Three Counties Showground Masterplan Feasibility Document June 2015 - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Three Counties Showground

Masterplan Feasibility Document June 2015

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Introduction

The Three Counties Showground (TCS) was established in the 1950’s and has become a vital component of both the image and economy of the Malvern Hills District and the surrounding area. It has established a number

• f popular major events which occur throughout the

year, such as:

• The Three Counties Show;
• The Spring Gardening Show;
• Malvern Autumn Show; and
• Specialised National Equine and Livestock Events.

Background

In 2009 masterplan titled ‘A Twenty Year Vision’ was produced for the site with assistance from Savills and FCPR and was presented to Malvern Hills District Council (MHDC) to aid the production of the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP). This site masterplan still remains the latest offjcial publication held by MHDC on this matter despite the Chief Planning Offjcer of MHDC regarding its content as ‘unlikely’ in planning terms. Furthermore the plan was not fjnancially deliverable by the Society. The current masterplan (dated 2009) must be reworked to include a simple focus on key projects over the next 3 to 10 years that are afgordable, deliverable and address the key threats of the Society.

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Site Location

The site lies within the administrative boundary of Malvern Hills District Council (Worcestershire). The Showground is situated in Malvern Wells Parish, and lies approximately 0.5 miles east of the Village. Malvern Wells forms part of Malvern which has been identifjed as a ‘Main Town’ within the emerging South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP). The boundary of the Parish is Blackmore Park Road, with Langdale Wood/ Blackmore Wood falling within the Parish of Hanley Castle.

• 1. Langdale Wood
• 2. Northern Car Park
• 3. Three Counties Showground
• 4. Southern Car Park

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Site Context

Access

Whilst the site has a rural setting, it is within 2 miles from Hanley Swan and Malvern Wells which have a number of services and facilities including shops, playing fjelds and

• pubs. The site is also within 3 of from Great

Malvern which has many shops, services, employment and leisure opportunities. The site is approximately 600m from a bus stop on the B4029 which provides a 4 times daily service to Great Malvern and Worcester (362). Great Malvern also has a railway station which provides links to many UK towns and cities including London, Birmingham, Bristol, Bath, Reading, Oxford, Worcester, Cheltenham and Gloucester. A free shuttle bus is provided from the station to the showground during the major events.

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Site Context

Designations

The showground falls within the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Beauty (AONB) which covers much of the south-western region of the Malvern Hills District. Langdale, Blackmore and Common Wood fall outside

• f this designation however this woodland

is designated as a Site of Regional or Local Wildlife Importance. Malvern Wells Conservation Area lies 0.5 miles west of the site. As a result of the distance between the site and the designation it is not considered that any development of the site will adversely impact upon the setting of the Conservation Area. No listed buildings are located in close proximity of the site. Additionally, local plan policy EP21 and emerging SWDP policy 55 set out the site specifjc requirements for any development which takes place on the Three Counties Showground Site.

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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
• utline;
• Straight roads with wide grass verges;
• Open, formal landscape with a visual clarity

primarily defjned by the straightness of the fjeld boundaries;

• Woodland pattern of discrete estate plantations;

and

• Dispersed pattern of isolated farmsteads and

scattered wayside dwellings. The Assessment also provides the following landscape guidelines for consideration in new development:

• Conserve and restore the distinctive hedgerow

pattern with priority given to primary hedgerows;

• Promote

the creation and appropriate management of natural vegetation communities

• n 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

for wildlife benefjt.

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Site Features

Site Character

While the TCS sits well within the surrounding context, the site itself is a heavily managed, formal and open space. A range of discordant buildings within the showground are dissected by a matrix of tarmac access tracks giving the area a lack of connectivity. Langdale Wood contains large areas

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unmanaged woodland to the east of the showground. Much

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the northwestern corner comprises managed grassland, limiting

• pportunities for lower level biodiversity.

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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

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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.

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Site Features

Key Constraints

• The showground and car parking areas lie within the

Malvern Hills AONB;

• Views towards the Malvern Hills are available from the

approaches to the site on the B4208 and B4209;

• Southern car park disconnected from main site by B4209
• Hanley Road;
• Langdale wood is a site of regional/local wildlife

importance;

• Traditional orchards lie in the northwestern and

southeastern corners of the showground in an ad hoc arrangement;

• Isolated buildings scattered across showground;
• The Sheep Centre and former ‘White Entrance’ on the

eastern boundary of the site are no longer within TCS’

• wnership;
• There are fjve gates/access points into the showground

and no clear distinction of a ‘main entrance’. While based

• n 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

income stream.

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Key Areas: Main Arena

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Events Area

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Wye & Avon Halls

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Langdale Wood

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Aims & Opportunities

The showground attracts nearly 1 million visitors each year making a substantial and important contribution to the local

• economy. It is vital this contribution is maintained and built

upon through the following steps:

• Improve income streams through diversifjcation of

landuses to reinvest into meeting TCS objectives of further research and education in agriculture and horticulture;

• Improve the facilities and draw tourists and visitors to the

area;

• Improve the diversity of accommodation facilities on ofger,

including lodges within Langdale Wood and improved camping facilities;

• Improve legibility and way fjnding to and within the site;

and

• Improve biodiversity opportunities through new planting

and enhanced management.

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Masterplan Options

The following four proposed land use plans have been considered with the preferred option shown in detail. Option 1 Option 2

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Masterplan Options

Option 3 Option 4

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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

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