Redrose Lane, Blackmore

Date
20th March 2023

Category
Transport, Access Design, Flooding and Drainage, Public Engagement

Client: Anderson Group

Development: 40 new dwellings, including associated highway and drainage infrastructure, vehicular access taken from Nine Ashes Road to the west of the site, and the provision of open space and playing fields, as well as a new village green bordering Redrose Lane and Nine Ashes Road.

Work undertaken by Stomor: Access Appraisal, a Transport Statement, a Flood Risk Assessment, a Drainage Strategy and a Means of Access Plan.

As part of the work, an Access Appraisal was carried out in order to establish the best location for a vehicular access. A total of six options were considered: two locations onto Redrose Lane, two locations onto Woollard Way, and one location each onto Nine Ashes Road and Fingrith Hall Lane. This appraisal concluded that a number of different locations were feasible for vehicular access, including the final location onto Nine Ashes Road. The appraisal also recommended the provision of pedestrian accesses onto Woollard Way and Fingrith Hall Lane, which were included in the final layouts.

The Transport Statement further outlines the suitability of the development site. This includes establishing PIC data for the surrounding area, which indicated no issues with highway safety onto Nine Ashes Road in the vicinity of the site, and speed survey data, which indicated that the 85^th percentile speed on Nine Ashes Road exceeded the speed limit by as much as 11.3mph. This led to an increase in visibility splay requirements, which were accommodated in the site access design, as well as the provision of a zebra crossing to the south of the site in order to ensure pedestrian safety. The finalised access was subject to a Road Safety Audit in order to confirm suitable measures were taken to mitigate the speed concerns, and amendments were made to the Means of Access accordingly.

As part of the Flood Risk Assessment, waterways near the site were outlined and assessed in order to establish the risk of flooding on the site, and therefore the suitability of the site for residential development. This Flood Risk Assessment established that the site is only in Flood Zone 1 which indicates that the site is has a low vulnerability to flooding, and is suitable for all development, including ones classed as “More Vulnerable” by NPPF. Overall, it was deemed that the site would not be at risk of flooding from fluvial sources, sewers, groundwater, or artificial sources, however that flood routing would still be considered in the design of the development.

Additionally, as part of the Flood Risk Assessment, the design and use of SuDS features within the development are outlined. The layout proposed includes extensive flow control and attenuation measures, providing storage on the development for all storm events, including 1 in 100 year events, along with a 40% allowance for climate change effects. The SuDS provision also provides suitable treatment for any potential pollution risks associated with the proposed development.