STRETEGIC LAYERS FOR THE MASTER PLANNING OF A NEW SETTLEMENT IN THE FOREST OF DEAN

STRATEGY SHEET.

The landscape provides the character and context of the settlement. The site sits within an historic and characterful landscape of rolling meadows bounded by ancient hedgerows. To the North East is the native and semi ancient woodland of Ley Park to the south pasture land runs down to the river Severn. The GI of the settlement has maintained 80% of existing hedgerow and creates a further 100% increase in linear hedgerow planting along existing watercourses and green active travel routes and roads of the site.

The land to the north of the site is designated for bio fuel crops and also has biodiverse native planted buffers and riparian habitats along the Westbury brook and mitigation ponds and suds features. Community orchards and allotment space take into account the heritage of the area and area a key component of the recreational green spaces. the pedestrian and active travel routes that crisscross the site are also wildlife corridors and provide permeability for people and nature.

The GI provides economic sustainability for the settlement and while the settlement is not self-contained the GI provides jobs and a boost to the local economy. The Anaerobic digester has potential to get 60% of its raw materials from the north of the site. Orchards an allotments supplement diets and provide for local retail and schools. LAPS, LEAPS. NEAPS are components of the GI and use natural local materials in their construction. The GI is an important part of the SuDS design of the settlement and permeates the site. Green streets encourage active travel, clean air and healthy lives.

Multifunctional recreation green space. Playgrounds, allotments parkland and community orchards.

Existing GI characterised as green riparian woodland and hedgerows. Native trees and shrubs with upto 40% Oak.

Green crop. Productive landscape providing bio-fuel and animal feed. Crops include rye, sugar beet and corn.

Green Buffer and existing woodland including Ley Park and existing green corridor along rail line.

Potential green roof infrastructure across housing typolgogies from low to dense massing dependent of specific aspect and design.

Access And Movement

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE.

The landscape of the settlement is a complex system of meadows and irrigation ditches and brooks. The water has been carefully managed to mitigate flooding and irrigate crops for centuries. The management of water on the site makes use of these existing systems. Water naturally flows from the highest parts of the site around Blaisdon and into the brooks that run to the Severn. The existing irrigation channels and waterways have been maintained and augmented. The main Westbury Brook has an additional retention pond which provides opportunity for creating a species rich environment and potential for introduction of beavers and other threatened species. It also crucially allows for retention of flood waters and is part of a system of retention ponds throughout the settlement which manage and slow the flow of rain water and increase biodiversity and the range of habitats. The Settlement will, with the construction of roads and buildings, create more runoff and these are mitigated through the use of swales and rills that are integral design components of routes and buildings across the settlement. The surfaces are pervious and SuDS systems are a response to climate change and designed to manage increasingly severe flood events. The immediate proximity of the Westbury Brook is flood Zone 2 and has been prioritised for mitigation infrastructure including mitigation ponds and native woodland planting. These areas exemplify the interplay of the green and blue infrstructure. both are interdependent and thedesign creates a sustainable and increased species rich environment that works with nature.

Retention ponds. The ponds managed by a system of leats and sluices provide flood defences and rich wildlife habitats.

Attenuation Ponds. These ponds capture rainwater, slow the rate of water into the Severn and provide habitat and irrigation water.

Surface water direction.The flow of surface water dictates the alignment of SuDs features on site and the wider landscape. Watercourse flow direction. Water flows on and off the settlement and is mangaged from source to discharge in the Severn

BLUE INFRASTRUCTURE

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Water courses. Existing and new and augmentented water courses work with the terrain and account for new infrastrcture.

Blaisdon Hub.

Active Travel, dwelling and Economic Centres of the settlement.

The movement strategy promotes sustainable modes of travel across the settlement. The settlement is well connected to mass transport systems and has a main rail and transport hub. The hubs of which there are three provide access to electric bikes, scooters and buggies for use within the settlement and beyond. Active travel is promoted though open dedicated and inviting green routes which are car free. There is car access to 70% of the site. EVs are accommodated with charging points and residential and peripheral parking areas. The disused railway is a walking and wheeling superhighway and is linked in to the National Cycle Network. Businesses such as local shops and cafes are strategically placed along routes creating inclusive, inviting, green travel corridors that are as much a destination as a means of getting from A to B. The settlement is created to be as permeable as possible with routes leading to adjacent towns and villages and green space. Access to major national and regional routes is key as commuting for work is an inevitable aspect of the economy of residents. A new road links to the A4136 and the A40 in the north and there is good access to the A48 to the south. All the amenities of the site are within a walkable distance and there is duplication of communitiy resoiurces to ensure that education soial and healthcare facilities are within easy reach. Local fulfillment centres at the hubs cut carbon emmisions of last mile deliveries down by 80%. employment infrastructure such as light industry is located near the train station. rsidentilal area promote Home Zones and walkability with play on the way opportunities and give people priority.

Major roads. these major artaries are designed for cars and buses along with dedicated walking and wheeling infrastucture.

Sustrans Active Travel Superhighway.12km to Gloucester and 6km to Micheldean and Cinderford emmisions free route.

Traffic free active travel routes. inviting and inclusive linear parks key components of movement and green infrastructure. Education and community hubs. education and from early years to post 16 with employment and skills training and resource centres.

Community healthcare centre.

Employment and light industry.

Northwood Green Hub.

There is an average net density of 46 dwellings per hectare (dph) with a range of house types from 1 bedroom apartments to large, detached houses. The high density build is around the three hubs of the settlement which are the major transport hubs and community and business areas. There is a delineation of high medium and low density. These densities have variation within them and offer very low density when adjacent to sensitive areas such as riverside, wild, riparian and existing woodland areas. Similarly, dph will be higher at the settlement centres. The spatial distribution of the housing is designed to create inclusive vibrant communities that are well designed, sustainable and carbon neutral. They are a part of the green infrastructure with 50% supporting green roofs all with access to private or communal gardens and growing spaces and all built prioritising solar gain. All the housing of the settlement follow the Passivhaus design principles and orientate to the east- west axis 30° off set for maximum gain. This fits with the slope and aspect of the site which influenced its shortlisting in phase1.While the built forms address environmental sustainability they also foster social and economic sustainability. For example, sustainable transport options such as cycling and walking reduce environmental impact but also bring benefits for personal health and well-being; walkable communities encourage social connection. In addition to the 5275 dwellings covering 110ha there is employment land and social and community land covering a combined 84ha. GI accounts for 50% of the total which brings the land budge for the settlement to 388ha.

High density dwellings. 100dph central appartments upto 5 storeys with mixed use ground floor. 20ha

Main Central Hub

Car Free Eco Hub

Housing Mass And Typology

Medium density dwellings. 50dph central 2-3 storey appartments and maisonettes with communal gardens. 40ha

Low density dwellings. 33dph 2 storey terrace and detached and semi detached mixed private and communal gardens. 40ha

Low density single storey dwellings. Accessible and adapive housing, detached with more open growing areas and productive green space.30ha

Employment and Light industrial zone 36ha

Existing development built form. 60ha

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