REDEVELOPMENT OF WHITELEY VILLAGE
Consented Scheme July 2010.
This exciting development has attracted a lot of interest from retailers and businesses, both national and local, who would like to operate in
a new and vibrant mixed use town centre. Based on the discussions that have taken place with these operators, however, it is clear that the
market has moved on since work on the possible redevelopment started back in 2007.
There is now a need to make some amendments to what was previously proposed in order to maximise the appeal of the development to
the type of retailers and operators that local residents would like to see in Whiteley. Primarily this will involve revisiting unit types, the level
of flexibility provided in the shops and improving the perceived quality of the centre.
Proposed Scheme September 2010
1 There will be reconfiguration of the floor area across the site to provide
the unit mix and flexibility that operators want to see.
2 The previously approved hotel, which was a particularly contentious
element of the scheme, is now to be removed from the development.
3 Consent exists for 31,885sq.m of mixed-use town centre activity. Through the revised application this will be reduced to 28,164sq.m, primarily through the loss of the hotel and some of the previously envisaged office space.
4 The overall level of retail provision will remain the same whilst floor space serving other local needs, such as food, drink and professional services will increase by 2,000sq.m.
5 The new roundabout off Whiteley Way is to be repositioned slightly to allow for an improved car park layout with easier circulation. The same number of spaces will be provided.
6 Restaurants previously shown in the car park will be incorporated into the centre to promote more a more varied activity in the centre and in the evening
7 The layout has evolved to allow the various service yards to be better concealed within the design to help limit their visual impact.
8 A key component of the proposal will be the provision of a new community hub facility as formed part of the previous planning permission.
9 Building heights across the scheme have been revisited resulting in a number of changes. Of most relevance the units closest to the car park will be increased in height to assist creation of a high street along the main pedestrian route. Additionally the units that will be located where the hotel was previously intended have been increased to provide a more significant structure at this key entry point into the scheme to appeal to anchor users.
10 The previous scheme originally contained some residential units. For clarity it is confirmed that the amended proposal will not contain any residential proposals.
Most significantly elevational detailing
is to be revisited, including the use of
granite plinths, higher quality glazed
frontages and the incorporation of
greater visual interest, all of which will
improve the appearance of the buildings.
High level signage has been removed in
favour of signs that relate better to the
scale of the street. There will be control
over the style of signage to improve the
appearance of the buildings.
The changes to the scale of the buildings
will mean that there will be a better
sense of enclosure as found in many high
streets.
The development will sit within a
comprehensively planned and coherent
landscape.
Safe and attractive pedestrian and cycle
links will still be provided from the
centre to the surrounding residential
areas, nearby woodland together with
enhanced public transport facilities.
The aim is to submit the planning
application for the revisions by the end of
September 2010. This will be accompanied
by a range of supporting information which
has been revisited and updated from the
previous planning submission.
We are aiming to achieve planning
permission during the first quarter of 2011.
This would enable work to commence
during 2011, allowing the new improved
town centre to be built and open for
business by Christmas 2012.
As a result of this exhibition it is hoped
that residents will understand what is being
done and why, along with recognising the
benefits that it will bring.
Thank you for your interest and input.
We look forward to being able to provide
the community with a new town centre
which is attractive, vibrant and diverse,
being better able to satisfy the retail
requirements of Whiteley residents.