10.1 This Chapter relates to Proposals Map Insets 3, 3a and 3b and covers Frinton-on-Sea, Walton-on-the-Naze, Kirby Cross, Walton Town Centre and Connaught Avenue and “The Avenues” area, Frinton respectively. It provides the planning context, policies and site specific proposals to meet the needs of the area up to 2011. It is important this Chapter is read in conjunction with the earlier district wide policies that relate to the whole of the Tendring District.
10.2 Many of the previous Local
Plan policies adopted in 1998 continue to be relevant. Consequently,
where appropriate, they have been carried forward into this
plan either unchanged or amended, and new policies and proposals
have been added.
• The identification of appropriate settlement development boundaries;
• Promoting regeneration of the local economy, particularly in the Walton Town Centre and Seafront Urban Regeneration Area;
• Ensuring that sufficient land is made available for the needs of industry and commerce;
• Promoting tourism and the holiday industry including leisure development at Walton Mere;
• Improving open space provision and community facilities;
• The scale and location of future housing developments;
• Recognising the value of environmental assets including the Naze, Walton Backwaters and Hamford Water in promoting the economic regeneration of the area;
• Protecting and enhancing the character of Conservation Areas and the peaceful nature of the Frinton seaside area, in particular “The Avenues” Area of Special Character; and
• Addressing traffic, parking and pedestrian issues particularly in Walton and Frinton Town Centres.
10.3 The Settlement Development Boundaries for the
area, to which policies QL1 and HG3 apply, generally follow
the built-up area boundary areas of the 1998
Local Plan. However, the new boundary includes commercial
and industrial development on the edge of these towns and
any land allocated in this plan. For example, Kirby Cross
Trading Estate, Orlando Court and Harmer’s Foundry
are all now included within the boundary. Settlement boundaries
have been drawn tightly in some locations, mainly to discourage
inappropriate backland development.
10.4 Frinton, Walton, and Kirby Cross each have differing roles and functions as employment centres. Frinton, and in particular Connaught Avenue, has developed as the main local office centre serving the area and therefore, as a result most local jobs are in the service sector. However, it has a large established residential environment that limits the scope for increasing the employment role to any significant degree. Walton is heavily dependent on the tourism industry for jobs; this is characterised by a large amount of seasonal and part-time work. Kirby Cross has changed over the years from a traditional agricultural rural economy to one which is broader based, including local jobs in the service and manufacturing sectors.
10.5 Policy QL6 identifies Walton Town Centre and seafront as an Urban Regeneration Area where the Council is encouraging economic and physical regeneration. There continues to be a need to boost the economic regeneration of Walton-on-the-Naze to support business investment in the town.
10.6 Following previous studies carried out in Walton
aimed at attracting external funding, work is underway
has taken place to upgrade and enhance
the High Street. This includes widening the pavements
and improving pedestrian safety utilising funding under
the Market Towns scheme and funding from Essex County Council
under the LTP (Local Transport Plan) initiative. In
addition, the Walton Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme
(HERS) has targeted commercial properties in and around
the High Street area with the offer of grants for
structural and external repairs which will help enhance
the attractive historic character of the area.
10.7 The potential for leisure
development at Walton Mere has been identified as another
opportunity that would help bring about regeneration.
10.8 To enable and encourage economic growth to occur in this area, Policy ER1 allocates 0.37 hectares of land for new manufacturing and service-based development east of the Kirby Cross Trading Estate forming an extension to the existing employment area. All other areas of existing employment land to be safeguarded by Policy ER3 of this Plan are shown on the Proposals Map Insets.
10.9 Walton-on-the-Naze and Frinton-on-Sea are two
of the principalle coastal resorts
in Essex. These two resorts have been identified as a Priority
Area for Coastal Tourism in Policy LRT11 of the Replacement
Structure Plan, recognising the role and potential of tourism
to contribute to economic regeneration, protecting and upgrading
existing leisure and tourism facilities and encouraging
new development to strengthen and diversify the resort’ss’
attractiveness.
