TECHNICAL EVIDENCE

The preparation of the proposals to date has been informed and supported by a comprehensive suite of technical reports, addressing key matters including:

DESIGN AND LANDSCAPE

In creating our emerging proposals for the site, we have considered the following as Key Design Principles:

  • Using a landscape-led masterplanning approach whereby existing landscape features are retained as robustly as possible, reinforced with new green and blue infrastructure to mitigate against arising adverse impacts upon the landscape, and enhancing it at every opportunity.
  • To create a connected residential layout of functional and well-designed streets, paths and routes that provides a layout that is accessible and easy to move through and around with a particular emphasis for pedestrians and cyclists and connections into Droitwich Spa.
  • To create a high-quality built environment with a range of energy efficient well-defined new homes located within attractive well-designed streets close to areas of accessible green space.
  • A substantial area of open green space is incorporated into the proposals to provide an attractive transition between the proposed development, Droitwich Spa and the surrounding countryside.

ACCESS, TRANSPORT AND MOVEMENT

  • Ainscough Strategic Land are undertaking a thorough appraisal of the existing conditions of the local transport network and the potential impacts that a development such as this could create. The Site is considered a sustainable location for new homes, and discussions with the Local Highways Authority will be undertaken to identify and mitigate any potential impacts.
  • An outline planning application will be accompanied by a Transport Assessment, which will consider the impacts of the proposals on the local road network. This will help to determine whether improvements to the local highway network are required to address the impacts of the proposed development.

FLOOD RISK AND DRAINAGE

The site is located outside of areas at risk of flooding from rivers and sea and within Flood Zone 1. The proposals would include attenuation basins, the purpose of which would be to hold surface water run-off from the development proposals and discharge it at greenfield rates. This means that the amount of water running off from the Site would be no more than the current rates, as undeveloped fields. This will ensure that flood risk is not increased elsewhere as part of the proposed development.

ECOLOGY AND NATURE

Ainscough Strategic Land has undertaken a variety of surveys on the Site to establish its baseline ecology value and in order to shape the proposals. The main features of ecology interest on-site are existing field hedges and trees given the Site’s existing agricultural use. The masterplanning exercise has been informed by the principle of retaining existing trees and hedgerows wherever possible.

As part of the ecology work, detailed surveys have been carried out to inform the development proposals and will be submitted alongside the planning application. The development will also include mitigation and enhancement measures to provide a benefit to those species which may be found locally, which will include bat and bird nesting boxes, hedgehog houses, and wildflower planting. As a result of these measures, and the extensive diverse planting across the site, the development will deliver at least a 10% Biodiversity Net Gain in line with national policy. This will ensure a significant improvement in the biodiversity over and above its existing condition.

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