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Site Assessment Pro Formas

Representation ID: 6344

Received: 10/09/2021

Respondent: Glenalmond Developments Ltd

Agent: Cerda Planning Ltd

Representation Summary:

Site 3235 – Land West of Templars Way, Sharnbrook
Question 1a – the site adjoins a settlement policy area and as such should be scored ‘+’ as per question 8b.
Question 2b – A Vision Statement has been prepared (appended to these submissions). Birds and bats have the potential to be found at the site (albeit not recorded as being on the site), but no other protected species (bats, GCN, reptiles, Badgers) are identified. The development of the site provides the opportunity to enhance existing habitat as well as create new habitat of greater value to wildlife. An ecologically guided management plan should be implemented in order to maximise the biodiversity value of the habitats and features retained by the scheme. Sensitive management of woodland, wetland, and hedgerows would provide the most benefit. Retained hedgerows could be bolstered and enhanced by planting additional native species to increase species richness. As such the site should be scored ‘+’.
Question 2c – the site has the ability to achieve net gain through an ecologically guided management plan in order to maximise the biodiversity value of the habitats and features retained by the scheme. As such the site should be scored ‘+’.
Question 4a – There are no designated or non-designated heritage assets either on the site or adjacent. Development of the site is not considered to have any material impact upon any heritage assets or their setting. As such the site should be scored ‘+’.
Question 15f – It is proposed that the residential development is accessed from a priority junction with Templars Way. Visibility at the junction has been shown at 2.4 x 59 metres, which is considered suitable for typical 85th percentile speeds on a 30mph road, in accordance with MfS guidance. New trips (to the local highway network) resulting from the proposed residential development will be low during the peak hours, significantly less than one vehicle a minute (two-way) during any peak period. The site benefits from a regular bus service to employment, leisure and shopping destinations immediately adjacent to the site, and a wide range of facilities are located within a reasonable walk distance in Sharnbrook Village Centre. As such the site should be scored ‘+’.
Contaminated land – the site is greenfield, and in any event is not contaminated. No issues have been identified in relation to ground conditions. As such the site should be scored ‘+’.
Noise - to quantify the existing noise levels, a noise survey has been undertaken. A 3D noise model has been developed including the existing topography, ground type and buildings, as well the proposed dwellings. The assessment has shown that recommended noise levels in both external amenity areas and inside habitable rooms are likely to be achieved with appropriate garden fencing and façade element acoustic performance specifications. Most habitable rooms should achieve the recommended thresholds with open windows, and all habitable rooms should be able to utilise natural ventilation methods and achieve the thresholds. It should be noted that it may be possible to reduce the acoustic performance requirements of the façade elements, as well as noise levels in external amenity areas, by utilising a barrier along the north-east boundary of the site, adjacent to the railway. This would typically be earth bunding or fencing and would provide screening of the railway across the rest of the site. However, use of any such measure would be subject to landscape and visual impact constraints but it is expected that recommended internal and external noise levels can be achieved with suitable fencing and façade element specification alone. As such the site should be scored ‘+’.