Shenley Park SPD

Part Seven: Placemaking and Design Guidance

Figure 35: Placemaking Principles and 'Key Spaces and Places' (and key)

The Baseline Report analysis confirmed that one of the overarching design elements for the SPD was to draw on the distinct characteristics of a 'Site of two halves', adopting a varied design response to the layout and character of development north and south of Shenley Road:

• Northern 'Plateau' Neighbourhood of Briary Chase – linear layout incorporating existing green infrastructure elements and orientated along lines of existing /enhanced hedgerows, with a higher density mixed use local centre at its heart, focusing public activity, community and education uses around high quality public realm / open spaces designed to foster a lively and welcoming sense of place. Development here could take its cues from more urban and contemporary styles of housing within Kingsmead and Tattenhoe Park in the west and in and around the local centre, transitioning to lower density and more rural edge typologies to the north-west of the site;

• Southern 'Valley' Neighbourhood of Whaddon Valley – layout and character of buildings and public realm working with and heavily influenced by the topography. Predominantly residential, built development will run along, not across, the contours, using the south facing slopes, watercourse and the linear park as key design influences, resulting in more varied and bespoke design responses and housing styles (which could include self and custom build).

7.1 Identity (Built Form/Character)

The urban form and development patterns of Shenley Park will follow typical characteristics of nearby historic Buckinghamshire villages in the way they respond to their existing site levels and characteristics. As a general design principle, all development should seek to respond positively to and front edges where possible, and in certain arrangements where the side of block arrangements are only viable, passive surveillance should be provided through the careful positioning of key buildings fronting onto edges and/or dual frontages provided with well designed and integrated boundary walls and landscaping (following the AVA Design Guide principles). Figure 36 sets out the principle of the design approach to the development prioritising frontage development but also setting out the certain arrangements where alternative treatment may be required. Further guidance is provided as part of the edge conditions studies at 7.3.

Figure 36: Development edge treatment principles

Whilst the pattern of the built form will reflect that of historic Buckinghamshire settlements, the architecture will be contemporary to reflect the site's proximity to the Western Flank communities of MK and modern-day architectural styles and living requirements. The built form will be designed to reflect the principles in the AVA Design Guide.

Across Shenley Park a harmonious palette of architectural detailing and materials will be sought to ensure that whilst the characters of the northern and southern neighbourhoods can be distinct, the development is legible and reads well as a whole to its residents and visitors and this will be assessed further through detailed planning applications.

The extension of Tattenhoe Valley Park will create an attractive landscape corridor through the southern neighbourhood of Whaddon Valley accommodating planting, amenity open space, SuDS and habitat creation/enhancement. It will link seamlessly with the landscaped edges and corridors within and around the development, ensuring a connected green network for wildlife and leisure activities, as well as establishing a high quality green setting for built development.

Visual separation of Shenley Park from the Snelshall Priory Scheduled Ancient Monument will be maintained through the retention and enhancement of Briary Plantation Ancient Woodland and its protective buffer. The creation of a new link road connecting to H6 will be designed so as to minimise disturbance on the Ancient Woodland.

Development will respond positively to the existing MK Boundary Walk through well-designed design of buildings and open spaces, including good levels of surveillance and uninterrupted accessibility along the length of the Boundary Walk for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders. Buildings and streets will be designed to prioritise provide public access / permeability and passive surveillance as well as the creation of a well-designed landscape corridor which will accommodate the required offsets from the existing vegetation.

Any excavation and recording of the Roman Settlement and other archaeological features present in and around the site will be reflected through the inclusion of interpretative boards at key locations as well as place signage. The archaeological and heritage assets within and around the site can also be used to inform the approach to and strategy for public art. Successful integration and interpretation can help instil a sense of ownership from the local community to the development and the nearby heritage assets and help create a distinctive development. This should be integrated into the layout for example as part of the play area design or local centre with consideration given to the long term management and maintenance.

