Page 452 - All files for Planning Inspectorate update

A: £29,203
B: £26,444
C: £26,248

In terms of the scale of contribution required, these figures are calculated on a per head
formulae based upon the number of units proposed and average occupancy (as laid out in
the Council's Development Infrastructure and Contributions SPD) and therefore is
commensurate in scale to the development.

The Council maintains that the contributions sought as set out are in full accordance with the
requirements set out in Circular 05/2005 and in Regulation 122 of the Community
Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010.

Urban Designer

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.

The scheme still represents a high density for its edge-of-settlement location, but this is
justified by the 50+ dwelling allocation in the Ashurst Wood Neighbourhood Plan and policy
ASW5 which generate a 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. The proposed 3 and 4 storey buildings are also a
similar height to the building they will 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. In addition, the revised drawings have involved re-modelling the frontages and
setting back the top floors of the blocks nearest to the site entrance.

The contemporary architecture is 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 policy DP26, 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 of the front elevation of the block
with units 13-20.
 Detailed landscape plan including boundary treatments.
 Facing materials including windows
 Design and layout of solar panels and lift-housing on the roof

Layout

The layout represents a significant improvement upon the previous refused scheme: