RHOSSILI CAR PARK IMPROVEMENTS · users of Trip Advisor. It also includes the iconic Worm’s Head peninsula and the Vile, one of the most ... Specifically opportunities for improvement

Rhossili car park improvements Design and Access Statement 2

Bronwen Thomas Landscape Architect 1 06/11/15

RHOSSILI CAR PARK IMPROVEMENTS

comprising:

engineering operations and associated hard and soft landscape works,

the installation of cycle racks, electric car charge point and erection of 6no.

pay-&-display machines

DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT

THE NATIONAL TRUST



CONTENTS:

INTRODUCTION

CONTEXT AND ANALYSIS:

A. SITE ANALYSIS

B. CONTEXT ANALYSIS

C. POLICY CONTEXT

DESIGN OF PROPOSED WORKS:

DESIGN OBJECTIVES

ELEMENTS OF THE PROPOSED WORKS

D. MOVEMENT

E. ACCESS

F - J. CHARACTER

K. COMMUNITY SAFETY

L. ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY



INTRODUCTION

The Proposed works

This statement has been prepared by Bronwen Thomas Landscape Architect in support of the application for planning permission for proposed improvements at Rhossili car park. The works for which planning permission is being sought are the engineering operations and associated hard and soft landscape works, the installation of cycle racks, electric car charge point and erection of 6no. pay-&-display machines. The works are confined to the existing car park (referred to as 'the main car park' throughout this DAS) with some improvements within the adjacent field used for overflow parking (referred to as 'the overflow field' throughout this DAS). In summary, the project seeks to improve and upgrade the existing parking facilities to provide a more fitting welcome at this iconic visitor destination. The application site is the existing car park at the western end of the village of Rhossili. The

application site is within National Trust ownership.

National Trust and Gower

The National Trust is a leading conservation charity with 4 million members. Established over 115

years ago, its primary statutory purpose is to promote the preservation of special places for the

benefit of the nation. To achieve this aim we manage over a quarter of a million hectares of land,

more than 700 miles of unspoilt coastline and estuary, several hundred historic houses, gardens and

parks, and 6 World Heritage Sites. More than 100 million visits are made every year to the properties

in our care.

The project is related to the National Trust's wider ownership and management of coastal and

common land in Gower. The National Trust is Gower's biggest landowner, owning 2,229 hectares of

Gower, including 42 kilometres (almost three quarters) of Gower’s coast. This land includes Rhossili

beach, repeatedly voted the best beach in Britain and ninth best beach in the world according to

users of Trip Advisor. It also includes the iconic Worm’s Head peninsula and the Vile, one of the most

significant remaining examples of a medieval strip field system in Britain.



This specific application relates to the upgrading of the existing car park at Rhossili that came into

National Trust's ownership in 2015. This complements the existing land ownership of the National

Trust which includes land at Rhossili, Worms Head and The Vile.

Design and Access Statements

Design and Access Statements (DASs) have been a statutory requirement for most planning

applications in Wales since 1st June 2009. Guidance on statements has been published by the Welsh

Assembly Government and the Design Commission for Wales. Tan 12 - Design, explains the

requirements of design and access statements. Statements should also set out how the

development reflects the objectives of good design set out in Tan 12:

achieving environmentally sustainable design solutions;

sustaining or enhancing local character;

promoting innovative design;

promoting successful relationship between public and private spaces;

promoting high quality in the public realm;

ensuring ease of access for all;

promoting legible development;

designing for future adaptability; and

promoting quality, choice and variety.

This DAS is submitted to promote wider understanding and importance of the project at Rhossili car

park.

This DAS follows the structure prescribed in the City and County of Swansea's guidance on the

preparation of Design and Access Statements.



CONTEXT AND ANALYSIS

A. SITE ANALYSIS

Broad location

The application site lies at the western edge of the historic village of Rhossili, on the periphery the

historic agricultural land known as the Vile, and adjacent to the coastal common land of great scenic

and natural heritage importance.

The application site lies at between approximately 60m. and 80m. AOD, towards the edge of the

gently rolling coastal plateau at the western extremity of the Gower peninsula. This plateau is

formed of Carboniferous limestone, overlaid with varying depth of glacial till in heavy clay and

shattered limestone. It slopes generally from east to west, giving a westerly aspect. Its coastal

location means that it is windswept, restricting tree growth. Although the area does not experience

many frosts, it is subject to heavy downpours but also experiences high sunshine levels.

The site

Site location plan to be inserted

The application site outlined with a red line is xxxha.

Access points: The vehicle access point is in the north east corner, directly from the minor road that

runs through Rhossili. Access to overflow fields beyond the main car park is via field gates from the

main car park. Pedestrian access is through gaps in the north boundary wall and from the toilet

block.

Current site uses: The site has been used as a car park many decades. The main car park

accommodates approximately 200 vehicles, including several coaches and disabled spaces, and is

heavily used throughout the year. The grass fields are used for overflow parking (800-900 vehicles),

mainly during the summer months, and are grazed by sheep at other times. The parking is used by

visitors to Rhossili Bay, the Coast Path, Worms Head and Rhossili Down. The car park also serves the

village facilities of cafes, shops and hotel, plus the public toilets and National Trust shop. Local

residents and hotel guests also use the car park, including overnight, and it is used by service

vehicles and it provides a larger turning area beyond the bus terminus at the end of the B4247. As

the main car park is un-gated it is also used by joy-riders to a small extent, and by overnight

campers. Gates and 'dragon's teeth' prevent this occurring in the overflow fields.

Current site features:

Main car park:

Rough, pot-holed tarmac entrance area with NT car park sign.

Rough tarmac and gravel surfaces for roadway and parking, badly eroded and uneven, with no

drainage.

