Wildlife and landscape

Across the development there will be around 6 hectares of green, open spaces.

The image below shows an illustrative view looking north from the strategic open space (3.8 hectares / 9.4 acres), which will include:

  • ​​Parkland style landscape with meadow grassland and field trees
  • Walking loop around the edge and mown paths through the park
  • Trim trail
  • Benches, bins and dog bins
  • Play area
  • Information boards to provide details on the plants, trees and wildlife.

There will also be:

  • A large equipped playground designed for children aged 4 to 12

  • A smaller equipped playground in the village centre for children up to age 6

  • Allotments of a variety of sized plots, with water, electricity and bicycle parking

As part of the landscape design, the WWII Type 22 pillbox has been incorporated within a prominent green open space to become a focal point within the development in recognition of its importance to our local history.

Wildlife

The development includes plans to increase biodiversity on the site by at least 10%, which is measured through something called Biodiversity Net Gain. This means that, once developed, the site will have more and improved habitats and wildlife than it does now, as an arable field. 

  • Over 400 new trees of 25 different species and cultivars will be planted to create an enhanced canopy cover, wildlife habitat and variety in the street scene and landscaping
  • More than 4,000 metres of linear hedgerow including both ornamental and native plants will improve wildlife habitat and support the landscape-led masterplan
  • Green spaces will be seeded with a diverse mix of plants and trees; and log piles and hibernacula, bird nest boxes and bat roost boxes will be installed

We’re carrying out surveys at the appropriate times of year to identify important and protected wildlife on the site. The ‘higher value’ habitats such as the woodland and mature trees will be retained, and the new area of strategic open space and other green spaces that we’ll create will encourage more diversity of wildlife on the site.

Drainage

The surface water and drainage design for the development will ensure that all surface water will be retained on site by the means of five SUDS attenuation basins and other drainage features such as swales and underground drainage crates. This means that the development will not be discharging any surface water into the public sewer network.