10.10 Considerable numbers of holidaymakers and
day visitors are attracted to the safe sandy beaches, entertainment
and recreational facilities, and by the pleasant character
of the towns and their setting. These visitors make a highly
significant impact upon the local economy with tourism being
a major generator of local jobs. The Council wishes to both
protect and enhance the tourism role for these settlements
area. PPG21 recognises tourism to be an
important aspect of urban regeneration.
10.11 However, the traditional holiday tourism is in decline. There is clear movement away from longer holidays in coastal resorts to one of shorter, more intensive activity breaks. The challenge is for Frinton and, especially, Walton to respond to this by developing new facilities that both provide for this new pattern and generate further demand for short breaks. To succeed, they must achieve year round business and shift the emphasis from the traditional holiday to a combination of these plus, off-season breaks, business, education, training, conferences and meetings, recreation, sport, shopping, second homes and culture.
10.12 It will be for the market to bring forward new facilities; Policy FW1 below sets out the Council’s approach to determining such proposals and Policy ER26 of this Plan deals with the support that will be given to conversion of buildings. Where proposals are compatible with other policies in this Plan, the Council will support the tourism market in developing new products that have the potential to meet emerging demand; especially in bird watching and nature tourism; overseas tourism; domestic short break tourism; and special interest tourism.
10.13 Whilst tourism is changing, Walton remains a family holiday centre, the pier providing a focus for indoor amusement facilities, whilst a number of caravan sites, guest houses and holiday flats provide a range of accommodation for holidaymakers. It is also very important as a yachting and sailing centre; the sheltered moorings in Walton backwaters providing a haven for many sailing craft. The Naze peninsular, to the north of the town, is a major countryside recreation area, enjoyed by both residents and visitors for coastal walks and informal recreation.
10.14 It is essential to preserve the peaceful atmosphere of Frinton-on-Sea reliant on its natural attributes and good sporting opportunities. The countryside around Kirby Cross also provides opportunities for informal recreation in addition to sports facilities at local playing fields.
10.15 The land north of the built up area of Walton and the B1034/B1414 is designated as a Coastal Protection Belt where development is very restricted to that which can demonstrate a functional need for a coastal location outside of the built up area. In practice this means that the range of acceptable development is very limited. This approach is recognised in Structure Plan Policy CC1 and, in this Plan, Policy EN3 - Coastal Protection Belts. The Landscape Character Assessment SPG provides detailed assessments of the local landscape and advice on built development in these rural coastal areas. This advice will be a material consideration in determining planning applications.
10.16 There is a need, particularly in Walton, to generate confidence in the tourism industry by promoting appropriate new leisure developments that will enable the area to adapt to the changing trends in tourism. One of the Plan’s principal functions in this part of the district is therefore, to attempt to balance the economic and employment opportunities generated through tourism and recreation with the need to conserve the natural environment, both for its own sake, but also the contribution it makes to the attractiveness of the area.
10.17 As part of developing a broader and stronger tourist economy, the Council will support new leisure development, particularly at two key sites comprising Walton Pier and Walton Mere. These present the best potential locations for providing new leisure and recreational facilities to support the local tourism industry although other locations will be considered on their merits.
Policy FW1 - Tourism Related Development
Proposals for new development in connection with providing new and enhanced facilities for visitors to the district will be supported at Walton Pier and Walton Mere, Walton-on-the-Naze. Proposals for Walton Mere must ensure that there would be no prejudicial effect on the nature conservation or scientific interests of Walton backwaters or the undeveloped rural coastline.
10.18 The restoration of the Mere
may need to be based on a wider package of proposals to
make it a viable proposition. Such proposals will be considered
on their merits and in addition to the other policies in
this Plan.
10.19 The beach and pier at Walton are the main visitor attractions and the pier is important in relation to the economy of the town. The pier owners have invested in the pier in recent years. The Council will support additional new facilities on the pier if these come forward.