Stone boundary wall alongside northern edge with gaps for pedestrian access to Worms Head

Hotel and footpaths.

Stone boundary wall to cafe and residences to east.



Grass parking and roadway in southern part which becomes eroded and muddy during heavy

usage, and after heavy rainfall, also used by coaches, minibuses, camper vans and other vehicles

requiring more space.

Traditional clawdd bank forming southern boundary.

To west - 5-bar timber railing forming boundary to overflow fields, with a timber field gate and

recently-installed traffic flow plates giving access to the overflow fields.

Also to west - stone wall forming boundary to toilets, with gap giving access to steps and ramps

to toilets (not NT) and to the Coast Path and National Trust shop.

In corner behind toilets a roughly triangular piece of land (not NT) of grass and crushed stone is

used as a bin store.

Small timber hut near the entrance.

Two recently-installed pay-& display ticket machines and associated signage.

Interpretation panels and notice boards near the toilets.

Overflow fields (part of which is included in application site):

Ryegrass surfaces throughout.

Traditional clawdd banks to east, south and west, and between the two fields.

Stone wall, partially retaining, alongside northern edge adjacent to the coastal path, with gaps

for pedestrian access at either end.

Bank and fence boundaries to Coastguard Cottages to north east.

Constraints and opportunities

The planning constraints are noted in the Policy Context section of this DAS.

The two major characteristics of the site to be retained and enhanced:

Informal field parking: The site of the main car park is basically a field used for parking that has

gradually been adapted for higher usage over the decades. This type of car park is typical of Gower

(Mewslade, Port Eynon for instance). This rural character, especially with its links to the Vile's

historic pattern of fields, is of major landscape value and the retention of the character is of prime

importance.

Informal field parking



Spectacular first views of Worms Head and Rhossili Bay: The first views of Worms Head are

revealed just before entering the site, and throughout most of the site it can be seen with the

clifftop coast path leading to it. From the north west part of the car park, the first views of the extent

of Rhossili Bay come into view and this is one of the most popular 'photo opportunity' sites. These

two views provide the first frisson of excitement when visiting Rhossili.

Worms Head and Rhossili Bay, seen from the car park

The site's continuing use as a car park is one of the most important visitor facilities in Gower,

providing access to the spectacular countryside and coast. Lack of maintenance over the years prior

to the National Trust's ownership has meant that the car park is now in a poor state of repair and

does not provide a facility appropriate to its location and use.

Specifically opportunities for improvement and enhancement relate to:

Hard surfaces: Compacted stonedust (causing 'dust storms' in dry windy weather) and patchy

tarmac surfaces are unsightly, uneven and unsafe and do not allow surface water to drain away

naturally on site.

Poor surfaces



Grass: Throughout the site and the overflow fields all the grass sward is species-poor, primarily rye

grass. There are, therefore, opportunities to enhance the biodiversity. The parts used for roadways

get worn and muddy and unsafe for use.

Species-poor sward and rutted mud

Surface water drainage: Not infrequent heavy rain causes a river to run to the lowest corner and

cascade down the steps to the toilets, across the road and down the cliff, leaving gravel behind on

steps and ramps.

Summer downpour

Northern boundary wall: This visually important wall, bounding the car park and the coast path, has

suffered haphazard repairs and neglect. The gaps through the wall for pedestrians are narrow and

steep.



Parts of the northern boundary wall in poor condition

Beach access: The entrance to the footpath to Rhossili Bay is inconspicuous and often missed by

first-time visitors. There is no direct access from the car park to it and many pedestrians use the

main vehicle entrance.

No direct access to footpath to beach

Entrance area: The wide expanse of uneven tarmac with poorly constructed walls on either side to

not make a welcoming entrance. Vehicle and pedestrian safety is compromised by the narrow

section of road immediately beyond the entrance where visibility is poor for those accessing the

hotel and Coastguard Cottages group, including for coastguard emergencies. This entrance is also

used to provide vehicular access to one of the adjacent houses to the east.

Narrow section of road beyond the entrance shared for beach access



Utilities: The sewer from the toilets passes through the car park to the main entrance.

Linkages to the Vile: There is currently no pedestrian link to the Vile, and its particular historic

importance is not apparent to most visitors.



B. CONTEXT ANALYSIS

Landscape and visual character and natural habitats

The landscape and visual impact assessment (LVIA) provides further information and analysis of the

landscape and visual character of the site and surrounding area. This is based on the methodology

set out in 'Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment' Third edition (GLVIA3) and takes

a study area of 1.5km radius.

Landscape character: This westernmost extremity of Gower is renowned for its scenic beauty and its

natural habitats relating to the coast. This is reflected in the various designations that cover the site

and study area.

In the Gower Landscape Character Assessment the site lies within the Rhossili and Middleton

Landscape Character Area (LCA2) which includes the villages and surrounding plateau farmland,

including the Vile. In the LANDMAP aspects it is evaluated generally as 'High' or 'Outstanding', except

for Natural Habitats which is 'Moderate'. It is specifically noted as a weakness that "the open nature

of this landscape means that intrusive and incongruous features such as the car park at Rhossili can

be intrusive when heavily used." This LCA, including the site, is therefore considered very highly

sensitive to the proposed type of landscape change.

The nearby LCAs of Rhossili Bay (LCA1) and Rhossili Down (LCA3) are also evaluated as 'High' and

'Outstanding' throughout and are therefore considered highly sensitive to landscape change.

Views: Views to Worms Head and nearby cliffs, to Rhossili Bay and Rhossili Down are of outstanding

value from within the site. The site itself can be seen from parts of these areas, most notably from

the southern slopes of Rhossili Down and from clifftop common land, including the Coast Path,

between Rhossili and Worms Head.

From Rhossili Down and clifftop (Old Castle)

Within Rhossili, the car park can only be seen from within 50m, and not from any other settlements.

