Outline planning permission has been granted for 70 dwellings at School Road, Arborfield Cross. Following refusal of the original planning application on a larger site area, CSA provided landscape and visual advice to inform a revised application for a reduced quantum of development. The design was developed iteratively including through feedback from the borough council.
Built form is limited to the western field to minimise visual impacts on the character of School Road and Wood Lane; to maintain the existing open countryside between Arborfield Cross and Langley Common; and to help preserve the setting of the Grade II Listed Langleypond Farmhouse. The proposed access off School Road has been configured around an existing thinner point of the treed boundary to minimise the number and quality of trees to be removed.
The proposals include a central green space along with new play provision including a Local Equipped Area of Play (‘LEAP’). There will also be recreational routes through the proposal, providing exercise opportunities for adults and teens. Mature trees and hedgerows on the Site will be retained. New planting will be of native species and include a high proportion of English Oak in keeping with the existing species mix on Site.
Sustainable Drainage Systems (‘SuDS’) will form an integral part of the layout proposals. The drainage basin in the north west of the Site will include a pond which could provide new areas of marginal and aquatic habitat. The sides and floor of the basin will be seeded with wildflower mix to increase species diversity. Swales and rain gardens will be incorporated into the street scene.
Read more of our landscape projects here.