10.20 Walton Mere, originally a millpond, was popular as a boating lake until its closure in 1976. Since then it has remained disused and the Council are seeking an appropriate use that would not conflict with important environmental considerations. Congestion and detrimental effects on nature conservation would occur in Walton Backwaters from marina proposals for Walton Mere or Titchmarsh Marina. The Backwaters are part of a SSSI and within the Coastal Protection Belt. Thus these sites are not considered suitable for new or expanded marina development.
10.21 Walton Mere clearly represents a site of major
potential for various forms of water recreational and related
activities because of its size, (10.5 hectares), and unusual
setting near the sea, a major car park and the town centre.
Amongst possible uses are a nautical heritage and exhibition
centre, a water sports training complex, public boating,
and outdoor activity centre and water leisure park, or a
combination of such activities. However, any scheme will
need to be viable having regard to the high restoration
costs. The existing Adopted Development
Brief for this site will be a material consideration
in determining any development proposals involving Walton
Mere and which is due to be updated.
10.22 This type of holiday accommodation is confined
to four sites, all located in Walton-on-the-Naze and all
defined on the Proposals Map Insets. Policies ER18, ER19
and ER19a and ER23 in the Sustaining
Strengthening the Economy and Promoting
Regeneration Chapter of this Plan apply to three of these
sites: Naze Marine, Martello and Willow Caravan and Holiday
Parks. These policies safeguard the sites for continued
use as caravan and chalet parks, seek improvements to facilities
where appropriate and encourage some provision of touring
caravan and tent pitches. Each of these sites are located
on the edge of Walton in sensitive coastal locations and
thus form an important buffer from more intensive development
in the built up area.
10.23 Whilst the Council will support applications to upgrade and enhance the facilities at these sites, proposals for expansion will be resisted because of the impact this would have on the very sensitive landscape surrounding these sites, see Policy ER19. This approach is supported by Government guidance in PPG21: Tourism.
10.24 Southcliffe Trailer Park off Woodberry
Way, Walton is not safeguarded for its existing use in this
Local Plan. It has been identified as a site for housing
development and has been subsequently allocated for residential
use in relation to Policy HG1.
10.25 Both nationally and locally, the demand for serviced tourist accommodation on the coast has been declining over a number of years. This has been reflected in a loss of much of the area’s hotel accommodation to alternative uses. Policy ER24 therefore, seeks to safeguard the remaining small stock of hotels and guesthouses in the centres of the district’s coastal resorts including Frinton and Walton.
10.26 Proposals for new hotels, guesthouses and holiday flats, in accordance with Policy ER25, are encouraged in areas of mixed commercial and residential accommodation in Walton town centre and along Frinton Esplanade.
10.27 Walton Pier is the traditional centre for amusement centres in the Frinton, Walton and Kirby Cross area and will continue to be the main focus for holidaymakers and day trippers who enjoy a range of seaside games, rides and stalls provided. The pier is located away from the main residential areas and traffic routes and therefore does not create serious amenity or highway problems. Elsewhere in the Frinton, Walton and Kirby Cross area, the criteria of Policy ER29 of this Plan will apply in respect of any amusement centre proposals. The Sanctuary site, next to Walton Pier has the benefit of planning permission for a mixed residential and commercial scheme that includes new commercial floor space at the Pier Approach ground floor level.
Policy FW2 — Amusement Centres
Proposals for amusement centres will be permitted on Walton Pier and in the commercial parts of the redevelopment of The Sanctuary Site, Pier Approach, Walton. In addition, such proposals will be permitted within existing holiday and caravan camps only if residential amenities would not be adversely affected. Proposals for amusement centres outside these areas will not be permitted.
10.28 Existing shopping provision for the Frinton,
Walton, Kirby Cross area is concentrated mainly in the established
centres of Connaught Avenue, Frinton, and Walton Town Centre
as well as the Triangle Centre off Rochford Way. The strategic
hierarchy of shopping centres defined in Policy TCR1 of
the Structure Plan, defines Frinton and Walton as
having a “town centres”,
Walton-on-the-Naze as a “small town centre”
and The Triangle Centre, Rochford Way, is defined
as a “district centre”. Policy ER31 of this
Plan makes it clear that new retail development will be
directed to these centres in the sequential order specified
in that policy.
