5. A flooding landscape

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Support

Draft Swavesey Village Design Guide SPD

Representation ID: 167863

Received: 10/07/2019

Respondent: Mr Paul Twinn

Representation Summary:

I strongly agree with the need to take into account the flood plan of our village as any development on these areas can result in causing flooding to other new areas.

Full text:

I strongly agree with the need to take into account the flood plan of our village as any development on these areas can result in causing flooding to other new areas.

Attachments:

Comment

Draft Swavesey Village Design Guide SPD

Representation ID: 167864

Received: 09/06/2019

Respondent: Ms Hilary Ellis

Representation Summary:

Cambridgeshire LLFA welcome the consideration for sustainable drainage of surface water on new developments and rainwater recycling in the Village Design Guide SPD. It should further promote sustainable drainage techniques (SuDS).

Full text:

Cambridgeshire LLFA welcomes the promotion of the sustainable drainage techniques in the FVDG.

SuDS are an approach to managing the surface water run off which seeks to mimic natural drainage systems and retain water on or near the site as opposed to traditional drainage techniques which involve piping the water off the site asap.

SuDS offer significant advantage over conventional piped drainage system in reducing flood risk by attenuating the rate and quantity of surface water run off.

The variety of SuDS techniques available means that virtually any development should be able to include a scheme based around these principles.

Attachments:

Comment

Draft Swavesey Village Design Guide SPD

Representation ID: 167867

Received: 23/05/2019

Respondent: Laragh Homes

Agent: Carter Jonas

Representation Summary:

In Swavesey we agree there is a particularly strong risk that new development will intensiy flood risk. However it is important to note that some new development can result in a betterment. In this instance there is an opportunity for approx. 120 existing properties on Moat Wy and Whitegate Close will be reclassified as benefiting from defences and may even see improvements in their insurance premiums and property value.

Full text:

Representations made for Laragh House Developments Ltd who are working closely with Mr Johnson (the site owner) and have an option agreement on the site to the west of Swavesey at Land north of Home Close and West of Moat Way, Land north of Fen Drayton Road, Swavesey.
Representations made for Laragh House Developments Ltd who are working closely with Mr Johnson (the site owner) and have an option agreement on the site to the west of Swavesey at Land north of Home Close and West of Moat Way, Land north of Fen Drayton Road,Swavesey.

Page 13. Raised embankment to Home Close with views through trees to open fields as shown on figure 38 referenced under item 12.

Comment: It is unclear in what extent this raised embankment contributes positively to views and which is relatively large area I identified on the plan on land within our clients control. We feel there needs to be more analysis to understand the value of such an embankment,that appears to be on private land and does not form part of a public right of way.
Page 15:- Figure 42- an area of public open space is identified. This is also reference at paragraph 10.2 whereby it is stated that ''the potential for the Village College to expand its playing fields should be maintained and supported"- (see figure 42).

Comment:- The site owner of land to the West of Swavesey is able to deliver land for additiona l sports pitches- the proposals include the offer of 2.5ha of land south of the Village College sports pitches for additional sport pitch provision for the village should there be an opportunity for some further development within the land identified.

As part of this site the applicant is able to offer to Swavesey Parish Council a field to be used for outdoor sports - see site plan land edged green. The offer of this land is to be secured via a S106/Unilateral agreement to allow Swavesey Parish Council the opportunity to fully consider whether or not this land is suitable for sports use should residential develop ment opportunities arise.There may be an opportunity to deliver meaningful open space that will serve the community which is worthy of discussion. It is recognised that this may fall outside the remit of the Village Design Guide, but there is a discussion to be had regarding how new development could contribute positively to village amenities.




Page 9 quote:- In Swavesey there is a particularly strong risk that new development will intensify flood risk. Much of the adjoining land that may be considered for future development plays a role in flood attenuation . The impermeable clay subsoil means that any increase in the area of impermeable surface will increase the overland flow of surface water.

Comment: Future development can play a positive role in flood attenuation. Mr John Johnson owns land immediately to the West of Swavsey . A significant amount of work has been commissioned to review the drainage issues associated with this land. There is an opportunity through development to the north of Fen Drayton Road will include improvements to Covell's Drain embankments, new flood defence banks along Fen Drayton Road and Swavesey Road and ground raising at the development site north to Mill Way. The works will include allowance for up to 65% increase in flood size due to climate change, and are designed to avoid impact elsewhere in the catchment. Such benefits can only be practically funded through facilitating some residential developme nt.

These changes will mean that:
Flood risk to Swavesey from Covell's Drain will be reduced with protection into the future
The development site and land to the east of it will be defended against flooding from Covell's Drain
in the 1% chance event,including allowing for climate change
It is intended that these areas can be reclassified as an "Area Benefiting from Defence" on the Environment Agency's flood maps,and be considered to be at medium rather than high risk of flooding for planning and insurance purposes
Approx. 120 existing properties on Moat Way and Whitegate Close will be reclassified as benefiting
from defences and may even see improvements in their insurance premiums and property value. This is potentially a very significant benefit to the village and particularly those dwellings directly affected.


Support

Draft Swavesey Village Design Guide SPD

Representation ID: 168344

Received: 28/05/2019

Respondent: bpha

Representation Summary:

Support the need for collaborative working on flood risk. In relation to the requirement for low carbon housing this should take into account the need for schemes to be viable with a sustainable maintenance strategy. Consider design implications of electrical generation (solar PVs) due to the shift to electric cars etc.

