposals for development of public
realm. Developing a distinctive, locally-informed,
space must take into account the need to link
and locally controlled approach to street design
into the wider network being established and
and management in Stromness would build on
opportunities to set out a common language
the special circumstances and context of the
in the use of materials and street furniture
town, and reflect the increasing important role of
should be investigated. This should be delivered
the public realm in retaining economic vitality.
through the development process. We have
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STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
The characteristics of the town centre lend themselves to the introduction of a variant of the “Restricted Parking Zone� (RPZ). Such designations are widely used in historic towns and special areas, and allow specific parking spaces to be designated and defined, rather than relying on prohibition measures such
Key proposals diagram
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97
as signs and yellow lines. The introduction of
methods could be used to define short-term
such a scheme could form the framework for
parking spaces without relying on additional
discussions, negotiations, and consensus-
paint and road markings. We would recommend
building at a local level to achieve a balance
that local artists and designers be identified
between essential access needs and over-
who could develop a clear and identifiable
dominance of the streetscapes by vehicles.
inlay plaque to be incorporated into the street paving. Parking would then be permitted only
An RPZ would allow the removal of the yellow
where a vehicle is covering such a plaque. This
lines that currently disfigure the unique qualities
system works well in The Netherlands and other
of the historic centre. Such markings are not
countries, and could be adapted to suit the
only difficult and expensive to maintain on
particular context of Stromness.
the sandstone paving of Stromness. They also allow a standardised traffic engineering
Transport, arrival and movement are integral
element into the public realm that erodes the
parts of our recommended approach to building
spatial quality and shared space characteristics
an urban design framework. In common with
of the streetscape. Their removal over time is
most successful strategies based on reinforcing
an important component in preserving and
the qualities of place, we would recommend that
enhancing the essential character of Stromness.
measures are introduced to bring together the administrative functions and service areas of
An RPZ will require a degree of signing at entry
planning, roads, transportation and economic
points into the town centre, and these could be
development to ensure that there is a seamless
carefully integrated with buildings and street
and integrated approach to investment and
furniture to reinforce the role of gateways and
decision-making, making maximum use of local
entry points. Within the zone, a number of
resources and local knowledge. Stromness
WASPS provide studio space at favourable rentals throughout Scotland
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STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
represents an excellent opportunity to build
building stronger pedestrian links and route
on emerging best practice in street design
definition between the historic town and
and place-making to preserve and enhance
Hamnavoe and similar outlying areas
the economic attractions of its public realm,
•
a programme of place-making at selected
strengthen a sense of local identity, and to
points within the street network to extend
reconcile the need for movement with the
the qualities of space beyond the old town
qualities of the built environment. The central
to create a stronger identity at key locations
urban design related traffic recommendations are: •
Proposals by area encouraging movement, especially
PR1) The historic core – blending heritage and
pedestrian movement, southwards from the
contemporary use
Ferryport, through careful attention to street
•
•
detailing and supporting attractors and
In the past 15-20 years, the historic heart of
interest to the south of the town
Stromness has “hollowed out”, resulting in a
promoting and extending opportunities
loss of population, employment, shops and
to discourage on-street parking, and to
services. That process continues and the town’s
maximise use of off-street parking provision
focus has shifted to the Pierhead, North End and
promoting a low-speed design framework
Garson.
by minimising the use of highway-related
•
•
•
elements such as road markings, signs and
The conventional wisdom appears to be that
barriers
the historic core is too constrained, complex
introducing a Restricted Parking Zone
and hard to access to make it an attractive
that would permit limited parking only in
investment proposition, but this is a counsel
specified bays, to be agreed locally - such
of despair. The old town is an extraordinary
bays could be defined by a locally-specific
asset, unrivalled townscape, setting and cultural
street-marking designation to be designed
heritage. It is understood that some of the major
plus removing all yellow lines and other road
projects outlined above may have difficulty
markings - these should not be renewed
fitting into the Old Town. Nonetheless, options
creating and reinforcing the gateways and
to disaggregate projects, for example separating
entry-points to the town, to emphasize the
out the residential elements of projects to locate
transition to the low-speed, non-highway
more people in the old town and encourage
environment of Stromness
additional movement between old and new
measures to humanise and enclose the
Stromness should be explored.
