In creating our emerging proposals for the site, we have considered the following as Key Design Principles:
Clarendon Land and Development have conducted a thorough appraisal of the existing conditions of the local transport network, and the impacts a development such as this could create. Collingham is considered a sustainable location for new homes, given the strong provision of services and facilities and the level of pedestrian connectively via walking and cycling.
Further discussions with the Local Highway authority will be undertaken following submission of the application in order to mitigate any potential impacts on the local road network of Collingham.
The planning application will be accompanied by a Transport Assessment which will, amongst other things, consider the impacts of the proposals upon the operation of off-site junctions cumulatively with other recently completed developments. This will help to understand whether improvements are needed to the local highway network to address impacts of this proposed development.
The site is located outside of areas at risk of flooding from rivers and sea and within Flood Zone 1. The proposals would include sustainable urban drainage features to naturally manage surface water runoff and a pumping station which will improve the resilience of the wider area. This means that the amount of water running off from the site would be no more than the current rates, as an undeveloped grass paddock. This will ensure that flood risk is not increased elsewhere as part of the proposed development.
Clarendon Land and Development 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 farmed nature of the site.
The masterplanning exercise has been informed by the principle of retaining existing root areas, tree canopies and hedgerows wherever possible. Only a limited amount of hedgerow and tree loss will occur to allow for internal access and substantial new tree and other planting will occur throughout the site.
As part of the ecology work, detailed surveys have been carried out as part of formulating 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.