High Wycombe town centre policy

SP8 – High Wycombe town centre policy Implementation 5.115 The Council will collaborate with partners, landowners, developers, and the community to deliver the regeneration of High Wycombe Town Centre in line with this policy and the High Wycombe Regeneration Strategy. 5.116 Proposals that accord with this policy and contribute positively to the town centre’s role and function will be supported. Purpose 5.117 The purpose of this policy is to support the continued regeneration of High Wycombe Town Centre as a major commercial, cultural and transport hub. The policy promotes a diverse mix of uses, the efficient use of previously developed land, improved connectivity and high-quality placemaking to strengthen the centre's vitality, viability, and economic competitiveness. Implementation through Development Management Policies 5.118 The delivery of regeneration, growth, and investment in High Wycombe Town Centre through Policy SP8 will be supported by the Development Management policies in Chapter 7. Proposals will be expected to accord with policies relating to the Retail Hierarchy, Development within Buckinghamshire's Centres and Development for Main Town Centre Uses Outside Buckinghamshire's Centres. These policies provide the detailed framework for maintaining and enhancing the vitality and viability of High Wycombe as a major town centre, supporting an appropriate mix of retail, leisure, commercial, cultural, residential and community uses, and ensuring that development is directed towards accessible and sustainable locations. 5.119 Development proposals will also be expected to comply with policies relating to Strategic and Key Employment Sites, Other Employment Sites, Small Employment Sites, Skills and Local Employment, Tourism, Community, Sport and Leisure Facilities and Sport, Leisure and Recreation where relevant. Together, these policies support economic growth, investment, employment creation, cultural activity and the continued regeneration of High Wycombe as a key commercial, cultural and transport hub. 5.120 In addition, proposals should accord with other relevant Development Management policies relating to Design of Developments, Residential Amenity, Space Standards, Conservation Areas, Heritage Assets, Health Impact Assessment, Community Food Growing, Transport Requirements for New Development, Parking Standards, Public Rights of Way, Infrastructure Delivery, Telecommunications Infrastructure, Biodiversity Protection and Enhancement, Biodiversity Gain and Nature Recovery, Green Infrastructure, Trees, Ancient and Veteran Trees, Woodlands and Orchards, Landscape Character and Visual Amenity, Pollution, Air Quality and Contaminated Land, Flood Risk, Sustainable Drainage Systems and Water Efficiency Standards. Together, these policies ensure that development contributes to the delivery of a high-quality, accessible, healthy and climate-resilient town centre, whilst conserving and enhancing High Wycombe's historic environment, strengthening its economic role and supporting the creation of a sustainable and distinctive place for residents, businesses, and visitors. This strategic policy is supporting Local Plan objectives 4, 7 and 8. Policy SP8: High Wycombe town centre policy 1. High Wycombe Town Centre will be a key focus for regeneration, investment and growth, building on its role as a major economic, cultural and transport hub. The town centre boundary, primary shopping area and primary shopping frontages are defined on the Policies Map. 2. Development proposals within the town centre will be expected to: a) Support the repositioning of High Wycombe as a competitive regional centre with a strong identity. b) Support the repositioning of High Wycombe as a competitive regional centre a strong identity. c) Enhance vitality and viability throughout the day and evening economy. d) Deliver a diverse mix of uses including retail, leisure, culture, employment, residential and community facilities. e) Intensify the use of land, particularly on underused or vacant sites. f) Conserve and enhance heritage assets, including the historic High Street and conservation areas, and their settings. g) Create an attractive, cohesive and high-quality public realm that encourages social interaction and civic activity. h) Prioritise walking, cycling and public transport, including improved access to High Wycombe railway station. i) Enhance connections between the town centre, surrounding neighbourhoods and key destinations including the Eden Centre, Rye Park and the station; and j) Create safe, inclusive and legible routes for all users. 3. Proposals will be required to demonstrate how they support and contribute to the objectives of Policy SP5 (Town Centre Regeneration). Opportunity Areas and Delivery 4. Key opportunity areas will be identified on the Policies Map and in supporting strategies, including (but not limited to): a) Western quarter. b) Eastern quarter. c) Cressex Industrial Estate and Cressex Island. d) Riverside and Rye Park corridor.