7.2 Key Spaces and Places

There are a number of key spaces and places within Shenley Park where a particular or bespoke design response will be sought to ensure high quality placemaking outcomes and the following sections include a number of site studies in the locations shown below:

Figure 37: Location of Spaces and Places and Edges detailed below

Local Centre and Shenley Square (refer to figure 37 for location)

Figure 38: Sketch layout plan of Local Centre and Shenley Square (and key)

1. Public square located at the heart of the local centre on the intersection of the axial green corridor, a flexible space to interact and/or dwell, designed for and capable of accommodating community/temporary events or small scale local market (farmer's market, community fetes and the like),
2. Arrangement, mix and layout of local centre uses designed and laid out to prioritise walking and cycling and transit; rather than movements by private car;
3. Located at the junction of the existing and retained hedgerows, enabling integration and access with the wider green infrastructure and public rights of way. Opportunities for key sightlines should also be explored, such as to the north east towards Central Milton Keynes;
4. The local centre should provide for flexible ground floor built form to key frontages as highlighted with the co-location of community facilities, retail, business support/small scale serviced office space, café/restaurant(s) and any health care facilities creating a real focus for the new community/residents. The mix of uses will be designed to have a positive interrelationship whilst minimising any conflict between the characteristics of different users/activities.

A421 Green Gateway (refer to figure 37 for location)

The entrance to Shenley Park from the south west announces not only the site, but forms a new gateway to the wider urban area.

Dominated by landscape and planting, with medium distance glimpses of high quality built development on the higher slopes to the north, it is expected that the junction with the A421 will be designed as a green gateway to Shenley Park.

7.3 Edge Conditions

Due to its landscape setting, and the importance attached to the network of existing green infrastructure which bounds the site, further specific guidance on how built development will interact positively with existing and new landscape features at various edge points is set out below. The location of the edge conditions studies is shown on figure 37 above. Each edge location includes the design response with and without the 'outer link' road in place to provide clear guidance which can be adapted if it is found through transport modelling, that the 'outer link' needs to be delivered and is not left as a safeguarded corridor.

Northern Edge (East) (refer to Figure 37 for location)

Figure 45: Section through Northern Edge (East)

Northern Edge (West) (Refer to figure 37 for location)

Figure 46: Sketch plan and principles for Northern Edge (West)

1. Maintain a 60m wide reserve corridor for the potential extension of Childs Way
   1. To be created as a grassed corridor
   2. Structural planting to be implemented where residential development abuts the corridor. Planting belt to be a minimum width of 10m
2. Residential development with longer rear gardens generally arranged to 'back' on to the structural planting within 60m infrastructure corridor
3. Development to 'front onto' the new redway link and green corridor extending towards Whaddon to provide passive surveillance
4. Formal sports provision and/or school playing fields are to be positioned adjacent to the 60m reserve corridor to contribute to the open separation between Shenley Park and Whaddon
5. See principles for Whaddon Offset for further details relating to proposals north of the 60m reserve corridor

Figure 47: Section through Northern Edge (West)

Northern Edge (West) – with Outer Link (refer to figure 37 for location)

Figure 48: Sketch plan and principles for Northern Edge (West) with Outer link

Western Edge (North of Shenley Road) (refer to figure 37 for location)

Figure 51: Section through Western Edge (North of Shenley Road)

Western Edge (North of Shenley Road) – with Outer Link (refer to figure 37 for location)

Western Edge (North of Shenley Road) –without outer link (refer to figure 37 for location

Western Edge (South of Shenley Road) (refer to figure 37 for location)

Figure 55: Section through Western Edge (South of Shenley Road)

Western Edge (South of Shenley Road) – with Outer Link (refer to figure 37 for location)

Figure 56: Sketch plan and principles for Western Edge (South of Shenley Road) with Outer Link

