Part Two: Centres and Site Allocations (Regulation 19)

Ended on the 29 November 2024

3. Stourbridge

Introduction

3.1 This chapter outlines how Stourbridge Town Centre will develop and change over the plan period and sets out a vision for the town centre, which will be delivered through the Local Plan policies and site allocations (up to 2041).

3.2 Stourbridge, on Dudley Borough's south-west fringe, is a popular and attractive Town Centre close to open countryside, including the Clent Hills and Kinver Edge. With a compact and easily accessible Town Centre, it offers a pleasant shopping environment in the High Street and the Ryemarket shopping centre. The town is home to many smaller, specialist shops.

3.3 Stourbridge still retains many of its later medieval market town features which contribute to its unique character. Lower High Street housed the market which gained its charter around 1482 and the Town Hall was built in 1887 to mark Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. Students have been educated at King Edward VI College since 1430, and the present buildings date back to 1861. The Foster and Rastrick Iron Foundry (now Lion Medical Health) and the Bonded Warehouse, Canal Company Offices and Weighbridge in Canal Street are reminders of the industrial significance of the town throughout the 18th and 19th century. Stourbridge has been home to the world's finest glass designers and makers since the 17th century forming part of the well-established Glass Quarter and today it still boasts the highest concentration of artists in the Dudley Borough.

3.4 This chapter aims to make the most of Stourbridge's valued and distinctive local character and further improve its vibrancy, attractiveness, and economic health.

The Stourbridge Town Centre Inset Plan Boundary

3.5 This inset chapter covers Stourbridge Town Centre, including its conservation area and also encompasses the Stourbridge Wharf and wider Canal Wharf, also designated as a Conservation Area.

Vision and Objectives

"By 2041, Stourbridge will be a vibrant and inclusive town with a thriving and prosperous Town Centre, which offers a wide range of shops and services, including exceptional leisure facilities and a varied evening and entertainment economy.

Stourbridge will retain its unique market town character whilst embracing the arts and creative industries. It will offer excellent cultural facilities and sustainable urban living, utilising the riverside and canal-side settings.

Connectivity to the town centre will continue to be improved, creating a network of safe and attractive routes across the ring road for pedestrians and cyclists.

A high-quality built environment and public realm will be created which will preserve and enhance the historic character and local distinctiveness of Stourbridge."

The following specific objectives for Stourbridge have been identified –

  1. To provide, protect and enhance a well-connected setting of streets, other routes, and green and public spaces that are attractive, lively, pleasant to use, safe and secure.
  2. To continue to increase the awareness, visibility and 'rediscovery' of the River Stour, returning it to a more natural state and providing continuous footpath and cycleway linkages along its length. Green wildlife corridors will be encouraged to improve the nature conservation value of the watercourse.
  3. To protect and enhance the locally distinctive character of Stourbridge with reference to its historic environment and cultural and built heritage.
  4. To facilitate and shape housing-led regeneration on the Opportunity Sites, focused on the River Stour and Stourbridge Branch Canal – ensuring the delivery of homes which meet the needs of the local community.
  5. To provide a network of well-connected and direct pathways and spaces for pedestrians and cyclists, and to reduce the severance effect of the ring road by providing enhanced permeability to the Town Centre.
  6. Create a liveable town centre that prioritises people, supports local retailers and services, and encourages walking, cycling, and public transportation while reducing through-traffic.

Policies

Stourbridge Town Centre and Town Centre Core Area

3.6 The Stourbridge Town Centre boundary comprises the area within the ring road, and the area of land between the ring road and Birmingham Street, identified as Angel Passage.

Policy DLPS1 Development in Stourbridge Town Centre and Town Centre Core Area

1. The Stourbridge Town Centre and Town Centre Core Area boundaries are identified on the Stourbridge Town Centre Inset Policies Map.

  1. In line with national and local planning policy, any new retail developments will be directed towards the Town Centre Core Area. Dudley Council will consider the application of planning conditions to any planning permissions granted to ensure the retention of the retail use, where necessary, relevant, and reasonable in terms of the strategic importance of the development.
  2. Local Plan Policy DLP24 sets out the policy context for appropriate uses within Stourbridge Town Centre (Tier Two Centre). The diversification and repurposing of Stourbridge town centre in general will be supported by approving development that enhances the vitality and viability of the centre.
  3. The provision of additional residential development, particularly the re-use of upper floors of premises, will be encouraged through flexibility in the application of guidance and standards relating to parking provision and amenity (Local Plan Policy DLP28). All residential development must comply with the most up to date residential design guidance.
  4. In the case of any edge-of-centre or out-of-centre proposals, unless identified as a preferred use in the Opportunity Sites, these will only be considered favourably if a sequential test and impact assessment are satisfied (Local Plan Policy DLP26 and DLP27).

Justification

3.7 The town centre will remain an important focus for day-to-day shopping and a range of other town centre uses such as office, leisure, and cultural facilities. As recognised in the Local Plan, in view of the changing nature of town centres, there is a need to diversify in terms of uses that promote and encourage their vitality and viability. The recent changes to the Use Class Order (wherein retail uses now lie within the same 'E' Use Class as other uses, including food and drink, or offices) mean that retail uses are now able to change more freely to other uses. Whilst this enables town centres to become more flexible and responsive to changes, it does mean it is now more difficult to manage the loss of retail uses.