10.29 The retail strategy for Frinton is to consolidate the retail core within Connaught Avenue. The Health Check Report carried out for all the main settlements of the District concluded that Frinton is in a relatively good state of health and is maintaining a role as a quality shopping centre. It is important to preserve the unique character of Frinton “town centre” by keeping office/shopping activity within the bounds of Connaught Avenue and not allowing development of inharmonious commercial activities.
10.30 Connaught Avenue is unique among the District’s town centre shopping areas in having no sizeable secondary shopping area to which any further non-retail uses could be directed as an alternative. Policy ER33 of this plan however recognises that there is limited scope to accommodate further non-Class A1 shopping uses within Primary Shopping Frontages and seeks to accommodate a small amount of non-retail use whilst avoiding an erosion of the important local shopping character. This is particularly relevant in Connaught Avenue and will principally be achieved by avoiding dilution of the shopping offer caused by the introduction of concentrations of non-shopping uses.
10.31 Along the Connaught Avenue frontage, there are a number of infill development opportunities above the few remaining single storey units. Appropriate new uses at these upper floors would include office and residential uses. These proposals would be subject to other policies within this Plan dealing with the design of built form, including Policy QL7 (up to two additional storeys will normally be appropriate).
10.32 Walton town centre is defined as a “small
town centre” and comprises a number of generally
narrow Victorian Streets within the Frinton and Walton Conservation
Area centred on Walton-on-the-Naze High Street. The Town
Centre Health Check Report for Walton concluded that the
town centre was in a poorer state of health compared with
Clacton and Frinton, and suffers from fluctuations in the
number of seasonal visitors. However, the Health Check Report
concluded that the centre performs a useful local shopping
centre role. In addition, with a trend towards greater urban
residential density promoted elsewhere in this Plan, the
commercial opportunities for this shopping centre will be
improved.
10.33 The retail strategy for Walton is to retain
a clear shopping presence in the High Street and to continue
to support and improve the market in its current location.
The Primary Shopping Frontages in the High Street, as defined
on the Proposals Map Inset, will be protected from the introduction
of any significant further non-retail uses, particularly
of a seasonal nature such as amusement arcades, by the application
of Policy ER33. However, greater flexibility for accommodating
other complementary non-retail uses is possible elsewhere
within the main shopping area of the town with the traffic
improvements plannedthat have taken place.
Walton has the potential to develop an image as a specialist
shopping centre with additional complementary uses. Further
investment in the local environment will enhance the largely
unspoilt townscape.
10.34 The Triangle Centre is a modern purpose-built shopping centre for the residential areas of Frinton and Walton. It also has some specialist stores that serve a much wider area. The health check summary for this centre stated that, like Frinton town centre, the Triangle is in a relatively good state of health. There is scope to accommodate additional non-retail uses such as caf°s and small professional offices within this centre in scale with the size of this centre to complement other shops and services.
10.35 Walton as a popular destination for day visitors and family holidays, experiences a certain amount of forecourt trading and, in addition, has a regular market operating from the High Street Car Park. In applying shopping Policy ER40, it is unlikely that permanent seafront kiosks will be permitted other than at existing established sites in Walton. No commercial activity will be allowed on Frinton greensward and seafront. It is considered that further retail markets in the Frinton, Walton and Kirby area could harm local character and be detrimental to local amenities. In considering such proposals, the Council will apply Policy ER39.
10.36 The urban area of Frinton, Walton and Kirby Cross is, in Structure Plan terms, a small town with a population of 16,939 residents (2001 Census). It also occupies a sensitive coastal location, being mostly surrounded by countryside of recognised environmental, ecological or agricultural importance.
