The Application
As the application is being submitted in outline, matters such as the detailed design of the layout, as well as the precise number, types and appearance of the houses and the site’s landscaping scheme will be determined at a later stage and will all need to be submitted to Stratford-on-Avon District Council for approval.
A concept plan has been developed following a landscape-led design approach and this can be seen below. This includes a riverside park which provides a landscape buffer along the eastern edge of the site. Extensive technical work has been conducted to demonstrate the suitability of the proposed development. On this basis, the scheme is now at a stage where an outline planning application can start to be progressed.
The planned key principles of the scheme proposals are outlined below.
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The scheme will deliver up to 1,700 new homes.
Houses will not exceed 2 ½ storeys in height in order to further minimise landscape and visual impact.
40% of the new homes will be affordable, with a mix of house types and sizes taking into consideration identified local needs.
Consideration is also being given to the provision of retirement living / extra care housing.
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In order to create a truly sustainable development, a mix of uses are proposed with the site, to ensure that residents will be able to meet a number of their day-to-day needs without the need to use a car.
A mixed-use local centre is proposed. The exact mix of uses will be largely market driven, but could include uses such as shops, food and drink outlets or services such as a nursery or a flexible workspace.
To the south of the site, adjacent to Insight Park, approximately 2.8 hectares of employment land is proposed.
A two-form entry primary school is proposed within the site. This will provide children living within the site with easy opportunity to walk to school.
Land is proposed to be safeguarded for a new secondary school. This will assist with sustainable travel patterns, given that the majority of children living in the east of Southam have to travel across town to Southam College.
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In addition to the proposed mix of uses, the scheme will be designed to ensure good connectivity between the development and Southam town centre. There are opportunities on the northern, western, and southern boundaries of the site to provide additional pedestrian and cycle connections into Southam via existing footways. The site is within a 5-minute cycle ride of Southam and its many services and facilities. The scheme will also be designed to ensure that bus connections are deliverable.
Furthermore, the development will be designed to be sustainable and energy efficient, supporting the Council’s climate change strategy. There will be a focus on well-designed open spaces, energy efficient new homes, and sustainable drainage design in an edge-of-town location where people can (and will be encouraged to) walk, cycle and use public transport to access employment, shops and other services and facilities.
Sustainable urban drainage features (SUDS) will be sensitively designed to integrate and form part of the informal areas of open space, in line with national and local requirements to serve the development and ensure the risk of flooding will not increase within the site or elsewhere.
Measures will be implemented to deliver and secure the long-term protection and enhancement of ecological habitats within the site, including the existing trees and hedgerows.
Biodiversity Net Gain will be achieved, likely in excess of the minimum legislative 10% requirement.
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Whilst submitted in outline, the planning application parameters will ensure delivery of a high-quality development that respects, reflects, and celebrates Southam’s distinctive character and identity and that has a strong sense of place and belonging as a cohesive part of the town.
As part of this application a series of design principles will be proposed to ensure that those principles must be carried through at the detailed design (reserved matters) application stage and thereafter delivered.
Those design principles will be outlined in the Design and Access Statement that will form part of the submitted planning application.
A key aspect of the design is that it will be landscape led, with the key focus proposed to be an attractive riverside park to the eastern boundary. This will provide greater access to nature and enhance biodiversity.
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In addition to the provision of 1,700 new private market and affordable homes, the benefits a development of this scale can bring are wide reaching and include:
The creation of temporary construction jobs
The creation of full and part-time permanent jobs in the proposed non-residential uses (employment area, neighbourhood centre, primary school, secondary school, extra-care housing etc).
Increased expenditure from construction activity, and from new residents of the scheme, to help support existing shops, services, and facilities within Southam.
The delivery of vital social infrastructure including education.
The provision of new sports facilities and areas for recreation and play.
Funding of improvements needed to local community and social infrastructure, such as schools, and roads as a result of the development to be secured by a Section 106 legal agreement and CIL money.