Ferryport terminus and approach road, Local views obtained through our consultation
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99
the Pier Arts Centre
subsidised accommodation – but this would
is a major focus and
need work outside the scope of this study.
point of arrival
Some of the key projects for the historic core should logical appear through the thi study, in particular, proposals for the buildings at risk outlined in the thi interim report. 1. International Student House – potentially in the former Commercial Hotel 2. Artists’ Studios and Workshops – in association with WASPS2, covering a number of separate buildings 3. New and Restored Residential Accommodation – in association with the Orkney Housing Association or in part as Council housing 4. Start-up Space for New Businesses – in association with residential development as in 3 above and new business space associated with the renewable energy sector and planning day suggest that there is concern
5. Decentralised OIC office space
about the lack of local convenience shopping in the historic core – some locals would like to see
In addition, the area will require proposals aimed
the Delicatessen back in business while others
at:
would also like to see a small convenience store in the south of the historic core. There is also
•
of the town at the former Mart site. Realistically, until there is a change in the number of people living in the core combined with a substantial increase in business activity, the traditional property market is going to find it impossible to provide such facilities. The only option for this would be through a community co-op running a number of small convenience stores in heavily
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ORKNEY ISLANDS COUNCIL
providing grants to businesses and property owners for repairs to historic fabric
some support for a new supermarket to the north •
promoting improvements to shopfronts
2 WASPS - Wasps Artists’ Studios is an award-winning charity which provides affordable studio space to support the careers of up to 750 artists working in Scotland today. We have discussed the Stromness situation with them. Although they are currently looking very actively at other areas it would still be possible to consider a project in Orkney. This need not be one building but could be a series of smaller buildings.
STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
•
and street frontages focusing on restoring
and has little urban connection to the North End
architectural detail
or other areas – the seaward route north from
improving the public realm and surface
the terminal along Ferry Road is a bleak and
finishes
inhospitable route which directs visitors arriving
•
restoring traditional signage
at the ferry out of the town and makes a marked
•
repairing and restoring specific objects such
contrast with the original more pleasant and
as piers, fountain and pumps
interesting route north along John Street.
• • •
•
training in conservation techniques and heritage skills
The Pierhead area that is the main focus of the
community involvement in the built heritage
current architectural competition is likely to
of the town
contain the new library for the town together with
interpretive material covering historical
Council office space decentralised from Kirkwall.
information as well as practical responses to
It may also contain a series of other buildings
conservation problems
which are used by local businesses and perform
space for business especially renewables at
valuable functions although the final content and
the Pole Star Pier
design has not been established at this time.
The Social Services Department has identified
There are opportunities to enhance the quality
a long term need to replace St Peter’s care
and amenity of this area and to make it a more
Facility. There may be an opportunity to locate
attractive central place, but these improvements
a new facility through the redevelopment of the
must not be allowed to restrict access for locals
existing site and/or in a new location within the
or to compromise the viability of businesses
historic core. Given the advantages of locating
in the Pierhead area which are an important
this community resource in the central area,
attraction for locals and visitors.
these options should be investigated. However, it may not be possible to achieve the operational
The Pierhead and port is also a working area
requirements in the central area and other sites
rather than a major civic set-piece and it would
may have to be found. A full appraisal of site
be appropriate for it to stay as a functional
options should be undertaken before a site is
bustling area rather than an over-designed
finally selected.
space. It is one of the most important points of arrival on the island and needs to perform across a broad spectrum for a wide range of users
PR2) The port and Pierhead – points of arrival
including ferry passengers either on foot or with cars, freight trucks and trailers, fishing boats,
In many ways the Pierhead is the now the heart
cruise liners, smaller craft and trailers accessing
of the town yet it is peripheral to the historic core
the marina, buses and taxis.
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current option for Ferry Road and the Terminal area
Ferry Road
While the Pierhead and old port is a bustling and interesting area, the ferry terminal is not. One of the issues is the amount of space given over to parking which rarely seems to be fully utilised. It is also an unwelcoming environment for visitors to the island. It is noted that some of the entries for the Pierhead competition included new buildings on the North Pier adjacent to the ferry terminal. These might have included a cafe and waiting room for taxis and buses or accommodate other businesses. Although this would have provided shelter and interest it has been ruled out of current plans due to harbour operational requirements.
II.01
Drawing No.
Project
Title
Scale
1004119
Approved
File Ref.
