Sustainability
By creating a walkable neighbourhood, we want to help people lead more sustainable lives. Likely carbon emissions across the construction and operation of the scheme will be quantified, with environmental measures identified and adopted to reduce lifetime emissions.
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Transport Emissions
The concept masterplan highlights the number of facilities, including a local primary school, public open space, play and sporting areas, that will be located in close proximity up to 1300 homes. A travel plan will be developed to encourage active modes of transport, with upgrades to walking and cycling networks further encouraging active, low carbon transport modes.
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Operational Emissions
Operational emissions will be reduced through a range of measures, which will be set out in an energy and sustainability statement (or equivalent). These measures will reduce energy consumption and optimise renewable energy use. An electricity-only energy strategy will allow operational emissions to reduce in line with anticipated reductions in grid emissions.
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Construction Emissions
Emissions will also be reduced during construction, as set out in a Construction Environment Management Plan (CEMP).
Ecology
The site is predominantly grassland with hedgerows, located on either side of the A361. Several mature trees and hedges frequent the landscape, with the alignment of the hedgerows and public rights of way from the nearby River Avon being strong bat commuting corridors.
The features of the landscape have the potential to support protected and notable species, and a suite of specialist surveys have been completed to inform the design. This has identified corridors to protect bat populations, amongst other ecological interests.
The development itself will provide for nesting opportunities within the development (e.g. swift bricks) and safeguard green corridors to connect wildlife.
Proposals will need to avoid, mitigate and compensate for any habitats and species that could be harmed. At least 10% biodiversity net gain will be achieved as required under the Environment Act 2023.
New areas of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace will provide over 100 acres for attractive recreational walking routes to safeguard the protected habitats of the Bath and Bradford-on-Avon SAC. These areas will also provide extensive opportunity for wildlife enhancements. Dark flight paths will also be maintained and enhanced through and around the more urban part of the proposals.
Based on the Environment Agency’s (EA’s) Flood Map for Planning (FMfP), the site lies entirely within Flood Zone 1 (lowest risk of flooding from rivers and seas), inclusive of an appropriate allowance for climate change.
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The EA Risk of Flooding from Surface Water (RoFSW) dataset shows that the majority of the site is at a very low risk of flooding. There are several isolated areas of surface water ponding across the application boundary due to local depressions in the topography. The Paxcroft Brook bisects the site between the proposed residential areas and the SANG, where there is shown to be an existing flow path represented in the EA mapping. At the southern extent of the SANG area along the application boundary, there is shown to be an existing overland surface water flow route which then joins the Paxcroft Brook channel.
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A desktop review of the site geology shows that the site is underlain by deposits of clay, silt, sand, and gravel in the area of land south of the A361. The bedrock underlying the site is shown to be composed of limestone and mudstone. As such, surface water runoff is likely to flow overland toward the lowest topographic areas and the Paxcroft Brook once the infiltration potential of the soils has been exceeded. Preliminary testing across the site confirms that there is limited potential for infiltration in the soils and the site exhibits shallow groundwater conditions.
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The development will utilise a range of sustainable drainage (SuDS) techniques to ensure that surface water is stored and transferred to the existing natural surface water systems in an appropriate manner. Surface water generated from each of the site catchment areas will be captured and routed to a series of attenuation basins and balancing ponds, generally located at the lowest topographic points of the site, with smaller areas of storage distributed amongst the contributing catchments. These basins will be designed as high‑quality landscape features, providing managed discharge rates restricted to greenfield runoff rates so as to not increase downstream flood risk. The basins will be landscaped with native wetland planting to create new ecological corridors and habitats, and the attenuation areas will be designed, where possible, as public open spaces with footpaths, enhancing the recreational value for residents.
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In addition to the attenuation basins, a series of source control SuDS features such as permeable paving, swales, and rain gardens will be considered in order to provide storage for surface water runoff while simultaneously providing natural water treatment by removing hydrocarbons and sediments.
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Foul water drainage is proposed to connect into the existing public sewer, with pumping stations provided within the layout to provide that connection.
Flood Risk and Drainage
Built Form
Our vision for Great Whaddon (East) is to create a beautiful, walkable and sustainable new neighbourhood. A place where people wish to live, work, learn and play and which future generations will be proud to inherit.
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Great Whaddon (East) will be composed of a series of three neighbourhoods with the working titles of ‘Whaddon Lanes’, ‘The Byways’ and ‘Upper Paxcroft’. The appearance of each neighbourhood will vary through subtle variation in form and the character of its green spaces. There will be a local centre at the heart with a primary school, shops and a village green, giving the new community a place to meet and gather.
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A series of parks, garden squares and green spaces be interspersed ‘little and often’ throughout the site and will be linked by tree lined streets and green walking and cycling routes. Existing hedgerows will be retained wherever possible, giving the new place a sense of maturity and rootedness from the outset.