The site is not seen from public footpaths through the Vile or those to the beach.



First view of site from Rhossili

When empty of vehicles, the site appears more like a field than a car park. Vehicles within the site

add to the visibility of the site, making it more conspicuous. Some vehicles can also be seen from the

sands of Rhossili Bay. The location of the car park means that it generally appears as part of Rhossili

rather than an isolated feature within the rural setting.

Given the expansive views from the cliff tops, Rhossili Bay and Rhossili Down, with the eye being

drawn to the spectacular coastline, the car park is not a conspicuous feature in the overall views. As

people come to the area specifically to enjoy the views, however, it is recognised that they are very

highly sensitive to changes in the views.

Natural habitats: The site and adjacent farmland of the Vile is evaluated as 'Moderate' in the Natural

Habitats aspect of the LANDMAP database. This is borne out by the Rhossili Car Park Overflow Fields

Ecology Inspection, carried out in September 2015. No protected or high concern species of flora or

fauna were recorded and the fields were considered to be of minimal and/or low ecological value.

The site consists of areas of improved grassland, dominated by perennial ryegrass sward, with earth

banks and is general terms very species-poor. There is bracken, bramble, nettle and creeping thistle

around the edges and on the banks. Within the banks and walls there is bird's foot trefoil,

restharrow, lady's bedstraw, knapweed and navelwort, adding interest and colour. There is potential

for the banks and walls to provide nesting sites for birds.

Bird's foot trefoil and Navelwort



Immediately adjacent to the site are the internationally important habitats along cliffs and coast,

with SAC and SSSI designations.

Physical, social and economic context

To the east of the site lies the main part of Rhossili village consisting of the older core plus some

more recent dwellings. Within Rhossili there are several small shops and cafes mainly catering for

visitors.

Rhossili is served by the B4247 known as the South Gower Road which terminates approximately

150m east of the application site entrance, at a small bus-turning area. Buses (number 118 during

the week, 114 and 116 on Sundays) run at approximately hourly intervals and terminate here. This

road continues as an unclassified minor road to pass immediately north of the application site to

service the Worms Head Hotel and the small group of buildings further west, and gives access to the

clifftop common land beyond. There is no potential for large vehicles to turn on the highway beyond

the bus terminus. This road is the only vehicular access to Rhossili and the application site and

thereby the capacity of the car park is limited to the road capacity.

Apart from a small car park (approximately 20no. capacity) belonging to the church, 300m to the

east, the application site is the only parking provision at Rhossili for visitors and for villagers without

off-road parking. The road through the village is too narrow and winding to allow any roadside

parking and there are no pavements.

The National Trust promotes the use of public transport to all its sites as the preferred method of

access. Within Gower the National Trust produces a series of 'Walking by Bus' leaflets giving details

of buses as well as points of interest and directions for the promoted walk, as for instance in Port

Eynon to Rhossili South Gower Coast walk. The National Trust website gives information about how

to get to Rhossili and the South Gower Coast by public transport, by car, on foot and cycle. All NT

printed promotional material such as the group guide and the handbook 'How to get to the places

we look after' provide relevant travel information in the following order: foot; cycle; bus; train; road;

parking. The NT keeps a copy of local bus timetables in the Rhossili shop and its policy is to provide

these to visitors enquiring by phone and to promote sustainable transport wherever possible.

Between the main car park and the overflow fields is a group of outlying buildings consisting of

public toilets, coastguard centre and the former Coastguard Cottages now used as National Trust

shop, offices, exhibition space and holiday cottage.

The Gower Way, part of the Wales Coast Path, runs around the headland, overlooking Worms Head,

and passes immediately north of the application site. This part of the path is a well-surfaced track

and very popular for short walks from Rhossili out to the headland because of the spectacular views.

Rhossili Bay beach, accessed by public footpath only from near the application site, has been voted

Britain's best beach and is very popular for bathers and windsurfers.

Other public footpaths pass along the access tracks through the Vile, linking the clifftop open land

with Rhossili. These footpaths are not as heavily used as the coast path, but provide links and short-

cuts to the village. The short-cut between the car park and public footpath through the Vile,

although not officially recognised as a publically accessible route, is also used by walkers.



Historic context and Listed Buildings

The Heritage Impact Assessment provides further information about the historic context of the site.

The Policy Context section of this DAS provides further details of disgnations.

The Vile: The fields used for overflow parking, adjacent to the application site, are within the Vile

HLCA030. This is the only substantially relict example of a medieval strip filed system surviving in

Gower, and one of only a few such areas remaining in Britain. The extraordinary continuance of the

medieval open field system of the Vile is of great historic importance.

It is apparent from maps going back to 1780 that all the application site was part of the Vile field

system, with long narrow fields reflecting the former open strip pattern. The boundaries of the

application site and the overflow fields (apart from those adjacent to the toilet block and the rear of

the Coastguard Cottages) all relate to the former open fields. Alignments of other old field

boundaries are visible as very low banks within the application site.

Much of the Vile is within National Trust ownership and management. The Trust set up the Vile 2015

Landscape Restoration Project which aims to return the Vile to a condition resembling its traditional

form (based on 1914 OS mapping) with field boundaries re-instated and/or repaired to a good

condition and conservation/agriculture and engagement are given equal priority.

The perimeter wall of the Vile, separating the fields from the surrounding common land of the

clifftops, is a Grade II Listed Building. Work in the restoration of this wall by the National Trust is

nearing completion.

The Vile, Rhossili and car park from above and at Tears Point, with perimeter wall in foreground.

Rhossili: The application site lies immediately adjacent to the village of Rhossili which is of historic

importance and covered by a Conservation Area (C:016).

