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Wednesday 9 August 2017

Plans for Port Royal: green corridor

The idea of the 'green corridor' is gaining ground - and gaining on the ground:
Futures Forum: Green Corridors

It is often a contentious matter:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: green corridor

But it doesn't have to be:
Futures Forum: Friends of the Byes: wildflower meadow July 2017

To return to proposals for Port Royal, one idea has been to create a 'corridor' from the Ham park up to the Byes park.

Firstly, there is the status of the Ham itself, which has been a topic of discussion of late:
Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal: anticipating a Regeneration Board >> "There are no proposals, no plans and no schemes being put forward."
Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal: anticipating a Regeneration Board >> Scoping Study consultation >> new campaign as 'scare-mongering'
Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal: anticipating a Regeneration Board >> Scoping Study consultation > the Charity Commission and potential conflicts of interest
Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal: anticipating a Regeneration Board >> Scoping Study consultation > an overview of the maps and the options
Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal: anticipating a Regeneration Board >>> and 'scaremongering' over including the Ham in the Scoping Study
Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal: anticipating a Regeneration Board >>> and 'scaremongering' over land-swapping at the Ham >>> further examples of land-swapping in Devon
Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal: anticipating a Regeneration Board >>> of covenants and land-swapping at Port Royal
Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal: anticipating a Regeneration Board >>> and developing the Ham...

Secondly, there is the study put together by the Vision Group back in 2006 - and the main focus was Port Royal - including its open spaces:

6.5 Open Spaces
Issues raised:  
In the newer areas of the town, opportunities should be sought for additional open space, especially where development is being undertaken. 
Enhancement of the Ham and the river side as a green area in East Town should be a key component of any Port Royal redevelopment.
Proposed Actions 
• Develop, with other stakeholders, an integrated plan for management of the Sid and its flood plain from Cotford to Port Royal, with the aim of improving both biodiversity and public recreation. 

Vision Group for Sidmouth - Original Vision Group Report

Thirdly, there is the 2012 report from the Vision Group.

The idea of a 'Green Link' between The Byes and The Esplanade emerged from the discussions over Port Royal redevelopment:

5.0 Broad Themes and Conclusions from consultation and discussion 
The following themes emerged in discussion and consultation (detailed in Appendix 1)
.3 An attractive and efficient area 
.3.1 Better relationship with the river 
Open up a link from the Byes to the development area by improved signage and design enhancements

9.4 Routes through the Site
9.4.2 Pedestrian traffic There is considerable pedestrian traffic through the site, with many people using the Byes footpath to link to the Esplanade and town centre. Pedestrians cross the site via the riverbank, via the Ham footpath, and along Ham Lane. East Street is a busy pedestrian route, as is York Street (south), albeit less so. Generally the site lacks coherence from a pedestrian perspective and is dangerous in some places with poor signage and limited or non-existent pavement space on Mill street and Riverside. The site is the junction of the Byes footpath, the Esplanade promenade, and the coastal path/Alma Bridge, in close proximity to the town centre, and juxtaposed with the main shoppers’ car park.

18.0A range of Concept Statements
.4 “Temporary Regeneration of Flood Plain area”
Open up the northern section of the Ham playing fields to facilitate ease of access from the Byes to the seafront along the riverbank

20.1 Car Parks & Riverside Road 
Option 2 Pedestrian and cycle priority route
− Pedestrian-friendly connection from the Ham to the Byes

.2 Ham Recreation Ground
Option 2 Improved foot/cycle access from the seafront to The Byes (shaded green route) 
− Pedestrian and cycle opening from northern end of Riverside 
− Pedestrian-friendly route along Riverside or through Wearfield 
− Enhanced pavement along Mill Street and Milford Road 
− Improved signage between Byes and Seafront 
− Boardwalk above flood defences on the western bank of the Sid 

Vision Group for Sidmouth - Community Engagement Brief
Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal: anticipating a Regeneration Board >> Scoping Study consultation > Vision Group report 2012

Fourthly, there is the first residents' questionnaire from the Neighbourhood Plan:

Questionnaire results reveal your likes and gripes about Sid valley

16:30 24 August 2016 Beth Sharp


The protection of the Sid Valley’s natural beauty is among residents’ top concerns, a major questionnaire has revealed. And people’s main dislikes about the town include transport - and East Devon District Council.

The first wave of results from a questionnaire for the Sid Valley Neighbourhood Plan were revealed at a Sidmouth Town Council meeting by Tim Salt, an administrator for the plan’s steering group.

People were asked what they loved most about the town and the top answer, with 160 votes, was Sidmouth’s natural beauty, environment, valley, The Byes and hills.

Sidmouth’s second most-loved qualities were the seafront, sea, Jacob’s Ladder, cliffs and The Esplanade - all of which got 73 votes.


Questionnaire results reveal your likes and gripes about Sid valley - Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
NeighbourHood Plan - Sidmouth Town Council
Futures Forum: Neighbourhood Plan: results presented >>> the Sid Vale's natural beauty and seafront come out top >>> and transport and the District Council come bottom

Finally, in terms of opinions and surveys, there is the second residents' questionnaire from the Neighbourhood Plan: 

"People are concerned to ensure that effective measures are in place to control any development within the Area of Natural Beauty (AONB) and policies should also focus on protecting our public open places, such as parklands, the Byes, the Knowle, Blackmore and Connaught Gardens, all of which enhance our quality of life."

Have say on balance of Sid Valley’s natural and built environments - Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
Futures Forum: Neighbourhood Plan: final household survey launched > getting the balance of the Sid Valley's natural and built environments right



SurveyMonkey Powered Online Survey
Report_on_Q2__Port_Royal_Questions_Final.pdf

And lastly, there are several parallel projects going on which are pushing the green corridor idea:
Futures Forum: Trees @ Port Royal
Futures Forum: A sensory garden for Sidmouth >>> funding to help project revitalise a rather tired part of town
Futures Forum: Friends of the Byes: wildflower meadow July 2017
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