Answering your questions and setting the record straight.
Some weeks ago, as part of our consultation process we produced an image to illustrate the idea of the proposed family cycle houses. This was fairly early on in the design and consultation process and over the months we have been reviewing both the design and landscaping in preparation for the planning application.
It seems that the image, which has been in the public arena since April, has been taken as a definitive design and while the proposal has been strongly welcomed by many during the consultation process recently some concerns have been voiced as to how the cycle housing will impact on the cycle path.
We are listening to these concerns but remain convinced of the natural surveillance benefit from having houses ‘fronting’ rather than ‘backing’ onto the path.
Jo Johnson is the landscape architect who is working on the project. Together with ecology consultants, she has developed the landscaping intentions for the path verges and frontage to the houses. Her attached images demonstrate how thinking on the proposed landscaping has developed over the months and how the wildlife and ecological issues have been carefully considered as part of this process.
About the cycle housing – setting the record straight
The land on which the houses will be built is between 4 and 7 metres from the cycle path. It is in line with the land that formed the ownership of Elizabeth Shaw and the current buildings run right up the edge of this land with brick and concrete walls. These drawings show that planting will be replaced in front of the cycle houses, all of which will be between 4m and 7m back from the cycle path. Much further back than is usual in street terraces.
This distance varies along the length of the housing but does not fall below 4 metres - this is a good distance, close enough to give some natural surveillance, but far enough not to be oppressive.
There are no ‘front gardens’ or fences to the cycle houses – but roof terraces. The houses will stand behind the wide verges but with ‘bridge access’ on to the edge of the path for occupants.
About the ecology and landscaping
A detailed Ecology Report will be submitted as part of the Planning Application. Michael Woods Associates, the ecology consultancy undertaking this work, works closely with Sustrans and will be mindful of the existing flora, fauna and wildlife along the strip of land that borders the site.Landscaping across the site is also an important element of this Planning Application.
A detailed landscape design and plan is being prepared for the Council and consultation between MWA and the planners will continue. This will include the detailed landscaping proposed for the site, take into consideration the ecological issues including habitats and wildlife corridors and provide for significant improvements along the cycle path including additional planting with native species. Specifically it is Squarepeg’s intention to put fruiting species and vegetation, of varying maturity, in front of the cycle houses echoing the current make up of the scrub. It will also provide both food sources and shelter for the wildlife.
Wildlife corridors have been planned in to the development to enable existing wildlife to continue to access their foraging grounds further afield, and bat boxes will be incorporated into the development.
About the additional areas of land
Reference has also been made to the strip of land which is owned by the Council. As well as housing the cycle houses, this would be the area proposed as the entrance to the public square from the cycle path, which is also the proposed home to the cycle hostel and cycling hub area. Incorporating this piece of land within the development has enabled the architects to produce this cycle focussed element to the development.
At the Greenbank Road entrance to the site Squarepeg has bought a piece of land which borders the new terrace of housing. Some of the cycle housing will sit on the land and whilst appreciating this piece of land is currently scrub, this has happened more by neglect than design. The proposed plans for this area include a wildlife corridor as well as being part of the detailed landscaping plans.
Squarepeg has communicated its intentions for the development on many occasions over the past seven months. Whilst sufficiently realistic to understand that not everyone will see the benefits to the proposed development plans, their aim from the outset has been to produce a viable development that has good green credentials and provides benefits to the community - it still is.