Angus Rural Mobility Hub - Public Consultation
Technical and Environmental Considerations
Public Consultation Contents:
- Introduction
- The transition to net zero
- Why Brechin, Angus?
- The concept
- Technical and environmental considerations
- Timeline
To inform the development of the design we have started technical and environmental assessments of both the site and proposed uses. We have scoped this with Angus Council’s planning services, with the core work covering the following aspects, consistent with the policy provision for the site under allocation B6 and policies TC14 Employment Allocations and Existing Employment Areas & TC15 Employment Development of the Angus Local Development Plan.
Allocation B6 provides that:
27 ha of land at Brechin West is allocated for employment development including tourist or roadside service related uses complementary to the existing gateway facility at Brechin Castle Centre and an extension to Brechin Business Park for Class 4 (business), Class 5 (general industry), and Class 6 (storage and distribution) uses. Development proposals should be in accordance with the development brief which will be prepared for the site and should include:
- Justification for the scale and location of the Business Park extension;
- Retention of existing landscape features and provision of structural landscaping to help integrate development into the existing landscape, define development zones and extend green network provision;
- Provision of an internal link road between the Business Park extension and Brechin Business Park. Vehicular access to any tourist related development from the existing Business Park/Business Park extension will not be permitted;
- High quality design and boundary treatment adjacent to the A935; and
- Supporting information including a Flood Risk Assessment, Drainage Impact Assessment, Sustainable Drainage and Surface Water Management Plan and a Transport Assessment to establish access and associated transport infrastructure requirements.
Environmental & technical assessments:
- Traffic assessment, including ensuring access and returns are via the grade separated junction & not the town centre
- Drainage, particularly surface water to prevent any flood risk on site and down-stream including the opportunities for enhancement
- Ecological and archaeological surveys
- Noise, air quality, odour & lighting analysis
- Developing a landscape strategy
- Designing a green (ecological) & blue (drainage) network that is integrated with cycling and pedestrian connections.
Outcomes:
- A site wide master plan and design strategy, shaped by the environment & technical assessment and consultation (which will be recorded)
- Phasing plan supported by a programme and construction plan covering traffic, noise, dust and signage
- A low carbon energy plan for the site and potential for neighbourhoods to connect into to use and sell green electricity
- An economic impact assessment of the proposed uses and benefits for Brechin and the Glens
- A procurement strategy that supports local businesses and community groups to become involved in the delivery of the project
- A skills, training and job creation programme, starting at this design stage and working through to delivery and operations
Policy TC15: Employment Development requires Proposals for new employment development (consisting of Class 4, 5, or 6) will be directed to employment land allocations or existing employment areas within development boundaries, subject to the application of the sequential approach required by Policy TC19 Retail and Town Centre Uses for office developments of
over 1,000m2 floorspace.
Proposals for employment development outside of employment land allocations or existing employment areas, but within the development boundaries of the towns and the settlements within the rural area will be supported where:
- There are no suitable or viable sites available within an employment land allocation or existing employment area; or
- The use is considered to be acceptable in that location;
- There is no unacceptable impact on the built and natural environment, surrounding amenity, access and infrastructure.
- Proposals for employment development (consisting of Class 4, 5, or 6) outwith development boundaries will only be supported where:
- The criteria relating to employment development within development boundaries are met;
- The scale and nature of the development is in keeping with the character of the local landscape and pattern of development; and
- The proposal constitutes rural diversification where:
- The development is to be used directly for agricultural, equestrian, horticultural or forestry operations, or for uses which by their nature are appropriate to the rural character of the area; or
- The development is to be used for other business or employment generating uses, provided that the Council is satisfied that there is an economic and/or operational need for the location.
Funding Partners
Angus Council and Dalhousie Estates have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, entering into an agreement to work together to develop a clean growth business park, with supporting infrastructure, in Brechin, Angus.
Angus Council’s ambition, along with the private sector, is to deliver an Angus Rural Mobility Hub, within a regional business park to provide the infrastructure, services and skills programme needed to enable the Tay region’s transition to a low carbon, inclusive economy through a range of smart mobility and energy services.
Angus Rural Mobility Hub has the potential to deliver a step change in clean transport infrastructure on the national trunk road network and in doing so, create skills and new career opportunities within Angus and the Tay Region.