Key Considerations

The design work by Barwood Land’s appointed professional team has been guided by a wide range of technical studies and assessments covering key matters such as transport; sustainability; drainage and flood risk; ecology and nature conservation; trees; landscape and visual considerations; archaeology; ground conditions; noise and air quality.

These studies have all informed the creation of the illustrative masterplan and have ensured that a scheme which is both appropriate for the site and, crucially, is deliverable in the short-term, underpins the outline planning application.

The key design considerations which have been taken into account in formulating the indicative proposals include:

    • With the exception of the removal of two (poor quality and recently planted) trees on the site frontage to deliver the site access, all trees and hedgerows on the site can be protected and enhanced as part of the development, supported by new planting.

    • The woodland area in the eastern part of the site, which forms part of a Local Wildlife Site, will not be impacted by the development. Instead, the development offers an opportunity to secure its long-term protection, management and enhancement.

    • Investigating measures which can meaningfully enhance the site’s biodiversity, beyond the level it currently possesses as cultivated farmland.

    • Providing  safe and suitable accesses into the land for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles, with a focus on creating opportunities for residents to choose to walk, cycle and use public transport to commute and to access local shops, services and facilities as well as for the existing local community to walk and cycle to use the proposed on site facilities and open spaces, as well as Harlestone Firs.

    • Designing a Sustainable Urban Drainage System which meets local and national requirements and a development which will not increase the risk of flooding on site or elsewhere.

    • Creating a development with a sense of place; respectful of its surroundings, reflective of its gateway location, and with minimal impact on its neighbours.

    • The development will boost local spend and support local shops and services. The modest scale of development proposed will not adversely affect existing local infrastructure and facilities.

    • The need for any off-site improvements to local services and facilities, such as schools, GP practices and roads, that will be required as a result of the development will be determined during the determination of the planning application. Any such requirements can be secured by a Section 106 legal agreement.