Land at RAF Halton

WEN01: Land At RAF Halton Land Use Requirements: The site as shown on the Policies Map is allocated for a comprehensively planned residential led development. Residential: a) The site will deliver an assumed number of 1,000 dwellings and infrastructure at a density that takes account of the existing curtilage, the scale and massing of the buildings on the site, and that of the adjacent settlement character and identity if appropriate, as well as retaining the openness of the green belt. b) Higher density residential neighbourhood close to the local centre and fronting Upper Icknield Way and Chestnut Avenue c) Moderate and lower density residential development of Maitland barracks and upper parade ground, including conversion of locally listed buildings. Centre and Community Uses: a) Land, buildings and car parking for a new local centre which includes a community hall and a medical facility will be provided on site. Including the re-use of St Georges Church. Where there is a need identified, facilities for Thames Valley Police should be provided within the local centre. b) On site land, buildings and car parking for a 2FE combined primary school will be delivered which will also include playing field provision with a safe drop off and pick up point. c) Former stables and cinema buildings could both be converted to either community or leisure use within a parkland setting should they not be suitable for conversion to residential. Green Infrastructure and Open Space: a) Fifty percent green infrastructure will be provided on site which reflects the high level of open space already present on the site including green corridors and will link to other new development areas and wider countryside. b) Natural parkland and grassland habitat with enhanced walking/cycling access to Wendover Woods and into the Chilterns National Landscape c) Retention of the old station building within a public square, and creation of an extended east west tree-lined avenue. d) Parade ground becomes a new public park with play space and potential community use of the former Trenchard Museum along with potential for vehicle parking space. e) North-south green corridor of parkland and play space with views over Aylesbury Vale f) The site will retain existing sports facilities, including the Nuffield Pavillion, as part of a longterm strategy for sport and recreation to serve new residents and the existing community. g) Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) and Strategic Access Management and Monitoring (SAMMS) contributions in accordance with policies NE12 and NE13, and the latest Chilterns Beechwoods SAC Mitigation Strategy. Transport Infrastructure: a) The site will deliver a new internal spine road connecting to Halton Lane and Upper Icknield Way enabling internal access to existing road networks. b) Junction improvements onto the B4009 Upper Icknield Way will be delivered. c) B4009 roundabout upgrades will be delivered. d) The site will deliver a new Halton Lane/ RAF Halton Spine Road Junction. e) Traffic calming and new pedestrian/cycle crossing points on Upper Icknield Way and Chestnut Avenue to create pedestrian-friendly streets. Traffic calming measures should also facilitate safe walking and cycling infrastructure in line with LTN 1/20 Development Principles: Development will be permitted where proposals: a) Are 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 Chilterns National Landscape b) Provide for public transport into Wendover and to surrounding areas. c) Establish and safeguard for a network of cycling and walking links to and from Aylesbury Town and to the wider area. d) Deliver Upper Icknield new signalisation and reprofiling of junction. e) Provide a financial contribution to delivery of alteration to existing bus route: Aylesbury - Stoke Mandeville - RAF Halton. f) Upgrade and provide new active travel links (all 3m wide SUP). g) Provide financial contributions to Buckinghamshire Greenway (north-south county walking and cycling corridor). The greenway should be compliant with LTN 1/20 at a minimum to make as attractive to users as possible. h) Provide a financial contribution towards the provision of upper/grammar/special school places. i) Upgrade internal active travel network including to the existing PROW to form part of the internal footpath network within the site. The network is to connect into LCWIP 49 for a strategic link. New active travel network within the site should be designed to connect into internal and external PROWs to ensure local attractions are able to be done so via active travel. Historic Heritage a) Restoration and enhancement of the Registered Park and Garden open parkland associated with Halton House, including the key features that define the historic parkland. b) Listed Groves and Henderson barracks converted to residential or other appropriate use. c) Incorporate relocated Trenchard Museum collections and interpretation of the nearby WWI trenches near to the existing Museum Resource Centre. d) Enhancement of the setting of the Scheduled Monument. 6.423 The site is eighty-two hectares and lies on the eastern edge of the built-up area of Wendover. The site is located off B4009 Upper Icknield Way and is currently in military use. RAF Halton is a long-established military training base although the site is programmed for closure. The current closure date is 2030 although this may change subject to military decision making on replacement facilities. The site form’s part (the most built-up part) of the wider RAF Halton site which includes other ancillary land and the associated grass airfield complex. 6.424 The site is close to the border of Buckinghamshire in terms of primary care provision, and the primary healthcare infrastructure provision will need engagement with the TV ICB and the Central and East ICB. 6.425 This site was an allocation in the current/former Vale of Aylesbury Local plan. However, because of the delay in the closure of the RAF base the allocation has been carried forward into this local plan. The former site allocation required a masterplan be drawn up for the site. This masterplan was drafted between Buckinghamshire Council and the site promoters the Defence Infrastructure. The development was subject to a full public consultation process and was formally adopted by Buckinghamshire council. 6.426 The site lies within the zone of influence of the Chilterns Beechwoods Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Development is likely to generate recreational pressure and will require appropriate mitigation. Planning permission will not be granted until suitable SANG and SAMM mitigation is secured, in accordance with Policies NE12, NE13 and NE14 and the latest mitigation strategy. 6.427 The RAF Halton development brief includes a concept masterplan the key points of this are set out below. (numbers in list relate to locations on the following site map) 1. Mixed use local centre on Chestnut Avenue including the reuse of St George’s Church 2. New two form entry primary school with playing fields to the northeast adjacent to the Registered Park and Garden 3. Restoration and enhancement of the Registered Park and Garden open parkland ten. Listed Groves and Henderson barracks converted to residential or other appropriate use associated with Halton House, including the key features that define the historic parkland. 4. Sports and leisure corridor incorporating the Nuffield Pavilion (which is retained for community/sports use), allotments, play space and open space comprising of existing parkland and woodland 5. Retention of the old station building within a public square, and creation of an extended east west tree-lined avenue. 6. Higher density residential neighbourhood close to the local centre and fronting Upper Icknield Way and Chestnut Avenue 7. There is an aspiration to incorporate relocated Trenchard Museum collections and interpretation of the nearby WWI trenches near to the existing Museum Resource Centre. 8. Traffic calming and new pedestrian/cycle crossing points on Upper Icknield Way and Chestnut Avenue to create pedestrian-friendly streets. Traffic calming measures should also facilitate safe walking and cycling infrastructure in line with LTN 1/20 9. Improvements to the junction of Upper Icknield Way and Chestnut Avenue to enable easy pedestrian and cycle connectivity 10. Parade ground becomes a new public park with play space and potential community use of the former Trenchard Museum along with potential for vehicle parking space. 11. Natural parkland and grassland habitat with enhanced walking/cycling access to Wendover Woods and into the Chilterns National Landscape. 12. North-south green corridor of parkland and play space with views over Aylesbury Vale 13. Moderate and lower density residential development of Maitland barracks and upper parade ground, including conversion of locally listed buildings 14. Former stables and cinema buildings could both be converted to either community or leisure use within a parkland setting should they not be suitable for conversion to residential. They could be converted to non-residential uses such as a green mobility hub, cycle hire hub, co working hub café. 15. Enhancement of the setting of the Scheduled Monument. Connections and routes to: Halton Village; Wendover centre and railway station. Aylesbury; and the Buckinghamshire Greenway. Figure 29: RAF Halton Development Framework / Concept Plan