1. Outer Link road constructed within the 40m corridor as required based on modelling
2. Structural planting implemented within and along the length of the 40m corridor. Planting belts to be a minimum width of 10m
   1. Where required noise attenuation shall be concealed within the structural planting
3. Retention of recreational path connections extending from development parcels to be reviewed on safety grounds

Western Edge (South of Shenley Road) –without Outer Link (refer to figure 37 for location)

Figure 57: Sketch plan and principles for Western Edge (South of Shenley Road) without Outer Link

1. Land within the reserve corridor reverts to net developable area and green infrastructure
2. Additional residential development to be consistent with principles established above (in Framework Plan)

A421 Edge (refer to figure 37 for location)

Figure 59: Section through A421 Edge

Eastern Edge (South of Shenley Road)(refer to figure 37 for location)

1. Retain existing hedgerows and trees located along the site boundary where possible
2. Development shall be set back the appropriate distance from existing green infrastructure, in accordance with the policy requirements
3. Dual aspect properties are to be arranged to provide passive surveillance over the MK Boundary Walk green corridor and green spaces
4. The arrangement of streets and development is to reflect the natural topography of the site, minimising the need for earthworks and reprofiling
5. Recreational path connections are to be provided from Shenley Park to the MK Boundary Walk where possible
6. Green corridors incorporating pedestrian routes should provide connectivity between streets, also contributing to stormwater collection, storage and conveyance as part of the sitewide SuDS network

Figure 60: Sketch plan and principles Eastern Edge (South of Shenley Road)
 

Figure 61: Section through Eastern Edge (South of Shenley Road)

Eastern Edge (North of Shenley Road) (refer to figure 37 for location)

Figure 62: Sketch plan and principles Eastern Edge (North of Shenley Road)

1. Retain existing hedgerows and trees located along the site boundary where possible
2. Development shall be set back the appropriate distance from existing green infrastructure, in accordance with the policy requirements
3. Dual aspect properties are to be arranged to provide passive surveillance over the MK Boundary Walk green corridor and adjacent green spaces
4. The arrangement of streets and development is to reflect the geometric layout of the existing hedgerows, with a clear and legible structure which connects to the Local Centre, open spaces and Milton Keynes
5. Recreational path connections are to be provided from Shenley Park to the MK Boundary Walk where possible
6. Green corridors incorporating pedestrian routes should provide connectivity between streets, also contributing to stormwater collection, storage and conveyance as part of the sitewide SuDS network

Figure 63: Section through Eastern Edge (North of Shenley Road)

7.4 Bespoke Design Responses

It is expected that best practice design as set out in Aylesbury Vale Area Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document will be the basis upon which detailed development proposals are drawn up.

The need to design with the existing undulating topography of the southern part of the site, and the importance of retaining and enhancing the cross boundary network of existing green and grey infrastructure which currently permeates through the site requires a bespoke design response to certain development areas.

Specific guidance on how built development will interact positively with these features is set out below and the location of the studies are shown on figure 15 above.

Development on slopes (refer to figure 37 for location)

1. Minimise the need for reprofiling through the layout and design of streets and housing to work positively with the existing landform, therefore positively engaging with this topography as part of creating a successfully landscape led development.
2. Align streets to achieve accessible gradients naturally.
3. Non-standard house types should be used where necessary for development to work positively with the existing landform which minimise overlooking, and maximise opportunities for roof gardens and balconies and where possible dealing with level changes within the buildings such as the through the use of design solutions such as split level bespoke buildings.
4. Stormwater attenuation features will be sensitively located, designed and scaled in order for them to integrate into the open spaces.
5. Minimise the need for hard engineering solutions to ground stabilisation and minimising the need for retaining structures. Where needed, they must not compromise the viability of amenity spaces through overshadowing or reducing the useable amenity area.
6. Maximise opportunities for solar generation with south-facing roofs.

Figure 64: Example section of approach to development on slopes
 

Figure 65: Example of design solutions working positively with the levels
 

Figure 66: Sketch plan of development fronting Valley Park Extension
 

Figure 67: Section through Valley Park Extension