3.8 Notwithstanding the above, in line with national planning policy it remains important to identify the Town Centre Core Area (formerly Primary Shopping Area) for the key purpose of identifying whether a retail development proposal constitutes edge of or out of centre development. It is recognised that there is likely to be a diversification of uses within the Town Centre Core Area, however, any new proposals for retail development will still be directed towards it in the first instance.

Stourbridge Wharf

3.9 Stourbridge Wharf is a 'linchpin' area between Stourbridge Town Centre and the existing and proposed housing led regeneration areas within the River Stour and Stourbridge Branch Canal corridor. It has been described as a historic community asset, contributing to the distinctive character of Stourbridge, and having a multi-functional role for the benefit of the local community and visitors.

Policy DLPS2 Stourbridge Wharf

  1. The Stourbridge Wharf area, the boundaries of which are set out on the Proposals Map, shall be promoted as focus for creative/cultural industry and visitor economy related business, with complementary entertainment and leisure uses. These will be sensitive to the existing and proposed residential uses, whilst promoting the area's unique heritage. Preferred uses are:
    1. Canal based uses and activities including the provision of additional visitor moorings and boater's facilities, and canal themed industry with ancillary retail uses.
    2. Creative/cultural industry and visitor economy related businesses, specifically uses connected with the arts, including studios and performance spaces.
    3. Residential uses, which shall be designed to relate to the canal and river setting, including providing an active frontage to these watercourses whilst, being sensitive to existing industry, heritage assets, and the nature conservation value of the area.
  2. The environment of this area shall be enhanced and upgraded, through enabling development, development contributions, and other delivery mechanisms as appropriate, with a particular focus on the following measures being implemented:
    1. Safeguarding the operational viability of the Stourbridge Navigation Trust (SNT) by the formalisation of enclaves around those parts of the area where the activities of SNT are based and the provision of car parking areas to facilitate the holding of events.
  3. Public realm improvements to include works to enhance the nature conservation value of the area and towpath improvements, including the formation of an expanded canal basin.
  4. Improvements shall be sensitive to heritage assets and be embedded within Green Infrastructure, which enhances existing wildlife habitats and uses locally distinct flora and includes the removal of invasive plan species.
  5. Improvements to the connectivity over the canal and river through the provision of new bridges connecting new residential developments with the wider area.

Justification

3.10 The canal and the area to the north is designated as a Site of Local Importance for Nature Conservation (SLINC). Any proposed development for works should retain that vegetation which has nature conservation value and opportunities should be taken to enhance its value through development proposals or canal-side enhancement works.

3.11 The area is also a conservation area (The Canal Street Conservation Area), containing a Grade II Listed Building (The Bonded Warehouse) and four Locally Listed Buildings within a historic canal-side setting. The conservation area is currently included on Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register. An opportunity exists to draw on this heritage, including promoting and enabling canal-based activities, uses, and tourism, to reinforce the character thereby sustaining and improving conservation area.

3.12 Enhancing the current pedestrian and cycle linkages around the Canal and River Stour in the Stourbridge Wharf area is important to promote active travel and create linkages within the communities. It is therefore important that new developments within these areas, such as Bradley Road East and West incorporate the development of new bridges to provide access to the surrounding areas and provide connections for residents on both sides of the canal and rivers to access surrounding infrastructure including, the Public Open Space, Riverside House, War Memorial Athletic Ground and Lion Health. While also providing better connection to the wider pedestrian and cycle network.

Design and Public Realm

Design

3.13 Local Plan Policy DLP39 provides the overarching context for considering design quality. Regard should also be had to policies for the historic environment (Local Plan Policy DLP55 – DLP62). This section sets out those characteristics of the most importance to the Stourbridge Town Centre inset plan area and town centre specific policies.

3.14 Stourbridge contains many buildings of historic and architectural quality and interest, as well as attractive views within and out from the Town Centre core.

Policy DLPS3 Urban Character and Appearance in Stourbridge

  1. All new development within the plan area shall:
    1. Respect and respond to the local distinctiveness and existing context of established built form, scale, and massing that presents the broad urban townscape of the Inset Plan area. This includes locally distinctive plot widths, building heights, building proportion, roofscapes, form, materials, distinctive style, and historical relationship of the pattern of building in its sense of enclosure of the streets on which it stands.
    2. Provide for, and take opportunities to, enhance active frontages at the interface between public and private spaces, in particular those fronting the ring road, River Stour and Stourbridge Branch Canal, reduce the physical and visual impact of vehicles and service areas, and enable a clear distinction between public and private spaces.
    3. The choice of which locally distinctive elements are incorporated into the design of a development, and the degree to which they are incorporated, depends upon the location of the proposal, and the function the building serves in the townscape as described by other Policies in this Plan.
    4. Developments can incorporate elements not described as 'locally distinctive' or be of a more contemporary style provided that the overall design of the development does not harm the achievement of a locally distinctive Town Centre.

