Land East of Barber’s Lane
Public Consultation
ECOLOGY
The desk and field-based baseline investigations have demonstrated that the habitats present within and around the site do not pose an ‘in principle’ constraint to the proposed residential development. Further surveys are required to determine whether any protected and notable species utilise the site. It is considered that any required mitigation can realistically be included within the large available greenspace that is proposed for the site.
The current layout has been designed to retain and buffer current higher ecological value habitats that the site supports, in particular the broadleaved trees. Development at the site has the potential to increase the overall habitat diversity and provide a net gain to biodiversity of at least 10%. This in turn will increase the diversity of species that the site can support. It is considered unlikely that the site supports any protected species or habitats that cannot be accommodated within the design; additional opportunities will be provided for any such species within on-site green infrastructure, designed sympathetically for biodiversity by incorporating and establishing a range of ecologically beneficial habitats.
LANDSCAPE
The development proposals will be informed by a Landscape and Visual Appraisal (LVA). The appraisal will evaluate the effects of the proposed development on the landscape character of the site and its surroundings. The appraisal will also assess the impact of the proposals on visual amenity, examining how views to and from the site will change during and after construction. The LVA will identify potential impacts on landscape and visual receptors and inform the development of mitigation strategies to minimise adverse effects on both the landscape character and visual amenity of the area.
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The published landscape character assessment for Worcestershire identifies the site and Martley as being located within the Principal Timbered Farmlands Landscape Character Area (LCA). This LCA is described as a rolling lowland landscape with occasional steep sided hills and low escarpments. A key element is the presence of tree cover in the guise of woodlands, hedgerow trees and linear, stream side vegetation. Landscape guidelines for the LCA include maintaining tree cover, the planting of new woodlands and conservation and restoration of the pattern and composition of hedgerows. Desk study and field work has considered views from the local footpath network, lanes and nearby residential properties towards the site. Whilst existing tree cover and the rolling topography provides varying degrees of screening, careful siting of the proposed development within a robust framework of new planting and open space will further soften and filter views of the proposed development and contribute to the local landscape guidelines.
HERITAGE
The planning application will be informed by an Archaeological and Heritage Assessment. This assessment will use sources of historic environment information (such as the Worcestershire Historic Environment Record, historic maps and aerial photographs) combined with a site visit to assess whether the development proposals will have any affect on the significance of heritage assets in the site’s vicinity and, judge whether the site has potential to contain buried archaeological remains.
An initial consideration of the local historic environment identifies several listed buildings in the site’s vicinity, with a group at Lingen Farm c. 130m to the north and another at Barbers Farm c. 90m to the south, as well as the non-listed historic building Stoneybridge House c. 50m to the east. The eastern boundary of the Martley Conservation Area lies c. 210m to the west. All of these heritage assets are separated from the site by intervening features in the landscape such as field boundaries, hedges, trees and, for the conservation area, intervening buildings. The Archaeological and Heritage Assessment will fully consider these and other heritage assets in respect of the potential for change to their settings from the proposed development.
FLOOD RISK
The site is situated within Flood Zone 1 and therefore has a low risk of flooding from rivers or the sea. There is an existing unnamed watercourse along the northern boundary and the site topography slopes relatively steeply towards this existing watercourse.
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The Environment Agency Surface Water Flood Maps show that the site has a low risk of flooding from surface water and also shows that the site is not in an area shown to be at risk of flooding from reservoir failure. The GroundSure report shows that the site has a negligible risk of flooding from groundwater.
SURFACE WATER DRAINAGE
Surface water runoff from the development will be discharged into the existing watercourse on the northern boundary. Runoff will be treated prior to discharge to improve water quality for pollution prevention. There are significant opportunities to provide green Sustainable Drainage System features to enhance on site amenity and biodiversity. The Worcestershire Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) and water authority have been engaged from an early stage to agree the principles of the surface water drainage strategy.
FOUL DRAINAGE
Domestic foul drainage from the residential dwellings will be collected and discharged to the closest available foul public sewer, which is approximately 450m to the west of the proposed site access off Barbers Lane. Due to the topography of the site, a foul pumping station is likely to be required. Severn Trent Water have been engaged from an early stage.
​HIGHWAYS
The site will be served by a new access which will be constructed off the B4204. Special care has been taken to ensure that this access will be policy compliant, and that visibility is good for drivers entering and exiting the site. Furthermore, a thorough analysis has been undertaken to ensure that the local roads and junctions in the village won’t be negatively impacted by traffic generated by the development.
A new footway will be installed along the B4204 which will connect to existing pedestrian infrastructure. This will provide a continuous pedestrian connection from the site to the village centre as well as to the local schools, benefiting future residents of the site and the existing residents of Martley. The new footway will also provide a safe pedestrian connection onto an existing Public Right of Way, whilst dropped kerbs and tactile paving installed at the site access and at the junction between the B4204 and Barbers Lane will help to make Martley’s streets more walkable.