Frequently Asked Questions
New homes
How many new homes will be provided on the site and how many of these will be affordable?
The development will provide up to 250 new homes and 20% of these homes will be affordable. This complies with the Council’s policy.
How many different housing types, and how many storeys will be featured inside the development?
The development will feature around a dozen of Taylor Wimpey’s popular housing types, plus some bespoke house types. The house types will be similar to those currently being built by Taylor Wimpey at Glenvale Park. Houses will be a mix of 2 to 2.5 storeys and apartments will be 3 to 4 storeys.
Are you proposing any apartments?
Yes, a small number of apartments and maisonettes will be included in the housing mix.
Will there be provision of homes for those looking to downsize?
The houses and apartments will include 1 and 2 bedroom properties and will also meet National Accessibility Standards so as to provide for people with reduced mobility, so could be attractive to downsizers.
Will there be provision for self build homes within the development?
In accordance with Council policy, 5% of the properties will be made available as custom-build homes, where the purchaser has the opportunity to configure their new home.
Community facilities and infrastructure
How will education, healthcare and transport be managed for new residents?
Financial contributions will be secured through a s.106 legal agreement to the provision of education and healthcare facilities and transport improvements in the surrounding area.
What benefit will this development bring to the existing community?
Financial contributions to community infrastructure will benefit the existing community by supporting local services, ensuring that the everyday needs of residents are met and there is not undue pressure on local services.
Will there be new community facilities and children’s play areas included within the plans?
The site forms part of the wider Glenvale Park Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE) where community facilities have been planned to support the new sustainable community. The site itself will include areas of public open space and a local equipped play area.
Highways and transport
What public and non-car transport modes are already available in the surrounding area?
A new cycle route has been established along Niort Way as part of the Glenvale Park SUE already under construction. There will also be provision of a bus service into the SUE.
How will the site be accessed by new residents?
The site will be accessed through the Glenvale Park SUE access roads and will not be accessed directly from Niort Way.
How will additional vehicle trips be managed along the surrounding infrastructure, including along Niort Way?
The planning application will be accompanied by a Transport Assessment and Travel Plan. The assessment forecasts the likely number of vehicular trips and assesses whether they can be accommodated on the transport network. If any improvements are required to the transport network as a result of the development then these are funded by the development through a s.106 agreement. The Travel Plan also seeks opportunities to minimise the use of the car by residents by implementing measures such as free-trial bus passes for residents.
How will the planning application address the issue of pedestrian safety, particularly when crossing Niort Way?
Pedestrian crossing facilities have been provided at the new Glenvale Park SUE access, Glenvale Drive, and there are traffic-free walking routes and crossing points provided throughout the SUE.
How many parking spaces will be provided, and will houses have included garages?
In accordance with Council policy, all 2 and 3 bedroom houses will have a minimum of 2 parking spaces. The 4 and 5 bedroom houses will have a minimum of 3 parking spaces and will include garages. Visitor parking spaces will also be located around the development – one space for every 4 houses.
Sustainability
How will construction be managed sustainably?
Taylor Wimpey will implement a Waste and Resources Strategy and Action Plan to reduce, reuse and recycle construction waste during the construction process. The construction process will also be subject to an environmental management plan in respect of wildlife and the control of pollution.
How will drainage and flood risk be managed?
The development of the site will incorporate a Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SuDS). This features a naturalistic holding pond, which will store surface water within the site. The water is then released off the site in a managed way.
How does the SUDs system work?
Surface water is collected within the site and directed to the holding pond. It is proposed that this system will provide drainage mitigation up to and including a 1 in 100 year storm event. An additional 40% capacity has been built in, in order to withstand potential future climate change impact. Full details of the SuDS system will be provided in the Flood Risk Assessment that we will submit with our full planning application.
What measures will be introduced to improve the energy efficiency of new homes?
We will be looking to incorporate a range of sustainable measures into the construction of our homes on this site, such as:
- Measures to limit water use to no more than 105 litres per person per day.
- The construction specification of every home will include high levels of insulation in the ground floor, external walls and roof spaces.
- The detailed house type designs will incorporate the thermal bridging guidance produced by Constructive Details and the Government, thereby reducing a significant source of heat loss.
- Each property will be naturally ventilated using efficient decentralised extract fans to ensure the internal living environment will be healthy and comfortable.
- Energy efficient lamps will be installed in every light fitting.
- Each entrance will be illuminated with an energy efficient external light.
- The white goods installed in each property will be energy efficient with an A+/A rating.
Landscape, ecology and open space
What is the extent of open space within the scheme and will this be publicly accessible?
The site contains two large areas of open space – to the north containing a feature pond and to the south providing a walking route and play area. These will be publicly accessible to benefit both new and existing residents. A total of 8.32 acres of open space are being proposed on the site.
What are the measures to improve ecology and wildlife across the site?
The development will retain perimeter hedgerows and enhance their species diversity, plus new hedgerows and trees will be planted and a pond will be created to attract wildlife. The grassland areas of the site can be planted with meadow grasses to attract wildlife and native landscaping species will be selected to create new habitat. Bat and bird boxes will also be incorporated in accordance with local guidelines.
How will you achieve a biodiversity net gain?
Creation of wildlife-friendly pond and grassland areas, planting of new trees and hedgerows and enhancement of existing hedgerows all count towards biodiversity gain and this will be demonstrated in an assessment accompanying the planning application.
Will all of the houses have access to private gardens?
All of the houses will have private gardens and the apartments/maisonettes will have access to shared open space.
General
How can I register my interest in a new home on the site?
Please contact our community representative on the contact details provided to register your interest for a new home.
When does the consultation close and what happens next?
The consultation closes on the 14th March. Following this, we will assess all feedback received and look to refine the scheme where possible in response to local feedback. A full report detailing the consultation, the feedback received and how the team has responded to local feedback will be included as part of an eventual planning application.