5.Analysis Provisional Site Locations.

Eight potential sites have been identified as part of the sieving process . There may be argument that they all could be developed. None of them were excluded from the more binary process of stage 1. With the appropriate design for the context each of the areas could potentially accommodate a large new monocentric settlement. In this stage the sites will be further judged for suitability and a smaller more desirable group of sites will be assessed in the Quality of life capital process in the next phase.

The map shows the 1.5km buffer either side of the Major roads of the study area. Proximity to existing transport is a key consideration in the location and design of the settlement. Closeness to existing roads means that new road infrastructure does not have to be built. It means shorter journey time to and from the new settlement to potential mass transport options such as buses. From an economic perspective goods and services can be connected more efficiently and this in turn is attractive to new business. Active travel networks within manageable distances of key arteries encourage park and ride and walking and cycling strategies and contribute to cleaner air through fewer car journeys. It is desirable that the new settlement be in some part within the buffer even if it is only marginally. Conversely too close can be problem too.

Potential site 1. occupies a long swathe of land running along the A48 between Chepstow and Woolaston. The site is well connected and within easy reach of both Lydney and Chepstow. The available land would be best suited to a linear settlement pattern and the A road would run its length. While linear layout settlements have many appealing characteristics not least an economy of service infrastructure they are not the preferred model for garden cities. The nucleated or cluster model has many advantages in the form of energy conservation, open space preservation, environmental protection, design flexibility, lowered construction costs, recreational opportunities, and neighbourhood development.(Sunith Reddy,2021) All in line with Garden communities principles. The A48 is a major artery and would be increasingly busy with the creating of a 5275 dwelling settlement. For this reason potential site 1. is ruled out at this point.

Potential sites 2. and 3. are both poorly served by transport infrastructure as is the whole area of the district that lies between the south east of the Wye AONB and the west of the core forest. The B4228 runs north south between Coleford and Chepstow and before it intersects the B4231 from Lydney it defines the eastern boundary of the AONB. Due to the limited connectivity sites 1 and 2 will be ruled out at this point. Potential site 4 is well connected and close to Lydney. While the area for development is constrained by the river seven there is sufficient room for a large development in this area.

Potential site 5.is well connected with close access to both rail and the A48. While beyond the flood zone 3 and within flood zone 1 and in parts flood zone 2 it is very close to the flood area of the Severn. With some estimates of sea level rises being 14.8mm yearly by 2050 it would be high risk to build so close to a river with one of the largest tidal zones in the world within the context of the current climate crisis. Potential site 5 is ruled out at this point.

Potential sites 6,7 and 8 these site are addressed together though each is distinctive . All are well connected by road, the A40 to the North and the A48 and rail and close to Gloucester. These sites will be assessed in more detail in the next selection phase.