Rugby Borough Development Plan

Adopted Local Plan - July 2006 - Written Statement - Chapter 11


Other links in the Interactive Local Plan:

AREA POLICIES

11.1 This section of the Local Plan details planning policies which relate to two specific areas of the Rugby urban area:
1) Leicester Road; and
2) The Livestock Market

Policy A1 – Leicester Road opportunity area

The Leicester Road opportunity area comprises sites ED2.2, H3.1 and H3.2, as shown on the Proposals Map. In this area, redevelopment primarily for housing, together with some employment uses, will be permitted as part of a comprehensive scheme, which would allow for the development of the whole site. The scheme will be further informed by an approved and up to date Development Framework Document.

Other uses will be permitted provided that:

1. The development is part of a comprehensive scheme that provides at least 770 dwellings in accordance with policy H3; and
2. The development is part of a comprehensive scheme that provides some 2 hectares of land for employment uses (use class B1) in accordance with policy ED2; and
3. The development is part of a comprehensive scheme that provides open space in accordance with policies H11 and LR1; and
4. The development is part of a comprehensive scheme that provides for the relocation of the Warwickshire College; and
5. The applicant can demonstrate that the proposed development, together with the cumulative effect of any other recent or proposed development, would not jeopardise the vitality and viability of the town centre or any neighbouring centres.

Principal cross references: H2, H3, H11, ED2, LR1, LR5, A2

Explanation

11.2 The Leicester Road site occupies a prominent location on a key approach to Rugby. The site has been used for many years for industrial purposes, formerly by GEC and more recently by Marconi and Alstom. Presently the site is underused and the likelihood of it ever providing the type of intensive employment opportunities that were offered in the past appear to have diminished.

11.3 Therefore the redevelopment of this site would provide the opportunity to improve the appearance of this important approach to Rugby, to deliver a significant amount of Rugby’s housing requirement on previously developed land and to enhance the range of employment available in the town, particularly in the business/office sector.

11.4 Other polices of this Local Plan, more specifically ED2 and H3 consider the specific requirements any redevelopment package should deliver. Briefly however, there is an opportunity for a redevelopment on this site providing for a significant amount of housing and office development, the relocation of Warwickshire College, a new link road between Leicester Road and Mill Road which will also act as the principal access to the site and, with other potential major projects in the vicinity, significantly improved traffic and transport arrangements, which would include provision of public transport and pedestrian access in and around the sites and in the northern part of Rugby.

11.5 Any development of these sites would also be expected to comply with the Local Plan policies on the provision of open space in particular, Policy H11.

11.6 The Council will also consider other uses as part of a redevelopment package for the Leicester Road area, however, as a minimum, the Council expects those requirements set out in Policy A1 to be met and any other uses will need to be fully justified and would also need to be consistent with policies of this Local Plan.

11.7 The sites are therefore allocated as an opportunity area which the Council would wish to see developed during the Plan period.

11.8 The Council places great importance in the master planned approach for these sites and therefore intends to produce a Development Framework Document for the Station Area to assist in the development control process. As part of that process the layout and design of the sites will be further informed as well as detailed issues relating to the management of land uses, including for example, the management of open spaces.

Policy A2 – Livestock Market opportunity site

The Livestock Market site comprises sites ED2.3 and H3.3 as defined on the Proposals Map. In this area, redevelopment primarily for housing, together with some employment uses, will be permitted as part of a comprehensive scheme, which would allow for the development of the whole site. The scheme will be further informed by an approved and up to date Development Framework Document.

Other uses will only be permitted if:

1. The development is part of a comprehensive scheme which provides approximately 150 dwellings in accordance with policy H3; and
2. The development is part of a comprehensive scheme which provides approximately 1 hectare of land for employment uses (use class B1), in accordance with policy ED2; and
3. The development is part of a comprehensive scheme which provides open space, in accordance with policy H9; and
4. The applicant can demonstrate that the proposed development and the cumulative effect of any other recent or proposed developments would not undermine the vitality and viability of the town centre or that of neighbouring centres.

Principal cross references: H2, H3, H11, ED2, TCR2, LR1, LR5, A1

Explanation

11.9 Rugby Livestock market is sited at the northern end of Railway Terrace adjacent to the railway station on the West Coast main line. The site currently comprises a bus depot and small group of industrial buildings, a station car park, the Livestock Market itself and the Council car parks and playground.

11.10 The site is previously developed and is in an ideal location, being close to the railway station and the town centre for both housing and employment development. The redevelopment of this site also offers an opportunity to link into possible improvements in the Station area generally, and this is encouraged. Furthermore, development of this sites would also be expected to comply with the Local Plan policies on the provision of open space in particular, Policy H11.

11.11 The site is therefore allocated as an opportunity site which the Council would wish to see developed during the Plan period.

11.12 The Council places great importance in the master planned approach for this site and therefore intends to produce a Development Framework Document for the Station Area to assist in the development control process. As part of that approach the layout and design of the site will be further informed as well as detailed issues relating to the management of land uses, including for example, the management of open spaces.

11.13 The area proposed to be included within the Station area Development Framework Document is shown on the plan overleaf.

Development Framework Boundary

Development Framework Boundary

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