10.37 Reflecting PPG3 “Housing”,
the Plan seeks to meet as much of the District’s housing
requirement as possible within settlements, including Frinton,
Walton and Kirby Cross, on suitable previously developed
sites accessible to facilities and at appropriate densities
making efficient use of urban land. In accordance with the
Plan’s Spatial Strategy described in Core Policy QL1,
the sequential approach of PPG3 “Housing” and
Adopted Replacement Structure Plan Policy H2, most new housing
will be concentrated in the “large urban areas”
of Clacton and Harwich as set out in Table 1 to Policy HG1.
This includes urban extensions to Clacton and Harwich as
insufficient suitable and available previously developed
land is likely to come forward in the Plan Period in the
District’s settlements to meet the Structure Plan
housing requirement for the District.
10.38 Potential housing allocation
sites were assessed sequentially against a range of PPG3
sustainability criteria. As a result, sufficient suitable
urban extension sites for housing have been identified on
the edges of Clacton and Harwich such thatproposed expansion
of smaller towns, such as Frinton, Walton and Kirby Cross,
with more limited accessibility to employment, choice of
sustainable means of transport, shops and other facilities
and services, has not been necessary. Accordingly, following
the sequential approach, a search for greenfield sites for
housing on the edges of Frinton, Walton or Kirby Cross was
unwarranted for this Plan Period.
10.39 However, iIn accordance
with Replacement Structure Plan Policy H2, a combination
of rolled forward large site commitments (Appendix 1), and
allocated large sites within the urban area of Frinton,
Walton and Kirby Cross (Appendix 2), should provide nearly
200 dwellings on 5 identified large sites in the town up
to 2011 (see Table 1 to Policy HG1). These sites are well
distributed within Frinton, Walton and Kirby Cross and close
to public transport corridors. In addition a substantial
number of small windfall housing sites, residential conversions
and possibly one or two larger windfall sites on previously
developed urban land will continue to come forward for consideration
through the development control process. The scale of housing
provision locally in Frinton, Walton and Kirby Cross should
therefore make an important contribution consistent with
local community needs and sustainability principles.
10.40 In accordance with Policy
HG4, housing schemes of 15 or more dwellings will be expected
to provide a substantial element of genuinely affordable
housing, normally for rent from a registered social landlord,
to meet local housing needs. This will apply to both large
allocated and windfall sites that emerge within Frinton,
Walton and Kirby Cross. Affordable housing site targets
are set out for allocated sites in Appendix 2, in accordance
with PPG3 Housing, as a basis for negotiation with the developer.
10.41 Policies FW5 and FW6 aim to protect the outstanding Arcadian character of “The Avenues” Frinton, within Frinton and Walton Conservation Area, against infilling that would create a cramped appearance in its setting and proposals to intensify the use of existing properties through sub-divisions into flats.
10.42 Frinton, Walton and Kirby
Cross benefit from a range of community facilities and services,
some of which also serve the nearby villages. Education
facilities include Tendring Technology College and Adult
Education Centre, four public and one private primary school.
10.43 Health care facilities include local
clinics, doctors and dental surgeries, chiropodists etc,
but the area depends on Colchester or Clacton for hospital
facilities. An important characteristic of the area's
population is that it has a larger proportion of elderly
residents than anywhere else in Essex, more than twice the
national average. The 2001 Census indicated that 36.1% of
the population were 65 years or older, compared with the
Essex figure of 16.7% and the UK figure of 15.9%. There
is, therefore, considerable pressure on local health and
social services and provision is orientated particularly
towards the elderly.
10.44 A new community hall has been developed at the junction of Frinton Road and Holland Road, Kirby Cross and the need to safeguard a site for a further new community hall has been identified in Policy FW3.
Policy FW3 — Provision for a New Community Hall
Provision is made for a new community hall on land off Edenside, as shown on Proposals Map Inset 3, comprising a 0.2 hectare site adjacent to the central open space on the Turpins Farm estate.
10.45 The large numbers of elderly residents, particularly in Frinton and Walton creates a high demand on Health Services with the number of residential and care homes. Institutional uses can create planning problems and pressures upon existing service provision. Equally, the intensification of use of residential property can, if not carefully controlled, have adverse affects upon the character of the area and the holiday atmosphere in seafront areas.
