A MASTERPLAN AND KEY PROJECTS TO REGENERATE … · A MASTERPLAN AND KEY PROJECTS TO REGENERATE...

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AMERSHAM VISION 2010 A MASTERPLAN AND KEY PROJECTS TO REGENERATE AMERSHAM ON THE HILL Introducon The Amersham Acon Group (AAG), in partnership with Amersham Town Council has comissioned Land Use Consultants to develop a masterplan and key projects to implement the vision for the regeneraon of Amersham on the Hill. Key themes and shared priories for the town which emerged from the public consultaon exercises undertaken: A sense of community; Accessibility to green open spaces; Regeneraon of shopping areas; Choice of shops; A sound local economy; Linking educaon, training and employment; A solid community infrastructure; Integrated public transport; A town of some character; A vibrant social mix; Best access to services; and Improved communicaons with all that live and work in the Amersham area. Vision for Amersham The AAG has been developing a vision for the regeneraon of Amersham on the Hill since 2000: • In 2000 the AAG produced a Vision for Amersham on the Hill. • In 2005 the AAG produced ‘Amersham Ahead’, a vision for the regeneraon of Amersham on the Hill ‘2006 and onwards’, which built on the 2000 vision. • In 2008 the AAG undertook a detailed Market Town Health Check for Amersham on the Hill and Amersham Old Town, and has been involved in consultaons with many local bodies, aimed at securing grant funding for some of the basic elements of this vision. The Masterplan and Implementaon Project One of the acons to emerge frome these ex- erices was the need for this masterplan and implementaon strategy. The masterplan will set out a strategic framework for the delivery of the vision based on the shared themes and priories previously idened. It also idenes specic, deliverable projects which will provide a key step towards helping the AAG and others who have input into the visioning exercises to realise their vision for the town, and progress applicaons for funding. Longer term potenal project opportunies have also been idened for further feasibility and analysis.

Transcript of A MASTERPLAN AND KEY PROJECTS TO REGENERATE … · A MASTERPLAN AND KEY PROJECTS TO REGENERATE...

Page 1: A MASTERPLAN AND KEY PROJECTS TO REGENERATE … · A MASTERPLAN AND KEY PROJECTS TO REGENERATE AMERSHAM ON THE HILL Image of town link to go here Key Projects DEFINING AMERSHAM ON

AMERSHAM VISION 2010A MASTERPLAN AND KEY PROJECTS TO REGENERATE

AMERSHAM ON THE HILL

Introducti onThe Amersham Acti on Group (AAG), in partnership with Amersham Town Council has comissioned Land Use Consultants to develop a masterplan and key projects to implement the vision for the regenerati on of Amersham on the Hill.

Key themes and shared prioriti es for the town which emerged from the public consultati on exercises undertaken:

A sense of community;• Accessibility to green open spaces;• Regenerati on of shopping areas;• Choice of shops;• A sound local economy;• Linking educati on, training and • employment; A solid community infrastructure;• Integrated public transport;• A town of some character;• A vibrant social mix; • Best access to services; and• Improved communicati ons with all that live • and work in the Amersham area.

Vision for AmershamThe AAG has been developing a vision for the regenerati on of Amersham on the Hill since 2000:• In 2000 the AAG produced a Vision for Amersham on the Hill.• In 2005 the AAG produced ‘Amersham Ahead’, a vision for the regenerati on of Amersham on the Hill ‘2006 and onwards’, which built on the 2000 vision. • In 2008 the AAG undertook a detailed Market Town Health Check for Amersham on the Hill and Amersham Old Town, and has been involved in consultati ons with many local bodies, aimed at securing grant funding for some of the basic elements of this vision.

The Masterplan and Implementati on Project

One of the acti ons to emerge frome these ex-erices was the need for this masterplan and implementati on strategy.The masterplan will set out a strategic framework for the delivery of the vision based on the shared themes and prioriti es previously identi fi ed. It also identi fi es specifi c, deliverable projects which will provide a key step towards helping the AAG and others who have input into the visioning exercises to realise their vision for the town, and progress applicati ons for funding. Longer term potenti al project opportuniti es have also been identi fi ed for further feasibility and analysis.

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AMERSHAM VISION 2010A MASTERPLAN AND KEY PROJECTS TO REGENERATE

AMERSHAM ON THE HILL

Key Challenges

Key Opportuniti es

Traffi c dominated town centre, dangerous • for pedestrians in some areas.

Lack of civic space to anchor Sycamore • Road.

Elements of character but lack of defi ned • identi ty.

Further regenerati on of shopping areas • needed.

