Quality of Life Site Capital Analysis.

Site # 8 :

Character Areas 6b. Severn Vale

Criteria Score Constraints And Opportunities

FoDDC Core Strategy

Planning

Garden Communities Principles

Mitigates biodiversity loss and loss of habitat.

Environment

The site fits well within the core strategy and has potential to be sustainable in its design and location with regard to transport links and potential to be energy positive.

Potential to offer well designed car free well connected infrastructure to encourage active travel yet distinct enough to give a sense of place.

Social

The area is described as undulating farmland and has a geology of quaternary drift. It is adjacent to the Ramsar area and SSSI of the Severn estuary and the area has woodland and often ancient hedgerows.

Economic

Opportunities to provide green infrastructure.

There is opportunity and potential for including green infrastructure within and surrounding the new settlement Blue infrastructure. The Ley Brook cuts through the area from north west to south east and enter the Severn. This lower reach of the Ley Brook does break its banks periodically and is within Flood Zone 3

Opportunities for sustainability energy.

Benefits and protects existing designations.

Proximity to existing services and community infrastructure.

Opportunities to place make.

Protects and enhances local heritage assets.

Access to open spaces and recreation areas.

Supports economic growth potential for employment.

Connectivity to other settlements local and regional.

Local food production and higher productivity through diversity.

Supports sustainable transport.

The aspect of the site varies and there are steep hills with rounded tops hills are generally oriented south west to north east. Not all land is suitable for solar energy production for example.

There are no conflicts with existing designations and the majority of the site is grade 3 agricultural land and acceptable for development. The SSSI and Ramsar of Walmore common is adjacent to the South and would need consideration.

The area is within close distance of Gloucester and its amenities and services. Huntley Churcham and Minsterworth are close by with community centre primary school doctors surgery and a pub between them.

The area has a distinctive landscape character of gentle rolling hills and oak copses. It is close to Gloucester but is separated by the river Severn and has a distinct character.

The area has ancient field systems possibly dating from pre Saxon times and ancient hedgerows. Green infrastructure should emulate the native species of the surrounding landscape.

There are few woods in the area and the landscape while having irregular and sometimes small fields is largely open and lends itself to creation of open recreation spaces

With close proximity to Gloucester and good road access there is good opportunity for local business and light industry within the settlement and in keeping with Garden community priorities

The site is bounded by the A40 in the north which links Gloucester and runs to ross on Wye and the main Newport to Gloucester railway in the south east that runs along the Severn at this point. The Gloucester way national walking trail runs though the area.

There is potential for diversifying and localising food production in the local area. The undulating farmland is productive and throughout the area there are orchards and a variety of crops and livestock reared.

The proximity to Gloucester makes it ideal distance for commuting by bicycle and extending cycle infrastructure.