10.46 The Council recognises the need to safeguard the eastern section of Frinton Esplanade which remains unaffected by institutional or commercial activities. It is considered that the conversion of residential properties to nursing homes for the elderly or other institutional uses would be detrimental to the seaside character and atmosphere of this part of the Frinton and Walton Conservation Area, and once introduced would be difficult to contain. This is because the area contains a number of large residential properties that might be the subject of this form of proposal. Policy COM5 protects this area against new development and change of use to institutional uses.
Policy FW4 — Multi-Use Games Areas
Proposals for a multi-use games area comprising an all-weather, fenced and floodlit sports pitch on land within Park Playing Fields, Frinton will be favourably considered provided:-
(i) its design, siting and illumination
do not cause an unacceptable impact on the amenities of
adjoining residents;.
(ii) Any built development
will be limited to that needed to provide changing rooms
essential to the use of the facility;.
(iii) the existing grass pitch provision is satisfactorily maintained within the park (including safety margins); and
(iv) the sports development benefits would outweigh any detriment caused by the loss of playing fields.
10.49 The study also revealed a number of improvements needed to existing pitches at this site, and the children’s play areas. Improvement of these will be paid for from developer contributions and other sources of funding.
10.50 Policy COM6 provides a proposal
for new recreational open space within housing development
and Policy COM7 safeguards all areas in the District, including
the Frinton/Walton area, used for recreation, including
children’s play area, informal open space, and pitch
and non-pitch facilities including school playing fields.
10.51 The natural features of Walton Backwaters provide sheltered waters well suited to water recreation. Boating activity in the area is concentrated notably in the Mill Lane area, the traditional centre of local boatyards, as well as Titchmarsh Marina.
10.52 The Council recognises that the popularity of sailing and other boating activity has grown considerably over the last twenty years. Although demand exists for the provision of more facilities, expansion of such facilities, and the associated activity, would be inconsistent with other policies to protect the special character and designations of Hamford Water. This approach is supported by the Essex Structure Plan, in particular Policy NR6, that seeks to protect nature conservation sites from inappropriate development.
10.53 Policies COM15 and 16, recognise that Hamford Water is environmentally sensitive and an exposed coastal location of international importance for nature conservation, and is unsuitable for any further expansion of boat mooring facilities.
10.54 The Council will safeguard and encourage the improvements of existing sailing, water-skiing and powerboat activities from the Frinton slipway, providing there is no detrimental impact on the amenity of local residents or other users of the beach area. Also, in principle, improvements to facilities at Mill Lane and Titchmarsh Marina, such as provision of a clubhouse or boat repair facilities are welcomed, provided that there is no adverse visual or environmental impact. In addition, the development of Walton Mere with contained water-based recreation activities will be encouraged as stated in Policy FW1.
10.55 The built-up area benefits
from a full range of public utility services including mains
drainage, water, electricity and gas supply. The sewerage
system discharges to the Walton Sewage Treatment Works situated
on the Naze. However, to ensure continued compliance with
effluent standard consent it may be necessary to request
the phasing of development to allow improvements to be carried
out. There is a known sewerage problem in Kirby Cross and
a scheme has been prepared by the water authority to resolve
it.
10.56 In relation to flood protection, the more important developed urban frontages have been strengthened since the 1953 floods and the Environment Agency continue to improve these flood defences.
10.57 It is the intention of the Council to seek to protect
the cliffs at Walton-on-the-Naze from further erosion. The
Council and local organisations have approached Central
Government for additional financial support for coastal
defence works to save the East Cliffs at the Naze from further
erosion. involving the creation of an extended
rock emplacement parallel to the cliffs.
10.58 The Council in recent years
has been successful in preserving the attractive landscape
and coast around Frinton, Walton and Kirby Cross, by restricting
the spread of development along the river frontages and
coast.
10.59 The Tendring District Landscape
Character Assessment (LCA) identifies the area surrounding
Frinton and Walton as comprising a mix of drained estuarine/coastal
marsh, coastal slopes, and clay plateau. The LCA includes
specific guidance for built development as well as an appraisal
of the individual landscapes in the District. This document
is adopted as SPG and will be material considerations when
determining planning applications.