A Checked
Revision
Drawn
Date
ORKNEY ISLANDS COUNCIL
DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL SERVICES Council Offices, Kirkwall Orkney, KW15 1NY tel (01856) 873535 fax (01856) 876094
Director :Brian Thomson BSc CEng MICE MIHT
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STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
The lorry park at the North End is an integral part
higher density of use which will be reflective of
of the port facility. Tugmaster towing vehicles
its primary function as a ferry port and a harbour
move trailers to and from the ferry on a private
area.
roadway along the edge of Ferry Road connecting to the lorry park where the trailers are attached
The continuing success of the port is crucial to
to hauliers’ tractor units for transport elsewhere.
the future well-being of Stromness because it
The harbour authorities will have to make
generates activity and confers a sense of purpose
alternative arrangements for trailers arriving on
on the town. It is important that the operational
the ferry once the new Primary School is built on
requirements of the port (access, passenger and
the lorry park site.
freight handling, ancillary services etc) are met, and that potential conflicts between these and
The Council have recently set up a Working Group
other uses are resolved.
to resolve some of the issues around the way in which the ferry terminal operates. These include:
Developing a range of port activity is important for the overall prosperity and attractiveness of
• •
•
a reassessment of space demands for car
the town not only in terms of operational uses
parking
but also tourism and leisure based activities.
alternatives to using a remote lorry park for
In this way, a more diverse set of uses will arise
transloading or transhipment – for example
around the Pierhead. This has already started
through new arrangements at the ferry
with the marina and dive industries but could
terminal
also expand to the small boat industry (eg
alternative site(s) for a lorry park(s)
through water taxi, tours and repairs)
particularly within the immediate port area •
ensuring the continued operational
PR3) Town Centre Campus – creating town
capability of the marina which is an
centre activity
important part of the port The closure of Stromness Primary and its The Ferry Road and Terminal area are now due
relocation to the North End raises the question of
to be redesigned. These works will include the
a replacement use for the existing building or the
establishment of a segregated lorry marshalling
possibility of replacing the building. From our
and parking area at the Ferry Terminal
consultations with the local community, opinion
and improvements to the layout of the car
is split on the merits or otherwise of the existing
marshalling area along Ferry Road. Improved
building – some think it is a modern monstrosity
pedestrian walkways and access to the marina
while others have very fond memories of what
will also be provided. These works will result in
a wonderful space it was either to work or be
a more ordered appearance to the areas and a
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103
educated in. Our view is that it should be
configuration and land take for the Primary
retained.
School, the design brief for the proposed supermarket site on the former cattle mart site
There is an opportunity to link the Primary
and early discussion over the use of land for
School building to the Old Academy, potentially
housing to the south end of the mart site. These
including other land in the vicinity, to create a
proposals will mean substantial change around
town centre campus. We have already identified
the entrance to Stromness. The proposals retain
the potential for accommodating oac and eca
the roundabout and the petrol filling station
Orkney here although their space requirements
together with existing trees.
need to be determined. These projects would help to replace the day time activity generated by
The current configuration of these elements of
the school with other year-round, all-day sources
the proposals is shown on page 105. They will
of activity. This could help to provide space for
provide an open and green entrance to the town
small business start-ups and link to the Old
which will blend with the dominant suburban
Academy providing for a range of business sector
character of the North End and Garson areas.
start-ups. Proposals for the campus should
There is though a longer term potential to
investigate the possibility of incorporating
reconfigure the roundabout and create additional
innovative forms of renewable energy and power
space for the school and recreational leisure
generation including a district heating system.
areas. An aspirational layout is therefore also presented overleaf.
PR4) The North End – accommodating new
It is recommended that the Council investigate
facilities
improving sports facilities on Market Green, potentially in relation to the new primary school
As we have discussed throughout this report,
development and also to meet the requirements
there has been a drift of activities from the
for large children’s play.
historic core northwards over many decades. The North End Road, Ferry Road and Cairston Road
PR5) Ferry Road – bridging the gap
area already has a number of significant service and community facilities and will have more
We regard John Street and North End Road as the
when the Primary School relocates there and
preferred and more attractive pedestrian route
when the Cattle Mart site is redeveloped.
