Love Wolverton Ltd Agora redevelopment May 2019 update Mike Bodkin - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Love Wolverton Ltd Agora redevelopment May 2019 update Mike Bodkin TOWN

Timeline. TOWN’s involvement in the Agora. • 2011-12 Jonny Anstead part of Prince’s Foundation team supporting Neighbourhood Plan preparation process • 2012-13 Part of drafting team for Agora Development Brief SPD • 2013-14 Informal work with Future Wolverton to seek developer interest in Agora and help MKC evaluate case for potential CPO • Dec 2014 Agora put on the market; TOWN under-bidder with “Love Wolverton” proposal • Late 2016 TOWN approached by Leyland to revive interest • Spring 2016 Informal pre-app discussions on principles of new scheme • Oct 2017 Heads of Terms agreed with Leyland to acquire Agora • Dec 2017 MK Council disposal decision on car park • Nov 2018 Contracts exchanged for acquisition of Agora • Mar 2018 Love Wolverton Ltd (TOWN / Trivselhus JV) acquires Agora

Marmalade Lane, Cambridge

Sommar Place, MK

Wolverton.

Today. Agora and car park today.

The Agora.

Plan MK. • Strategic Objective 8 • Town Centre Policies • Heritage policy • Sustainable construction & generic policies

Local Policy. • Make Wolverton town centre a “vibrant, attractive and distinctive neighbourhood” • Regenerating the Agora the driving force behind the NP • Centrepiece of local policy

Regeneration context. Agora Development Brief SPD. To “actively encourage the redevelopment of the Agora with a mixed use development that has as its key elements the reconnection of The Square to Radcliffe Street and the need for any development to respect and complement the existing conservation area.”

Development principles. • Reinstate Radcliffe Street. • “Re-urbanise” existing streets. • High density, low-mid rise: – 2-3 storey terraced houses; – Flats above shops (3-5 storey). • Live-work units. • Mixed-use at smaller scale (c 10% of GIA). • Conservation area: contextual not copying. • Car parking at appropriate levels for location.

Emerging masterplan.

Emerging scheme. View from north-east.

Emerging scheme. View from south.

Emerging scheme. Church Street & ‘New’ Radcliffe Street.

Town centre parking. Context. • Redevelopment of the Agora car park alongside the building is necessary to make regeneration viable, and will made for a better development. • Agora SPD clear that this is acceptable subject to a survey of parking and, if necessary, adequate mitigation to prevent harm to local businesses. • Surveys have been carried out town-centre-wide, including week-long ANPR survey on Agora car park. Only on Friday early afternoons does the Agora car park routinely reach its theoretical 120-vehicle capacity. Usual daytime occupancy is 40-60%. Evidence of commuter/long-stay use outside 3hr limit. • What matters for town centre custom is adequate car parking during trading hours. It does not have to be exclusive, and does not have to be a single car park. • Working with MK Council and Stakeholder Working Group, we have identified opportunities to create new and improved town centre parking.

Town centre parking. Opportunities.

Town centre parking. Opportunities.

Other potential changes/benefits. • Three new bus stands on Church Street replacing the single existing stop. • New crossings at Creed Street/Church Street junctions for easier pedestrian movement. • One-way vehicle movement on Church Street between Creed Street and Radcliffe St – improved planting and public realm making a nicer shopping street. • A new ‘pocket park’ under the plane trees on Buckingham Street

Timeline. What happens next? • Planning and detailed design process: – Meetings MKC – Aiming for submission of planning application in July 2019 • Public and stakeholder engagement: – Stakeholder workshop March 2019 – Public Review 13-15 June, venue to be confirmed (Love Wolverton website) • Subject planning and related processes: – Planning permission Autumn 2019 (anticipated) – Agora demolition late 2019 – Phased development commencing early 2020 – Completion 2022/23

lovewolverton.co.uk. For more information and to get involved.

Agora car park: Friday occupancy.

Town centre parking. Potential numbers. Additional Location spaces Type Short stay daytime; permit holders Church Street (South Side) 7 evenings Radcliffe Street 6-12 Short stay Short stay daytime; permit holders 'New' Radcliffe Street 19 evenings The Square 6-10 Short stay St George's Way (West Side) 9-12 Medium stay St George's Way north car park 40 Medium stay and permit holders St George's Way estate garages 36 Residents only (reprovision) 123-136 additional spaces TOTAL 87-100 short stay