01 Welcome. Why are we here?

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1 01 Welcome Why are we here? In July 2014 GreenSquare unveiled its plans for 1500 homes to the local community providing much needed houses during the first half of the Stroud District Local Plan period. We acknowledge the concerns raised at the previous exhibition but remain committed to promoting this site simply because additional sites may be needed as the Local Plan develops further. Comments made at that exhibition have been taken on board and have helped inform our thinking around this development. We remain committed to the longer term vision of creating a self contained sustainable settlement at Newtown and Sharpness and will continue to promote this area as a potential growth point through the development plan process. The Local Plan Inspector has found that Stroud District Council (SDC) cannot meet its current 5 year housing land supply target and we are here today to show you our proposals for delivering the first phase of housing for up to 375 homes on land adjoining the southern fringes of Newtown.

2 02 Who We Are GreenSquare Group formed in 2008, are a major provider of housing, regeneration, care and support and commercial services across Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire. Our core business is building, managing and maintaining homes as well as supporting strong and stable communities. We have the ability to manage and maintain areas of open space, drainage features, and play areas. GreenSquare are committed to meeting policies regarding sustainable economic and social regeneration. Contractors will be required to involve the local community through a community noticeboard which will be updated weekly, a community post box, site open days, linking in with existing community groups and work in partnership with a local artist (or artists) to create temporary works of art on the site hoardings. A truly mixed use community with a vibrant economic base with attractive amenities A place built upon the 10 One Planet Living principles An accessible and well connected Sharpness We require the appointment of local companies from within an agreed distance of the site to fulfil the local labour obligation and also create apprenticeships to encourage training and skills development. A place for people where people have a real choice and can make a difference Vision aims Good food everywhere and for everyone OUR VISION Develop good quality housing to meet a wide and growing range of needs. A unique place with a strong culture and identity that embraces its heritage A place where nature thrives and is cherished Healthy lifestyle and happiness Create places where people want to live, and support a good quality of life. Provide the range and quality of services our customers want. Grow our activities and improve our financial strength and sustainability. Cashes Green Development

3 03 Summary Of Our Proposals In our last exhibition, we showed that the area around Sharpness and surrounding villages has the potential to be a growth point providing housing growth in the short and longer term. SUMMARY An expansion of Newtown to the south for up to 375 houses. A new full size football pitch and changing rooms for Sharpness AFC. Extensive green open space network and countryside park. Opportunities for food production and orchards. Habitats for wildlife. Access from Saniger Lane with potential for an additional access from Rookery Lane (subject to ongoing technical review and discussion with Gloucestershire Highways). Cycle routes and new footpaths to link with Newtown Primary School and the public open space network. A stimulating place to live, work and play with strong connections to the natural environment and protecting the Planet's finite resources

4 04 A Place Built Upon The 10 One Planet Living Principles We remain committed to the One Planet Living principles. With a growing population we need to find ways to reduce our negative impacts to ensure that future generations are not disadvantaged by our actions today. 1. Zero Carbon Minimise carbon emissions. Reduce energy demand to the lowest possible levels. Use the best available low or zero carbon technology. Generate as much renewable power within the scheme as possible. 2. Zero Waste Minimisation of waste throughout the project including a target for zero waste from construction to landfill. Create an exemplar of a low waste settlement with a strong focus on reduction, reuse and recycling. 3. Sustainable Transport Strong focus on reducing the need to travel, alternative travel resources and prioritising pedestrian and cycle routes. 4. Sustainable Materials Use of natural and renewable materials. Materials to be sourced within a 50 mile radius where feasible. 5. Local and Sustainable Food Food affects us all and is at the centre of our thinking and is discussed in further detail in this section. 6. Sustainable Water Efficient use of water with up-to-date technologies. Both rainwater and greywater systems will be considered. Landscaping will be designed to minimise irrigation needs. Consideration of water use in all stages of day to day living. 7. Land Use and Wildlife A healthy ecological system is not only vital but can also create a great living environment. We will work closely with the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and the community to evolve and grow and make its own decisions, on what uses it wants to incorporate. 8. Culture and Community We are about place making and developing strong communities that will engender a sense of ownership and pride in their built and natural environment. 9. Equity and Local Economy Affordability of the homes considered to create a multidimensional development. Work closely with adjacent employers and landowners to maximise inward investment and employment growth. 10. Health and Happiness This is the ultimate One Planet Living principle; society should be measuring success by the health and happiness of its people. Our success will be ultimately judged on the wellbeing of its citizens.

