Connecting sustainable communities: the future of Toton and Chetwynd Barracks
Toton and Chetwynd Barracks
The Toton and Chetwynd Barracks were identified as priority sites to significantly contribute to inclusive growth of the East Midlands economy, boosting skills, productivity, and jobs. Benefitting from the nearby Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station and East Midlands Airport, a new masterplan will create two new sustainable communities with a focus on enabling Toton to become a hub for innovation and economic growth.
Arup’s work on the Masterplan has sought to provide a ‘flexible framework’ to developers, investors, and infrastructure providers. Proposals for the sites can respond to changing circumstances, whilst still ensuring that the key development requirements are delivered over the next 20 years.
The Masterplan embeds key design principles that will influence and facilitate the transition to net-zero. This is achieved through the proposals for the design of the built and natural environment and approach to ‘placemaking’, which consider how we can live our lives in a more carbon-conscious way.
A well connected, strategic location for growth
The redevelopment of Toton and Chetwynd Barracks presents a unique opportunity to reconnect surrounding communities, separated for generations. A strategically important location, being equidistant from the centres of Derby and Nottingham, the town provides access and local transport connections to the surrounding area. Toton had been earmarked as the location for the now cancelled HS2 East Midlands Hub Station, however the developed masterplan still meets the aspirations of key stakeholders including Nottingham County Council for the area to become a new centre for growth locally, nationally and globally.
Our masterplan for this highly complex site considers urban design, policy and infrastructure requirements with net-zero aspirations at the heart. Our involvement culminated in the delivery of a (now adopted) Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), fostering critical public consultation. A modern community will be created with 4,500 new affordable and carbon neutral homes.
The SPD contains a flexible framework including development of cycle pathways, green spaces, connectivity, access routes and community facilities, schools and healthcare provision. This integration is a critical element of achieving net-zero, for example, ensuring that community facilities are located where walking and cycling become the default travel option.
A vision driven by the community
Development of the Masterplan has been informed by multiple channels of engagement which have enabled a range of views to be collected from individuals, local businesses and organisations. In October and November 2020, an informal stage of engagement was carried out on emerging elements of the proposals for the sites, including the vision, key principles, and infrastructure proposals. We utilised Virtual Engage, a public consultation tool allowing the community to view the plans at a time to suit them and submit their comments within a virtual exhibition.
The engagement sought feedback on a range of topics, following which the Masterplan was further developed to consider a broader range of factors including refining open space network proposals, sustainability and net-zero carbon potential of Toton and Chetwynd Barracks; confirming educational facilities capacity in and around the Masterplan area; and refining the movement network.
Relationship with nature and history
Toton and Chetwynd Barracks benefit from proximity to a wide range of green and blue infrastructure assets, both within the sites themselves, and as part of wider networks beyond. Chetwynd Barracks’ long military heritage has resulted in an interesting and valued historic environment within the site.
Given the location of the sites within a rich natural landscape, the protection and enhancement of these significant environmental and historic assets for the enjoyment of existing and future communities at Toton and Chetwynd Barracks is intrinsic to the Masterplan.
There has been careful consideration given to retain and add green spaces and more streets, paths and cycleways, including more traffic-free links to places for the family to enjoy such as the Attenborough Nature Reserve, Erewash Canal and the River Erewash.
A hub for innovation
As part of the broader strategy to transform the area, the development of 18,000m2 employment floorspace will support the creation of a high-quality Innovation Campus at Toton North. The campus is intended to support high-growth businesses and university research. This will become a key part of the new community at Toton, as well as serving existing surrounding communities with a significant amount of new employment space set around a new east-west boulevard.
Along the boulevard will be a new local centre providing for retail and community needs, with new homes in the surrounding streets. Other complementary uses to support the Innovation Campus will be welcomed within this area, including hotels and conference facilities.
This is a once in a generation opportunity to create a bright future for decades to come. The region has really come together behind these bold and ambitious proposals for Toton and Chetwynd.
Cllr Kay Cutts
Chair of the Toton Delivery Board & HS2 Executive Board
Mott MacDonald
What we delivered
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A masterplan offering a flexible framework for developers and investors, ensuring key requirements are met while adapting to changes
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Key design principles to influence and facilitate the transition to net-zero with a holistic approach to placemaking
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Support the adopted SPD which aims to ensure a cohesive and sustainable development to benefit the local community and economy
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