Justification

3.15 The Assets in Stourbridge Town Centre help to shape the character, identity and visual quality of the town and it is essential that developments in the area that both respond to and respect the existing character and context of Stourbridge Town Centre.

3.16 Where the historic character of the built environment makes a positive contribution to local distinctiveness, this should be conserved and enhanced wherever possible. All new developments should respect and respond to the positive characteristics of the locality. This most up to date Historic Landscape Characteristic and evidence should be used in considering how new development proposals and the enhancement of existing townscapes and landscapes should respect the town's character.

Policy DLPS4 Stourbridge Town Design - Landmarks, Views, Vistas and Gateways

  1. All new development should have regard to Policy DLP4, Policy DLP39 and Policy DLP55 to deliver high quality design. Developments within and in the setting of the Conservation Areas should have regard to Policy DLP56.
  1. New development and proposed alterations to existing buildings should:
    1. Enhance the sense of arrival by improving existing gateways and where appropriate create new ones that reinforce principal routes and spaces (see also Policy DLP D4).
    2. Create architectural corner features and new landmark features to improve the understanding of the town where appropriate.
    3. Safeguard and enhance local and important views, vistas, landmarks and gateways within and at the edges of the town centre.
    4. Protect key gateway buildings (as shown in figure 3.1) that give the town character and respect building lines, where appropriate, to assist the continuity of the town's heritage and help secure and improve views and vistas.
    5. Respect the height and mass and visibility of existing Stourbridge landmarks. Such landmarks should not be overwhelmed by new development nor their setting compromised. Consideration of the effect on setting should have regard to the importance of the landmark, the extent of any harm, and the benefit arising from development.
    6. Ensure that new buildings have a scale, mass, height and impact that is responsive to its context and sensitive to its roofscape/skyline.
    7. Create variations in roofscape that will respect important local and strategic views.
    8. Ensure that larger development facades and rooflines should reduce their scale and massing by subdividing into smaller architectural elements.
  2. Where new development is likely to have an impact on an identified view, skyline or landmark, accurate visual representations will be required as part of any development proposals. Choice of materials and finishes need careful consideration in order to protect and enhance the existing design context.
  3. The following landmarks, gateways, views and vistas should be protected and enhanced where possible in accordance with the above Policy considerations:
    1. Strategic Landmark (Positive):
      • SLP1- Stourbridge Town Hall
      • SLP2- St Thomas's Church
      • SLP3- Former Library and Art College
      • SLP4- The Town Clock
      • SLP5- Bonded Warehouse
      • SLP6- Titan Works
      • SLP7- Alexandra House, Enville Street
    2. Local Landmarks (Positive):
      • LLP1- The Old Bank (former Yorkshire Bank), no. 38 High Street
      • LLP2- Nos. 101/102 High Street (Corner of Court Street)
      • LLP3- The Chequers Inn public house, no. 96 High Street
      • LLP4- Methodist Church, New Road (ring road)
      • LLP5- The Church of Our Lady and All Saints, New Road (ring road)
      • LLP6- Side Space, home of the Side by Side theatre company, in the former St. John's United Reformed Church, St. John's Road (ring road)
      • LLP7- Strawberry Hill Gothic (7 Lower High Street)
      • LLP8- King Edward IV College, middle of Lower High Street
      • LLP9- Nickolls & Perks (wine merchants) Top of Lower High Street
      • LLP10- The Duke William public house, 25 Coventry Street/corner of Duke Street
      • LLP11- Lion Health (former Foster & Rastrick Works)
    3. Edge Gateway:
      • EG1- Pedestrian gateway, subway connection from Stourbridge Interchange/Stourbridge Town rail station, arriving in Foster Street Place
      • EG2- Pedestrian gateway from Hagley Road/Church Street into the High Street & vehicular gateway from St. John's Road (ring road) into the top end of the High Street
      • EG3- Pedestrian gateway (subway link) from Worcester Street into Market Street
      • EG4- Pedestrian gateway (controlled crossing point over Bath Road (ring road) from the old town via Green Street/Lion Street into Bell Street
      • EG5- Pedestrian gateway (subway link) from A458/Enville Street or from Hemplands Road into Crown Lane & vehicular gateway from A458/Enville Street onto Bath Road (ring road)
      • EG6-­­ Pedestrian gateway via underpass from Bradley Road/Lower High Street/A491 & St. John's Road (ring road) into Lower High Street & vehicular gateway from A491 onto the ring road/St. John's Road
      • EG7- Pedestrian gateway (subway link) from A458 Birmingham Street to Duke Street & vehicular gateway from St. John's Road (ring road) into Duke Street
  4. Development should have regard to and respect the following important views and vistas:
    1. Panoramic View (View Cone) in/out of Stourbridge:
      • PV1 - From A491 looking southwards across the bottom of Lower High Street into the heart of the town centre (with the tower of Stourbridge Town Hall and the spire of Our Lady & All Saints both visible)
      • PV2 - From the junction of Parkfield Road/Vauxhall Road looking northeast towards the town centre (clearly visible: the tower of the fire station, Side by Side Space - in the former St. John's Church, former Library & Art College, and the spire of Our Lady & All Saints)­­
      • PV3 - From Bath Road (ring road) looking north towards the tree-lined ­­horizon
    2. Strategic View:
      • SV1- From Worcester Street looking north across New Road (ring road) into Market Street and the heart of the town centre (with the tower of Stourbridge Town Hall visible)
      • SV2- From A491 looking southwards across the bottom of Lower High Street into the heart of the town centre (with the tower of Stourbridge Town Hall and the spire of Our Lady & All Saints both visible)
      • SV3- From St. John's Road (ring road) looking southwards across the core of the town centre to the spire of Our Lady & All Saints, New Road (ring road)
    3. Vista:
      • V1- From the bottom of Lower High Street looking southwards towards the top of Lower High Street (with the top of the tower of Stourbridge Town Hall visible)
      • V2- From Crown Square looking southwest along Market Street (with the tower/side of Stourbridge Town Hall clearly visible)
      • V3- From Crown Square looking southeast along the High Street (with the former post office visible)
      • V4- From Crown Square looking eastwards along Coventry Street
      • V5- From Crown Lane looking eastwards towards Nickolls & Perks on the corner of Coventry Street (The Old Bank to the right & The Mitre to the left)
    4. Local View:
      • LV1- From the High Street looking across the Ring Road (southeast) towards the former Library & Art College
      • LV2- From the Ring Road looking southeast towards the former Library & Art College
      • LV3- From Hagley Road looking northeast towards the former Library & Art College
      • LV4- From Church Street looking northwest towards the rear of former Library & Art College
      • LV5- Coventry Street looking northwest towards The Mitre public house
      • LV6- Crown Lane looking northwest across the Ring Road towards Alexandra House, Enville Street
      • LV7- Bath Road (Ring Road) looking northwest towards Alexandra House, Enville Street
      • LV8- Court Street looking southeast across New Road (ring road) towards the former Library & Art College
      • LV9- Court Street looking southwest across New Road (ring road) towards Our Lady & All Saints
      • LV10- Victoria Street looking southeast across New Road (ring road) towards Our Lady & All Saints
      • LV11- Victoria Street looking south across New Road (ring road) towards the Methodist Church, New Road
      • LV12- From A458/junction with St. John's Road (ring road) looking west across the ring road towards the Duke William public house, corner of Duke Street/Coventry Street
      • LV13- From the junction of A491 High Street/Canal Street looking west along Canal Street (Bonded Warehouse)