10.60 Hamford Water is a large,
shallow estuarine basin comprising tidal creeks, intertidal
mud and sand flats and saltmarshes. A site of international
and national importance, Hamford Water carries the designations
of Ramsar Site, SPA, NNR and an SSSI. The adjoining Naze
SSSI covers a narrow strip of coast along the eastern edge
of the peninsula, incorporating East Cliffs, of considerable
geological importance, and the adjacent foreshore.
10.61 The Holland Haven Marshes,
extending south-westwards from Frinton Golf Course to Holland-on-Sea,
were, in 1992, also designated as a SSSI. Part of this SSSI,
comprising reclaimed estuarine saltmarsh, freshwater marsh,
an extensive ditch system and adjoining grassland, lies
within the area of Proposals Map Inset 3.
10.62 There are several other non-statutory
SINCs which fall wholly or partly within the Inset area.
Witton Wood and Pedlar's Wood are both valuable wildlife
areas within the urban area of Frinton-on-Sea. Barnes Spinney
at Walton on the Naze is a 0.8 hectare garden site of botanical
interest, and the Naze Grasslands form an extensive public
area supporting a diversity of maritime flora. Adjoining
the southwest corner of the inset area, the Great Holland
Pits form a network of different habitats with a variety
of wildlife.
10.63 These internationally, nationally
and locally important sites are given protection against
inappropriate development by Policy EN11 in this Plan.
10.64 The Frinton and Walton Conservation Area was originally designated in 1982 and subsequently extended in 1989 and 1992 and is defined on the Proposals Map. In addition to control over demolition of buildings, felling or lopping of trees and greater influence on the design of development, Conservation Area designation offers opportunities for schemes of enhancement to achieve visual improvements.
10.65 Sites within these Conservation
Areas that would benefit from such enhancement
are highlighted in the Council’s draft Conservation
Area Character Appraisals. These documents highlight
the main features of the historic environment that both
contribute and detract from the special character and when
adopted by the Council, will be a material
consideration inused as SPG when determining
relevant planning applications. As the Frinton and Walton
Conservation Area covers such a large area, the Appraisals
are split into three documents covering Walton-on-the-Naze,
Frinton Park and Frinton respectively.
10.66 Policies dealing with Conservation Areas are found in the Sustaining Our Environment Chapter of this Plan.
10.67 The “Avenues” to the west of Connaught Avenue shopping centre and north of the Esplanade forms a sedate residential area of outstanding Arcadian character, with wide, straight, tree and hedge lined avenues, grass verges and large, spacious detached houses set in mature gardens. The mature landscape features must be retained to preserve the Arcadian setting of the many individually designed houses of distinctive architectural styles. In addition, new development, both extensions and the very limited opportunities for infilling, will be expected to reinforce this special quality with appropriate landscaping and tree planting.
10.68 As the spacious scale of buildings and extensive plot frontages and sizes also contribute to the special character of the Avenues, residential densities that may be suitable for infill housing development elsewhere will be inappropriate in this area. Well-designed infill development on plots at least 15 metres wide may be acceptable in some cases. However, new dwellings would need to stand on plots that compare favourably with neighbouring houses to the side and access the road, thus requiring frontages of significantly more than 15 metres in many cases to avoid any reduction in this special Arcadian character. The spacious appearance of important corner plots will be especially protected, as well as the aspect of houses which were specifically designed to have regard to side as well as rear garden areas.
Policy FW5 — “The Avenues” Area of Special Character
New development in “The Avenues” area of Frinton shall have particular regard to the special character and appearance of the area, including the scale, aspect and design of adjoining buildings and the density of existing development. Proposed development which would result in a reduction in the spacious character of the area will be refused planning permission.
10.69 Where exceptionally Conservation Area consent for building demolition is granted, this will in no way imply the suitability of that site for more intensive redevelopment. A landscaping and tree planting scheme appropriate to the character of the area will be required as an integral part of new development.
