Hartley Gardens Supplementary Planning Document

Creating the vision

3.1. Policy SAMU2 sets out a policy vision and specific requirements for the Site. This has been developed thematically through Stage 1 engagement. Set out below is a summary of community priorities that underpin the Development Principles for bringing forward development of the Site. These priorities have shaped and informed a Vision Statement and Core Objectives for the Site.

3.2. The following priorities have been identified from the Stage 1 engagement with the local community through the online workshops, public drop-in events, and an online survey:

Community and Facilities:

• New facilities delivered onsite must provide for the wider community and be delivered in the early phases of the development.
• Health facilities were a top priority for residents, followed by schools.
• Employment and training opportunities should be maximised both through the development process and land uses.
• The Neighbourhood Centre should not compete with the Town Centre, and efforts should be made to improve town centre offerings.
• House size should be large enough for families.

Movement:

• Congestion within the local area should be fully considered, including the existing highway network and key junctions. Public transport within the area should be made more frequent and reliable.
• The active travel network should be improved, particularly across the A133 and routes to the town centre, with an emphasis on improving commuter traffic.
• Adequate parking should be provided, including parking for personal and commercial vehicles, and be conveniently located.

Spaces:

• There should be flexible, multi-use open spaces prioritising children's play space, along with space for wildlife.
• Pickers Ditch should be an open space focal point connecting other green spaces, and possibly a nature reserve.
• There should be more street trees and a gap maintained between Little Clacton and the development.
• Provide adequate and enjoyable rest stops in spaces and routes.

Other Design Priorities:

• Retain existing landscape features throughout the development and integrate the seaside character of the town into the identity of the development.

Vision statement

3.3. Hartley Gardens will be a healthy, inclusive, and thriving sustainable urban extension for Clacton-on-Sea. It will epitomise the seaside character of the town with the landscape qualities of the hinterland, while having its own strong and distinctive character, form, and identity. This sustainable urban extension will be well connected and integrated into the wider town, offering a dynamic and thriving place where new and existing residents can enjoy easy access to Clacton-on-Sea's picturesque coastline and vibrant community.

3.4 Hartley Gardens will be a neighbourhood with high-quality new homes in well-designed places, embedding principles of healthy living. It will feature sustainable homes and places, maximising their positive contribution to the natural environment and minimising their environmental impact.

3.5 Those who live there will enjoy affordable, attractive, and energy efficient homes within a leafy and walkable setting that is closely integrated with extensive green spaces including new parks, play areas, and landscaped spaces. By embracing and enhancing the local water network and ecological habitats, Hartley Gardens will foster a connection between residents and the natural environment, inspiring and enriching daily life. This will be supported by a range of community facilities including a school, local shopping facilities, and employment opportunities.

3.6 Hartley Gardens will be a vibrant place that people can be proud of.

Core objectives

Tackling climate action

The layout, form, and design of development will minimise energy demand and maximise use of renewable energy, supporting a sustainable location and contributing to climate action goals.

Protecting and enhancing natural assets

Development will enhance the natural environment, providing a comprehensive green infrastructure network where trees and vegetation are filtered through the residential neighbourhoods leading to a revitalised park along Pickers Ditch. This should be achieved by embedding Building with Nature standards.

Healthy place shaping

Healthy place shaping principles will be embedded into the design and development of the Site from the outset and throughout its lifetime, promoting both mental and physical wellbeing. This should be achieved by embedding Building for a Healthy Life principles.

Building a strong, vibrant, and sustainable community

Through use of guidance such as Building with Nature, nature based solutions, will support the provision of a mix of compatible uses, services and facilities, at a scale that promotes activity, community life, social interaction and inclusivity and meets people's everyday needs, complementing the role of Clacton-on-Sea and creating a happy and healthy place to live, work, study and spend time.

Improving movement and connectivity

Integrated and accessible transport systems with walking, cycling, and public transport promoted as the most attractive forms of local transport. Improving overall accessibility and contribute to a sustainable and inclusive community.

Creating a place

To achieve carefully planned placemaking, the Site will be designed to facilitate a high-quality place in keeping with this location. This means reflecting the character of the seaside town; integrating existing natural features into the Site, such as Pickers Ditch, key areas of biodiversity, listed buildings and important trees and hedgerows; and creating a sequence of spaces and routes into the wider green (green spaces) and blue (water) network to create a Site that is integrated into its context.

Meeting current and future housing needs

The Site will provide a diversity of housing including a range of different housing products, types, tenures, and styles that meets current and future housing needs within Tendring, complimented by a range of leisure and recreation options.