between the Pierhead and the north of the town primarily because activity along that route will
104 |
The Council is taking a lead in structuring
support local businesses, it is a comfortable
the future of this area through an outline
environment for pedestrians providing shelter
ORKNEY ISLANDS COUNCIL
STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
proposals for North End with a new Primary School, and supermarket
and interest, as well as elevated views over
•
Hamnavoe. At the same time there is a need to create improvements in the exceptionally dismal
Ferry Road and much of the land adjacent to it is a functioning part of the port
•
the private road to the lorry park from the
Ferry Road in an effort to bridge the gap between
ferry terminal – could be removed (once the
the historic town and its northern extension.
lorry park has been redeveloped) and the
There are a number of separate issues here
public road moved slightly east creating
namely:
more development land as part of the Cattle Mart site or the opportunity could be taken
section through North End Road and Ferry Road showing new residential development, supermarket and ramp pedestrian access between levels
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105
aspirational proposals for North End
for an improved pedestrian/cycle route • •
•
as effectively part of the port and should
there may be a need to continue the use of
therefore be included in any review of port
the private road for port related activities
and ferry activities - this is already taking
while development might be an attractive
place through the Stromness Harbour
townscape solution to the waterfront along Ferry Road it would also need to include the
•
the Ferry Road area could be regarded
along Ferry Road
Working Group •
there may be flooding issues along Ferry
long stay car parking areas to link properly
Road which will place restrictions or
to the Pierhead in order to be effective
additional expenditure on any development
the relocation of this long term parking
proposals
would be difficult unless the Council
•
106 |
developed an overall parking strategy for the
So there are many difficulties with developing
town
along Ferry Road. Land ownership complications
developing along Ferry Road would have to
and the need to retain much of the existing
include considerable amelioration works in
parking may prevent the realisation of grander
terms of noise, pollution and road safety for
ambitions for creating a street frontage. Such
adjacent properties as well as the comfort of
ambitions may also be misplaced as a more open
pedestrians
and green approach along Ferry Road maybe a
ORKNEY ISLANDS COUNCIL
STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
more appropriate option, providing an improved
raising the quality of this fast-growing area as a
pedestrian and cycle environment as a link
business location - while encouraging smaller
between the historic core and the north end, with
firms and start-up businesses to locate or stay in
development concentrating on gaps in the John
the historic centre.
Street and North End Road corridor at the higher level.
What Garson needs is a distinct role and purpose, a clear structure for future development
PR6) Garson – appropriate expansion
and a more positive relationship with the landscape and the sea. Plans for the future need
Garson is probably the least favoured area of
to be realistic and should be flexible in terms of
Stromness from a townscape, urban design or
land use. Future plans for Garson should style
place-making point of view. The impression
it as a mixed use extension of Stromness rather
is that Garson is a receptacle for uses that are
than a mixture of fixed zonings.
unable to be accommodated anywhere else – at the same time, there often has not been
Some of the concepts and structuring principles
anywhere else for some development to go.
for a new Garson might include:
Garson is an unfortunate mix of uses perhaps reflecting the ad hoc way in which its
1. Liveability: while the land there is relatively
development has progressed. Very low density
plentiful, it is handicapped by its distance
housing, industrial units and suburban business
from the town centre and its exposure to the
park style units, Stromness Academy, a civic
elements. As Stromness considers options
amenity facility and undeveloped housing
for new housing locations, it may wish to
sites strung out along a central access road. In
build upon the foothold established at Gar-
contrast to the old town across Hamnavoe there
son. The community’s historic development
is absolutely no relationship with the sea or
preference has been to locate its housing
the landscape and no sense of forming spaces,
and retail activities near the core, in the lee
shelter or places.
of Brinkie’s Brae. Recent trends, however, have located housing and employment land
It is most likely that many of the existing uses at
uses on the east side of the Hamnavoe.
Garson will not change and consequently it will
While the distance from the core and the
be very difficult to change the character of what
windswept landscape cannot be changed,
is already there. Nevertheless, while Garson
this area’s development character can, per-
will continue to be a key location for growing
haps in a manner to make it more liveable.
