Chippenham Avon Project Masterplan Consultation document

The following summarises the key background, strategic themes and planning policy considerations that relate to the Chippenham Avon Project proposals.

Planning policy context and background

The starting point for making planning decisions is the adopted development plan, which in Wiltshire is the Wiltshire Core Strategy (WCS) and the Chippenham Sites Allocation Plan together with a number of saved policies from the former North Wiltshire District Local Plan (NWLP). Other material considerations include the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the planning practice guidance.

Core Policy 9 of the Wiltshire Core Strategy is key to the Chippenham Avon Project and sets a policy for the River Avon Corridor being enhanced for leisure and recreation uses in an environmentally sensitive manner commits to developing an attractive cycle/ pedestrian route connecting the town centre with the wider green infrastructure network, while conserving and enhancing its role as a wildlife corridor. This policy support is further developed through the Chippenham Sites Allocation Plan as well as the draft Chippenham Neighbourhood Plan.

As well as planning policy there is important ecology and there are a number of species that are protected in their own right that need to be considered. The following surveys should be undertaken to inform development of land around the Chippenham Avon Project where proposals have the potential to impact on protected species either during construction or operation. All proposals should be accompanied by a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) to ensure that construction work considers aspects of environmental protection within the context of compliance with local legislation and minimisation of the impacts on humans and the environment:

• Aquatic invertebrates
• Badgers
• Bats
• Beavers
• Breeding birds
• Fish, (specifically Atlantic salmon, Brook lamprey and Bullhead)
• Invasive plant survey
• Macrophytes
• Otters
• Reptiles
• Water voles (Note licences and receptor sites may be required).

The outcome of such surveys will determine any mitigation and enhancement needed.

The draft masterplan should be screened under the Habitat Regulations in order to determine if there maybe any effects alone or in combination on any European nature sites.

If 'screened in' an appropriate assessment on the relevant area of this plan should be undertaken accordingly.

Climate change

The Chippenham Avon Project Masterplan is set in the context of Wiltshire Council's and Chippenham Town Council's declaration of a Climate Emergency. Proposals for the Chippenham Avon Project have been designed to help support modal shift away from the private car, while also providing adaptation measures in response to the expected impacts of climate change through flood mitigation, aligning with the WCS strategic priorities for tackling and adapting to climate change, and para 152 of the NPPF.

Flooding

A flood defence scheme was constructed in the 1960s on the River Avon through Chippenham consisting of extensive re-construction of the river channel through the town centre and construction of the Chippenham Gate (radial gate with side weir and fish pass) to control upstream water levels. The purpose of the gate is to retain water levels during low and medium flows for amenity purposes whilst enabling high flows to pass through the structure, reducing the risk of flooding. The radial gate has however become increasingly unreliable and is nearing the end of its residual life. In this current asset state, there is a risk that the structure will fail in a closed position.

The flood risk to Chippenham if the gate operates correctly is relatively low. However, if the gate was to fail to open in a flood event then the flood risk would substantially increase, especially at frequent flood events. This is a very real risk as the gate is increasingly needing manual intervention to allow it to function properly. There are also regular issues with the gate not closing fully after a flood event, leading to a drop in upstream water levels. This leads to visual, amenity, biodiversity and safety issues within the upstream river channel. Whilst there is an existing fish pass alongside the gate, this will not enable upstream migration of all fish species. The upstream riverine habitat is also heavily influenced by the artificially retained water levels. The replacement of the radial gate will reduce flood risk to the centre of Chippenham and reduce constraints on future growth and regeneration.

A key driver behind the Chippenham Avon Project is to provide critical improvements to help mitigate flood risk in the town centre and its surroundings. The green river park area plays a key part in the strategy for reducing flood risk. The masterplan sets the framework for delivering essential flood risk management and green infrastructure in accordance with WCS Core Policies 67 (Flood Risk) and 52 (Green Infrastructure), and Section 14 of the NPPF.

Ecology

The Chippenham Avon Project is deemed to be critical flood infrastructure. The area incorporates a number of sensitive ecological species and is designated a Local Wildlife Site. In accordance with WCS Core Policies 50, 68, and 69 and the NPPF the masterplan has at its heart a key objective to ensure that future detailed proposals promote the conservation, restoration and enhancement of priority habitats and ecological networks and identify measurable net gains for biodiversity that can contribute to the delivery of the UK Government's 25 Year Environment Plan and the recent Environment Bill.

