Land South of Walk Mill Lane, Kingswood

Sustainable Design

Climate measures will include retention of existing vegetation, the establishment of new habitats and encouraging the use of sustainable transport. An integrated walking and cycling network and improved public transport services will encourage the use of sustainable transport, reducing congestion and improving air-quality.

Another measure is the sustainable design of the homes themselves:

• Homes will be built to consume less energy by using the latest materials and techniques to maximise insulation, air tightness and heat recovery. No fossil fuel heating systems will be installed beyond 2025, creating an uplift in energy efficiency of 75-80%.
• Materials will be procured from sustainable sources and construction waste recycled as far as possible.
• Electric vehicle charging points will be provided for all dwellings with on-plot parking.
• Sanitaryware and appliances that meet the highest water efficiency standards will be installed.
• Every home will be built with the space and technology to allow for comfortable home working via superfast data connections needed for modern living. Well designed homes will provide flexibility to cater for future demands of residents.

Transport

A Transport Assessment and Residential Travel Plan will be produced in support of the planning application, to address all highways and transportation matters. These documents, supported by supplementary technical documents, will be prepared in accordance with prevailing national guidance.

The Transport Assessment will review the site location, existing highway conditions, relevant planning policy and guidance, and the accessibility of the site by sustainable modes of transport. It will provide details of the proposed development, forecast the likely trip generation, and assesses the potential impact on the highway network. Where necessary, it will also identify appropriate mitigation measures to ensure the development is acceptable in planning and operational terms. The traffic impact assessment will adopt a robust and proportionate methodology, incorporating recent traffic surveys, census data analysis, and traffic modelling. It will consider a realistic future-year scenario and demonstrate that the development will not result in a severe impact on the operation or safety of the surrounding highway network.

The Residential Travel Plan complements the Transport Assessment by focusing on promoting sustainable travel to and from the site. The Travel Plan will review the site's accessibility by walking, cycling, and public transport, and outline a range of measures and initiatives designed to encourage modal shift away from car use, thereby minimising the development's impact on the local highway network.

Accordingly, it will be demonstrated that the proposed development is safe, suitable, and sustainable in highways and transportation terms, and fully compliant with relevant local and national planning policies.

Key Public Open Spaces

The development delivers three key elements to spaces the support the landscape vision:

• Public open space: The main public open space is situated at the northwestern corner of the development, with direct pedestrian links to Walk Mill Lane, providing accessible opportunities for gatherings and outdoor recreation.
• Central green corridor: The existing central hedgerow belt is enhanced to create a strong green corridor through the heart of the development and connecting spaces and wildlife.
• Play space: A new LEAP (Local Equipped Area of Play) is situated within the southeastern public open space, connected to the wider development via the green corridor.

Drainage and Flood Risk

A small watercourse is located on the south-eastern boundary of the site. The watercourse corridor is identified to fall within Flood Zone 3, this is land at a high probability of river flooding. A bespoke hydraulic river model of the watercourse has been developed to provide a definitive floodplain outline through the site. This has included an uplift to peak river flows to account for future climate change. The proposed development has been located outside and above the floodplain, on land classified as Flood Zone 1 (land at a low probability of river flooding). This will not only ensure that the development is at a low risk of flooding, but it will also prevent any detrimental displacement of the floodplain which could otherwise affect downstream flood risk. The site is identified to be at a low risk from other potential sources of flooding.

Surface water runoff from the existing site is currently drained via informal overland flow into the watercourse. The development proposes to mimic this arrangement by continuing to outfall to the watercourse. The discharge rate from the development will be restricted to the equivalent annual average greenfield (pre-development) runoff rate (QBAR), so that the peak flow leaving the site is not increased above the existing. The excess surface water runoff will be stored within an above ground Sustainable Drainage System (SUDS) basin or pond until it can be discharged. In accordance with best practise and guidance the basin will be sized to accommodate the 1 in 100-year storm with additional capacity provided to accommodate future climate change and potential urban creep. The SuDS will offer amenity and biodiversity benefits, as well as providing treatment to the runoff from the development, helping to protect downstream water quality.

Foul water will be drained separately to surface water and will be directed to the local foul sewers. The developer will work with the sewerage undertaker to confirm the most appropriate point of connection and ensure that any necessary reinforcements are implemented in the existing infrastructure prior to occupation.

Landscape

The public open space landscape proposals would contribute to a high-quality green infrastructure which takes advantage of the rural edge context and existing landscape framework. The existing hedgerow belt would be enhanced to create a green corridor through at the heart of the development. This would connect the new green public open space at the northwestern corner, through to the play space, SuDS and wildlife buffer at the southeastern edge, to the wider countryside beyond, strengthening the existing biodiversity and habitats whilst situating the development within a robust green infrastructure context.

Arboriculture

The site's existing tree stock is primarily composed of species typical of agricultural land, predominantly native trees such as ash, oak and willow. Most of these trees are located along the boundaries of the field parcels and adjacent properties. The trees vary in value, from some higher value specimens all the way to low value and dead trees. Notably, there are some larger ash trees considered to be of moderate to high value located around the site. The majority of the trees form typical, agriculturally managed boundary groups of various ages and form.

The proposed development will have a limited impact on the existing trees, with the vast majority being retained. Tree removal is required to facilitate the development, but this is restricted to partial removal of low value tree groups or hedgerows and removal of a single tree group that is unsuitable for retention because it is comprised of dead standing trees. To compensate for any loss, new planting will be provided across the site as part of the development plan.

A full Arboricultural Assessment will be submitted as part of the planning application. This report will provide comprehensive details on the existing tree stock and the specific impacts of the proposed development.

Green Infrastructure

The development is situated within the following green infrastructure strategy:

• Tree planting: Structured tree planting using native and feature ornamental species add character to new streets, entrances, and gathering spaces, creating seasonal and visual interest whilst enhancing biodiversity.
• SuDS & wetland Habitat: The proposed drainage corridor to the southeast edge harnesses natural water management techniques and provides opportunities to enhance biodiversity through native wetland planting and wildflower meadow.
• Enhanced boundaries: The more sensitive edges to existing residential properties and to views from the Cotswold National Landscape the hedgerow and trees boundaries are enhanced by additional planting, with an extensive buffer to the southeast rural edge.
• Recreational routes: A network of formal path lined with trees and informal paths within mown grass encourages active lifestyles, and opportunities for informal play. These routes also connect key green spaces within to the surrounding village context.

Additional Technical Matters

Further technical assessment work relating to Landscape, Arboriculture, Noise, Heritage, Ecology and Air Quality is being undertaken. A comprehensive suite of technical documents will accompany the formal planning application.