In creating our emerging proposals for the site, we have considered the following as Key Design Principles:
Miller Homes have conducted a thorough appraisal of the existing conditions of the local transport network, and the likely impacts from the proposed development.
For all accesses, appropriate footways will be provided as well as the new recreational routes which will be incorporated through the proposed schemes.
The detailed 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 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 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.
With regards to archaeology, it has been agreed with the County Archaeologist for Staffordshire County Council, that trial trenching can be undertaken post-determination as a condition of the planning consent.
Miller Homes have undertaken a variety of surveys on 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.
The masterplanning exercise has been informed by the principle of retaining existing trees and hedgerows wherever possible. There will be limited hedgerow loss for the construction of internal roads; that loss will be mitigated by substantial new tree and other planting.
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. This will ensure a significant improvement in the biodiversity over and above its existing condition.