businesses there must be a new emphasis on
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long term structuring diagram for Garson - predominantly residential to the west - business to the east but with integration of uses - focal points and waterside park and promenade
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STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
2. Land use compatibility: Garson hosts a
for it, there should be some care taken in the
growing industrial estate, comprised of a
design and location of these uses such that
variety of land-intensive and professional
future residential development is not imped-
office uses. This industrial area relies on
ed. Such design measures may include:
the same roads as those serving the area’s residential neighbourhoods and the indus-
•
reconfiguring the roadway system to
trial estate is immediately adjacent to land
separate, to some degree, the high-intensity
already developed for housing. The indus-
industrial traffic from the cars, bicyclists and
trial landscape’s starkness presents an un-
pedestrians associated with the residential
attractive setting for any further residential
areas and the New Stromness Academy
development, exposing housing areas to
•
placing administrative offices and other
the noise, air quality, and visual impacts
low-intensity uses along the perimeter of
expected of an industrial neighbour. While
the industrial estate to help buffer adjacent
industrial development is sought in Strom-
non-industrial properties from the noise
ness, and Garson is the most likely location
and vibration generated in the interior of the
Hamnovoe development concept
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109
•
•
industrial estate
Garson will continue to be seen as the least
encouraging the development of structures
desirable (but affordable) alternative to liv-
along the perimeter of the industrial estate
ing in Stromness proper. With the area’s
to create a more attractive streetscape
outstanding views towards the old town, to
adopting design standards to address
Scapa Flow and Hoy, and with historic sites
and mitigate the negative visual image of
providing abundant opportunity for local-
perimeter fences and walls that surround
ised identity, the art will be in the integra-
industrial properties, perhaps requiring the
tion, for example, of old farm buildings and
installation and maintenance of landscaping
piers into a development fabric which is con-
where the estate adjoins particularly
temporary but linked strongly to the history
sensitive areas
and culture of the area. This could take the form of centres around which public spaces
3. Exposure: because Garson is exposed
or small-scale services can locate. Street
to the elements, building placement
orientation, while minding the effects of
(particularly for new housing), street
wind, can also take advantage of the views
orientation, and building design are critical
from Garson, capturing Scapa Flow and the
elements for consideration if Garson is to
Stromness waterfront with their orientation.
serve adequately as a locus for community growth in Stromness. Buildings should be
5. Shoreline – The eastern shoreline of Ham-
oriented to block or disrupt the westerly
navoe commands views of the town centre
wind flow into public spaces and likely
and waterfront and may be an attractive lo-
pedestrian corridors. Streets should bend
cation for future residential development. .
or angle, baffling air flow to minimize wind-
Further consideration of this concept can be
tunnel effects along the pedestrian routes.
embedded in the local plan update or in the
Building design can also help mitigate the
preparation of a development brief intended
effects of exposure, providing for shelter at
specifically for this purpose. Other develop-
doorways, fixed awnings over sidewalks,
ment along the shoreline could include a
adequate insulation, and proper orientation
restaurant, viewpoint and pier or community
and treatment of windows.
facility for example at Copeland’s Pier such as a hard standing and boat repair area.
4. Cultural resources and community identity: Garson can define an identity for itself rather
110 |
6. Tree planting - The planting of trees within
than develop simply as an ad hoc collection
new development and along the shoreline
of uses and buildings. Without identity,
would help to achieve a more attractive
ORKNEY ISLANDS COUNCIL
STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
local environment and improve views of the
clear structure for new high quality housing
area. Trees should be considered as part of
development in this area.
the new landscape framework for Garson. At the same time this should be approached with caution as there is little evidence to
PR7) - town-wide place-making and linkage
suggest that trees will survive in such a
projects
hostile environment. Care should also be taken with location, species and type of
Stromness contains a number of focal points and
planting so that the inherent landscape
town spaces which are important to the overall
character of the area is not weakened
structure and feel of the town – they may be
through inappropriate suburban shrubberies
where community activities occur, where people
or hedging.
gather or where structures or monuments exist that residents and visitors use for orientation and navigation. These could be effectively
7. Finally Garson is a preferred location for the
developed into a town trail.
Zero-Waste facility. This is likely to based in the vicinity of Cairston Road which is a
The wider Stromness area contains a number of
category B listed building. The proposed
significant green spaces – recreation, leisure and
development must respect the setting
amenity open spaces as well as Sites of Special
of the building and but also provides an
Scientific Interest, Special Areas of Conservation
opportunity for Garson House to become the
and Sites of Local Nature Conservation
focus of the new development, bringing the
Importance. Section 2 of this report set out the
building back into use.
basic inventory according to the Local Plan.
In this way, Garson could develop into
It is important that existing mature trees within
a much improved place in which to live
the historic fabric are maintained and that
or work. It is appreciated that these
opportunities to incorporate new tree planting
aspirations are long term but it is important
through public realm projects and development
to start the restructuring process now so that
projects generally are achieved.
it is easier to make decisions on future or competing proposals.