The village grew as a farming community. The oldest buildings in the village are the church and the

farm, although the church considerably predates everything else. The initial development of the

village was to the south west and north east of the church and its adjacent green, forming a small



nucleated settlement along a meandering village street. Most of the present structures in the core of

the village are Victorian and date from the latter part of the 19th century. 20th century development

of villas and bungalows have formed a linear extension eastward along the B 4247, linking Rhossili

with Middleton.

The buildings adjacent to the site appear to be mainly 19th century with later additions and

modifications. The Worms Head Hotel was formerly Wormshead Cottage now much extended. The

Coastguard Cottages, lying to the west beyond the application site, were built in the 1930s. Stone is

the predominant building material, although many of the cottages have been rendered and painted

white.

The stone boundary walls are a feature of the village and provide a distinctive character. The site's north boundary wall is an integral part of this character.

Typical stone walls in Rhossili

Community engagement

The National Trust carried out pre application public consultation at the Visitor Centre and Shop at

Rhossili on Friday July 10th and Saturday 11th 2015 to assist further design of the scheme which was

at sketch proposal stage. Representatives from the National Trust and the landscape consultants

were present throughout to explain and discuss the proposals and gather comments. Comment

sheets were provided for written feedback.

The event was taken forward by individual invite, open invite and promoted via all social media. The

draft scheme was promoted online and invite for email comment was provided for a two week

period.

Over 100 people attended the event over two days with a diverse range of representation from local

groups, local residents, and visitors.

The event was preceded by a meeting and walk around the site with Swansea planners, National

Trust officers and the landscape consultants.

The sketch proposals were also presented to the Rhossili Community Council by the local National

Trust representative, and the meeting notes made public.



This consultation was seen generally as very helpful and welcome Further to this public consultation

the proposals were revised to take account of the main points raised. Further details of these are

given in the Public Consultation Report.

The scheme put forward in this application will be presented to the public for further comment prior

to finalising.



C. POLICY CONTEXT

UDP context

The application is considered within the context of the City and County of Swansea Unitary

Development Plan, adopted November 2008.

The application has benefitted from two pre-application discussions with the LPA, including a site

visit in June 2015. This has enabled the appropriate planning policy context to be identified as

follows:

SP1, 2 & 3: Creating a Quality Environment

EV1: Good Design

EV2: Siting and Location

EV4: Public Realm

EV6: Ancient Monuments and Protection of Archaeological Sites

EV7: Listed Buildings

EV9: Conservation Areas

EV16: Small Villages

EV21: Rural Development

EV22: Countryside General Policy

EV25: Sites of International Importance

EV26: Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

EV27: SSSIs and National Nature Reserves

EV28: Sites of Local Importance

EV29: Common Land

EV31: Protection of Undeveloped Coastline

EV35: Surface Water Run-Off

EC: Rural Tourism

AS2: Design and Layout

AS4: Public Access Routes

AS5: Walking and Cycling

AS6: Parking

Designations and SPG

The application site lies within the Gower Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the first AONB to be

designated in 1956 on account of its classic limestone coast and variety of natural habitats. It is

managed by the Gower Partnership and the Gower AONB draft Management Plan was produced in

2006.

Gower Landscape Character Assessment SPG adopted March 2013: The site lies within Landscape

Character Area (LCA) 2 identified. This LCA is evaluated in LANDMAP as High and Outstanding (as are

the adjacent LCAs of coast and Rhossili Down), reflecting the national importance of this area of

natural beauty.



Gower AONB Design Guide SPG November 2011 provides comprehensive guidance for developers

in relation to the design standards required and the locally distinctive considerations.

The application site falls within the West Gower area of the Registered Landscape of Outstanding

Historic Interest of Gower. Specifically in the Historic Landscape Character Area of Rhossili and

Middleton (HLCA 031) includes the eastern part of the site, namely the main car park field, and the

Vile (HLCA 030) includes the western part of the site, the overflow fields.

The northern half of the application site lies within the Rhossili Conservation Area:P16/2/16,

designated in 1976.

The site lies adjacent to the Perimeter Wall of the Vile Grade II Listed Building. It is listed because it

is "the perimeter wall of a surviving open field, a rare monument of a land system formerly

characteristic of the southern lowland fringe of Wales."

The cliffs and clifftop common land to the north of the application site are covered by the following

designations:



Gower Coast: Rhossili to Port Eynon Site of Special Scientific Interest, SAC

Gower Commons Special Area of Conservation

Limestone Seacliffs of South West Wales Special Area of Conservation

Gower Coast National Nature Reserve

Gower - Mumbles to Penclawdd Heritage Coast

Planning Policy Wales

In addition, the National Policy context of the application includes the following:

Planning Policy Wales (PPW) Edition 7, July 2014

Technical Advice Note (TAN) 5 Nature Conservation and Planning

TAN 12 Design

TAN 13. Tourism

TAN 14. Coastal Planning

TAN 15. Development and Flood Risk

TAN 18. Transport

TAN 22. Sustainable Buildings ???

Tan 23 Economic Development

In terms of specifics within PPW, the following are key elements.

PPW Chapter 4 'Planning for Sustainability' states that priorities for rural areas should be to

promote a thriving and diverse economy and sustainable tourism in a working countryside, locating

leisure and recreation facilities where they are well served by public transport, walking and cycling

(paras. 4.6.3, 4.6.4 and 4.7.4). The application seeks to bring forward a scheme that enables tourism

to thrive in west Gower, providing better access to local facilities and countryside for recreation.

