In creating our emerging proposals for the site, we have considered the following as Key Design Principles:
Richborough and William Davis have conducted a thorough appraisal of the existing conditions of the local transport network, and the impacts a development such as this could create.
A new roundabout will be created on Allendale Road to facilitate access into the site which will be designed in accordance with the Leicestershire Highway Design Guide.
Appropriate footways will be provided as well as the creation of new recreational routes which will be incorporated throughout the proposed schemes.
The internal road infrastructure has been designed to enable a bus connection within the scheme and further support sustainable transport modes.
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 the proposed developments.
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 the site would be no more than the current rates, as an undeveloped field. This will ensure that flood risk is not increased elsewhere as part of the proposed development.
The site has been assessed in respect of heritage and archaeology. In respect of built heritage, there are no designated heritage assets within the site and there are no Scheduled Monuments assessed as sensitive to the proposed development outside of the site. Only limited heritage assets within the surrounding area would be affected through changes to their setting, however the design has been informed by the heritage sensitivities of these assets and proposed built and landscaping mitigation measures will reduce the harmful impact of the proposals.
With regards to archaeology, geophysical surveys have been undertaken with no anomalies suggestive of significant archaeological activity identified. Further discussions with Leicester County Council’s Archaeology Officers will be undertaken following submission of the planning applications to ensure any further investigation requested is completed.
A variety of surveys have undertaken at the Site to establish its baseline ecology value and in order to shape the proposals. A site appraisal indicated that there are no known local wildlife sites within the site and no ecological constraints that cannot be mitigated by the development proposal. It is anticipated that there will be no impacts upon statutory designated sites as a result of the proposed development.
The masterplanning exercise has been informed by the principle of retaining existing trees and hedgerows wherever possible. Only a limited loss will occur to allow for 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. This will ensure a significant improvement in the biodiversity over and above its existing condition.