A Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) was undertaken by RGP Transport Planning and Infrastructure Design Consultants over three days including a Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Around 50% of the current traffic on Courtlands Road is generated by people driving from all over Eastbourne and further afield to shop at the retail units. In a typical weekday, some 1,970 journeys are made to and from the site.
This data has been compared with projected traffic movements generated by residents of the proposed development. The projections are calculated using traffic modelling data based on the typical number of car journeys generated by private houses and flats.
According to the model for 145 households, traffic movements would amount to 437 journeys during a typical weekday – a reduction of 1,533 two-way movements. However, since this report was compiled, the number of proposed households has been reduced to 136 so traffic volume generated by residents of The Courtlands will be less than the projected figures.
A desk study and Phase 1 Habitat Survey (P1HS) was undertaken by CSA Environmental. This established that other than the boundaries, where there are trees and ditches, the site does not currently provide ideal habitats for wildlife.
The survey established the presence of some nesting sites both on buildings and within the trees bordering the site and commented on Horsey Sewer (to the south-east of the site) being a Local Wildlife Site.
The study also highlighted opportunities to improve the local ecology by planting native species to provide food and habitats for birds, invertebrates and bats. This would include bat roosting and bird nesting opportunities within the new buildings and retained mature trees, together with insect boxes and log piles.
A Construction Environment Plan will be drawn up pre-construction to ensure water run-off and pollutants do not affect water quality in Horsey Sewer.
A Flood Risk Assessment Report was prepared by Stephen Wilson Partnership Ltd. The report established that the crest of the bank of Horsey Sewer is higher than the fluvial flood level.
This means that the site has a LOW risk of flooding and is therefore considered to be within Flood Zone 1 – that is, a less than 0.1% chance of flooding.
The majority of the site is currently surfaced with concrete, which prevents rainwater from soaking into the ground. The proposed development, with its gardens and landscaping, will reduce the impermeable surface by at least 22%. This more than off sets additional predicted water run-off as a result of climate change allowance.
The Flood Risk Assessment Report recommends installing underground rainwater tanks to collect and store water in times of unprecedented rainfall, such as storms. They would have a 40% allowance to manage a general increase in rainfall associated with climate change. These tanks would reduce water run-off from the site into Horsey Sewer by 53%.
There will be 138 parking spaces on site for the residents of The Courtlands, which exceeds the Guidance for Parking at New Residential Developments produced by East Sussex County Council.
The 34 houses have a total of 49 spaces and there are 74 parking spaces available for the flats. There are an additional 15 spaces for visitor parking.
There are 10 on-site allocated parking space for shop customers
A dedicated pull-in and loading area is included as part of the design, to allow lorries to make deliveries to shop without the need to enter the site or block Courtlands Road
The play park has been purposely set in the middle of the site so it benefits from natural surveillance from passers-by and the houses and flats that overlook it. Increasing the risk of detection is an essential element in discouraging criminal activity and helps to create a safer, more pleasant environment for all.
It is also proposed to install passive infrared sensor security lighting which lights up when it detects movement.
All new housing developments are obliged to offer a percentage of the homes as affordable housing. This is usually in the region of 30% of the residential units.
It’s an application to the Planning Authority – in this case, Eastbourne Borough Council – to agree to a development proposal in principle. For example, an outline planning application can provide consent for the change of use of the land and determine the number of units that can be built, on the proviso that details, such as finish and materials, will be approved at a later date.
An outline planning application usually includes specialist reporting on the ground conditions, ecology, archaeology, topography, flood risk and traffic movement in association with the site. These reports are necessary to ensure that the proposed development is feasible and would not adversely impact on the existing neighbourhood, its residents, environment and infrastructure.
As well as the above reports our proposal for The Courtlands will include illustrative plans on:
We will also be submitting some illustrative information on “scale” of the houses and blocks of flats.
Once an outline planning permission is granted, the additional details will be agreed with a ’Reserved Matters’ application. This approach allows the site developer to have input into the design of the scheme, consider materials and planting, elevation detail and finishes within the framework of approved unit number and site layout.
If not already covered in the outline planning permission, the additional details in a ‘Reserved Matters’ application can include:
This type of application requires all details of the proposal to be agreed. These include:
If you have a question that isn’t covered here, please email us at hello@the-courtlands.co.uk
If you have any comments or queries about The Courtlands development, please get in touch.