PPW Chapter 8 'Transport' promotes a 'Transport Hierarchy' when locating development, promoting

walking and cycling , followed by public transport then the private car (para. 8.4.2). When

considering development proposals, there is a need to consider a range of transport options, the

impact upon existing travel demand , the level of public transport available and the willingness of

the developer to promote public transport, walking and cycling and to provide the necessary

infrastructure to deal with increased traffic (para. 8.7.1). The National Trust promotes non-car-based

transport and provides leaflets. The application will not increase parking provision but will

encourage more use by cyclists and walkers and other outdoor recreation within the vicinity. This

will be achieved by provision of a flexible space for coaches, minibuses and public transport turning

etc.

It is considered that the proposed works are compatible with the location, an appropriate scheme is

proposed within the landscape and the scheme is considered to meet the requirements of local and

national policy.



DESIGN OF THE PROPOSED WORKS:

DESIGN OBJECTIVES

The National Trust's objectives for this application are that:

The car park improvements fit seamlessly with the surrounding rural and coastal context.

A sense of arrival and a fitting welcome is created that reflects the iconic setting and views

and its importance as a visitor destination.

The facilities are tailored to the needs of the users, primarily walkers, beach goers and those

engaged in other outdoor activities,

The facilities reflect appropriate standards of design, sustainability, function, quality and

sensitivity to the spirit of the place.

The new car park is designed in such a way that it will fulfil these objectives. The project has been

identified as a priority for the National Trust in Gower and will provide an upgraded high quality

visitor facility. The upgraded car park will help the National Trust to generate income from car

parking, commercial activity and membership recruitment, and improve visitor welcome,

experience, enjoyment, access and interpretation.

Ownership of the car park facilitates the development of a full commercial offer at Rhossili. National

Trust is part way through a feasibility study to identify potential additional catering options for its

new and existing land ownership at Rhossili. At the current time, no conclusions have been reached

on the potential or scale of a new catering and retail opportunity at Rhossili to complement existing

provision. The scheme for car parking and forming this submission has been prepared to give

flexibility to bring forward a new catering and retail offer at Rhossili should this decision be taken in

the future. When the feasibility study is completed, the Trust will complete further pre application

discussion with the local community and other stakeholders at Rhossili before it looks to submit any

further planning application.

Pedestrian movement from the main car park and overflow to Coastguard cottages will follow

existing movements, focussed on the entrance above the toilet block. New pedestrian movements

into the site will be considered as part of any revised building layout. The revised car park layout

and vehicle movement has been designed to give flexibility for future changes to the built area of

development at the site.

The overarching design principles for the scheme are:

to retain and enhance the conservation interests of the natural and historic environment;

to enhance the visual qualities of the site, and views to and from the site;

to provide an enhanced welcome and visitor experience and a local asset.

The two major characteristics described in the site analysis are prime considerations in the design of

the car park improvements:

Informal field parking: The car park is designed in such a way as to retain the informal field

character as much as possible so that when not in use the site will continue to look like fields, not an

empty car park.



Spectacular first views of Worms Head and Rhossili Bay: No obstructions to views are proposed and

the best places are dedicated view points.

The Gower AONB Design Guide have been considered throughout the design of this scheme.

Post-Consultation Concept Scheme. This plan, revised following its presentation at the public

consultation, shows the general arrangement and design principles. This has been used as a basis for

developing the submission scheme.



Landscape layout



ELEMENTS OF THE PROPOSED WORKS

The following elements constitute the proposed works:

Main car park:

Removal of entrance hut, existing hard surfaces, post and wire fences, timber railings;

Minor re-alignments to entrance from highway to improve visibility and, with entrance sign

incorporated onto stone wall;

Roadways and all-weather parking on porous asphalt surface, including dedicated disabled

spaces and coach/minibus spaces;

Parking for larger vehicles plus 5no. coaches on informal reinforced grass;

Cycle parking racks;

Spaces for motorbikes to park;

Soakaway drainage throughout;

Re-built and repaired northern boundary wall using locally traditional methods, including

additional gap for pedestrian link to Rhossili Bay footpath and improvements to ramps and

steps;

Pedestrian routes across car park to link to access points;

Viewing area in north west corner, with seats and potential for interpretation;

New central clawdd bank, using locally traditional method of construction on historic

alignment.

Grass and wildflower verges to clawdd banks, walls and parking areas;

New stone wall to screen adjacent bin store area, and coastguard building and to the rear of

the Coastguard Cottages .

Pay-&-display ticket machines.

Related signage to form a separate application.

Overflow fields:

New clawdd bank between the main car park and fields, on diagonal alignment, following

historic field boundary, with pedestrian gate linking to the Vile and vehicle access via field

gates with traffic flow plates;

New central clawdd bank, using locally traditional method of construction on historic

alignment, with gaps for access.

Other works, not forming part of the application:

Permissive footpath through to public footpath across the Vile;

New hedge on northern boundary, alongside existing stone wall;

Improvements to bank and fence boundaries to Coastguard Cottages.

D. MOVEMENT

The proposed improvements to the car park provide for coach and minibus parking and will allow

large vehicles to turn and for access to the bin store area. There is also potential for flexibility in the

provision of these parking and circulation areas should the need arise.



There will be provision for cycle parking near the entrance area where there is natural surveillance

from the adjacent cafe forecourt.

The proposed works will assist in reducing traffic congestion through the village. Before the car park

came into National Trust ownership, a pay at entry system was in place, causing a tailback of vehicles

through the village. Since the provision of two pay-&-display ticket machines (with temporary

planning permission) within the car park in Spring 2015 vehicles are able to flow in and out of the car

park without obstruction. The proposed works include an increased number of ticket machines to

further improve the facilities.

The National Trust will continue to promote other forms of transport to Rhossili, specifically bus and

walking. Improved facilities for cycle parking will be provided, and walkers will have improved links

to the Vile and better parking facilities.

