EDGE HILL UNIVERSITYProposed new sports developmentDesign and access statement

_WEL

COMEEDGE HILL UNIVERSITYProposed new sports developmentDesign and access statement

EDGE HILL UNIVERSITY PROPOSED NEW SPORTS DEVELOPMENTCONTENTS | PAGE 2 DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT

_contents1. Introduction

2. Background and Context

3. Concept Evolution3.1. Design Strategy3.2. Design Development Principles3.3. Facilities Brief3.4. Site Context and Character3.5. Development Options

4. The Scheme – General Arrangement 4.1. Layout

5. The Scheme - Detail5.1. Landscape5.1.1. Landform Design5.1.2. Terracing5.1.3. Screening/Views5.2. Sports Building5.3. External Facilities5.3.1. New Entrance5.3.2. Car Parking5.3.3. Sports Facilities5.3.4. Flood Lighting5.3.5. Hard Landscape and Structures5.4. Biodiversity & Planting Design5.4.1. Existing Situation5.4.2. Approach5.4.3. Biodiversity5.4.4. Planting Design5.4.5. Management and Maintenance5.5. Access & Movement5.5.1. Access Statement Overview5.5.2. Site Access and Egress5.5.3. Parking and Links5.5.4. Cycle Routes

6. Environmental Strategy6.1. Sustainability6.2. Energy efficiency6.3. Drainage6.4. Noise and Air Quality6.5. Construction

7. Servicing7.1. Deliveries7.2. Refuse and Recycling7.3. Security, Crime Prevention and

the Creation of a Safe Environment

8. Conclusion

EDGE HILL UNIVERSITY PROPOSED NEW SPORTS DEVELOPMENTINTRODUCTION | PAGE 3 DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT

_introductionLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Proin velit felis, scelerisque sagittis rhoncus non, laciniavitae lacus. Morbi pulvinar eleifend magna in molestie. Praesent mauris eros, ultricies non consequat at, blanditeget tellus. Morbi sodales facilisis blandit. Integer urna augue, placerat id tempus a, ullamcorper id ligula.Maecenas ac eros nulla. Etiam rutrum mi sapien, a varius eros. Sed vestibulum pulvinar egestas. Suspendissecursus augue sit amet enim posuere in sollicitudin urna rutrum. Pellentesque laoreet blandit augue, at varius lectuscondimentum quis. Integer nec justo in tellus malesuada condimentum. Aliquam ultricies sem lorem. Ut dolorsapien, rhoncus non vulputate non, fermentum et metus.

Maecenas faucibus, nibh a adipiscing iaculis, risus tortor pharetra magna, vel eleifend massa eros non diam.Phasellus et urna felis, in porttitor eros. Duis non lorem lacus. Fusce non mattis eros. Curabitur tempor congue felissit amet porta. Cras et diam sed lacus varius euismod vel in nunc. Aenean luctus mollis dui, in tempor risus tristiquenon. Vestibulum ultrices massa eu metus viverra adipiscing faucibus arcu pulvinar. Duis tortor tortor, varius tinciduntauctor non, adipiscing sit amet lectus. In dignissim velit vitae leo placerat in cursus leo auctor.

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_BACKGROUND +

CONCEPT

EDGE HILL UNIVERSITY PROPOSED NEW SPORTS DEVELOPMENTBACKGROUND AND CONTEXT | PAGE 4 DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT

2.1. In 2005 the report entitled ‘a DevelopmentFramework for Growth’ established a Visionand set of Objectives for the university to followin pursuit of its Mission. As part of this, and inrecognition of the facilities brief agreed withthe university, a design strategy wasformulated to help coordinate futuredevelopment projects into a coherent whole.

2.2. This approach was further rationalised and itsgeneral objectives incorporated into the EstateStrategy 2009-2013 which established anumber of specific objectives and identified keyissues and opportunities.

As part of the long term vision, an indicativeDevelopment Framework Plan was producedwhich sets down the general parameters andgeometry of the development site and this plan,together with the design strategy referred toabove, and a comprehensive brief for thenumber and type of sports and other facilities,has formed the broad design principlesadopted for the current design.

2.3. The University’s vision is to provide aninspirational Campus for the future, not onlyproviding effective learning and workingenvironments but by ensuring thatsustainability is integral to the concept anddesign of future developments.

2.4. As part of this vision the University has theopportunity to become a Regional Centre ofExcellence in sport to maintain the quality of itsstudent offer and experience, its highstandards in academic excellence and the

benefits offered to the West Lancashirecommunity. The proposed new sportsdevelopment will play an major part in thedelivery of this vision and is important for thefollowing reasons:

> Campus Redevelopment. The University is nowin the position where all new developmentopportunities with the existing campus havebeen exhausted such that the outdated andpoorly located sports facilities need to bereplaced and relocated to enable furthercampus redevelopment.

