The Chilterns Shopping Centre, Frogmoor, High Wycombe

HIW08 - The Chilterns Shopping Centre, Frogmoor, High Wycombe The site as shown on the Policies Map is allocated for a comprehensive mixed-use redevelopment, delivering an assumed number of 300 dwellings alongside flexible commercial and other appropriate town centre uses at ground floor level. Approximately seven hundred sqm of units in Ea and / or Eb use class are assumed. Development of this site will be supported where: a) The site will deliver an assumed 300 dwellings on the upper floors and on the ground floor where this does not lead to the loss of ground floor retail frontages, at a density that takes account of the adjacent settlement character and identity. b) Proposals are expected to deliver a well-designed high-density scheme that makes good use of a brownfield site. Proposals should explore lower provision of car parking spaces for the new development. c) Active frontages are retained at ground floor level onto Frogmoor. d) Flexible small-scale commercial, community or town centre uses are incorporated at ground floor level where viable. e) Linkages are created between the High Street and retail core and Frogmoor to ensure it is part of the integrated town centre. f) Safe, suitable access and escape is provided. g) The significant flood risk constraints on the site are addressed through a Flood Risk Assessment, detailed baseline and post development surface water modelling and a Flood Warning and Evacuation Plan. Most of the site is at high fluvial flood risk, and flooding is unlikely to be able to be mitigated onsite. No housing, commercial or town centre uses allowed in areas of Flood Zone 3b. Off-site flood storage would be required to manage fluvial flood risk at the site. h) The site is at significant surface water flood risk, and SFRA Level 2 site recommendations must be met. i) The proposed development contributes to the regeneration of Frogmoor open space through their design. j) Special regard is given to the conservation of nearby heritage assets and their settings. k) The Grade II listed buildings are retained and enhanced within the curtilage of the site. l) An Archaeology Impact Assessment is provided. 6.357 The site is 1.06 hectares located between Priory Road to the east, Frogmoor to the west, Queens Square to the south and the railway line to the north. The site is located within the High Wycombe Town Centre and High Wycombe Conservation Area. There are designated (listed buildings and conservation areas) and non-designated heritage assets (locally listed buildings and buildings of interest) within and nearby to the application site. 6.358 The area would benefit from a comprehensive redevelopment. Comprehensive proposals will be expected to make the most of its key location to secure much needed town centre homes, as well as complementary active ground floor frontages. 6.359 Redevelopment of the site could present significant risk in terms of flooding. Developers will need to follow the SFRA Level 2 recommendations in terms of the site-specific guidance for site design and making development safe. The SFRA Level 2 indicates that 91% of the site is in Flood Zone 3b and flooding is unlikely to be mitigated on site. Therefore, off site flood storage would be required to manage fluvial flood risk at the site. The applicant will need to show, through an FRA, that the development will be safe for its lifetime taking account of the vulnerability of its users. It is for the applicant to show that the development meets the objectives of the NPPF’s policy on flood risk.