Pragmatic approach helps secure new homes
After more than a decade of planning, a 45-apartment residential development in Haslemere has finally received a resolution to grant planning permission. Motion provided transport and travel planning advice, and conducted a services appraisal and sustainable drainage (SuDS) assessment for the Brettenwood Investment Holdings scheme.
Brian Sheridan of Britannic Developments says, “Motion displayed a very deep understanding of the issues related to local highways and vehicle movements. Overcoming parking constraints was key to getting the scheme off the ground.”
Subject to a Section 106 agreement, the apartments will be built on a brownfield site at Wey Hill, a short walk from the town’s railway station. The land was previously used for retail, light industrial and office purposes. The scheme, originally planned to be a mixed-use development, had been refused and then granted on appeal. More recently, the proposals were revised to entirely residential use.
Comprehensive, one-stop shop
The site benefits from direct access to a good network of pedestrian, cycle and public transport links serving the local area. Motion’s Managing Director Phil Bell explains, “The planning authority had concerns about redeveloping the site for residential purposes, preferring instead to support local employment. However, it was demonstrated that the new homes would cause the least impact on local transport networks. One parking space per residential unit was proposed, in accordance with the standards set out by Waverley Borough Council.”
Brian Sheridan concludes, “The Motion team’s local knowledge and network of useful contacts was invaluable during the project. The company has solid experience of local policy and adopted a very pragmatic approach with Surrey County Council. They acted as a very effective, comprehensive one-stop shop for all our transport and drainage requirements.”
This article first appeared in the Winter 2018/19 issue of Insight.
Image credit: © Mitchell Evans Architects