E. ACCESS

The National Trust is committed to enabling increased access to its countryside environments, and

to developing and promoting inclusive access solutions that are creative and sensitive to the

surroundings. Our approach to enabling inclusive access is set out in our Disability Access Position

Statement 2005. The proposed scheme will enable people with disabilities to an improved visitor

experience within the site and thus improve access to the wider rural and village environment.

During scheme development the Swansea Access Group was contacted but there has been no

response to date.

Disabled access provision: 9no. dedicated disabled parking spaces have been provided adjacent to

the northern boundary wall, four being near the entrance, and five being adjacent to the viewing

area where there are fine views across Rhossili Bay and to Worms Head. These positions allow

access to the public highway and Worms Head Hotel and to the toilets and National Trust shop

without having to cross the rest of the car park.

Other facilities to improve access for all:

Improved surfaces and drainage;

Improved ramps and steps at pedestrian access points through north boundary wall, with

wider gaps, shallower ramps and even steps;

Clearly legible routes and access points for pedestrians including disabled;

Improved visibility for vehicles and pedestrians at entrance area;

Spend area for guide dogs, located in and appropriate corner of the site.

Links to wider countryside: Direct access to the Coast Path and the public footpath to Rhossili Bay is

proposed through a new gap in the northern boundary wall, aligned with the start of the beach

footpath.

The pedestrian gate at the south east corner of the car park will provide access via a permissive

route to the public footpath through the Vile. This will provide a more direct route to Falls Bay and

give a circular route around the headland.

F - J. CHARACTER



Amount, Layout and Scale

The amount of parking proposed is:

On hard surface:

Up to 80no. 6 x 3m. generous-sized parking spaces;

additional 9 no. disabled parking spaces

5no. coach parking spaces.

space for motor bikes to park

On reinforced grass:

Up to 110no. 6 x 3m. un-demarcated parking spaces;

On grass:

12no. cycle racks

The layout of the car park is similar to the current arrangement. Various different configurations to

the layout have been considered at the design development stage, but the basic layout which has

been tried-&-tested over the years has been continued.

The single 7m. wide vehicular entrance/exit will remain in the north east corner and vehicle parking

will be aligned east-west, square on to the access roadways. The most heavily-used northern part of

the site will have hard surface construction while the lesser-used southern part will be of grass,

separated by a clawdd bank. Coach parking will continue to be in the top east corner so that coach

movements do not interfere with pedestrian and other vehicle movements throughout the site and

do not obscure views to the coast. Pedestrian routes through the car park will provide clear links to

paths and facilities beyond the site boundaries. The permissive vehicle access to the adjacent house

will be retained.

Tracking for coaches and other vehicles has been carried out to ensure that sufficient space is

allowed for turning and movement.

The fields beyond will continue to be used for overflow parking, with access via the double field

gates with traffic flow plates.

From Easter to October and at other busy times throughout the year the car park will be manned

and visitors will be welcomed and directed by National Trust staff which will maximise parking

numbers. At less busy times parking will be informal. It is proposed that parking spaces are not

marked out to retain this flexibility and informality.

The scale of the improved car park does not differ greatly from the current car park. The main car

park will however be extended westward into what is currently the overflow field, on the alignment

of a former field boundary. This provides space for the addition of approximately twelve parking

spaces compared with the current provision within the main car park (reducing the capacity of the

overflow field by the same amount). The restored clawdd banks within the car park and the overflow

field will reduce the apparent scale of the car park by breaking up the 'sea of cars' and providing



green space in between. When empty of vehicles, the reduced scale of the enclosures within site will

in keeping with the Vile and its village edge location when viewed both at close quarters and from a

distance.

Appearance and Landscape

Entrance area: This is the important 'first impressions' location, with the eye-catching Worms Head

clearly seen in the distance. Minor re-alignments of roadway and walls on either side will provide a

legible access point, reducing conflict between incoming and out-going traffic, pedestrians and the

small amount of traffic continuing westward along the road. The 'Welcome to Rhossili' signs will be

carved in stone and embedded in the walls on either side. These are subject to a separate

application.

It is proposed that the north boundary wall is re-aligned to allow the public road beyond the car park

entrance to be widened to 4m. just beyond the car park entrance, thus improving visibility and

removing the pinch point here. Also, by changing the road priority for traffic entering the car park,

concerns expressed at the public consultation regarding the traffic/pedestrian conflict at the

entrance will be relieved.

The addition of a new gap through the northern boundary wall opposite the beach path will also

reduce the number of pedestrians using the car park entrance. It is proposed that the crossing point

is delineated by road markings here.

Sketch of entrance



Sketch of new gap giving direct access to beach path

Proposed draft junction arrangement

Stone walls: The local Carboniferous limestone dictates random rubble construction. The rebuilding

of the northern boundary wall between the car park and the minor road, adding a stone cope in

parts, and turf-capped in parts, reducing the extent of concrete and using lime mortar will provide a



major overall improvement. The proposed new curved stone wall enclosing and screening the bin

store and continuing along the rear of the Coastguard Cottages will be of similar construction. Local

stone-wallers will be used to carry out the reconstruction, ensuring that local traditional

construction methods are followed and the walls appear in character with the area.

Sketch sections and plans for north boundary wall

Clawdd banks: The proposed new clawdd banks are all on the alignments of former field boundaries.

Careful excavation of these alignments will be carried out in order to conserve any early foundation

features and allow an archaeological surveillance to be kept. The construction of the clawdd banks

will reflect those nearby field boundaries in the Vile, with broad bases and little exposed stonework.

The bank forming the re-aligned boundary between the car park and the overflow fields tie in with

the existing boundary bank. This will provide a degree of screening for vehicles without obstructing

the views towards Worms Head, and it will be stockproof, allowing the overflow fields to be grazed

at times. The banks between parking areas will be lower and will appear as earth banks.