Justification

3.17 Stourbridge Town Centre has a distinguished heritage and contains many buildings of historic and architectural quality and interest, as well as attractive views within and out of the Town Centre. Views and landmarks within Stourbridge help people find their way around the Town Centre and create a variety and interest to the townscape that reinforces its sense of place and gives local identity.

3.18 Having an understanding and appreciation of the landmarks, views, vistas and gateways of the town will help prevent the erection of out of scale, poorly designed or sited buildings and structures within particular sight-lines around the town.

3.19 The buildings in the Town Centre largely demonstrate a coherent three storey form, with frontages onto the street and traditional shopfronts. It is important that the local distinctiveness of the town is reflected through new development and enhancements that respect and complement the town's traditional built form, height, scale, and mass.

3.20 The 'Landmarks, Views, Vistas and gateways' plan illustrates an urban design appraisal of views, vistas, features and gateways both at the local and strategic level that positively contribute to the legibility of the town. Historically significant strategic landmarks such as the St Thomas's Church (SLP2) and panoramic, strategic views are included along with vistas and local views. Where new development is likely to have an impact on an identified view or landmark, accurate visual representation of changes to the view will be required. Careful consideration will need to be paid to building materials and finishes, skylines and silhouettes.

Figure 3.1: Stourbridge Town Landmarks, Views, Vistas and Gateways Plan

This plan shows the landmarks, views, vistas and gateways in Stourbridge town. There is a panoramic view from the eastern boundary overlooking much of the town centre.  See Policy DLPS4 Stourbridge Town Design - Landmarks, Views, Vistas and Gateways for more detail.

Public Realm

3.21 The town's character is greatly influenced by its public realm, with some locations in need of upgrading. Public open spaces provide a focus for community activity and form connections within the town centre.

