The proposed development would be accessed from a new T-junction on Swinehill, just south of the village. The junction itself, and the road leading into the site, would be designed in accordance with design standards, ensuring that it could safely serve the development and not negatively impact either capacity or safety on Swinehill. Ultimately, the intention would be to relocate the 30mph zone south so that it covers the new junction and the frontage of the development, which would contribute to a reduction in vehicle speeds as they enter Harlaxton.
A new section of footway would be built at the junction, linking it with the existing footway on Swinehill and ensuring residents can walk in and out of the main access. A separate pedestrian and cycle access would also be constructed further north opposite the medical centre, reducing the walking or cycling distance from the development to the primary school, medical centre and rest of the village.
The Transport Assessment currently being prepared will assess the impact of the proposed development on junctions in the village to ensure they have enough capacity to accommodate the proposals.
The site comprises two, medium sized agricultural fields bisected by an established, native hedgerow. The northern and larger, irregular shaped field is currently set to pasture, its shape influenced by the stepped form of rear gardens and the church grounds to the north. The smaller, southern, arable field is broadly triangular and lined by hedgerow on three sides and Swinehill Plantation to the south.
The sites outline planning application will include a Landscape and Visual Appraisal (LVA) report including a suite of annotated figures, a Zone of theoretical visibility (ZTV) produced using GIS and Lidar data, a detailed photographic record from selected viewpoints and an appendix containing appraisal tables. The purpose of the LVA is to assess the potential effects of the development proposals on the site and its surrounding landscape character and visual amenity from areas of public access and sensitive receptors, such as public rights of way, registered parks and gardens, conservation areas, the setting of listed buildings, schedule monuments, local roads and residencies.
The LVA will bring together a comprehensive understanding of the landscape character and visual amenity of the site and its surroundings and impacts upon it. The recommendations in the report have been used to inform the proposed built development parameters, supported by the production of a strategic landscape masterplan and landscape input into the Design and Access Statement.
An Arboricultural Assessment has been carried in accordance with national guidelines which set out a structured assessment methodology to assist in determining which trees would be deemed either as being suitable or unsuitable for retention along with recommendations for considering the relationship between existing trees and how those trees may integrate into designs for development.
In summary, the report concludes that the majority of tree cover is concentrated along the boundaries of the site, with a notable number of individual trees located within the rear gardens of properties bordering the northern field parcel. A mixture of native and non-native species was present throughout the site, including those typically found along agricultural boundaries and planted in residential gardens.
Across the site, a total of sixteen individual trees, twenty-four groups of trees, and thirteen hedgerows were surveyed as part of the Arboricultural Assessment, of which one group of trees was considered to be of high quality and classified as Category A. Eight individual trees and seventeen groups of trees were recorded as moderate quality and classified as Category B. Two individual trees were considered unsuitable for retention and therefore graded as Category U. The remaining trees or groups of trees were considered to be of limited quality and were graded as Category C.
The Site area proposed to be utilised primarily comprises arable land and common and widespread pasture land of lower ecological value. It is proposed that habitats of higher ecological value such as the woodland, wet ditches and hedgerows will be retained as much as possible, with only short lengths of hedgerow removed for access. Any losses of onsite habitat can be mitigated by habitat creation along Site boundaries and within the arable areas to the west of the Site.
No protected species have been recorded within the Site boundary other than foraging and commuting bats. Dark/unlit commuting corridors are proposed around the Site boundaries which will be of net benefit to bats and other fauna.
Flood Risk
The Environment Agency Flood Maps for Planning show the site is located within Flood Zone 1. Flood Zone 1 is defined as land assessed as having an annual probability of river flooding of less than 1%. The Environment Agency Surface Water Map, indicates that most of the site is designated to be at no or low risk from surface water flooding. The Strategic Flood Risk Assessment indicates the site is subject to a less than 25% risk of groundwater flooding and as such is assessed as being low. Flood risk from all other sources (sewers and artificial features) is assessed as being low.
Residential development is classified as more vulnerable in accordance with The National Planning Practice Guidance: Flood Zone and Flood Risk Tables. The proposed developmental is in an area at low risk of flooding, which meets the aims of the sequential test as stated in the Planning Practice Guidance by ensuring “…that areas at little or no risk of flooding from any source are developed in preference to areas at higher risk. This means avoiding, so far as possible, development in current and future medium and high flood risk areas considering all sources of flooding including areas at risk of surface water flooding”
Surface Water Drainage
Surface water flows will be attenuated on site and discharged to an existing pond and watercourse situated along the northern boundary. This watercourse subsequently discharges to the Mow Beck.
An attenuation basin will be located along the northern boundary.
Foul Water Drainage
Anglian Water has confirmed the site is located within the catchment of Harlaxton Water Recycling Centre, which currently has capacity to treat the flows from this development.
Anglian Water has confirmed there is sufficient capacity in the sewer network to facilitate a connection from this site. Foul drainage will be conveyed to existing sewers in Rectory Lane. In line with the requirements of the Water Industry Act, Anglian Water will be required to ensure suitable capacity is made available.
There are no statutorily listed heritage assets within the Site but part of the Site is located within the Harlaxton Conservation Area. The Conservation Area and the wider historical context of the settlement has been taken into account when developing the proposed Concept Masterplan.
The Planning Application will be supported by Heritage and Archaeological Desk-Based Assessments. These documents will set out in detail the historical background of the site and surrounding area and proposed mitigation which has been used to inform the design of the development.
A Noise Impact Assessment will be undertaken following site surveys of road traffic noise in line with the guidance contained in Calculation of Road Traffic Noise. An assessment will be completed to assess transportation noise upon the proposed dwellings in line with national guidance. Where exceedances of any criteria are identified we will recommend appropriate and reasonable mitigation measures to ensure that adopted noise level criteria is not exceeded at the closest residential dwellings.
An Air Quality Assessment will be carried out that will assess the potential for air quality impacts as a result of fugitive dust emissions and road vehicle exhaust emissions during the construction phase and the operational phase.
Baseline air quality conditions in the vicinity of the site will be defined based on recent monitoring results and information from national guidance. Sensitive locations that could be affected by the proposals will also be identified, as well as any relevant planning policies and guidance. If required following the assessment of potential impacts, suitable mitigation measures will be identified in order to reduce air quality effects to an appropriate level. These will be based on best practice guidance documents.