> Academic Excellence and Demand. The successof the Department of Sport and PhysicalActivity in recent years and the growth in itsstudents, means that many shared-usefacilities do not have the capacity to serve bothcommunity and student leisure use andmaintain academic teaching and learning to therequired standards.

> Student Leisure and Recreation. Edge Hill hassignificantly fewer sporting clubs thancomparable universities and the currentstandard and range of sports facilities limitsthe number of clubs and sports societiesavailable to students.

> Sports Standards. Broadening the range andquality of sports facilities at Edge Hill willenable the University to compete more instudent sports events and to a higher standard.Edge Hill aims to be within the top 50 UKuniversities for sports facilities within the next5 years and the top 30 within 10years. Edge Hill

is currently 95th of 142 institutions.

> Improved Participation. New and improvedsporting facilities will enable and encouragemore students to participate in sport duringtheir recreational time.

> Improved Community Provision. The proposedfacilities will be fully available to the localcommunity and will offer an unrivalled rangeand standard of indoor and outdoor facilities.

_background & concept

AERIAL VIEW 1 | PAGE 5 EDGE HILL UNIVERSITY PROPOSED NEW SPORTS DEVELOPMENT DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT

DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENTHISTORIC PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE SITE | PAGE 6 EDGE HILL UNIVERSITY PROPOSED NEW SPORTS DEVELOPMENT

“The University’s vision is to provide aninspirational Campus for the future, not onlyproviding effective learning and workingenvironments but by ensuring thatsustainability is integral to the concept anddesign of future developments.”

EDGE HILL UNIVERSITY PROPOSED NEW SPORTS DEVELOPMENTCONTENTS | PAGE 7 DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT

_CONCEPT

EVOLUTION

EDGE HILL UNIVERSITY PROPOSED NEW SPORTS DEVELOPMENT3. CONCEPT EVOLUTION DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT

3.1. Design Strategy3.1.1. A design strategy has been developed based on

the main design objectives above which were tobe applied to future development on theuniversity campus, these are :

> Sustainability. Sustainable objectives to be metthrough the development of an environmentalmanagement strategy, setting clearperformance targets and providing theframework for meeting those e.g. carbonreduction and conservation of natural resourcesthrough improved energy efficiency and theappropriate use of new technologies andtechniques.

> Landscape Led. The design to emerge fromclear understanding of the landscape characterand arrangement of facilities to recognise thelocation on the edge of the greenbelt. Buildingsin a landscape not a landscape of buildings.

> Sense of Arrival. A new entrance creating a newgateway and sense of arrival with an opportunityfor a landmark building.

> Sense of Place. Enhance and improve thedistinctive qualities of the existing campus.

> Defined Routes. Define a clear east west routeas part of a spine which will link the threedistinct areas of the campus.

> Permeability. Provide a campus that is readilypermeable and where pedestrians have priorityover vehicles.

3.2. Design Development Principles3.2.1. In pursuance of the major objectives the

following principles have been applied to thedesign approach. This has been an iterativeprocess over a 12month period bringingtogether the views of the wide team ofspecialists which form the university’s DesignTeam together with a wide range of consulteesand stakeholders both within and external to theuniversity.

> General Principles• Recognising the concerns and desires of localresidents and other stakeholders with a vestedinterest in the locality. Please refer to the standalone document which identifies the scope andoutcome of extensive public consultation.• Apply sustainable principles including thedesire to minimise construction traffic though abalance of cut and fill in the engineering works.

> Landscape Principles• Setting any built form back from St HelensRoad and Ruff Lane• Using topography as determinant of buildinglocation and form• Creating buildings in a landscape rather than alandscape of buildings• Confining new buildings to the existing sportsarea.• Keeping Buildings low to preserve views andskyline• Using new woodland and hedgerow planting toreinforce the visual containment of the site.

> Building Principles• Careful siting to minimise visual impact• Attention to massing to reduce apparent scale

and create a building group consistent with localfarmsteads• Reduced energy consumption • Access for all• Limited materials pallet to ensure harmonywith the landscape and express the sense of thebuilding being a collection of parts.