There is a lack of connection between the larger facilities and a lack of awareness about the
A development brief is being prepared
smaller places and spaces that punctuate the
for the Garson expansion area which will
town. It would be beneficial to link facilities,
articulate these requirements and set out a
features, places and spaces – both existing and
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111
proposed – into a connected network of town
•
new centres and public spaces
assets. They include:
•
the shoreline of Hamnavoe
•
greenspace and playing fields
•
Brinkie’s Brae
•
the focal points listed in section 2
•
important town spaces
•
development proposals
One of the core concepts for place-making and linkage is the route around Hamnavoe. In this
town-wide placemaking and linkage projects
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STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
draft car parking strategy
first place this is intended to be a pedestrian
PR8) - car parking strategy and proposals
and cycle route but it should be built to accommodate a public transport solution at
The Council has developed a draft strategy for car
some point in the future. Opportunities to
parking in Stromness which is set out overleaf.
incorporate an improved pedestrian and cycle
OIC recognise that the strength of community
environment should be explored.
views on this issue and has identified a number of sites for new car parks. These will be subject to further investigation and will be combined with the RPZ proposals described earlier in P08. The largest car parks would be at Ferry Road, the
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113
summary policy and proposals framework
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STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
Pierhead, the existing Primary School site and the old Academy. PR9) - other leisure related proposals A summary of the leisure proposals discussed throughout the report include: •
Market Green Sports
•
Copland Pier Boat Yard/Hardstanding and interpretation centre
•
Anderson’s Boat Yard - extension of caravan park and/or sailing club improvements
•
town trail, green links and focal points
•
consideration of children’s play areas in new development
A summary plan of the policy and proposals framework is show opposite.
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STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
section 6: implementation This section outlines some general principles
due as part of the Pierhead project but should
and directions for the implementation of the
also include vacant premises identified by the
urban design framework. We have described
THI study in the historic core.
the range of policies and proposals including economic development projects which would
Accommodation for artists is another priority
bring about constructive change to the town.
and we have outlined earlier how this could be
Here we outline some of the themes that should
achieved as part of a thi/Wasps initiative.
underpin and ensure that Stromness begins to change for the better and evolve into a diverse
Theme 2: the importance of the local community
and robust town. A Community Cooperative: Theme 1: a broad based economy:
There is much local interest in the future
It is important that Stromness develops a broad
prosperity of the town, not only from local
based and diverse local economy in order to
businesses and retailers but from residents
develop flexibility and the ability to cope with
in general. This is an ideal footing for the
changing circumstances such as the loss of
establishment of a local community cooperative
the Ferry route or the ability to take advantage
to help build upon high end convenience
of more positive change such as a marked
retailing in the historic core and Pierhead area.
acceleration in renewables research resulting in
Community Cooperatives have been shown to be
demand for more accommodation, goods and
effective in providing local services in marginal
services in the town. We have outlined a range of
market circumstances such as in the historic core
sectors which would be instrumental in building
where local residents want to see convenience
diversity and these are:
and higher end shops but which cannot survive in normal market circumstances.
•
renewable energy
•
arts and culture
It is important that the public agencies should
•
high value niche market tourism
assist and support the setting up a local
•
food processing
cooperative rather than dominating and micro-
•
transport
managing the process. To work effectively, coops need to be strongly community based
Another aspect of this theme is the need to
rather than be the creation of the Council. A
provide a range of locations and premises
local coop will need support to find, acquire or
for new businesses especially office
rent premises, find suppliers, pay for marketing,
accommodation. This could specifically include
ordering, budgeting, logistics and recruiting of
the proposed decentralised Council premises
volunteers. HIE have considerable experience of
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117
working with local communities to establish such
and groups to take projects forward rather than
ventures and should be involved in the process
relying on the public sector to do so. Community
of setting this up.
based projects or initiatives by local companies can be far more effective than the public sector
Local support and project champions:
in obtaining finance and promoting proposals
Linked to the ethos and practice of community
and schemes that work for the town and with
coops is the need to encourage projects to be
which the local community feel a sense of
initiated, developed and supported by local
ownership.
people. The force for change should come from the local community rather than being imposed
Theme 3: the appreciation of place
by the public sector. There is a culture of high involvement of the public sector in Stromness
The historic core of Stromness and the
projects matched by a sense of dependency
surrounding landscape are unique and worthy
by the community – an expectation that the
of the highest standards maintenance and
Council will be responsible for or be involved in
enhancement. Having a robust and diverse
the majority of change in the town. Change in
economy contributes to securing a better sense
Stromness is very driven by public sector finance
of place. A committed and involved business
and therefore subject to the same budgetary
and residential community is equally valuable.
shortcomings that most local authorities have to
An understanding of the physical assets of the
work with.
town and its setting is the foundation of place and placemaking.
