Frequently Asked Questions
General
How will residents be kept informed on progress?
We will have series of measures in place to keep residents informed as we develop our proposals for the site, which include this dedicated project website.
Once the Masterplan Framework Document has been agreed with Charnwood Borough Council, Taylor Wimpey will begin to prepare a Planning Application for the site. This application will be subject to a full consultation with the local community, at which stage we will provide detailed information on likely timescales
What is the current status of the proposals?
The site is allocated for residential development in the emerging Charnwood Local Plan 2021-2037. The emerging Local Plan was submitted to the Government at the end of 2021 and the examination process is ongoing.
We are currently in the final stages of completing our Masterplan Framework Document. Once this has been agreed with Charnwood Borough Council, we will begin to prepare a planning application for the site.
When would construction on site start?
Once the Masterplan Framework Document has been agreed with Charnwood Borough Council, Taylor Wimpey will begin to prepare a Planning Application for the site. This application will be subject to consultation with the local community, at which stage we should be able to update you on likely timescales for consideration and construction.
Are there any better suited sites?
The site has been identified as suitable for development by Charnwood Borough Council through the preparation of its emerging Local Plan. This has included the consideration of the development potential of a significant number of sites across the Borough.
Highways and Transport
How is the site accessible to existing bus services?
The site is in close proximity to local bus services, including a bus service every 15 minutes. In addition to this, there are opportunities to improve bus services in the area.
The development will be serviced by bus routes 5/5A, providing a service to Leicester with a frequency every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday. The stops are located to the north east of the site on Melton Road. We are exploring the re-routing of some of these surveys to reintroduce a half hourly service on Goodes Lane.
What is the current level of pedestrian accessibility surrounding the site?
The site is surrounded by street lighting, with vehicle speed restrictions of 30 MPH on all local residential roads. Goodes Lane has traffic calming and a lorry ban, and St Paul’s Drive has at least two-metre-wide footways on both sides of the road. Additionally, a dropped kerb crossing with tactile paving is provided on St Paul’s Drive at the junction of Goodes Lane.
Barkby Road benefits from footways on both sides to facilitate good pedestrian access to the site, with a continuous link to bus stops on Barkby Road. New footways will be provided in the immediate vicinity as part of the provisions.
What footpaths are located near the site?
The development will provide a connection through to Millers Close to the north-west of the site, that will connect an internal footway/cycleway. This will allow more direct access to the town centre and the train station. Additionally, National Cycle Route 48 runs through Syston, and along Melton Road, to the north of the site. This continues along Barkby Brook to the west, whilst linking with the Grand Union Canal.
A public right of way runs through the site in a roughly south east to north west direction. This will be retained by any development proposals.
How long would it take to walk to Syston?
The walking distance from the site to Syston Town Centre is approximately 1.2 kilometres, or a 15-minute walk from the western side, and 2 kilometres (25 minute walk) from the eastern side.
What traffic modelling has been planned?
Further modelling of local roads will take place in support of a planning application, with parameters to be agreed with Leicestershire County Council Highways. Feedback received by residents and stakeholders will be submitted as a report to Charnwood Borough Council. This will assist the Council will further modelling. Initial outputs of assessments will be received in early 2023, to inform further transport consultations with local stakeholders and residents.
What local rail connections are available to the site?
Syston Railway Station is located to the west of the site, accessible from Melton Road. It is within walking distance of the site, with an approximate 20-minute walk at the furthest point of the site. The station provides links to Loughborough and Leicester.
Where will the site be accessed from?
The site will be accessible from Barkby Lane as well as from northern access points which are to be determined. These northern access points will likely come from the existing cul-de-sacs on the southern edge of Syston.
Local Amenities and Facilities
Which shopping and employment amenities are in walking distance to the site?
A variety of local convenience shopping options, such as an ALDI, Tesco Metro, and a Co-operative, are located within a short walking distance of the site. These shops are approximately 1.2 kilometres, or a 15-minute walk from the western side. A range of employment opportunities, including those in the town centre and in other employment locations across the town, are within walking and cycling distance of the site.
What schools are close to the site?
The site will deliver a new primary school to serve the new development at this site and other sites within Syston which are also allocated for residential development in the emerging Local Plan. . Additionally, S106 funding will ensure that existing schools in the area will receive funding to support further capacity and resource for the site.
Merton Primary School is located adjacent to the site’s north western boundary. St Paul Church of England Primary School is also within a 2-kilometre walking distance of the site. Secondary schools close to the site include the Roundhill Academy, which is a 5-minute drive from the site. The Cedars Academy is located 4 miles west of the site, being a 10-minute drive from the site.