Sketch map of nearby fields (landshares) within the Vile showing locations of lost boundaries in

green. Upper New Park is the car park. Caer Ditch, Lower New Park and Croft Neans are the overflow

fields.

Sketch section of proposed clawdd banks construction .



Surface water drainage:

Surface water is to drain to ground via a linked network of shallow soakaway systems with

attenuation provided within the sub-base structure of the car park. This strategy is supported by

infiltration tests undertaken in June 2015 in four locations, results shown in the borehole log.

Sample bore showing strata of stiff red-brown clay and of angular gravel and cobbles of grey

limestone

Parking on porous asphalt:

The entrance area, roadways and northern part of the parking provision, including coach parking,

will be surfaced with porous asphalt. This will provide a visually simple durable surface with a

medium-coloured brown/grey wearing course, using 10mm. size stone. Individual parking bay will

not be delineated. The pedestrian routes across will be raised and delineated with stone setts,

providing speed control.

Most surface water will pass through to the drainage system below. In addition, gradients at the

pedestrian route crossings will direct excess surface water to the grass verges rather than directly

down the 1-in-15 gradient, as is currently the case.

All edgings to the porous asphalt will be flush with the adjacent grass, allowing surplus surface water

to drain off and for the edges to soften as grass grows .

'Ulticolour' supplied by Lafarge Tarmac is considered suitable. Other hard surfaces were considered

during the design development, but were rejected as not robust enough or visually inappropriate.



Samples of porous asphalt wearing course

Parking on reinforced grass:

It has been considered necessary for the long-term to provide reinforced grass for the parts of the

main car park site that are habitually used for parking and roadways. This will provide drainage

directed to the soakaway system network throughout and withstand the anticipated amount of wear

and tear.

Heavy grade (14mm) 'Grassprotecta' by Terram will provide a surface that meets the requirements

and, when grass has established, will be barely visible. This polyethylene mesh is laid directly on the

existing grass sward and on re-profiled areas.

During the design development an analysis of various types of grass reinforcement was made,

considering durability, appearance, ease of construction.

'Grassprotecta' newly laid.

Grass areas:

All areas of the site not required to take vehicles or heavy foot usage will remain or be renewed as

grass/wildflower sward. This includes all the verges, 1m. to 5m. width, depending on location,



between walls, clawdd banks and parking areas, and a central strip aligned parallel with the wall and

clawdd bank, dividing the expanse of parking. This strip will be mounded to provide a soft barrier to

deter vehicles from over-running. These generous-proportioned verges contribute to the field-like

appearance and allow space for surfers, cyclists, climbers, picnickers, and do-owners to spread out

beyond their vehicles. The seed mix for these areas will be based on local species-rich calcareous

grassland.

Indicative section through parking

Hedge planting:

Due to the wind-swept location, it is proposed to limit planting to hedges, predominately hawthorn,

associated with the new wall around the bin store and Coastguard Cottages. It is expected that this

will get wind-pruned, softening the profile of the wall and adding to the character of the feature.

Viewing area:

The north west corner of the main car park, adjacent to the access to the toilets, will become a

viewing area to make the most of the views across Rhossili Bay. This will also act as a gathering point

and will have a bespoke-designed seat, S-shaped in plan, that provides much-needed shelter from

the winds on one side and overlooks the view on the north side. A planning condition to cover this

element is invited. The rebuilt boundary wall will be kept at a level that does not obstruct views and

will have a flat top to allow a diorama or similar interpretation to be added, and act as seating. It is

proposed that the surface here is of porous asphalt, edged with stone setts to provide delineation

from the vehicular surface. Users of the adjacent disabled parking spaces will also enjoy the view

across Rhossili Bay.



Indicative sketch of viewing area

Site furniture:

Site furniture is kept to a minimum to be in keeping with the rural location.

Seats: Seating is proposed only in the viewing area. This will be a bespoke curved oak seat, proving

shelter and views on both sides.

Pay-&-display ticket machines: A total of 6no. pay-&-display ticket machines will replace the current

two machines. These will be Metric Elite, standing 1726mm high, mains powered and unlit with flat

tops in Brunswick Green (BS 381-226). They will be located in pairs, two adjacent to the toilet wall

(current position), two at the end of the central clawdd bank and two at the entrance to the

overflow field. These locations, associated with walls and banks, will reduce the impact of these

vertical elements. Each pair of machines require only one sign, detailed in separate application.



Metric's 'Elite' pay-&-display ticket machine

Gates: The pedestrian gate and vehicular gate between the car park and the overflow fields will be

standard timber field gates. A line of traffic flow plates is proposed under one of the double gates

accessing the overflow fields.

Electrical charging point: A single charging point will be supplied near the entrance to the overflow

fields. This will be similar to the National Trust standard point

Cycle racks: Racks for 12no. cycles will be wall-mounted butterfly type (or similar), attached to the

boundary wall at the cafe.



Visual impact:

The LVIA assesses the impact of the proposed works on views to the site. It concludes that there will

be a minor beneficial visual impact from most places, as shown in the table below.

Summary of Visual Impacts

Type of visual receptor

Receptor Sensitivity Magnitude of change

Visual impact Related Viewpoint

Within 0.5km.

Rhossili village Very high Minor beneficial - none

Negligible

Coast Path users Very high Moderate beneficial

Moderate beneficial

Clifftop walkers Very high Minor beneficial Minor beneficial VP1

Lower part of Rhossili Down

Very high Minor beneficial Minor beneficial VP2

Between 0.5km and 1.5km.