Policy DLPS5 Public Realm in Stourbridge

  1. The townscape within the Town Centre shall be enhanced to provide a high-quality space, particularly for the use of pedestrians and cyclists. Specific measures, which development will be expected to contribute to, include:
    1. The enhancement of the following spaces as Town Centre 'squares' with locally distinctive hard and soft landscaping, seating (in association with adjoining uses as appropriate) and lighting, and, where appropriate, public art:
    2. Ryemarket Square (at the entrance to The Ryemarket from High Street)
    3. Foster Street Square (where the subway emerges onto Foster Street)
    4. St.Thomas's Square (the gardens at Market Street)
  2. The enhancement of the following spaces of public realm, with locally distinctive hard and soft landscaping, seating (where appropriate) and lighting, and where appropriate, public art:
    • Proposed Lower High Street gateway and public realm
    • Greenfield Gardens
    • Brook Street
    • Ryemarket Entrance (Market Street)
    • Victoria Passage Entrance (Talbot Street)
    • Entrance to Smithfield Market
  3. The enhancement of the following streets and paths which are particularly in need of a visual uplift with locally distinctive hard, and more significantly, soft landscaping and where appropriate, public are:
    • Town Centre's historic passageways
    • Talbot Street
    • Victoria Street
    • Queen Street
    • Lower High Street
    • Birmingham Street
    • Foster Street
  4. The Town Centre comprising High Street and Market Street shall be the subject of public realm improvements, giving more priority to pedestrian movement whilst retaining on-street parking in bays within an enhanced streetscape. In particular, public realm improvements shall address:
    1. The provision of bespoke designed surfacing and footway widening along the length of the zone to run into the Public Squares.
    2. The provision of greener thoroughfares including the planting of native or locally distinct trees.
    3. The accommodation of, and works to facilitate, the holding of markets and events within the Town Centre core.

Justification

3.22 It would be beneficial to soften the appearance of Stourbridge Ring Road through the introduction of greenery into this relatively robust urban environment, through the use of tree planting and planters around the inner and outer core of the Ring Road and resolve the competing needs of vehicles and pedestrians moving through the Town Centre core. This conflict is exacerbated by the narrowness of many footways and on-street parking, together with the volume and movement of traffic. Improvements to these streets are required to retain space for some on-street parking and the passage of vehicles, including emergency vehicles, whilst giving a greater priority to pedestrians within a greener space.

3.23 There are specific areas within the townscape which require a visual uplift. These are often streets which predominantly function as service areas, or where there is little activity or interest for those passing through to appreciate, as well as there are some parts of the town centre which have poor, inactive frontages facing the public realm, in particular those fronting the Ring Road . In addition, several the town's existing squares would benefit from an upgrade, enabling them to realise their function as places of congregation and as special spaces within the pattern of buildings. Also, enhancement of the existing gateways in order to create welcoming entrances into the town centre and helping improve legibility and wayfinding.

Figure 3.2: Stourbridge Legibility and Public Realm Plan

This plan shows the legibility and public realm in Stourbridge. See Policy DLPS5 Public Realm in Stourbridge for more detail.

Historic Environment

3.24 The historic environment and heritage assets are to be protected, conserved and enhanced as per Local Plan Policy DLP55 – DLP62. This section sets out those characteristics of the most importance to the Stourbridge Town Centre inset plan area.

Policy DLPS6 Conservation and Enhancement of Local Character and Distinctiveness in Stourbridge

  1. All development proposals should take account of the locally distinctive character of the area in which they are to be sited, including its historic character, and should respect and respond to its positive attributes. Physical assets (buildings, sites or areas together with their settings) whether man-made or natural that positively contribute to the local character and distinctiveness of Stourbridge's landscape and townscape should be retained and wherever possible enhanced and their settings be respected.
  1. New development in Stourbridge should be designed so as to reinforce and enhance local distinctiveness and full reference should be made in Design and Access Statements accompanying planning applications to the Stourbridge Urban Historic Landscape Characterisation. Design and Access Statements should clearly set out the steps that have been taken to achieve locally responsive outcomes through either traditional or more contemporary design solutions.
  2. In respect of major individual developments or in relation to particularly environmentally sensitive areas, developers may in future themselves be required to commission more detailed "Local Area Character Appraisals" (as defined in the councils latest Dudley Historic Environment SPD) to inform specific land use proposals more fully.
  3. In cases where changes of character or demolition are unavoidable Dudley Council will seek to ensure that provision is made for an appropriate level of archaeological recording to take place prior to the alteration of the features concerned.
  4. Proposed developments located within the High Street Stourbridge Town Centre Conservation Area and Stourbridge Branch Canal (Canal Street) Conservation Area will be determined with particular reference to the NPPF, Stourbridge Urban Historic Landscape Characterisation, adopted Conservation Area Character Appraisals and will need to meet the requirements set in Local Plan Policy DLP56

Justification

3.25 The Stourbridge UHLC provides the evidence base to inform an understanding of the town's historic character. This evidence should be used in considering how new development proposals and the enhancement of existing townscapes and landscapes should respect the towns character.

3.26 The study describes the historical development of Stourbridge and identifies 19 Historic Townscape Character Zones within the Town Centre and beyond (plan DLP S6). For each Character Zone, individual buildings and spaces have been identified, which contribute positively or otherwise to local character. Where physical evidence of historic character persists in the form of assets that make a positive contribution to local distinctiveness, such assets should be conserved and wherever possible enhanced. In addition to the High Street Stourbridge Conservation Area and the Stourbridge Branch Canal (Canal Street) Conservation Area (designated heritage assets), locally significant areas of high historic townscape and landscape value have been identified alongside individual heritage assets of varying significance, including Archaeological Priority Areas (APAs).

