Design - Landscape Principles

The Draft Masterplan provides a level of detail in relation to design proposals for landscaping and public realm. It identifies some design principles for each landscape character area as follows. 

Images are indicative of how these principles could be implemented.

Northern Boulevard

This area is the arrival gateway from the north, it consists of hard landscaping with raised planters providing enclosure and integrated seating opportunities. 

Cafe and restaurant spill out space secluded from main routes. Stairs are broken up to create different routes with banding and colour. 

Paving is used to define circulation routes and spaces to dwell (around cafés and the GWR food & beverage venue). 

Cycling and walking are the primary modes of travel in this space. 

The northern boulevard includes the ‘Northern Gateway’ and ‘GWR square’ spaces. 

The Northern Boulevard public realm already benefits from planning permission granted as part of planning application 38/21/0436.

Southern Boulevard

North-south route through the site featuring cycle and pedestrian routes, linear areas of landscaping to delineate spaces. Areas to stop and sit and enjoy the space around the commercial units. Tree planting, interspersed within the swale, will provide verticality, interest and shade. 

The ‘Town Square’ is positioned centrally on The Boulevard where the east and west greenways meet, it provides a focus for the wider community. 

The square offers space for markets and other external activities to be held. Structured paving and uniform planting formalise the space and define the active spaces. 

Large areas of planting collect surface water into planted swales and rain gardens.

The Southern Boulevard public realm already benefits from planning permission granted as part of planning application 38/22/0176.

Greenway

The eastern greenway is residential in character whilst the western greenway is commercial. 

The eastern greenway is formed of a series of enclosed spaces that will be used by all residents which include allotments and spaces for children to meet and play. 

Parking spaces are located away from housing frontages requiring residents to walk to their cars and reconsider the need to drive. 

The ‘Lock View’ space is positioned at the east end of the greenway taking advantage of Firepool lock and will be a place to stop and rest for pedestrians and cyclists. 

The ‘Western Gateway’ is located at the west entrance to the site it is intended to draw people into the greenway and into the site.

Water Feature

This is a significant piece of sustainable drainage infrastructure to attenuate surface water runoff.

It has an engineering scale & character with deep excavation to allow culvert to discharge through and maintain a permanent water level. 

The embedded seating within the soft landscape creates a pleasant space to sit and relax.

The Water Feature public realm already benefits from planning permission granted as part of planning application 38/22/0176.

Rivers Edge

This is a green edge with cycling and walking paths providing a safe and attractive route around the site as well as providing an important 3m buffer between the built environment and the natural landscape of the river, which is important for protection of ecology and bio-diversity. 

It incorporates extensive new planting and habitats and provides opportunities for people to engage with water. 

The ‘Waterfront Place’ is the gateway to Firepool from the south, it is a hard landscaped space with amphitheatre steps and planting at the perimeter. 

It is designed to be highly robust and flexible so that large and varied events can be hosted.

Part of the Rivers Edge area of public realm (between Priory Bridge Road and the old cattle market bridge on the north side of the river) already benefits from planning permission granted as part of planning application 38/22/0176.