3.3. Facilities Brief.3.3.1. The following provision has been incorporated to

satisfy the university’s brief:

> Outdoor Facilities• Floodlit synthetic 8 lane running track withtwin 10 lane sprints.• Full field sports facilities• Infield rugby league pitch• 3 natural grass senior football pitches• 1 natural grass rugby union pitch• 1 floodlit full size 3G synthetic football pitch• 1 floodlit full sized sand –dressed hockey pitch• 3 floodlit 40x20 3G synthetic 5-a-side footballpitches• 4 floodlit combined netball/tennis courts• 1 60x40 natural grass training pitch• 1 trim track 1km plus with exercise stations

> Indoor Facilities• 8 court multi-use sports hall with viewinggallery• 25m swimming pool• 100 station fitness suite• Aerobics studio• Health suite with sauna and steam rooms• Male and female changing areas• Café and lounge area• Reception area

_concept evolution

EDGE HILL UNIVERSITY PROPOSED NEW SPORTS DEVELOPMENTCONTENTS DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT

SELECTED OPTION (8)

EDGE HILL UNIVERSITY PROPOSED NEW SPORTS DEVELOPMENTCONTENTS DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT

3.4. Site Context and Character3.4.1. The local landscape around the site is

characterised by an open nature of arable farmswith large fields and boundaries of intermittentremains of hawthorn hedgerows. These affordintermittent views, from the elevated positionabove the south lancashire plain, south towardsLiverpool and east, towards the Pennines.Occasional hedgerow trees, small plantationsand copses, usually associated with farmsteads,create areas with some enclosure.

3.4.2. The proposed development site, includes partsof the existing university sports development,areas of car parking and occupies a shallowvalley below a ridge which effectively screensthe site from the north. At its highest point theridge is covered by Ruff Wood which is anoak/birch/pine woodland and is an importantlocal amenity and ecological resource. To thesouth the A570 St Helens Road follows a lowridge towards Ormskirk, the land falling awaygently towards Aughton on its south sideproviding a natural screen to the current siteuses.

3.4.3. To the south east of the site, Scarth Hill Laneruns in a north south direction with intermittenthousing along its length. Some of the propertieshave long views in a north westerly directionacross the development site toward theuniversity campus.

3.4.4. Local landmarks include Christ Church atAughton and the Water Tower at Scarth Hill.

3.4.5. Existing Landform/Contours. The existing

landform has an open gently sloping characterand consists of a shallow valley runningapproximately SE-NW with a low ridgesurrounding it on the North and East side.Gradients across the site are generally in therange XX The valley is at its lowest point m fromthe junction with St Helens Road and terminatesabruptly at the boundary of the currentuniversity sports development. At the northernextreme of the site, along the Ruff Laneboundary, the land slopes (Gradients) away fromRuff Lane meeting the university boundary atthe existing hedgerow and plantation.

3.4.6. Ground conditions across the site are consideredto be excellent for the proposed development ofnatural turf sports facilities with apreponderance of sandy loams available.

3.5. Development Options3.5.1. A series of 8 layout options were considered

over a 12month period leading to the adoptionof the current design layout which is consideredto best satisfy the constraints and opportunitiesidentified.

3.5.2. Major Constraints:• The existence of a 16” high pressure gas mainwhich runs across the development site.

• The desire to locate buildings within thefootprint of the existing sports developmenttherefore limiting further built incursion into thegreenbelt.

• The desire to keep building away from both theSt Helens Road and Ruff Lane frontages.

• Limited opportunity for the location of a newentrance to the university.

• The need to retain existing car parks in theircurrent location

3.5.3. Major Opportunities• Sufficient space to allow the accommodationof the facilities required in a way that will allowprotection and improvement of the open spacenature of the greenbelt.

• Natural screening from a number of directionsby existing topography and woodland cover.

• A local topography that lends itself to thedevelopment of a series of terraces withoutfundamentally changing the grain of the naturallandform.

• Ground conditions suitable for thedevelopment of sports facilities.

• An opportunity to deal with surface waterthrough infiltration thereby limiting the risk offlooding in local sewers and water courses.

• A site which has very little ecological andbiodiversity value but presents a majoropportunity for enhancement.

• Adjacent highway suitable for the developmentof a major new traffic junction and entrance intothe university.

_LAND

SCAPE

EDGE HILL UNIVERSITY PROPOSED NEW SPORTS DEVELOPMENTCONTENTS DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT

_biodiversity

A new pond similar to this will provide a rich diversityof habitats for plants and animals and enrich localamenity.

Ruff Wood, an important resource, will be enhanced bythe creation of new woodland on site with similarspecies structure and widen the local ecologicalnetwork.

Wildflower grassland will provide a valuable feedingarea for a diversity of bird species, such as the seedeating Goldfinch

Broad meadows will created on all areas of informalgrassland on sitemargins and embankments usingmodern techniques and will provide a rich colourfuldisplay habitat.

Common ornamental plants such as this Berberis willprovide excellent food and nectar sources for localinsects and provide colourful display.

New plantations will be designed to utilise existingmaterial and will be planted to maximise age structure.

EDGE HILL UNIVERSITY PROPOSED NEW SPORTS DEVELOPMENTCONTENTS DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT

“The design approachaims “to maintain,and enhance, restoreor add to biodiversity”in line with localplanning policy.

Ecological mitigation,compensation andenhancementmeasures have beendeveloped asappropriate, duringthe assessment anddesign process, inconsultation withrelevant experts. ”