A Preliminary Ecological Appraisals for River Avon South West of Town Bridge and Land at Monkton Park prepared to inform the Neighbourhood Plan recognised the River Avon as an important green corridor, and the area downstream of Gladstone Road Bridge as important for wildlife. However, it notes that obstacles the radial gate weir and Town Bridge do currently inhibit movement of wildlife along the corridor. Solutions to improve movement through, under or over these obstacles could improve the biodiversity of the corridor the management and maintenance of land bordering the river including such as rerouting or improving the Avon Valley Path to limit the risk from flooding around the area of Gladstone Road Bridge, replacement of fishing platforms, and removal or replacement of the radial gate weir.

The quality of the in-channel habitat of the River Avon through Chippenham is also impacted by the weir downstream of the Town Bridge. The weir is impounding the channel, resulting in deep water, sluggish flows and the interruption of natural process of fish passage and sediment movement. The impacts of this reach far upstream through Monkton Park. As a result of this impoundment there is limited scope for in-channel habitat improvement works until the impoundment issue as a result of the radial gate is dealt with.

Landscape

The site has great potential for intrinsic natural beauty by way of its riverside frontages, and the Chippenham Avon Project seeks to enhance the landscape setting around the rivers through removal of the concrete engineered structure of the radial gate and introducing a comprehensive strategy for the improvement and enhancement of all areas of open space and green infrastructure, in accordance with WCS Core Policy 51.

Health and wellbeing

Delivery of significant enhancement to the town's green infrastructure links to support health and wellbeing is a key objective for the Chippenham Avon Project seeking to meet the priorities under Section 8 of the NPPF. The Chippenham Avon Project will enhance and create new safe and accessible public spaces which will enable and support healthy lifestyles through exercise and active travel, and promote social interaction by creating shared spaces for the community and visitors to dwell and enjoy.

The Gladstone Bridge is also used as a graffiti wall and was the subject of a town council project in the past in exchange for not creating graffiti in other parts of town. Young people were allowed access to this site to use. However, the site and footpath that runs under the bridge is prone to flooding even in fairly low rainfall weather events in the late summer and autumn. In winter the footpath is flooded almost 100% of the time. This creates some health and safety issues as the graffiti wall is often flooded and inaccessible. However, the mud banks, often present are great habitat for invertebrates and birds.

Air quality

In alignment with WCS Core Policy 55 which seeks to mitigate the effects of poor air quality, the Chippenham Avon Project will deliver improvements to pedestrian and cycle infrastructure to promote modal shift away from the private car, while also increasing the amount of carbon absorption and filtration of airborne particulates through additional planting and thereby improving air quality in Chippenham town centre.

Open space

In accordance with WCS Core Policy 52 the project seeks to deliver enhanced green infrastructure and open space in central Chippenham, in particular through improving opportunities to access the riverside environment that benefits both people and the environment. The play areas within the Chippenham Avon Project area could be replaced with improved modernised facilities.

Where existing open space is proposed to be re-engineered for flood management purposes the recreation facilities will be retained to ensure there is no unacceptable loss of sports amenity space.

Transport and movement

A strategic objective of the WCS is to ensure that development which has an impact on transport in the town is delivered in accordance with the Chippenham Transport Strategy (STS). Chippenham Avon Project seeks to address these objectives by encouraging and facilitating walking and cycling journeys through improving the environment and infrastructure of key routes leading to the town centre via the riverside path. In accordance with WCS Core Policies 60 and 61, and Section 9 of the NPPF the development will come forward in a manner which achieves safe and efficient movement of pedestrians, disabled people and cyclists prioritised over the private vehicle. National Cycle Route 403 runs parallel to the river through Monkton Park and opportunities should be sought to extend and improve this.

Heritage

In accordance with WCS Core Policy 58 the Chippenham Avon Project will, where appropriate, inspiration should be taken from Chippenham town centre's strong heritage, ensuring that heritage assets are preserved and enhanced. The substantial area of the Chippenham Avon Project and the integrated zone is situated within a Conservation Area and there are a number of statutorily listed buildings, located within or close to the masterplan area. Both the Chippenham Conservation Area Appraisal (2007) and Chippenham Conservation Area Management Plan SPG (2010) identified a number of features in the vicinity of the River Avon which have a negative contribution on the significance of Chippenham Conservation Area, and outlined suggestions for enhancements and these should also be considered.

With respect to archaeology, detailed planning applications should be supported by an appropriate desk-based assessment and, where necessary, a field evaluation and further archaeological mitigation work.

Design

As required by WCS Core Policy 57, development of the Chippenham Avon Project will demonstrate a high standard of design in line with the National Model Design Guide, MHCLG, DLUHC 2021 which will add to the quality of the area in the long term. Landscaping and infrastructure will be sympathetic to local character and history, creating and maintaining a strong sense of place. Where appropriate, this will include high quality and appropriate public art.