Seaton Regeneration Area Plan :: Design and Access Principles

Evaluation and Design Objectives

Design Objectives

Inclusive design approach

4.2 In line with national and local Government guidance and policy, considerable importance has been placed on achieving a high standard of design across the site. The application of urban design objectives will encourage a high quality layout to be achieved whilst the identification of the constraints and opportunities will ensure that the proposals are sensitively assimilated into the surrounding landscape and urban fabric. The design objectives relevant to the site which underpin the development proposals are as follows;

4.3 Sustaining a Community

• Provide for a varied population and consider the life cycle of user groups from young through to the old;
  
• Respond positively to landmarks of community identity such as existing open spaces;
  
• Design in new public realm, streets and spaces where new residents can enjoy improved access; and
  
• Integrate a range of local facilities responding to community/ social need.
  

4.4 Character and context

• Provide a distinct character along the River Axe;
  
• Consider a special design approach to the interface with Seaton Marshes; and
  
• Respond to the existing character of Seaton and look to create new streets and spaces whilst promoting architecture and urban design that has a sense of continuity with the wider context.
  

4.5 Continuity and enclosure

• Ensure continuity in built form - design to create enclosure, creating a safe overlooked public realm;
  
• Respond to the intensity of development in neighbouring areas to provide continuity of development pattern;
  
• In particular, create a stronger frontage along The Underfleet and along the Axe Riverside;
  
• Provide clear definition of public/private space;
  
• Design thresholds; consider front of dwelling to back of kerb relationship; and
  
• Consider how street frontage, building height and road section will relate to one another to define space.

4.6 Ease of movement

• Create safe routes through streets and well defined spaces, in particular consider existing and likely desire lines;
  
• Ensure easy access by foot, cycle and allow for convenient links to public transport, the Town Centre, Seafront and the Riverfront; and
  
• Consider access for all age groups and abilities, as an integral part of the design.
  

4.7 Legibility and diversity

• Create an urban structure where it is easy to find your way around;
  
• Reinforce important destinations;
  
• Establish a hierarchy of routes - where desired character informs the road design rather than the road defining space;
  
• Intensify and relax urban grain to reinforce the transition between areas;
  
• Strengthen links into the existing pattern of streets and roads so that the Masterplan Area is seen as an integral part of the surrounding neighbourhood; and
  
• Integrate features, such as existing landscaping and views to landmark buildings.
  

4.8 Variety and richness

• Promote quality detailed design with durable materials that enliven the street scene;
  
• Allow for personalisation of place;
  
• Encourage spatial variation and townscape interest; and
  
• Ensure variety of detail and materials whilst maintaining a coherent overall sense of place.
  

4.9 Compactness

• Ensure that development uses land efficiently and responds to the need for public transport and services;
  
• Accord with Government Guidance on densities ensuring the efficient use of land; and
  
• Provide appropriate flexibility in parking provision without overly encouraging greater vehicle numbers.
  

4.10 Resource efficiency

• Maximise non-vehicle access to local facilities;
  
• Minimise resource use in building construction and operation;
  
• Seek to achieve good passive solar gain by orientation and massing; and
  
• Respond to the criteria set out in Eco-Homes (See Section 5).
  

4.11 The site has therefore been designed to form a sympathetic extension to Seaton, it will complement rather than compete with the existing townscape character of the area. How the design objectives above have been built into the Masterplan proposals is explored in the following sections.