Figure 3.3: Stourbridge UHLC Boundary and Character Zones

This plan shows the urban historic landscape character zones of Stourbridge. The historic landscape and character zones extend further than the Stourbridge inset boundary. There are 19 character zones shown in the plan. See Policy DLPS6 Conservation and Enhancement of Local Character and Distinctiveness in Stourbridgefor more detail

Stourbridge Ring Road

3.27 One of the greatest design challenges that faces Stourbridge is to improve and raise the profile of the routes into and out of the Town Centre from the surrounding areas across the ring road.

Policy DLPS7 Stourbridge Ring Road

  1. Measures shall be encouraged which seek to reduce the visual impact of the ring road, including its dominance as a robustly urban and vehicle dominated space, and its sense of enclosure. Such measures should reduce the ring road's severing effect, which currently disassociates the Town Centre from its surrounding areas.
    1. Gateways shall be formed at the interface between the Town Centre and the ring road. These spaces shall be enhanced to function as entrance points to the town, with each named to provide a distinctive sense of place. Public art and hard and soft landscaping should be incorporated to emphasise their visual distinctiveness including the planting of new trees. New development which encroaches into these spaces or otherwise compromises their function will be resisted.
    2. Any development within the ring road corridor shall provide an active frontage onto it and therefore a 'welcoming face' to the town. Development comprising the conversion of existing buildings within the ring road corridor will be expected to remedy any dead frontages onto it.
    3. No new advertisement hoardings shall be granted express consent within 30 metres of the edge of the ring road corridor.
    4. The existing subways under the ring road will continue to be enhanced, in particular to provide a light, secure and safe environment.

Justification

3.28 The ring road functions effectively in channelling traffic, but it is the dominant infrastructure within the town and, as a result, constrains pedestrian movement, funnelling people into subways under the multi-lane highway.

3.29 The ring road also has had the effect of severing existing development blocks, leading to the exposure of the backs and sides of buildings and service areas, some of which are enclosed by advertisement hoardings (which serve to further reinforce the visual dominance of the ring road corridor). This gives rise to a fragmented environment. Potential improvements to the public realm of these areas could be achieved through the introduction of public art, such as green walls and murals.

3.30 It is vital that new development has an active frontage onto the ring road and improves permeability, giving preference to pedestrian and cycleway connections across the ring road, greening the fringes and redressing the entrances at the outward face of the Town Centre.

Pedestrian Access and Cycling

3.31 All developments should retain and improve existing cycle and pedestrian routes and provide new connections to facilitate access and allow for safe and easier movements around sites and the Town Centre.

Policy DLPS8 Pedestrian Access and Cycling in Stourbridge

  1. All appropriate existing pedestrian routes, especially the network of Public Rights of Way and existing subways under the ring road shall be retained and, where opportunities arise, improved.
  1. New pedestrian links shall be created, particularly to link the Opportunity Sites and housing allocations with the Town Centre, the public transport hub and the Stourbridge Branch Canal and River Stour infrastructure. Wherever feasible these links shall incorporate cycleways, demarcated as distinct from the pedestrian paths. This includes:
  2. Proposed new bridges over the canal and River Stour connecting any new housing sites (including Bradley Road) providing pedestrian and cycle linkages.
  3. New surface level crossings across the Stourbridge ring road, suitable for cyclists and pedestrians, shall be provided at:
    1. The eastern quadrant of the ring road at the junction with Birmingham Street
    2. The north-west quadrant of the ring road (Opportunity Site 1)
  4. Secure cycle parking shall be provided along the national cycle route (Sustrans Route 54) and within Stourbridge Town Centre, particularly in Lower High Street.
  5. Other cycle routes shall be signposted, delineated, and marked out (where feasible), and the environment which these routes pass through will be enhanced:
    1. Along the River Stour and Stourbridge Branch Canal, and routes which link into the green infrastructure network,
    2. Routes which link to Sustrans Route 54,
    3. Routes which access Mary Stevens Park and Wollaston Recreation Ground.

Justification

3.32 Pedestrian access across the ring road is currently via six subways and two surface level crossings. The subways provide safe and easy access between the Town Centre and surrounding areas, particularly for wheelchair users. However, these subways, which include the main passage from the Town Centre to the public transport hub, are not popular and often present poor-quality environments.

3.33 The subways are likely to have to remain as some are the primary or only means of accessing the town from the adjoining areas. However, most will require upgrades to make them safer and more inviting for users. Additional surface level crossings will also be considered to enhance greater permeability within the environment in general, lessen the visual and physical impact of vehicular traffic and provide direct links to the Town Centre.

3.34 A national cycle route (Sustrans Route 54 from Stourport to Derby) passes through the plan area, this Inset Plan aims to facilitate and sign these routes and enhance the environment of the corridors through which they run. This includes providing additional cycle stands, this will allow those using the national cycle route and residents cycling into the town to use the facilities offered by Stourbridge, as well as the provision of new tree planting.

3.35 It is important to continue to enhance the active travel offering in Stourbridge, this includes the development of new cycle and walking routes and the development of a Dudley Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.

