Star Yard, St Mary’s Way, Old Town, Chesham

CHS01: Star Yard, St Mary’s Way, Old Town, Chesham The site as shown on the Policies Map is allocated for an assumed 240 dwellings. New development will be supported where: a) It delivers a density of development that makes efficient use of this previously developed site while responding positively to the scale, height, massing, character and appearance of the surrounding townscape and preserving the character and identity of Chesham town centre. b) It is planned in a manner that responds positively to the best characteristics of the surrounding area using a landscape-led approach, taking account of the character and setting of the local landscape. Development should retain and integrate existing trees and landscape features wherever practicable and provide appropriate new landscaping as part of a landscape-led design approach. c) Safe and suitable access shall be provided for all users whilst maintaining access to existing public car parking and rear servicing arrangements for premises fronting the High Street. d) Development should ensure that sufficient publicly accessible parking is maintained either on-site or at an alternative suitably located town centre site, unless robust evidence demonstrates that a reduced level of provision would not adversely affect the vitality and viability of Chesham Town Centre. e) Existing public pedestrian routes between Star Yard, the High Street and adjoining town centre destinations shall be retained and, where possible, enhanced. f) Appropriate financial contributions towards education infrastructure, including upper, grammar and special school provision, will be required where justified by evidence and in accordance with relevant infrastructure policies. g) A contribution towards improvements to open space at Lowndes Park. h) SANG and SAMM mitigation is in place, in line with policies NE12, NE13, NE14 and the latest Mitigation Strategy. Permission will not be granted until mitigation is in place. 6.398 This site of 0.59 hectares is in the Star Yard surface car park, one of the main car parks serving Chesham town centre. The site is to the rear of the High Street with its current access off Blucher Street and with the A416 St Marys Way running across the rear of the site. 1 Housing supply and delivery - GOV.UK Paragraph: 025 Reference ID: 68-034-20190722 2 Based on footnote 10 of the Housing Delivery Test measurement rule book Housing Delivery Test measurement rule book - GOV.UK 6.399 The site is complex having a culvert of the river Chess running underneath it and with many premises fronting the high street, having a right of access across the car park. The site also falls within Flood Zone 2, and any development would need to demonstrate mitigation against flooding in line with the policies within this plan and the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment. The site also provides access to the Catlings car park and the Chesham Town council offices. 6.400 The site is located to the rear of the high street conservation area although there are proposals to extend the conservation area to include Lowndes Park the other side of St Mary's way. Development proposals must conserve the significance of nearby heritage assets, including the Chesham Conservation Area and its setting, informed by an appropriate heritage assessment. 6.401 Given the site's role as a principal public car park serving Chesham Town Centre, proposals will need to demonstrate that adequate public parking provision remains available to support the vitality and viability of the town centre. 6.402 The site lies within the Zone of Influence of Chilterns Beechwoods SAC. Permission will not be granted until SANG and SAMM mitigation is in place, in line with policies NE12, NE13, NE14 and the latest Mitigation Strategy. It is anticipated that the site could secure credits at Bell Lane SANG.