Page 303 - All files for Planning Inspectorate update

Urban Design Observations

To: Steven King, Development Management

From: Will Dorman, Urban Designer, Mid Sussex DC

Application ref: DM/19/1025 Date: 30/5/19

Address: Wealden House, Lewes Road, Ashurst Wood

Description: Proposed new build residential development consisting of 54 units
following the demolition of all existing site buildings.

Drawings: Received 13/3/19

Summary and Overall Assessment

This application positively responds to the refused scheme for 71 dwellings
(DM/18/1548) by decreasing the unit numbers to 54 enabling a reduction in the
overall building footprint and the provision of additional space between the buildings,
including greater separation around the woodland edges, more defensible space and
a small open space that provides the layout with a central focus. Together these
spaces enable an acceptable level of landscaping to soften the development
(however I note that the space limitations appear to result in the parking allocation
being below the normal standard; any additional parking is likely to reduce the
provision of soft landscaped space that would be less acceptable in design terms).

The scheme still represents a high density for its edge-of-settlement location and has
been justified by the 50+ dwelling allocation in the Ashurst Wood Neighbourhood
Plan and policy ASW5 which inevitably generates a more intensive flat-based
scheme. With respect to policy ASW9 (that applies specifically to this site), the
intensive use of the site does not reflect the predominant lower density character of
the area but on the other hand is not dissimilar to the typology of the existing blocks
of flats on the adjacent site. Furthermore the proposed 3 and 4 storey buildings are a
similar height to the existing building they replace and are well set-back from the site
boundary and retain/safeguard the trees / woodland around its eastern and south
western boundaries that ensures the development will be mostly screened and will
therefore have limited visual impact.

The contemporary architecture is also a contrast to much of the surrounding
buildings but is considered acceptable as the facades are well organised and there is
little inter-visibility with the surrounds.

On balance including consideration of DP26 and the need to optimise development
potential, I do not object to the application but would recommend the following
conditions requiring approval of additional information to secure the quality of the
design:

 1:20 scale elevation (vignette) and section drawings that show a typical part and
elements of one of the 4 storey building’s front elevations.
 The provision of a soft landscaped threshold on both sides of the block of flats
incorporating plots 7-12.