Draft Swavesey Village Design Guide SPD

Representations made for Laragh House Developments Ltd who are working closely with Mr Johnson (the site owner) and have an option agreement on the site to the west of Swavesey at Land north of Home Close and West of Moat Way, Land north of Fen Drayton Road, Swavesey.
Representations made for Laragh House Developments Ltd who are working closely with Mr Johnson (the site owner) and have an option agreement on the site to the west of Swavesey at Land north of Home Close and West of Moat Way, Land north of Fen Drayton Road,Swavesey.

Page 13. Raised embankment to Home Close with views through trees to open fields as shown on figure 38 referenced under item 12.

Comment: It is unclear in what extent this raised embankment contributes positively to views and which is relatively large area I identified on the plan on land within our clients control. We feel there needs to be more analysis to understand the value of such an embankment,that appears to be on private land and does not form part of a public right of way.
Page 15:- Figure 42- an area of public open space is identified. This is also reference at paragraph 10.2 whereby it is stated that ''the potential for the Village College to expand its playing fields should be maintained and supported"- (see figure 42).

Comment:- The site owner of land to the West of Swavesey is able to deliver land for additiona l sports pitches- the proposals include the offer of 2.5ha of land south of the Village College sports pitches for additional sport pitch provision for the village should there be an opportunity for some further development within the land identified.

As part of this site the applicant is able to offer to Swavesey Parish Council a field to be used for outdoor sports - see site plan land edged green. The offer of this land is to be secured via a S106/Unilateral agreement to allow Swavesey Parish Council the opportunity to fully consider whether or not this land is suitable for sports use should residential develop ment opportunities arise.There may be an opportunity to deliver meaningful open space that will serve the community which is worthy of discussion. It is recognised that this may fall outside the remit of the Village Design Guide, but there is a discussion to be had regarding how new development could contribute positively to village amenities.




Page 9 quote:- In Swavesey there is a particularly strong risk that new development will intensify flood risk. Much of the adjoining land that may be considered for future development plays a role in flood attenuation . The impermeable clay subsoil means that any increase in the area of impermeable surface will increase the overland flow of surface water.

Comment: Future development can play a positive role in flood attenuation. Mr John Johnson owns land immediately to the West of Swavsey . A significant amount of work has been commissioned to review the drainage issues associated with this land. There is an opportunity through development to the north of Fen Drayton Road will include improvements to Covell's Drain embankments, new flood defence banks along Fen Drayton Road and Swavesey Road and ground raising at the development site north to Mill Way. The works will include allowance for up to 65% increase in flood size due to climate change, and are designed to avoid impact elsewhere in the catchment. Such benefits can only be practically funded through facilitating some residential developme nt.

These changes will mean that:
Flood risk to Swavesey from Covell's Drain will be reduced with protection into the future
The development site and land to the east of it will be defended against flooding from Covell's Drain
in the 1% chance event,including allowing for climate change
It is intended that these areas can be reclassified as an "Area Benefiting from Defence" on the Environment Agency's flood maps,and be considered to be at medium rather than high risk of flooding for planning and insurance purposes
Approx. 120 existing properties on Moat Way and Whitegate Close will be reclassified as benefiting
from defences and may even see improvements in their insurance premiums and property value. This is potentially a very significant benefit to the village and particularly those dwellings directly affected.

Representations made for Laragh House Developments Ltd who are working closely with Mr Johnson (the site owner) and have an option agreement on the site to the west of Swavesey at Land north of Home Close and West of Moat Way, Land north of Fen Drayton Road, Swavesey.
Representations made for Laragh House Developments Ltd who are working closely with Mr Johnson (the site owner) and have an option agreement on the site to the west of Swavesey at Land north of Home Close and West of Moat Way, Land north of Fen Drayton Road,Swavesey.

Page 13. Raised embankment to Home Close with views through trees to open fields as shown on figure 38 referenced under item 12.

Comment: It is unclear in what extent this raised embankment contributes positively to views and which is relatively large area I identified on the plan on land within our clients control. We feel there needs to be more analysis to understand the value of such an embankment,that appears to be on private land and does not form part of a public right of way.
Page 15:- Figure 42- an area of public open space is identified. This is also reference at paragraph 10.2 whereby it is stated that ''the potential for the Village College to expand its playing fields should be maintained and supported"- (see figure 42).

Comment:- The site owner of land to the West of Swavesey is able to deliver land for additiona l sports pitches- the proposals include the offer of 2.5ha of land south of the Village College sports pitches for additional sport pitch provision for the village should there be an opportunity for some further development within the land identified.

As part of this site the applicant is able to offer to Swavesey Parish Council a field to be used for outdoor sports - see site plan land edged green. The offer of this land is to be secured via a S106/Unilateral agreement to allow Swavesey Parish Council the opportunity to fully consider whether or not this land is suitable for sports use should residential develop ment opportunities arise.There may be an opportunity to deliver meaningful open space that will serve the community which is worthy of discussion. It is recognised that this may fall outside the remit of the Village Design Guide, but there is a discussion to be had regarding how new development could contribute positively to village amenities.