3.36 Enhancing the current pedestrian and cycle linkages around the Canal and River Stour in the Stourbridge Wharf area is important to promote active travel and create linkages within the communities. It is therefore important that new developments within these areas, such as Bradley Road East and West incorporate the development of new bridges to provide access to the surrounding areas and provide connections for residents on both sides of the canal and rivers to access surrounding infrastructure including, the Public Open Space, Riverside House, War Memorial Athletic Ground and Lion Health. While also providing better connection to the wider pedestrian and cycle network.

Figure 3.4: Transport and Movement Plan: Stourbridge Town Centre

This plan is for the transport and movement in Stourbridge Town Centre. It shows the River Stour corridor crossing the area from north west to south east and the key road network across the town centre. There is a proposed pedestrian and cycle price over the canal north of Stourbridge hospital.  See Policy DLPS8 Pedestrian Access and Cycling in Stourbridge for more detail.

Stourbridge Town Inset Plan Area Site Allocations

3.37 Stourbridge Town Inset Plan Area contains three 'Opportunity Sites' which have been identified where redevelopment and regeneration would provide benefits to Stourbridge Town Centre. These represent mixed use sites, which may include residential development. The Opportunity Sites do not preclude or diminish the importance of investment or change elsewhere in the centre. They simply reflect the Council's wish to prioritise use of its resources to kick start and progress projects which will have a significant impact and act as a catalyst for wider change.

3.38 In addition to the opportunity sites, there are several sites which have been identified within Policy DLP10 as part of the overall housing land supply as summarised below.

Table 3.1: Summary of Stourbridge Allocations

SITE

MIXED USE

RESIDENTIAL CAPACITY (undiscounted figures and accounts for existing commitments-indicative and not a cap)

Opportunity Sites

North of Birmingham Street (DLPSOS1)

Yes

70

Mill Race Lane (DLPSOS2)

Yes

None

Rye Market (DLPSOS3)

Yes

50

Housing Allocations

Bradley Road (East) (DLPSH1)

No

46

Bradley Road (West) (DLPSH2)

No

24

64-67 High Street, Stourbridge (DLPSH3)

No

40

Peugeot Garage, Hagley Road (DLPSH4)

No

35

Titan Works, Old Wharf Road (DLPSH5)

No

26

36-42 Market Street (DLPSH6)

No

10

Tudor Dairies (DLPSH7)

No

51


3.39 A policy is provided for each Opportunity Site which identifies the acceptable uses.

Stourbridge Town Centre Opportunity Site: North of Birmingham Street

3.40 This Opportunity Site is located to the north of Birmingham Street and south of the Penfields Estate. The area is currently comprised of a number of occupied commercial properties, surface level car parking and green space.

3.41 The site is outside of the Town Centre Core Area and is accessed off Birmingham Street, a busy A road which connects Lye and Stourbridge Ring Road. The River Stour runs through the site and offers an opportunity to create better connectivity to the river and create an active frontage to both Birmingham Street and the river. The site could deliver a mix of complementary uses including new residential developments and expansion of the commercial services while conserving and enhancing where possible the existing nature conservation at the site.

3.42 While the site is located outside of the Stourbridge Town Centre Conservation Area, consideration needs to be given to the impact of proposals on the site's designation as an Area of High Historic Landscape Value (AHHLV). In addition, given the part of the site's designation as a SLINC and the River Stour location within the site, proposals will need to ensure they conserve and enhance the nature conservation importance and ecological surveys will need to be submitted with any planning applications.

Policy DLPSOS1 Stourbridge Town Centre Opportunity Site: North of Birmingham Street

Acceptable Land Uses

  1. Mixed use development including:
    1. Class E – Commercial, Business and service uses, which would complement the existing commercial offerings on the site, excluding uses falling within Class E (g) (ii) and (iii) uses.
    2. Residential developments (Class C3) with an indicative capacity of 70 dwellings, but this capacity may vary as part of any mixed use developments on the site.
    3. Any developments should protect and enhance the nature conservation in the area, in particular the designated SLINC.
    4. There are opportunities to provide increased connectivity across Birmingham Street, linking to the town centre.

Stourbridge Town Centre Opportunity Site: Mill Race Lane

3.43 Mill Race Lane Opportunity Site is located to the north east of Stourbridge Ring Road. The site can be accessed from Stourbridge Ring Road and the A491 (High Street). There is pedestrian access to the town centre using an underpass running under the ring road. There is potential to further enhance the active travel around Stourbridge through pedestrian links through the site, connecting the residential development to the north of the site to Stourbridge Town Centre.

3.44 The site currently contains a number of large industrial units which are occupied by a range of uses. This includes a number of employment uses as well as some retail units which complement the surrounding industrial uses (e.g. Screwfix). The site also contains a number of leisure uses particularly in the southeast of the site. This includes food establishments, a nightclub, and children's indoor play centre. Given the range of uses the site is currently active during the day to the employment and food venues, while also playing a role in the night-time economy of Stourbridge due to the active nightclub on the site. There is potential to expand the leisure offerings on the site, particularly around the current leisure uses subject to proposals meeting the requirements of policies DLP21 and DLP 22.