Full text:

Overall bpha are supportive of the approach taken within the South Cambridgeshire Village Design Statements.
bpha is a registered not for profit affordable housing provider with over 18,000 homes within the Cambridge to Oxford arc. We are committed to building and maintaining quality affordable homes in thriving communities.
More information can be found at — www.bpha.org.uk

bpha have a commitment to provide well-designed high quality housing for our customers. Our approach to delivery is informed by key financial viability considerations. We look forward to working with SCDC to deliver a range of housing opportunities for your residents that is financially sustainable and reflects that addresses the design issues raised in the statement.

As an organisation bpha are looking to increase the number of homes that we provide through land-led opportunities. The Village Design Guides provide a useful insight into the important design issues at a neighbourhood level that we will consider early in the development design and planning process. We remain committed to working with SCDC in order to find appropriate design responses to housing development.

We are currently in contract with various developers across multiple sites in the South Cambridgeshire area. Most notable locally is that bpha are contracted to deliver all affordable homes on Phase 1 at Northstowe. Via our Market sale arm Bushmead Homes we have acquired open market sites in Over, Swavesey and Gamlingay to deliver market sale and affordable homes.

Please find attached below comments on the Village Design Statements. Should you have any questions on the points raised please do not hesitate in contacting me.

In terms of an overall comment the Village Design Statements cover seven villages across South Cambridgeshire. What would be helpful is also identifying important design considerations for those villages that sit outside the areas covered by the Village Design Statements. We are currently actively looking at rural exception sites across South Cambridgeshire and such guidance would be useful.

In relatoin to the content of the Village Design Statements. The broad comments that can be read across all the statements can be summarised into the following categories:

Affordable Housing - the deliery of new affordable housing is key to the delivery of the strategic objectives of bpha. In terms of village sustainability the delivery of affordable homes to meet the needs of the local community is vital. This requires the delivery of a broad range and tenure of homes.

While there is reference to the importance of well-designed affordable housing such as in the case of Robinson Court, Gamlingay, many of the statements are silent on the issue of affordable housing. The planning system should balance the demand of particular the types of affordable housing within a village with the requirements of the densikty parameters set out in the Village Design Statements. Therefore the approach to meeting specific housing needs should be addressed in the Village Design Statements. Consideration to the Nationally Prescribed Space Standards, Lifetime Homes and Building Regulation accessibility/adaptability ought to considered.

Materials - the approach to taken to the appropriate materials to be used within new developments is broadly supported. It is welcomed that the document refers to the type of materials that are likely to be acceptable without specifying specific products.

The availability of materials is a critical factor for development delivery, with the lead in times for materials such as bricks having a significant impact on a development programme. Therefore we would welcome a dialogue with SCDC early in the development process of a broad palette of products that would be acceptable. This is cruicial for our cost planning of developments.

The Village Design Statements should also recognise that in relation to innovation in the building industry through Modern Methods of Construction to include off-site and modular housing. A sustainability balance should be struck between innovation and following a rigid design approach.

Public Realm Investment - In the case of the larger villages reference such as Sawston and Fulbourn reference is made to the need for public realm improvements being made to the local centre. We would strongly support improvements being made the public realm to contribute towards the viability of local service provision within village centres.

In terms of specific comments, we have the following comments on the individual Village Design Statements:

Caldecote

Support the principles of partnership working on flood management. There is no mention of affordable housing within the statement this should be addressed.

Fulbourn

The following statement is made 'The need for a housing mix including suitable dwellings for the elderly and for younger households' is identifed as not an issue to be addressed with the Village Design Statement. This is not correct as the approach taken to density in the Statements will affect the delivery of certain types of affordable housing.

The objective for an improved High Street is supported as improvements to the public realm will support the financial viability of local services as it will create a better environment to visit.

In relation to improvements to existing stock there needs to be a consideration of wider issues such as External Wall Insulation and the acceptability of such changes.

At paragraph 10.13 reference is made to self build reference in addition the reference should be extended to include custom build.

Gamlingay

Broad support to the reference that affordable housing can play in village i.e. Robinson Court. The reference to taking influence from non-residential uses in housing such as agricultural and live work influences is welcomed

Over

At paragraph 4.5 it is stated 'Development should seek to maintain and enhance wildlife corridors in ways that are not costly to maintain.' The importance of wildlife corridors is supported as is the recognition that this should be undertaken in a cost effective way.

We support the proposals for better linkages to the guided busway. Mobility is critical for access to jobs and services and it is recognised that access to a car is lower for those on lower incomes.

At paragraph 8.7 it is stated 'Surface of green lanes should be permeable and easy to maintain'. We support the provision of a green land network this should consider the whole life costing of mterials to be used. In addition consideration should be given to the materials being acceptable for cycling. Sustrans give useful guidance in the following document: www.sustrans.org.uk/sites/default/files/images/files/migrated-pdfs/Technical%20Note%208%20-%20Path%20surfaces(1).pdf

Papworth Everard

The statement makes a strong emphasis on corridors for movement, the point made above on Over is of relevance here.

Sawston

The use of terraces to raise densities is supported.
The proposed public realm improvements and frontages is supported although an appropriate upfront capital budget is important it is also critical that there is a long-term revenue maintenance budget

Swavesey

Support the need for collaborative working on flood risk. In relation to the requirement for low carbon housing this should take into account the need for schemes to be viable with a sustainable maintenance strategy. Consider design implications of electrical generation (solar PVs) due to the shift to electric cars etc.

Attachments: