Navigating the constraints of smaller sites

Planning permission has been secured for six new homes in Buckinghamshire.  Plans include the demolition of a medical centre in Beaconsfield and construction of residential units with refuse storage, vehicular access and car and cycle parking.  Motion supported developer, Halamar Projects, with transport planning expertise, overcoming the challenges of constrained parking and access for delivery and servicing.

Parking spaces measuring 2.8 x 5.0 metres were originally stipulated by the local authority.  The team emphasised that spaces serving the medical centre were smaller and a commonly accepted minimum bay dimension.  It was recommended that providing appropriate levels of car parking for each unit would be of greater benefit than larger spaces.

Understanding site requirements

The development is set back from the highway and adjacent to a narrow one-way access road which is unable to accommodate refuse vehicles.  According to Zoe Curran, Senior Planner at Boyer, “We originally proposed refuse storage in a corner of the site.  However, drag distances for bins were above the recommended guidance.” 

Motion Technical Director, David McMurtary, explains, “The communal bin storage area needed to be carefully repositioned to ensure reduced drag distances.”  Zoe adds, “Motion reviewed the surrounding area and the adjacent scheme which was extremely helpful.  The team’s expert advice helped us to revise the layout to suit the amended bin store location, understand the requirements of this constrained site and to achieve a successful result.”

Image credit: © WaM Architecture