Area 2: Proposed Railway Station Development Brief

6.13 The establishment of a railway station at Elland, on the Caldervale Line of the West Yorkshire Metro system, would greatly enhance the accessibility of Elland in a sustainable manner. The establishment of such a facility will ultimately be determined by the outcome of a feasibility study and negotiations with West Yorkshire Metro (the Passenger Transport Executive), Network Rail (which owns the rail infrastructure) and Northern Rail (the current franchise-holder for rail services through Elland.) These factors are outside the scope of the SPD.

6.14 The SPD can however analyse the proposed site and ensure that the proposal brings the maximum benefits possible to Elland.

6.15 The development of a rail halt would not only improve a neglected corner of the town but will increase the options for sustainable transport for employees and visitors to Elland and the Lowfields Business Park.

6.16 The RCUDP establishes the principle of developer contributions towards public transport infrastructure. See Chapter 7 of this SPD.

6.17 This site is allocated in the RCUDP as a Primary Employment Area, Cycle Corridor, Wildlife Corridor, Existing Passenger Railway and Leeds-Bradford Airport Wind Turbine Consultation Zone. Proposals must be in accordance with the relevant RCUDP policies, which are detailed in Appendix 1.

6.18 Site Analysis

The following site analysis should be read alongside the respective site analysis diagram, Figure 17

6.19 The proposed location for a Rail halt is depicted in Figure 11 (Area 2.) The Site is ideally placed for pedestrian access to the Elland Bridge Riverside Park, Lowfields Business Park, and the Nu Swift site. However, the site does have several down sides that will need to be addressed if the positive outcomes of a railway station are to be fully realised.

1. The station is outside the Town Centre and what pedestrian links there are to the Town Centre are poor.

2. Pedestrian access to the site is poor owing to the barrier created by the by-pass; unpleasant pathways along busy, high-speed roads; and inadequate quality of paving along the Wistons Lane route.

3. Cycling access is poor due to a lack of infrastructure provision, throughout Elland and in this area particularly.

4. The enclosed location of the site, beyond a busy bypass, may make it difficult for rail users to find the Town Centre.

5. The enclosed nature of the site may make it feel unsafe.

Flood Risk

6.20 This site is within Flood Risk zone 3, as set out by the Environment Agency. Due to the nature of development proposed for this site, the Sequential Test and Exceptions Test of Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 25: “Development and Flood Risk”, have been undertaken and are appended to the SPD. See Appendix 2.

6.21 A future planning application will need to be accompanied by a Flood Risk Assessment.

6.22 Development Brief

The following development brief should be read alongside Figure 18

6.23 In order to achieve the development brief objectives, the following proposals are made.

1. In order to integrate the site with the Town Centre, and other key locations, the pedestrian and cycling networks proposed in Chapter 5 could be implemented.

2. The site could also have park-and-ride facilities for motor vehicle users as well as a bus stop with services into the Town Centre.

3. The route into the site along Wistons Lane is considered to be the superior means of pedestrian and cyclist access, owing to its proximity to the Park (Site 1.) This means of access should therefore be emphasised through the use of high quality and appropriate signs.

4. CCTV cameras could be located at strategic locations to enhance public safety and confidence in the proposed facility.

5. Owing to the views afforded by the landscape to the north of Elland, it is recommended that the station platforms and related structures be orientated in a manner that enhances visible permeability from the platforms.

6. The design of the station itself should utilise high quality materials and incorporate sustainable energy features, such as solar panels, wind turbines, and rain water collection technology where appropriate.

7. Owing to the elevated position of the railway line, the built forms of the station could be designed such that they make a minimal impact on the landscape, particularly on the views to the north of Elland. Station buildings and structures should be as unintrusive as possible, and transparent construction materials should be considered.