Coast Path and clifftop walkers

Very high Minor beneficial Minor beneficial VP1 & 4

Rhossili Bay users Very high Minor beneficial Minor beneficial VP3

Rhossili Down walkers Very high Minor beneficial Minor beneficial VP2

From the Coast Path and adjacent cliff top open land between Rhossili and Kitchen Corner,

represented by Viewpoint 1 at Old Castle the impact is summaried as:

The changes in visibility of vehicles using the main car park will be negligible. The addition of

the hedge and restored clawdd banks, however, will make improvements both for screening

vehicles in the overflow fields and for enhancing the historic character of the Vile, re-

introducing the linear pattern of land use. Altogether the visual impact is considered to be a

minor beneficial impact.

From Rhossili Down, represented by Viewpoint 2 at the upper point of visibility on Rhossili Down,

the impact is summarised as:

The car park will continue to appear as an integral part of the village in a much wider view.

Most vehicles using the car park will continue to be visible but as less of a solid mass. spaces

created by the restored clawdd banks are in keeping with the village scale. The restored

linear pattern of enclosure will better reflect the historic land use pattern of the Vile, clearly

seen from this vantage point. Altogether the visual impact is considered to be a minor

beneficial impact.

From Rhossili Bay itself, represented by Viewpoint 3, aligned with the Old Rectory, the impact is

summarised as:

This section of the skyline is not a dominant part of the overall view from the sands or sea.

Fewer, if any, vehicles will be seen, especially when the hedge is grown. Altogether the

visual impact is considered to be a minor beneficial impact.

From the Coast Path and Open access cliff-top land of the Worms Head headland and Tears Point,

represented by Viewpoint 4 at the Lookout, the impact is summarised as:



At this distance and within such a broad view, Rhossili together with the site are a minor

feature. Generally vehicles using the car park will appear as less of a mass, with the clawdd

banks separating the parts of the site. The addition of the restored clawdd banks will also

enhance the historic character of the Vile by reintroducing the linear patterns of land use,

more in keeping with nearer parts of the Vile. Altogether the visual impact is considered to

be a minor beneficial impact.



K. COMMUNITY SAFETY

Natural surveillance: There are no structures over 1.5m high, either proposed or retained, and there

will be no confined enclosed spaces on the site. Therefore wide views across the car park site from

within and the surrounding spaces will continue to provide natural surveillance.

Traffic flow plates: The current traffic flow plates at the entrance to the overflow field have solved

the problem of antisocial behaviour on the overflow field and contributed to the goodwill within the

village, and to good police feedback. In order to maintain after-hours site security, traffic flow plates

will be re-located at the new entrance to the overflow field so that access to the area is able to be

closed, whist allowing vehicles to leave safely.

CCTV: The current CCTV camera on the gable-end of the NT office will continue to provide

surveillance across most of the car park.

Improved public highway safety: The re-alignment of the boundary wall at the entrance and the

addition of a gap through the wall opposite the beach path will provide improved visibility for drivers

and pedestrians at this tight corner. It will also reduce the number of pedestrians using the main

entrance, thus improving safety. There is an opportunity to make minor highway layout changes

including vehicle priority at the entrance to further increase highway safety and legibility.

Pedestrian access and safety: Within the site pedestrian routes running directly across link to the

access gaps in the boundary wall. These will be clearly defined as raised walkways across parking and

roadways, doubling up as speed restrictors.

Lighting: No lighting is proposed as this is considered inappropriate for the rural location and has the

potential to cause nuisance to neighbours.

Manning of the car park: At busy times there will continue to be National Trust personnel on site to

provide a welcome, direct vehicles and keep an eye on safety generally. This also has the advantage

of reducing the need for directional signing and parking bay demarcation.

L. ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Natural resources will be protected in the following ways:

Soils and stone stripped from site during construction of the car park will be re-used for the

formation of the low mounds between parking and for the construction of the clawdd banks.

Surplus material from excavations for surfaces and drainage will be kept to a minimum by

the re-use of stone and soils in the construction works, including the walls and clawdd

banks.

Locally-sourced stone will be specified for sub-bases and for building stone for the walls.

Soakaway drainage and porous surfaces are proposed which will ensure that surface water

does not run off site and will provide natural filtering of any pollutants from vehicles.

The reinforced grass cells will be of recycled plastic.

An electric charging point will be located on site for electric vehicle re-charging, in line with

the National Trust's policy to provide such facilities in all their car parks.

The car park will be low maintenance.



No waste will be produced after completion of the works.

The general low ecological value of the site will be enhanced in the following ways:

Existing field boundary banks will be protected during construction works, ensuring that

flora and fauna relating to these is not disturbed.

New clawdd banks and surrounding grassy verges provide the opportunity to introduce

locally-sourced species-rich seed mixes appropriate to the calcareous soils and coastal

conditions.

Soils and wild flowers within the northern boundary wall will be set aside for incorporating

into the re-built wall.

Hard-wearing dwarf rye grass will be used, if feasible, in conjunction with topsoil from the

site for the reinforced grass areas . This will permit the flowering of other native species and

provide a more diverse sward to develop.

The heritage value of the site will be conserved and enhanced by:

It is unlikely in the professional opinion of the Archaeological Advisor, that any of the works

would encounter any significant archaeological remains.

The proposed re-instatement of historic banks requires limited ground work and it is

proposed that the bank bases are exposed and left undisturbed, and the new clawdd banks

constructed on the old bases.

It is considered that the proposed works will in general enhance the character of the historic

landscape by reinstating the historic pattern of fields.

In terms of the historic landscape overall, the proposed development is considered to be

beneficial.

Design for change

Robust materials are proposed throughout that will withstand changes in climatic conditions

in the foreseeable future.

The surface water drainage is designed to cope with increased intensity of rainfall.

The use of low-growing native species which are able to withstand changes in weather

conditions and climate.

Documents

RHOSSILI CAR PARK IMPROVEMENTS · users of Trip Advisor. It also includes the iconic Worm’s Head peninsula and the Vile, one of the most ... Specifically opportunities for improvement