These proposals will create a sustainable mixed-use scheme that will enhance the current Barton Street environment without competing with the established retail businesses. A mix of small office premises, workshops and residential is proposed - uses that are normally found on the upper storeys of a thriving highstreet and equally suited to a backland courtyard where issues such as accessibility can be more satisfactorily addressed.
The design strategy is to reinforce the historic identity of the conservation area by continuing the existing pattern of backland terraces, 'stitching in' a new row of buildings between Gothic Cottages in the West and Vauxhall Terrace on the East edge of the site. This, together with the retention of important original features (such as garden walls and other relics of Gloucester's industrial heritage) is intended to improve the visual coherence of the area. At the same time steps will be taken to increase permeability through the site by linking together existing paths and drives. The mix of building type proposed is intended to create a 24 hour pattern of use and increase passive surveillance within the area to discourage anti-social activities. The new terrace would create two courtyards, one with a commercial bias, directly linked to Barton Street by a passage-way under no. 145 and the other with a quieter residential focus. These informal backland squares would be connected by covered walkways, with strategic landscape interventions designed to punctuate key routes through the scheme.
