Acresford Park, Handsacre

Solution

We supported the production of a series of appraisal options on the affected area of the site to demonstrate to the client what could be achieved. Housetype variants were also created to assist with this process, which culminated in a successful re-plan, duly obtaining planning approval. We submitted the phased Reserved Matters Applications commencing 2019 and concluded with the final phase approval in 2021.

Noise mitigation measures were incorporated in the detailed scheme design stage to overcome the noise from the railway line. Noise attenuation bunds were required as part of the measures along the site boundary against the railway line, further supporting strategic landscaping. Careful positioning of the dwellings and their window positions helped achieve the required sound reduction.

We delivered the civil engineering design for highways, and site access, which included retaining works along the Canalside section, levels, drainage infrastructure and flood risk assessment. This included attenuation basins for enhancing the ecology between the development and the Canalside.

For the residential layout design, we responded to enhancements and retention of ecological features and the sensitive conservation area status of the Trent and Mersey Canal along the eastern site boundary. We undertook detailed discussions with the Conservation and Landscape Officers during the planning process to ensure the canal vernacular was respected and enhanced during the detailed design process.

We identified important pedestrian links during the production of the landscape principles and movement plan at the outline stage. This supported the finalised phased layouts and provided a primary school drop-off area and incorporated soft landscaping features next to the two-storey affordable apartment blocks.