What local healthcare and pharmacy options are available?
The Jubilee Medical Centre and Boots pharmacy are located behind the High Street on Melton Road. These facilities, alongside the shops and services in the High Street are approximately 1.2 kilometres from the western part of the site.
Which other community facilities are accessible from the site?
In addition to retail, health, and educational facilities that lie close to the site, there several public houses, meeting facilities, places of worship, and several sports facilities within Syston. All main facilities fall within a 1.2 kilometre (15 minute walk) (of the western part of the site, and 2-kilometre (25 minute walk) of the eastern part of the site.
Will there be any affordable housing provision on the site?
A thirty percent provision of affordable housing will be provided, as per the policy within the draft Charnwood Local Plan.
How will the development invest into Syston?
Taylor Wimpey takes pride in investment into local areas,. The proposals for this site include effective inward investment towards community facilities, including a community hub, and educational facilities.
What is a Green Park Edge?
The development will contain a ‘Green Park Edge’, which is a series of attractive wooded and green space. This will provide a focally attractive boundary to the development.
Flood risk and Drainage
What drainage systems are being proposed?
A variety of integrated Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS) will be implemented to control and improve water flow from the site. A series of attenuation basins across the site will be provided to store rainwater and ensure there is no increase in surface water runoff rate to downstream receptors.
What is the frequency of flooding at the site?
Hydraulic modelling was undertaken at the site to define the flood risk from the Barkby Brook and its tributary, based on a watercourse survey. The flood modelling considered a range of events, from 1 in 30 years to 1 in 1000 years. Increased river flows due to climate change have also been taken into consideration. The results show that minor flooding from the tributary is expected from a 1 in 30yr event, whereas the Barkby Brook, within the site, was shown to have sufficient capacity for the events modelled.
How do Sustainable Drainage Systems work?
The attenuation ponds will store surface water runoff, with a series of basins at key locations. The basins will be large enough to accommodate a 1 in 100 year rainfall event, including climate change allowances. Surface water will then be released at a controlled rate to ensure there is no increase in flood risk to downstream receptors.
Areas of potential attenuation consist of areas that will facilitate drainage systems such as Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems.
Is the development located in a flood zone?
In accordance with the NPPF and the Charnwood Local Plan, no development will be located within high risk modelled flood extents, ensuring that there is no displacement of floodwater. The technical assessments underpinning this approach will require approval by both the Environment Agency and the LLFA (Leicestershire County Council).
Ecology and Biodiversity
How is wildlife going to be protected?
Existing wildlife will be protected by a series of integrated networks of public open spaces, that provide natural separation between Syston and Barkby. This will include the creation of natural green spaces with trees and copses. Structural green layers and green routes with historical field patterning will provide extensive new habitats to retain and enhance existing wildlife activity.
How will the development provide a net gain for wildlife?
The development will provide an increase in habitat creation to encourage further wildlife to flourish. This includes a provision of integrated public spaces, recreating historic field patterning, connective green routes, green layering, and landscaping diversification to encourage wildlife to the site. Our environmental assessments conclude that the total percentage biodiversity net gain (both on site and off-site provision) is 23.98 percent for habitats, and 11.36 percent for hedgerows.
What is a Green Park Edge?
The development ensures a series of woodland, scrub and meadow to reflect Barkby’s wooded, rural context. This will provide a natural blend of native plant species, as well as establishing a green perimeter to contain and frame the scheme. This will include extensive tree and copses planting along the southern boundary with Barkby Lane and the eastern boundary with Queniborough Road, to establish a wide, soft natural edge to the site.
Landscaping, Recreational Open Spaces, and Visual Impact
What recreational green infrastructure will be provided on the development?
A range of networked, multi-functional green spaces will be provided that will encourage a variety of informal and formal activities for active lifestyles. This will include a series of orchards and allotments, to encourage organic farming and growing by local residents. The proposals also include the use of trim trails, play spaces and other recreational activities that will provide opportunities for all residents, to promote mental and physical wellbeing.
What formal sports provision will be included?
A significant level of formal sports pitch provision, alongside play parks, will be located at key points throughout the site. The precise amounts and location of these areas will be determined through the master planning process.
How are we mitigating any potential adverse visual impact?
We are undertaking a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment to understand key views across the site, both to and from Barkby / Barkby Thorpe and Syston.
The assessment will identify key, sensitive viewpoints that will need to be maintained and protected as the design of the site and layout evolve.