Haroldslea Drive, Horley

Planning permission has been granted to build 40 new dwellings in Surrey after an appeal.  Motion supported Earlswood Homes with drainage, flood-risk and transport expertise, helping the housebuilder to gain approval for its largest scheme to date.

Despite an application being initially turned down at the local level, the winning proposals will deliver a sensitively designed scheme of family homes, which is sympathetic to the surrounding area and in a highly accessible location.

Motion helped to overcome the challenges of transport and flooding issues which were sensitive locally.  As a small part of the site fell within Flood Zone 2, the planning application needed to address the sequential test, even though most of the development is located within Flood Zone 1. The sequential test assessment concluded that there were no reasonable available sites in areas with a lower risk of flooding that would be appropriate for the development.

A strategy was put forward to reduce the risk of flooding and to improve the current, poorly maintained drainage network.  Partial infiltration was proposed as a means of surface-water discharge, with infiltration occurring at shallow depths throughout the site.  Permeable paving layers will be used to drain the site and cellular storage crates will be placed beneath the central carpark.  Control chambers will restrict flows to meet existing greenfield runoff rates.

The site is in a sustainable location, close to amenities and job opportunities.  Future residents will enjoy easy access to Horley town centre and railway station, primary and secondary schools, and major employment hubs such as Gatwick airport.

Motion’s work also ensured that the site was suitably connected to the surrounding network of pedestrian, cycle and public transport links, including upgrading adjacent Public Rights of Way (PRoW).

“We had some understanding of Motion’s collaborative approach and knew their experience of working with the County Council would be vital.  This input proved to be invaluable as the process turned out to be smooth and uneventful in respect of transport, highways and flooding.”

Billy Clements, Development Director, Earlswood Homes

Illustration courtesy of Omega Architects