Poor links between community faciliti es • and Sycamore Road.

Lack of areas to rest and enjoy the town • centre.

Lack of faciliti es for a number of age • groups including children, young adults, and the elderly.

Good quality greenspaces but lack of • connecti vity between them.

Potenti al Sainsbury’s store to be located at • the north end of Sycamore Road - a potenti al catalyst for regenerati on.

Renovati on of St Michael’s Church • forecourt currently being developed.

Core Strategy for Chiltern District currently • being developed.

Amersham on the Hill is one of the • District’s main shopping centres and in recent years has att racted some higher quality retailers.

The town centre has several unique • characteristi cs, including architectural details remnant of the town’s ‘Metro-Land’ heritage.

Do nothing....‘Doing nothing’ would fail to address the challenges and realise the opportuniti es set out above. This masterplan will facilitate a strategic and integrated approach to the regenerati on of the town centre, ensuring that development proposed in the area can be used to secure benefi ts within a wider strategic framework.

Context & Characterisati on

Movement Framework

Key Characteristi cs

Draft

Draft

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AMERSHAM VISION 2010A MASTERPLAN AND KEY PROJECTS TO REGENERATE

AMERSHAM ON THE HILL

Landscape Structure

Existi ng Trees

Proposed Trees/Planti ng

Traffi c Flow

Medium/ Short Term

Potenti al longer term catalysts

Nodes/Key Spaces

Buildings of architectural merit

Circulati on

Regenerati on Catalysts

Character

KEY

The Masterplan

Potenti al Future Opportuniti es (not proposed in this project)

1. Hotel2. Civic/Leisure development3. Housing/Retail/Mixed Use4. Northern Gateway redevelopment5. St Micheal’s Forecourt6. Retail redevelopment7. Leisure or retail redevelopment

Key Elements of the Masterplan: A one-way system for vehicles and on-street parking on the high street will • make it a nicer place to be and improve access for customers and retailers. Street trees and planti ng, including Sycamores, will provide shade in a warmer • climate and improve the sense of place in the town centre, enhancing the garden city style feel. People ariving by train will be greeted with a more pedestrian-friendly • environment refl ecti ng Amersham on the Hill’s ‘Metro-Land’ heritage, with new street planti ng enti cing them onto the high-street. A new civic space will provide a focus for the town’s acti viti es and events, as well • as an everyday place to meet. The community centre and high-street will be bett er connected. •

Potenti al new Sainsbury’s Store

Project:A new civic space for the town centre

Northern Gateway

Project:Town Link

Project:One way system and public realm improvements

Project:Stati on Gateway Improvements

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7

6

2

3

4

5St Micheal’s Church Forecourt redevelopment

Urban Greening

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AMERSHAM VISION 2010A MASTERPLAN AND KEY PROJECTS TO REGENERATE

AMERSHAM ON THE HILL

Image of town link to go here

Key Projects

DEFINING AMERSHAM ON THE HILL’S IDENTITY Creati ve use of paving and street furniture will help to strengthen the town’s identi ty. • References to the ‘Metro-Land’ heritage can be applied to paving and building details. • Local arti sts and arti sans can be used to create street furniture and public art.• Local materials should be used where possible. •

A NEW CIVIC SPACE Sainsbury’s frontage onto Sycamore • Road. Shared surface paving and one-way • system will slow traffi c. Paving detail to refl ect ‘Metro-Land’ • charcter. Defi ned space for market stalls - • market of a higher quality. Spaces to sit and meet with a larger • space for events. Improved setti ng for St.Micheal’s • Church - linked with forecourt project.

TOWN LINK Conti nuati on of a ‘green spine’ • through the town, to visually link Sycamore Rd and Chiltern Avenue. Opportunity to enhance environ-• ment of garden city/metro-land space. Planti ng arrangement will ensure • space improved for existi ng uses but also privacy for residents main-tained. Creati on of micro-climate ‘oases’ • within the town.

STATION GATEWAY IMPROVEMENTS

Shared surface paving will • provide a safre and more pleasant environment for pedestrians, slowing traffi c while not aff ecti ng movement. The architecture of the stati on • building will be refl ected in seati ng areas. Improved links with Hill Avenue • and Chiltern Avenue.

ONE WAY SYSTEM & PUBLIC REALM IMPROVEMENTS

One-way system along Sycamore • Rd and Hill Avenue. Allowing for street planti ng and on-street parking. Wider pavements will allow for • life on the streets. More welcoming town centre • from all gateways (stati on, bridge to Old Amersham, Northern Gateway).