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Our masterplan is based on creating a traditional street pattern with tree-lined streets and plots making it easy to get about with a network of primary streets (which can accommodate a bus), secondary streets, local streets, and lanes, that will make it simple, safe and enjoyable to get around on foot or by bike.
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Closer to the centre of Great Whaddon (East), homes will typically be terraced or semi-detached. Toward the edges, the neighbourhood will become quieter and more intimate, with semi-detached and detached houses becoming more common, gardens larger and the built form stepping down gently towards the edge of the site and wider countryside beyond.
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The appearance of buildings is a reserved matter but design should take cues from the local vernacular and the best of the wider locality. Strategic and more detailed design codes can be used to set out the design rules for the whole master plan, each phase or neighbourhood including architectural design and materials, drawing on the Hilperton Village Design Statement to ensure a coherent and beautiful new place.
Illustrative Masterplan
Character Area/Neighbourhood Area Plan
Green Infrastructure
The masterplan is fundamentally landscape-led, placing the natural environment at the heart of the new community. Approximately two thirds of the site will be dedicated to green space, creating a connected and multifunctional green infrastructure network that supports biodiversity, recreation and wellbeing. This network will include a rich variety of spaces, such as village greens, recreation areas, community orchards, allotments and informal open spaces, ensuring that all residents have access to nature within a short walk of their homes.
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The green infrastructure framework has been designed around the retention and enhancement of existing hedgerows and landscape features, while also responding to the requirements of the ecology and bat strategies. A key component of this approach is the delivery of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) in the form of Hag Hill Country Park, located to the south of the proposed development. The country park will provide approximately 100 acres of accessible natural greenspace for recreation and informal enjoyment.
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To reflect the woodland character and walking experience of Green Lane and Biss Woods, the lower areas of the SANG will focus on the planting of native trees and woodland belts. Higher up the slopes and on Hag Hill itself, the landscape will transition to more open grassland, maintaining views across the wider countryside while supporting a diverse range of habitats.
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A wider network of green spaces will be distributed throughout the development, with a green spine connecting the northern and southern neighbourhoods and linking directly to the SANG. Opportunities for recreation and community use will be integrated throughout the landscape, with formal play areas complemented by informal play opportunities within green corridors and open spaces. Allotments and community orchards will support local food growing while encouraging social interaction and community stewardship. To the east of the site, a large recreation area will provide grass sports pitches, a pump track and additional play facilities, creating opportunities for a wide range of outdoor activities.
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A comprehensive and easy-to-navigate network of walking, wheeling and cycling routes will connect homes to green spaces, community facilities and destinations beyond the site, including existing Public Rights of Way. Tree-lined streets will further strengthen this connectivity, contributing to the green character of the development while providing shade, supporting biodiversity, improving air quality and enhancing the overall streetscape.
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Together, these elements create a cohesive and multifunctional landscape strategy that balances ecological protection, habitat creation and biodiversity net gain, recreation and sustainable movement. The result will be a well-connected, nature-rich and resilient place where people and wildlife can thrive.
Movement Strategy Plan
The draft proposals include three detailed access points from the A361, comprising of:
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A new roundabout in the east of the site, providing a new gateway feature which will help to slow vehicles on the approach to the scheme.
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A staggered right turn lane junction arrangement, with access provided to the north and south of the A361 in the west of the site.
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In terms of Active Travel, measures are envisaged to include:
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A Toucan crossing for pedestrians and cycles will be provided on the western arm of the roundabout;
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A Parallel crossing for pedestrians and cyclists will be provided to the west of the southern access junction in the west of the site;
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Another Parallel crossing will be provided between the roundabout and staggered junctions; and
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Internal connections will provide access to Byway Open to All Traffic HILP21 which routes through the site, providing a connection to Whaddon Lane in the north and Semington in the east.
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The access and movement strategy establishes connections to the surrounding transport network whilst prioritising sustainable and active modes of travel. The site benefits from immediate links to the A361. However, the plan recognises that this major route also brings challenges in terms of noise, accessibility and the need for safe crossings, all of which will be carefully addressed.
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The movement framework has been designed around a hierarchy of streets, with a loop arrangement forming the main ‘spine’ through the land north of the A361 with the potential to connect into the wider network which could come forward as part of wider development within the area. Secondary and local streets will branch from this to discourage through-traffic while encouraging walking and cycling for local journeys. Walking and cycling routes are integrated into the green corridors and connect with the existing Public Rights of Way, ensuring that residents can move easily and safely through the village and out into the surrounding area.
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Public transport and access by sustainable modes is a consideration from the outset. The spine road will be designed to enable the rerouting of existing bus services from the A361, improving accessibility between Trowbridge town centre and Great Whaddon with the aim of reducing reliance on private cars.
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Car and cycle parking will be provided for each property, with a minimum of one Electric Vehicle Charging point provided for each dwelling. Visitor cycle parking will also be provided for the local centres, school, employment uses and key public open space destinations.