3.45 While the site is outside of the Stourbridge Town Centre Conservation Area, consideration needs to be given to the impact of proposals on the site's designation as an Area of High Historic Landscape Value (AHHLV) and as an Archaeological Priority Area (APA). In addition, part of the site is a designated SLINC and the River Stour location within the site, relevant proposals will need to ensure they conserve and enhance the nature conservation importance and ecological surveys may be required.

Policy DLPSOS2 Stourbridge Town Centre Opportunity Site: Mill Race Lane

Acceptable Land Uses

  1. Mixed use development including:
    1. Retention of the existing and new employment uses (B2 and B8)
    2. Leisure uses (Class E and Sui Generis) which complement the existing offering of leisure uses on the site or the existing employment uses. New retail provision on the site would not be supported, as they should be located within the Stourbridge Town Centre Core Area
    3. New leisure uses should demonstrate their compliance with Polices DLP 21 and DLP 22 particularly ensuring any proposed use would not conflict with any of the operational employment uses on the site.

Stourbridge Town Centre Opportunity Site: Ryemarket

3.46 The Opportunity Site is located within Stourbridge Upper High Street between the High Street and Market Street. The Ryemarket is a purpose-built shopping centre dating from the 1970's. The site fronts an area of public realm towards the High Street, with entrances also from Market Street and Talbot Street.

3.47 The Ryemarket comprises of a purpose-built covered shopping centre with retail at the ground floor, and a multi-storey car park above. An area of public realm sits between the Ryemarket and the High Street, which leads to the main frontage of the Shopping Centre with a number of retail units and cafes fronting the public realm area. There are opportunities to enhance the public realm surrounding the Ryemarket.

3.48 Part of the site fronting Market Street falls within Stourbridge High Street Conservation Area and there a number of listed buildings adjacent to the site, this includes the Grade 1 Listed St Thomas' Church sited opposite. Any proposals on the site should ensure they preserve and enhance the character and/or appearance of the Conservation Area and any upper floor developments should ensure that they do not impact on the setting, significance and views of St Thomas' Church and neighbouring heritage assets.

Policy DLPSOS3 Stourbridge Town Centre Opportunity Site: Rye Market

Acceptable Land Uses

  1. Mixed use development including:
    1. Class E uses at Ground Floor within the Town Centre Core Area in accordance with Policy DLP 24.
    2. Residential Development at upper floors including replacement of the existing car park. Indicative capacity of 50 dwellings, however this is dependent on the scale of any proposed development. A high-rise development above the Ryemarket Car Park's current height would not be supported.
    3. Retention/ refurbishment of some public parking should be incorporated in any new proposals for the conversion of the upper floor/ car park to residential.

Evidence

  • Responses to the BCP Draft Plan consultation (2021)
  • Black Country Centre Study (2020) and Update (2021)
  • Black Country Historic Landscape Characterisation (2010)
  • Black Country Historic Landscape Characterisation Study (2019)
  • Borough-Wide Urban Historic Landscape Characterisation Study (2016/2023)
  • Historic Environment Supplementary Planning Document (2017)
  • Stourbridge Area Action Plan Spatial Development Framework Urban Design Evidence Base (2011)
  • Stourbridge Branch Canal (Canal Street) Conservation Area Appraisal (2007)
  • Historic Landscape Characterisation for Stourbridge
  • Historic Environment Record (HER)
  • National Design Guide
  • Historic England Good Practice Advice Notes (GPAs) and Historic England Advice Notes (HEANs)
  • Residential Design Guidance SPD (2023)

Delivery

  • Historic Landscape Characterisation documents
  • Adopted Conservation Area Character Appraisals
  • Development Management process including Design and Access Statements and Statements of Heritage Significance
  • Supplementary Planning Documents
  • A regularly updated and maintained Historic Environment Record (HER).

Monitoring indicators

Table 3.2: Stourbridge Monitoring Indicators

Policy

Indicator

Target

DLPS1

Number of applications approved within the Town Centre Core Area for uses outside of the acceptable use list.

0

DLPS2

Percentage of developments within the Stourbridge Wharf boundary to install its proportionate amount of green infrastructure on site or within the Stourbridge Wharf Boundary

100%

DLPS3

The number of planning permissions contrary to the recommendations of the:

Urban Design

0

DLPS4

Number of Planning Permissions contrary to the recommendations of the Historic Environment or Urban Design officer.

0

DLPS5

Percentage of relevant applications to include public realm improvements

100%

DLPS6

Proportion of planning permissions granted in accordance with Local Planning Authority Historic Environment Section or Advisor recommendations

100%

DLPS7

Number of new advertisement hoardings approved within 30 metres of the ring road corridor

0

DLPS8

Percentage of developments to install its proportionate number of cycleways and pathways improvements on site or within the Town centre boundary

100%

DLPSOS1, OS2 and OS3 - Opportunity Sites

Quantity and type of development granted planning permission at each Priority Site and Opportunity Site.

In accordance with Opportunity Site policies.

Figure 3.5: Stourbridge Inset Plan

This figure is the Stourbridge Inset Plan. It shows the 3 town centre opportunity sites of North of Birmingham Street, Mill Race Lane and Rye Market as well as a number of housing allocations, a list of which can be found in Table 3.1.

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