Collaboration culminates in new homes approval
Planning consent has been granted to Bellway Homes, subject to a legal agreement, to build 259 houses on part of an allocated site in Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire. The outcome marks the culmination of several years of collaboration with the project’s team of experts, overcoming local opposition and demonstrating the suitability of the site for much-needed new homes.
Long-term partnership
From preapplication through to approval and post planning, Motion’s involvement in the scheme has spanned several years. Support has included transport and travel planning, design of offsite highway works and advice for deliveries and servicing. The team is now preparing the detailed design of the site access arrangements and offsite highways works under a Section 278 agreement.
Motion also assisted with several public consultations and exhibitions in association with the planning application and in preparation of the site design brief, taking into account local feedback about the scheme, in particular the position of the site access.
According to Ben Thomas, Director, Planning at Savills, “Motion has been there from the outset, providing a fast and reliable service delivered by a very knowledgeable team that knows how to get results.”
Driving modal shift
A package of sustainable transport measures was developed to drive a shift in travel behaviour. Plans included provision of a new foot/cycleway and upgrades to an existing footway to deliver continuous walking and cycling routes to local amenities. Bus stop improvements were also proposed. Motion Principal Transport Planner, Fiona Thorp, explains, “A good network of pedestrian and cycle links will serve the development and provide access to bus routes. Provision will also be made for electric vehicle charging.”
Modelling and traffic studies were carried out, concluding that with implementation of the sustainable transport measures, the development would not have a material impact on the operation of neighbouring junctions.
Phil Bell, Motion Managing Director, reflects, “Careful consideration of the transport and traffic impacts was necessary, alongside those of an adjacent application to ensure comprehensive assessment and development.” He adds, “Transport Assessments for the two schemes needed to be reviewed by the planning authority simultaneously. This required coordination and dovetailing that added to the complexity of the project.”
Sustainability impact:
- On-site cycle storage reduces demand for vehicular transport
- Active travel encouraged with continuous walking and cycling routes to local amenities
- Bus stop upgrades make sustainable travel a more attractive option
Image credit: © DHA Architecture Ltd
An abridged version of this article first appeared in Issue 25 of Insight