Page 9 quote:- In Swavesey there is a particularly strong risk that new development will intensify flood risk. Much of the adjoining land that may be considered for future development plays a role in flood attenuation . The impermeable clay subsoil means that any increase in the area of impermeable surface will increase the overland flow of surface water.

Comment: Future development can play a positive role in flood attenuation. Mr John Johnson owns land immediately to the West of Swavsey . A significant amount of work has been commissioned to review the drainage issues associated with this land. There is an opportunity through development to the north of Fen Drayton Road will include improvements to Covell's Drain embankments, new flood defence banks along Fen Drayton Road and Swavesey Road and ground raising at the development site north to Mill Way. The works will include allowance for up to 65% increase in flood size due to climate change, and are designed to avoid impact elsewhere in the catchment. Such benefits can only be practically funded through facilitating some residential developme nt.

These changes will mean that:
Flood risk to Swavesey from Covell's Drain will be reduced with protection into the future
The development site and land to the east of it will be defended against flooding from Covell's Drain
in the 1% chance event,including allowing for climate change
It is intended that these areas can be reclassified as an "Area Benefiting from Defence" on the Environment Agency's flood maps,and be considered to be at medium rather than high risk of flooding for planning and insurance purposes
Approx. 120 existing properties on Moat Way and Whitegate Close will be reclassified as benefiting
from defences and may even see improvements in their insurance premiums and property value. This is potentially a very significant benefit to the village and particularly those dwellings directly affected.

Representations made for Laragh House Developments Ltd who are working closely with Mr Johnson (the site owner) and have an option agreement on the site to the west of Swavesey at Land north of Home Close and West of Moat Way, Land north of Fen Drayton Road, Swavesey.
Representations made for Laragh House Developments Ltd who are working closely with Mr Johnson (the site owner) and have an option agreement on the site to the west of Swavesey at Land north of Home Close and West of Moat Way, Land north of Fen Drayton Road,Swavesey.

Page 13. Raised embankment to Home Close with views through trees to open fields as shown on figure 38 referenced under item 12.

Comment: It is unclear in what extent this raised embankment contributes positively to views and which is relatively large area I identified on the plan on land within our clients control. We feel there needs to be more analysis to understand the value of such an embankment,that appears to be on private land and does not form part of a public right of way.
Page 15:- Figure 42- an area of public open space is identified. This is also reference at paragraph 10.2 whereby it is stated that ''the potential for the Village College to expand its playing fields should be maintained and supported"- (see figure 42).

Comment:- The site owner of land to the West of Swavesey is able to deliver land for additiona l sports pitches- the proposals include the offer of 2.5ha of land south of the Village College sports pitches for additional sport pitch provision for the village should there be an opportunity for some further development within the land identified.

As part of this site the applicant is able to offer to Swavesey Parish Council a field to be used for outdoor sports - see site plan land edged green. The offer of this land is to be secured via a S106/Unilateral agreement to allow Swavesey Parish Council the opportunity to fully consider whether or not this land is suitable for sports use should residential develop ment opportunities arise.There may be an opportunity to deliver meaningful open space that will serve the community which is worthy of discussion. It is recognised that this may fall outside the remit of the Village Design Guide, but there is a discussion to be had regarding how new development could contribute positively to village amenities.




Page 9 quote:- In Swavesey there is a particularly strong risk that new development will intensify flood risk. Much of the adjoining land that may be considered for future development plays a role in flood attenuation . The impermeable clay subsoil means that any increase in the area of impermeable surface will increase the overland flow of surface water.

Comment: Future development can play a positive role in flood attenuation. Mr John Johnson owns land immediately to the West of Swavsey . A significant amount of work has been commissioned to review the drainage issues associated with this land. There is an opportunity through development to the north of Fen Drayton Road will include improvements to Covell's Drain embankments, new flood defence banks along Fen Drayton Road and Swavesey Road and ground raising at the development site north to Mill Way. The works will include allowance for up to 65% increase in flood size due to climate change, and are designed to avoid impact elsewhere in the catchment. Such benefits can only be practically funded through facilitating some residential developme nt.

These changes will mean that:
Flood risk to Swavesey from Covell's Drain will be reduced with protection into the future
The development site and land to the east of it will be defended against flooding from Covell's Drain
in the 1% chance event,including allowing for climate change
It is intended that these areas can be reclassified as an "Area Benefiting from Defence" on the Environment Agency's flood maps,and be considered to be at medium rather than high risk of flooding for planning and insurance purposes
Approx. 120 existing properties on Moat Way and Whitegate Close will be reclassified as benefiting
from defences and may even see improvements in their insurance premiums and property value. This is potentially a very significant benefit to the village and particularly those dwellings directly affected.