DESIGN DEVELOPMENT - Review of JCS

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The Cheltenham Plan reviewed yesterday is the local town plan that supports the Joint Core Strategy (JCS) of the three neighbouring Councils: Gloucester City, Cheltenham Borough and Tewkesbury Borough. Adopted in December 2017, the JCS sets out a detailed strategy for development needed up to 2031. As expected, a lot of the same themes from the Chelt Plan are repeated, along with the visions and objectives - a focus on delivering a sustainable quality of life, thriving business opportunities and protecting the cultural and natural heritage of the town. 

Throughout the JCS, Cheltenham is referred to as "a town within a park" due to its tree lined streets, open green spaces and "formal garden townscape". I am to extend this vision with tree lined entrances and a park-like ground plane in my design for North Place - although there will be less formality, representing 'now' and the future of Cheltenham, whilst nodding to the past. 

Other key topics and pressing issues that relate to the design of North Place: 

  • The need for housing. ✅
  • Improvements to public transport, local cycling and pedestrian links.✅
  • Supporting green infrastructure and providing green corridors for both people and wildlife.✅
  • Serving the everyday needs of a local community. ✅
  • Reducing social isolation. ✅
  • Building on the festival culture - relevant to arts, performance space etc.✅
  • The creation of mixed communities - students, office workers, artists and residents. ✅
  • Flexible work space and start-up space. ✅
  • Increasing energy efficiency - renewable and low carbon energy. ✅
  • Principles of waste minimisation and re-use.✅

Policy SD4: Design Requirements
  • Context, Character and Sense of Place - enhancing local distinctiveness, with the appropriate use of vistas, landmarks and focal points. ✅
  • New developments to enhance comfort, convenience and enjoyment. ✅
  • Reflecting existing topography, landscape and ecology. ✅
  • Produce comfortable local micro-climates. ✅
  • Provide overlooking of streets and spaces. ✅
Check mate!!!

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