Plans for Port Royal and the Eastern Town: reducing the amount of land given over to vehicle movements while introducing residential and employment spaces

Later this month, the Reference Group of Councillors, Officers and local stakeholders will be meeting up to continue pressing ahead with the Scoping Study for the eastern end of Sidmouth: 
Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal: anticipating a Regeneration Board >> consultants shortlisted for the Scoping Study

It is clear that any development at Port Royal will be 'mixed':
Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal and the Eastern Town: homes on stilts

The following text and plans have just been submitted by a correspondent as part of this conversation:

Currently there is excessive land given over to vehicle circulation in the area of the Ham Lane car-parks and the seafront turning circle. Clearly to make a success of any redevelopment in Eastern Town it will be necessary to address this situation.

A reduction in the amount of wasted space allocated to parking and turning manoeuvres will free-up land for more beneficial functions such as affordable housing and business start-up premises.

By incorporating a turning circle into the Ham Lane parking configuration, as demonstrated below in the schematic plan, it is possible to reduce the amount of land given over to vehicle movements while introducing residential and employment spaces.

In respect to the overall number of parking spaces, there may be less, but the idea is to move from general parking to a more dedicated  arrangement. Further parking however could be provided in the basement of the new Port Royal development and within the Market Hall when not in use. Also bear in mind the Ham is a most inappropriate place for a car park which would be better located on the approach to the town. By reducing the amount of vehicle circulation space it is possible to introduce far more town centre accommodation as for instance the wedge shaped building adjacent to the swimming pool.

In terms of wasted land use, the turning circle is the most obvious and nonsensical example. With the restrictions at present all it is possible to do is drive along the front only to U-turn back again. As the southern end of the River Sid “eco-corridor” far better pedestrian friendly use should be identified for this important location.

A possible option is to accommodate the sailing club in the Drill Hall; and the fish symbol relates to the fishing compound. However as there are too many unresolved and unknown factors at Port Royal, for this exercise I was mainly concentrating on the car park areas.

See also:
Futures Forum: Ham Lane Redevelopment Study - a mixed development for Port Royal
Futures Forum: Gerald Counter's Sidmouth: an insight into Eastern Town
Futures Forum: Sidmouth parking issues: decreasing capacity at Ham Lane
Futures Forum: A solution to our housing problems: build on car parks

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