Site location
South Road is a modern development which was created to the south of the High Street presumably to address the challenges of access and congestion on the historic High Street. As a result, a series of properties have a boundary to the road, but were never planned with the kind of frontages which create an attractive street edge or deliver activity and overlooking to support pedestrian safety.
Site location plan – click to enlarge
Existing site
The sites are presently used as parking and yard space for buildings which front onto the High Street, and they provide an opportunity for elements of infill development which could help to repair this exposed edge.
In the particular case of the Holly Court Arcade, development on the rear of the site should also be usefully linked with improvements within the buildings, tackling the poor access to deliver a clearer and more usable route that connects the car park with the High Street and helps to drive footfall through the building.
Photographs – click to enlarge
Opportunities
Establish active frontage onto South Road with small infill developments taking advantage of the vacant yard space.
Create a small commercial development onto the back of Holly Court Arcade providing active frontage and supporting improved links through to the High Street.
Establish one to two storey developments. This could take the form of flats over garages or undercroft parking. These would be delivered by the individual owners with guidance and support from the council.
Include planting and greenery as much as possible along the street.
Massing model – click to enlarge
Typology
Development on these sites is likely to be limited in scale, and potentially will be a balancing act between unlocking a commercially attractive scheme and also retaining the parking which serves the existing uses on the High Street frontage. On this basis, buildings which incorporate parking at ground level, either as garages or undercroft parking may be well suited to these sites.
In the event that this approach is used, facing the parking or garages into the yard space will be preferred whilst also striking a balance with maintaining activity and interest at street level. New buildings are unlikely to benefit from any garden amenity in which case balconies or terraces overlooking the street will add welcome outdoor space.
Typologies – click to enlarge