In parallel with this is a distinct project rather than strategy orientated outlook – the number of
We have suggested in earlier sections of this
undelivered or undeliverable projects uncovered
study that this is an area of some weakness
by this study is remarkable. Most of these are in
not just in the Council but also in the local
the tourism, arts, culture or recreation arena and
community. The specific areas that have to
most of these would be of little or no economic
be addressed are education, awareness and
value to the town. At the same time, progress in
appreciation of local circumstances and context
other areas is slow – these include regenerating
– forming a sense of what makes Orkney special
the historic core, finding uses for potentially
and ensuring that this is not watered down
useful buildings, assembling development sites,
by inappropriate, out of context or rootless
enabling new housing development and caring
interventions. Improving place awareness in the
for the general environment of the town in a
local community is a major project but some of
constructive manner.
the tools which can be used to achieve better standards of placemaking and design are readily
What is required here is for local champions
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ORKNEY ISLANDS COUNCIL
available.
STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
They are:
of pedestrians and cars in the historic environment of the town and its landscape
•
•
the introduction of compulsory design
setting, based on the forthcoming Scottish
statements for all development in and
Government’s Designing Streets Planning
around Stromness
Advice Note
the production of design guides for
•
undertaking town-wide placemaking and
a range of different subjects (for
linkage projects in association with other
example shopfronts, signage, roads and
public agencies and the local community
infrastructure, house extensions) and/or for specific areas of the town (for example the North End, Garson or the new ribbon/linear housing development area proposed in this document •
the introduction of specific design briefs for important, large or prominent sites
Theme 4: local infrastructure This theme embraces a diverse range of service provision for the town and will be the responsibility of the Council. These activities have all been referred to earlier in the report but priority activities include: •
the production and implementation of a parking strategy for the town including an RPZ and new and improved car parks
•
the development of plans for the working of the harbour port area through the Stromness Harbour Working group – this will deal with issues around lorry parking, car parking, operational use of piers and potential new uses which will increase the prosperity and diversity of the harbour area
•
implementing road and traffic signage proposals that are sympathetic to the needs
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ORKNEY ISLANDS COUNCIL
STROMNESS URBAN DESIGN FRAMEWORK
07: summary and conclusions This report has set out an urban design
5. Ferry Road
framework for Stromness. The framework is
6. Garson
based on:
7. the outer residential and fringe areas 8. larger open space areas and the connections
•
a robust urban design appraisal of the
between them
condition of Stromness and the wider area, •
and of the prospects for the future
The report has assessed a wide range of project
an in depth economic appraisal of the town
ideas at various stages of development and
and its hinterland
recommends nine key economic development projects:
From this we have produced a framework based on a series of urban design principles and an
1. EMEC (short and long term options)
economic strategy. We have carried out an
2. Orkney Archaeology Centre
assessment of current initiatives and projects
3. ECA Orkney
and identified the most beneficial for the future
4. Ness Battery and Landscapes of War
of the town. We have combined the economic
5. Writer’s Centre
appraisal with the urban design and spatial
6. Zero Waste Village
objectives to produce a framework aimed at
7. International Student House
fulfilling multiple roles for the town. These roles
8. Decentralised Offices
are:
9. Artists Studios and Craft Workspaces
•
Orkney’s Cultural Capital
Our aim has been to develop a realistic, relevant
•
Service Centre for the West Mainland
and deliverable urban design framework that will
•
Scotland’s Renewables Centre of Excellence
make a positive difference to the town – guiding
•
Transition Town
the present and the future. We recommend this
•
Gateway Town
report to the Council and encourage them to commit to the framework.
The urban design framework contains policies and proposals for eight key areas of the town namely: 1. the historic core 2. the port and Pierhead 3. the Old Academy and Primary School 4. North Hamnavoe
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Department of Development Services Council Offices School Place Kirkwall Orkney KW15 1NY