Three Counties Showground Masterplan Feasibility Document June 2015 1
address the key threats of the Society. Background next 3 to 10 years that are afgordable, deliverable and to include a simple focus on key projects over the The current masterplan (dated 2009) must be reworked not fjnancially deliverable by the Society. ‘unlikely’ in planning terms. Furthermore the plan was Planning Offjcer of MHDC regarding its content as held by MHDC on this matter despite the Chief masterplan still remains the latest offjcial publication Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP). This site Council (MHDC) to aid the production of the South and FCPR and was presented to Malvern Hills District produced for the site with assistance from Savills In 2009 masterplan titled ‘A Twenty Year Vision’ was Specialised National Equine and Livestock Events. Introduction • Malvern Autumn Show; and • The Spring Gardening Show; • The Three Counties Show; • year, such as: of popular major events which occur throughout the and the surrounding area. It has established a number the image and economy of the Malvern Hills District in the 1950’s and has become a vital component of both The Three Counties Showground (TCS) was established 2
4 2. Northern Car Park 3 2 1 5. 4. Southern Car Park 3. Three Counties Showground 1. Langdale Wood Site Location Blackmore Wood falling within the Parish of Hanley Castle. boundary of the Parish is Blackmore Park Road, with Langdale Wood/ the emerging South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP). The forms part of Malvern which has been identifjed as a ‘Main Town’ within Parish, and lies approximately 0.5 miles east of the Village. Malvern Wells Council (Worcestershire). The Showground is situated in Malvern Wells The site lies within the administrative boundary of Malvern Hills District 3
to the showground during the major events. bus stop on the B4029 which provides a 4 free shuttle bus is provided from the station Worcester, Cheltenham and Gloucester. A Birmingham, Bristol, Bath, Reading, Oxford, many UK towns and cities including London, a railway station which provides links to Worcester (362). Great Malvern also has times daily service to Great Malvern and The site is approximately 600m from a Site Context employment and leisure opportunities. Malvern which has many shops, services, pubs. The site is also within 3 of from Great facilities including shops, playing fjelds and Wells which have a number of services and 2 miles from Hanley Swan and Malvern Whilst the site has a rural setting, it is within Access 4
Showground Site. between the site and the designation it is which takes place on the Three Counties specifjc requirements for any development emerging SWDP policy 55 set out the site Additionally, local plan policy EP21 and proximity of the site. No listed buildings are located in close the Conservation Area. site will adversely impact upon the setting of not considered that any development of the west of the site. As a result of the distance Site Context Malvern Wells Conservation Area lies 0.5 miles Wildlife Importance. is designated as a Site of Regional or Local of this designation however this woodland Blackmore and Common Wood fall outside region of the Malvern Hills District. Langdale, which covers much of the south-western Hills Area of Outstanding Beauty (AONB) The showground falls within the Malvern Designations 5
for wildlife benefjt. creation development: • Conserve and restore the distinctive hedgerow pattern with priority given to primary hedgerows; • Promote the and The Assessment also provides the following appropriate management of natural vegetation communities on non-farmed areas and along highways; • Conserve and enhance the spatial pattern and scale of the landscape; and • Promote the development of wide fjeld margins landscape guidelines for consideration in new scattered wayside dwellings. Site Context • Landscape Character The Worcestershire Landscape Character Assessment (WLCA) identifjes the site within the ‘Enclosed Commons’ landscape character type which has the following characteristics: • Ordered pattern of large pastoral fjelds of regular outline; Straight roads with wide grass verges; Dispersed pattern of isolated farmsteads and • Open, formal landscape with a visual clarity primarily defjned by the straightness of the fjeld boundaries; • Woodland pattern of discrete estate plantations; and • 6
opportunities for lower level biodiversity. large corner comprises managed grassland, limiting northwestern the of Much showground. unmanaged woodland to the east of the of areas contains Site Features Wood Langdale area a lack of connectivity. by a matrix of tarmac access tracks giving the buildings within the showground are dissected formal and open space. A range of discordant context, the site itself is a heavily managed, While the TCS sits well within the surrounding Site Character 7
Site Features Land Use 1. Car Parking 2. Equine Zone 3. Main Arena 4. Animal Area 5. Events Area 6. Orchard Area 7. The Sheep Centre 8. Camping Area 9. Langdale Wood 2 3 9 8
Site Features Access & Movement Accessed via the B4208 & B4209, the showground and car parks have a number of gateways forming entrances to the site, clearly distinguished by colours for ease of access during event days. Pedestrian access is obtained via three gates which all lie adjacent to car parks, as shown opposite. 9
income stream. There are fjve gates/access points into the showground Isolated buildings scattered across showground; • The Sheep Centre and former ‘White Entrance’ on the eastern boundary of the site are no longer within TCS’ ownership; • and no clear distinction of a ‘main entrance’. While based arrangement; on a grid structure, there is poor legibility within the site; • Buildings have a range of architectural styles and are primarily utilitarian in appearance; and • No public facilities outside of the showground, limiting • southeastern corners of the showground in an ad hoc Site Features approaches to the site on the B4208 and B4209; Key Constraints • The showground and car parking areas lie within the Malvern Hills AONB; • Views towards the Malvern Hills are available from the • Traditional orchards lie in the northwestern and Southern car park disconnected from main site by B4209 - Hanley Road; • Langdale wood is a site of regional/local wildlife importance; • 10
Key Areas: Main Arena 11
Events Area 12
Wye & Avon Halls 13
Langdale Wood 14
and enhanced management. area; Improve biodiversity opportunities through new planting • and Improve legibility and way fjnding to and within the site; • camping facilities; including lodges within Langdale Wood and improved Improve the diversity of accommodation facilities on ofger, • Improve the facilities and draw tourists and visitors to the Aims & Opportunities • research and education in agriculture and horticulture; landuses to reinvest into meeting TCS objectives of further Improve income streams through diversifjcation of • upon through the following steps: economy. It is vital this contribution is maintained and built making a substantial and important contribution to the local The showground attracts nearly 1 million visitors each year 15
Masterplan Options The following four proposed land use plans have been considered with the preferred option shown in detail. Option 1 Option 2 16
Option 3 Masterplan Options Option 4 17
Preferred Masterplan Option 1. Avon & Wye Halls Link 2. Convenience Store 3. Visitor Centre/ Cafe/Farm Shop/ Outdoor Leisure 4. Blue Gate Relocation 5. Bike Hire 6. South Gate Retained 7. 120 Bed Hotel 8. 42 Woodland Lodges 18
19
Recommend
More recommend
