An initial assessment has been undertaken of the current traffic along Aston Road, with particular attention to the level crossing in the town. Based on the current traffic levels, the ability for traffic to clear quickly and efficiently once the level crossing has opened, and the minimal additional traffic the development the produce, the Site is considered appropriate in traffic terms.
Impact on the local transport network will be reduced by ensuring walking and cycling are prioritised. New, high-quality walking and cycling routes within the site, compliant with national guidance, will encourage new residents to access local services and facilities, such as schools, shops and retail destinations via Aston Road.
Two new access junctions are proposed, both from Aston Road. Providing two access junctions ensures access can be maintained in case of an emergency, and allows traffic to follow the most logical route.
The outline planning application will be accompanied by a Transport Assessment, which will assess any potential impacts from the proposals on the surrounding local road network. This assessment will include a thorough review of existing junctions and the existing safety records of the local road network.
Parking and deliveries will be carefully considered as part of the on-going design of the Illustrative Masterplan. Whilst the layout of the site, including the internal road layout, will be submitted as part of future applications, the Illustrative Masterplan will ensure that adequate parking for both residents and visitors can be delivered on-site. This will be informed by local design standards and designed by Bellway’s transport consultants. Electric vehicle charging points will be provided for each home to ensure the site contributes to Shropshire’s sustainable and net zero goals.
An assessment has been undertaken for the Site which concluded that there is no current evidence to suggest any prehistoric or Roman activity on-site.
There are distant views to the local Grade II* Listed Church of St Peter and St Paul, located within the town, however these are limited and beyond existing residential development. A reduction in these views is not considered to harm the significant of the Church or the Wem Conservation Area.
There are also distant views of a small part of the Grade II Listed Aston House from parts of the Site. These views are minimal with a very low impact, however, landscaping and screening through tree planting in the south-east of the Site will avoid any harm to the views from this Listed building.
An assessment of the local landscape has been undertaken. All of the trees and hedgerows (save for minor hedgerow cut throughs to facilitate the access) on the boundary of the site will be retained to soften the views into the site from the surrounding area and public rights of way. An assessment of the landscape and visual value of the Site will support the application to the Council.
The landscaping proposals on the Site are not fixed at this stage, but it is envisaged that the Site can accommodate a mixture of recreational walking routes, tree and vegetation planting (including a mix that is appropriate for the Site), open space and play areas. The proposals will also bolster the existing hedgerows through increased planting, and a new hedgerow along the primary route through the site will create a network of linked hedgerows on-site. An indicative landscape masterplan will support the application to the Council.
We recognise the importance of local walking routes, especially the local Public Rights of Way network. No Public Rights of Way run through the Site, but the Site will connect the existing public rights of way surrounding the site. Development of the Site will provide new, previously inaccessible routes, the majority of which will connect through the high-quality open space, without the need to traverse the built development.
The Site is not designated for its ecological value, and save for the boundaries of the site, there is minimal ecological or biodiversity value. Development of the site will work to deliver a net gain in biodiversity, and the significant planting of trees, wildflowers and meadows will provide new habitats for animals and birds. A preliminary assessment will support the application to the Council.
The Site is relatively flat, with a gentle slop towards the north-east. A Flood Risk Assessment has been undertaken for the Site, which ensures that all sources of flood risk have been accounted for, including ensuring that the flood risk is not increased off-site.
An indicative sustainable drainage system will support the application to the Council. The drainage system will utilise the natural topography of the site, and utilise attenuation basins to hold water during periods of heavy rainfall, to ensure that the drainage outfall from the Site is a betterment to the existing run-off rates for the current site.
We will work with Shropshire Council in their capacity as the Lead Local Flood Authority to ensure an adequate drainage system is agreed.