An Outline Planning Application establishes broad parameters of development, such as the number of homes and general area of development. A “Reserved Matters” application would need to follow which would include more details such as appearance, detailed layout and landscaping. House types would be confirmed at this later stage, but images are provided of the types of high quality homes that Barratt Redrow builds.
In line with the “Golden Rules” set by the Government for development of sites in the Green Belt, 43% of the new homes are expected to be affordable housing. The precise mix will be determined in liaison with Lichfield District Council, but it is anticipated to include a mix of Social Rent and Shared Ownership homes.
Barratt Redrow have robust and rigorous design standards for the homes they build and the places they create. This includes the incorporation of energy efficient and low carbon measures, such as air source heat pumps, solar PV and Electric Vehicle charging points for each house.
New areas of accessible open space are proposed throughout the site, providing both equipped playspace and informal recreation areas. The scheme provides new connections with the existing footpath network, linking through areas of greenspace and delivering access to the amenity spaces and facilities on the site. Allotments are shown on the emerging Illustrative Masterplan, but this is not finalised, and the types of public open space could be tailored to meet local deficits and aspirations. Your comments are welcomed on this matter.
Photos of open space and playspace provision on recent Barratt Redrow developments are provided.
It is expected that the proposed development will generate financial investment to support local infrastructure, and any investments made will be informed by consultation with Lichfield District Council and statutory bodies such as the NHS Integrated Care Board, the Education Authority and the Highway Authority. The types of infrastructure this could support include healthcare, education (primary / secondary), public transport services and community facilities such as libraries and sports facilities. Once the investments are agreed with Lichfield District Council, Barratt Redrow will enter into a legally binding agreement with the Council, referred to as a “Section 106 agreement”.
The site mostly comprises of farmland which is of relatively low biodiversity value, although there are some higher value habitats consisting of trees, hedgerows, woodland and grassed field margins. These will remain largely intact with only minor losses anticipated to allow for access. New trees and hedges will be planted as part of the overall landscaping and Biodiversity Net Gain strategies for the Site, thereby mitigating any losses.
The emerging proposals show the belt of trees alongside the canal to be retained and strengthened with new planting, preserving the character of the canal and treed backdrop to the site. A landscape buffer is proposed to be planted alongside the railway line, integrating the scheme into the landscape and tying-in with the well vegetated settlement edge alongside the railway. Planting alongside the eastern boundary would define the edge of the site, filtering views of the agricultural buildings at Sheepwash Farm.
The daylighting of Fisherwick Brook and creation of attenuation ponds will provide new riparian habitats to support wildlife features. Overall, a 10% net gain in biodiversity will be delivered through the development.
In addition, the development would apply Barratt Redrow’s commitment to the Future Homes Hub’s ‘Homes for Nature’. This commitment includes the installation of nest bricks and bird boxes for each house, hedgehog highways where appropriate and planting to support pollinating species.
Below are examples of recent Barratt Redrow developments.
The site is located entirely within Flood Zone 1, as identified by the Environment Agency Flood Map for Planning. This is land identified as having a low probability of flooding from rivers (less than a 1 in 1,000 annual chance of flooding). The Environment Agency’s data shows some localised areas at risk of surface water flooding, and it is known from technical studies that Fisherwick Brook is culverted underneath the site.
The drainage strategy is being designed ensure that flood risk and drainage conditions are improved on-site post development whilst not increasing flood risk elsewhere. Attenuation ponds are proposed to collect and store surface water that will be positively drained at an appropriately restricted rate into the Fisherwick Brook. It is also anticipated that the culverted Fisherwick Brook will be daylighted within the site, providing multi-functional benefits for flood risk, drainage, amenity and biodiversity.
Vehicular, pedestrian and cycle access is proposed from Fisherwick Road at the southern boundary. To provide an active travel route through the site, a pedestrian and cycle link via the north-western corner of the site over Middleton Bridge is envisaged.
Whittington Bridge along Fisherwick Road currently does not cater for pedestrians. A solution to provide a continuous footway over the bridge through the introduction of a shuttle signal arrangement is proposed, which would link to an improved footway along the site’s frontage. This would provide a safe and convenient walking route from Whittington to the site and Sheepwash Farm Day Nursery.
Traffic generation and assignment has been agreed with the Local Highway Authority. Initial findings of the capacity assessments, shows that introduction of the development traffic at the site access, the shuttle signals and the crossroads junction in the centre of Whittington would have no material impacts on queuing and delay. Wider impacts would be diluted following dispersion of traffic.
Whittington Conservation Area is located to the west of the site. A Heritage Impact Assessment has been undertaken, based on the emerging proposals, and it is concluded that the proposed development would not impact the special character and appearance of the Whittington Conservation Area. Intervening development to the west of the site and mature vegetation along the canal means that only glimpsed views are available to the site, and the development would be congruous with this existing development.
In developing the emerging plans, we have engaged with Cadent Gas to agree the design approach to the development. The gas pipeline under the site will remain intact, with safe buffer distances provided to new housing.
A noise and vibration assessment has been carried out to consider potential noise from the railway line, Fisherwick Road and the yard at Sheepwash Farm. Mitigation in the form of landscaped buffers, localised barriers (such as acoustic fences) and enhanced glazing and ventilation strategies are deemed appropriate in order to ensure acceptable noise and vibration levels for future residents.
As part of the Outline Planning Application, a full suite of technical studies will be submitted covering the technical considerations above as well as air quality, contamination, archaeology, etc. The findings of these studies will inform the proposals as they progress, however, it is not anticipated that there will be any significant constraints which would prevent the delivery of a high quality and sustainable development on the site.
Sheepwash Farm, Whittington
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