10.70 “The Avenues” were developed exclusively with substantial individually designed houses and remain almost unspoilt by any form of multi-occupation or commercialisation. This sedate residential character forms an important quality of this part of the Conservation Area and should be safeguarded. Even individual changes of use of large houses, particularly to institutional uses, private hotels, or sub-division into flats, would undermine the area's outstanding character and the quiet enjoyment of residents in the locality.
Policy FW6 — Changes of Use in “The Avenues” Area of Special Character
Within the Avenues area of the Frinton
and Walton Conservation Area, changes of use from a dwelling
house to other uses, including classes C1 and C2 of the
Town and Country Planning Use Classes Order, will not
be allowed. Neither will proposals to intensify the use
of existing properties normally be considered
favourably.
10.71 Part 3 of the draft Frinton and Walton Conservation Area Appraisal highlights the features to preserve and enhance in the Avenues area.
10.72 Priorities for transport investment
are contained within the Essex Local Transport Plan and
the Tendring Transportation Strategy.
10.73 As a consequence of Walton
Town Centre's cramped 19th Century street pattern, and the
lack of an alternative route to the High Street for summer
through-traffic to and from the seafront areas, the centre
experiences severe traffic problems. The inadequacy of the
existing road network has repercussions not only for the
efficient flow of vehicles through the town, but also for
levels of highway and pedestrian safety and the attractive
character of Walton Town Centre; both as a shopping environment
and an important part of the Frinton and Walton Conservation
Area.
10.74 The one-way system has provided
some improvements to traffic conditions in Walton Town Centre
but was inadequate as a permanent solution. Improvements
to Walton High Street currently underway including the widening
of the pavements and improvements to pedestrian safety will
help to calm the traffic thus improving the pedestrian environment
and the safety of the town centre.
10.75 Other proposals within the
Tendring Transportation Strategy include measures to encourage
cycling and walking, develop safer routes to schools, improved
bus information, improve parking through a consistent approach
to parking management, the introduction of 20mph zones and
a general review of traffic management arrangements.
10.76 Whilst existing rear access facilities in Connaught Avenue, Frinton are generally of sufficient standard to minimise servicing problems, the older Walton Town Centre is poorly suited to the requirements of modern delivery vehicles with over three quarters of local businesses taking deliveries from the street. The Council therefore considers that where off-street facilities do exist they should be safeguarded, and that provision should be made wherever possible for such facilities within new development. The following Policy is intended to provide for the improvement of the environment of the main shopping areas and a reduction in the congestion caused by delivery vehicles.
Policy FW7 — Rear Servicing
Rear servicing to new shops in Walton and Frinton town centres will be required wherever practicable. Development which would result in the loss or reduction of existing off-street servicing facilities will not be permitted, unless satisfactory alternative servicing arrangements, clear of the highway, are provided.
10.77 The present levels of on-street and off-street
parking provision in Walton Town Ccentre
are far from adequate to cope with peak demands of car-borne
day-trippers and shoppers during the summer months. There
is, however, more than enough space to cope with car parking
levels outside the peak holiday period.
10.78 Under Policy TR8, existing off-street parking facilities are safeguarded from alternative uses. Nonetheless, not all car parks are extensively used, even in peak periods. In particular Walton Station car park is very under utilised and is accordingly allocated for new housing development.
10.79 The Council supports the retention
of existing peak-season on street parking restrictions to
avoid exacerbating already serious summer traffic congestion.
At present, enforcement of on-street parking restrictions
is the responsibility of Essex Police. However, under the
provisions of the Road Traffic Act 1991, the Council look
to take over this function. This will enable revenue generated
from fines to be spent directly and locally on improvements
to road safety as well as invest in sustainable transport
improvements. The new powers will enable there Council to
be much more proactive and responsive provision of on-street
parking controls, particularly where these need to be co-ordinated
with new development. In particular Connaught Avenue and
the Esplanade, Frinton, car parking for the public is reliant
upon on-street facilities which will be needs very careful
policing especially during the peak periods.