The landscape characteristics of the site have played a significant role in guiding the design of the scheme, allowing for both the visual and physical integration of new built form into the wider landscape.
SUMMARY
The existing Mushroom farm site is characterised by extensive areas tarmac and agri-industrial buildings which contribute to its brownfield nature. The proposal seeks to reduce the overall built quantum of the site and introduce a greater balance of natural green space
The provision of high quality useable open space which is integrated and visible throughout the Site has formed a key aspect of the design evolution of the development scheme. There is a substantial level of public and accessible green space located within the scheme including within the centre of the site and within its western and northern fringes, creating strong green routes throughout the Site.
The proposal provides a total of circa 300 new trees across the neighbourhood within streets, public open spaces, along the public rights of way and boundaries. In addition to the 300 newly planted trees, 30 fruit bearing orchard tress will be planted within circa 2,200 sqm of orchard parkland.
A site wide tree strategy seeks to create a hierarchy of tree scales and appearance while enhancing the landscape setting, the plan right shows the breakdown of new trees across the site.
Across a total of 6.68Ha of natural green space, there will be the planting of new species, through new public open spaces, reinstated historic hedgerows and belts of native planting. Additionally, rain gardens, swathes of meadow and orchard planting of local provenance will also add to enhancing the biodiversity of the proposed landscape. This seeks to improve the Biodiversity Net Gain as well as local floral and fauna, natural to the area. In addition, natural wildflower meadows to be introduced within the northern parkland areas.
A variety of play space will be provided across the Site for a range of ages and abilities, including;
Play / trim trail – running along the edge of the open space footpath, segments of obstacle course play.
Neighbourhood equipped play area, within 1000m of all dwellings encompassing challenging play opportunities for older children.
Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) within 700m of all dwellings.
Grassed areas providing opportunities for informal play.
Allotments and community growing spaces will also be provided to reflect the growing heritage of the Site, including an area of orchard parkland within the south-western corner.
The developable part of the site currently contains few trees, with those existing predominantly limited to along the Site edges. As explained previously the plans propose a significant uplift in tree cover across the Site with a variety of species including (but not limited to) Maple, Scots Pine, Lime, Elm, proposed within carefully considered positions across the Site. The Development also proposes a carefully considered variety of native planting within the soft landscaping provision including species suitable for a shady environment, sensory planting, pollinators, and structural shrubbery,
A mitigation by design approach has been taken, meaning that during the course of developing the masterplan, landscape considerations were taken as an integral part of the design process. Elements such as existing vegetation, historic vegetation alignments and views were informants that helped to determine the developable area, open spaces and drainage strategy.
Key features of the landscape and ecological strategy for the site include:
The retention of existing mature high-quality trees and hedgerows along the site's perimeter. Considerable new tree planting which will help to soften and screen the proposed development from views in the surrounding landscape, as well as providing a mature landscape setting for the new housing. Appropriate easements to trees and hedgerows have also been provided to protect root protections areas, as highlighted in the Arboriculture plan earlier in this document
The western boundary will be bolstered with new tree planting along the length of the PRoW. This provides connectivity between landscape/vegetation assets to the south and north of the site and provides softening to the edge of the development
åAn attractive green gateway has been located at the entrance of the site which creates a welcoming setting for the village and promotes integration within the local community. Ecologically, this also promotes benefits from the creation of a pond within the green and native planting palettes to complement this• To utilise the underlying topography within the site, drainage is located towards the south of the site, with a drainage basin located on the southern boundary.
An area of orchard parkland is proposed on the south-western corner of the site, alongside the PRoW corridor. This has been located in an area of area of land that has historical connections with the listed building to the south of the site, and was previously used as gardens and more current uses of growing mushrooms, roses and fruit
Within the site, the street network will look to supplement the landscape strategy with street tree planting, and where possible hedgerow and shrub planting, to soften the development. High quality public realm materials will also be used to the setting of the new housing and define the boundary between public and private realms. Where possible, large trees will be positioned so that they become apparent above rooftops in the long-term and truly provide a green spine, visible from distant views, allowing the dwellings to nestle into a treed setting
The open space provision allows for ecological enhancements across the site, restoration of brownfield/grey field land and poor quality areas and will provide a minimum BNG of 12%
Illustrative Landscaped Masterplan
A series of green spaces and corridors interconnect to form a network of open space, bringing people closer to nature. This both unifies the new neighbourhood while better siting it within the wider landscape setting. Access routes follow the site's topography and heritage, including avenue street tree planting to soften and frame The Avenue, which forms the main movement corridor through the site for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles.
The key landscape principles are:
• Reinforcing the street tree planting along the site's boundaries to the south, east and north, transitioning from the formal central spine of The Avenue to the rural edge
• Enhancement of the soft landscape proposals to unify the new neighbourhood across all character areas, with a hierarchy of grassland and meadow planting.
VILLAGE GREEN FORMING A NEW GATEWAY TOABINGWORTH FROM THE NORTH
POCKET PARK
GREEN LINK ALONG EXISTING PROW
NORTHERN PARKLAND
EXISTING AND ENHANCED TREE PLANTING
REINSTATED HISTORIC FIELD BOUNDARY WITH CURATEDVIEWS
MEADOW PLANTING WITH MOWN PATH NETWORK
ORCHARD PLANTING
DOWNLAND PLANTING TO UPPER SLOPES
TREE PLANTING WITH POCKETS OF MEADOW GRASSLAND
LOWLAND SPECIES RICH MEADOW, NATURALISTIC PLANTING WITHIN ATTENUATION BASIN
LEAP AND LAP PLAY AREAS
VILLAGE CENTRE WITH CONTINUATION OF LANE PLANTING
SOFTENING OF DEVELOPMENT FRONTAGE ONTO PARKLANDLANDSCAPE
LANDSCAPED LANE