5 05 Site Context

6 06 Access, Movement & Connectivity An accessible and well connected neighbourhood The new neighbourhood will be accessed off Saniger Lane to the west with potential for a second access off Rookery Lane. Consider first Pedestrians Cyclists Public Transport Users Specialist Service Vehicles Consider last Other motor traffic Access and Movement Strategy The sustainable movement strategy will enable people to move without the use of the private car as the predominant choice of travel, i.e. low car use and high levels of walking, cycling and public transport. The key principles for developing a sustainable movement strategy are: Making sustainable travel modes easy, affordable, fast and pleasant; Provide essential services within walking distance of all homes; Design streets for a suitable user hierarchy (pedestrians first and cars last); Sustainable Movement Two vehicular access options into the development are currently being considered and we would welcome your comments. Option 1: - A single access point with Saniger Lane. An access to Rookery Lane for Pedestrians and Cyclists would also be provided which would be capable of being used by a vehicle in an emergency. Option 2: - An access point with Saniger Lane and an access point with Rookery Lane, to provide two cul-de-sac s for vehicles, but which would be linked by a pedestrian and cycle route capable of being used by a vehicle in an emergency. The use of Rookery Lane is subject to ongoing technical review and discussions with the highway authority. Provide green walking routes; The proposals will promote walking and cycling creating safe and easily accessible links between community facilities and other important local routes such as National Cycle Route 41 which passes through Wanswell linking to Berkeley to the south and Slimbridge to the north; The existing settlement is currently served by public transport and the neighbourhood would provide new patronage to support existing services. Option 1 Option 2

7 07 The Natural Environment A place where nature thrives and is cherished It is inevitable that some of our green fields will be permanently lost in creating new homes within the district. None of the land being proposed for development is protected by any landscape designations and has few other environmental constraints. Large areas of open space will be retained to create a network of green spaces and include an informal countryside park with open access for all to enjoy. We will integrate the existing hedgerows and trees into our to proposals to create an environment that respects its historic context and draws nature into the housing areas. We will create a distinctive place to live shaped by the landscape and will plant new woodlands and hedgerows as well as creating wildflower meadows, ponds, orchards and informal kickabout and childrens play areas. We will work very closely with the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and other local groups so that the community will have a say in how open spaces are managed. The overriding theme will be to use native plant species chosen to reinforce local character and encourage wildlife. Open space will be managed for a variety of recreational activities and biodiversity enhancements. New footpaths and cycle routes will be created to allow movement through a variety of landscapes and experiences.

8 08 The Built Environment The local village character Newtown was initially developed at the end of the 19th century to provide housing stock for dock workers and fitters and has since expanded along Gloucester Road and Oldminster Road. There is a mix of housing in the village built with brick, reconstituted stone and rendered elevations. Brick dominates the older dwellings. Most dwellings have off street parking but some on street parking is also available. Densities vary from approximately 20 dwellings per hectare (dph) around areas dominated by post war housing to much higher densities around dwellings per hectare (dph) in the older part of the settlement between New Street and Oldminster Road. Recent housing development by Persimmon Homes has moved south of Gloucester Road and comprises detached and semi-detached dwellings at an average density of 30 dph. The hamlets of Brookend, Old Brookend and Wanswell lie to the southeast where red brick is dominant. Berkeley and Frampton On Severn Conservation Areas contain numerous assemblages of attactive buildings that include short terraces, semi-detached and larger detached 3 storey dwellings constructed in brick and render. Front gardens are typically short and defined by low fences, hedges and occasional walls.

9 09 Constraints & Opportunities Key constraints Access is currently limited to Saniger Lane with potential for a second access from Rookery lane subject to further analysis. The wooded stream that runs between Wansell and Saniger Lane will have to be crossed. A strong network of existing hedgerows with some fine tree specimens. Existing public rights of way to the north and northeast. Sloping topography which occasionally reaches gradients of 1:6 in some of the steeper parts of the site towards the northwest and would be difficult to develop. Key opportunities The Phase 1 site has a number of opportunities: Attractive long distance views across the Severn Estuary and inland towards the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) from a number of elevated locations; A number of community facilities are nearby; Potential to provide a large informal countryside park for use by the whole community and create an attractive setting for the development; Opportunities for much needed housing in the short term; Provide a permanent home for Sharpness AFC; Integrate existing streams hedges trees and watercourses within the green infrastructure; Potential for improved pedestrian and cycle links; Potential to enhance existing structure of hedgerows and trees where possible; and Relatively unconstrained Grade 3 agricultural land.

10 10 The Development Framework The Landscape & Development Framework Concept The layout will be shaped by a comprehensive landscape infrastructure and hierarchy of roads to form the basic block structure for placemaking. Different character areas will evolve in response to site context, changes in topography, views into and out of the site and varying densities. The new neighbourhood is broadly divided into two areas separated by the wooded stream in the valley floor that runs between Wanswell and Saniger Lane. Approximately 8.1ha (20 acres) of open space that separates these two development parcels will become an informal country park accommodating the new full size football pitch for Sharpness AFC. The land adjoining the school will accommodate approximately up to 100 dwellings with up to a further 275 dwellings to the south of the stream. Additional smaller open spaces and village green areas will also be provided for points of interest, small scale food crops, legibilty, wayfinding and placemaking. Existing hedgerows will be incorporated within linear open spaces that will also serve as additional pedestrian links and wildlife corridors. Landscape and Development Framework Plan

11 11 Illustrative Masterplan Sharpness AFC 0m 50m 100m