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November 2013 Design and Access Statement Brunel Place, Crawley Proposed Residential Development

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November 2013

Design and Access Statement

Brunel Place, CrawleyProposed Residential Development

Contents

Introduction 03

Planning Policy Overview 04Assessment 05 Involvement 07Evaluation 08Design 09

Use 10Amount 10Layout 11Scale 12Landscaping 13Appearance 15Access 16

Conclusion 17

Contents

2

HNW Architects 11 West Pallant, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1TBTel: 01243 533300 | Fax: 01243 533311 | E-mail: [email protected] | www.hnw.co.uk

Project PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT BRUNEL PLACE CRAWLEY, WEST SUSSEX

Document Title Design and Access StatementDocument By RJH Date 12-11-13Checked By DR Date 12-11-13Project Number 13028 Revision -

Rev Amendments By Chkd Date- - - - - Brunel Place, Crawley

Design and Access Statement

Introduction

The Process

Proposals

Conclusion

IntroductionBrunel Place, CrawleyDesign and Access Statement 3

Site Location Plan

Introduction

This application seeks consent for the construction of 22 self-contained residential apartments arranged over six

levels with associated parking and landscaping on existing vacant brownfield site which is located adjacent to

Brunel Place, Crawley, Sussex.

This project is part of the wider mixed-use regeneration of the town centre development, which was commenced

around 2005 by Crawley Borough Council. The site was identified in the Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)

as one of the opportunity sites for the town centre development.

The closure and demolition of former Children’s Centre created an opportunity for the proposed site and some of

the adjoining land to be identified for affordable housing development. What is proposed is an affordable housing

residential scheme named Brunel Housing Scheme. This will have the benefit of bringing more housing closer to the

town centre itself as required by the Crawley Core Strategy.

The proposed development at Brunel Place will have 22 affordable units to be built for Crawley Borough Council

and to be funded directly by the Council as a 100% affordable housing scheme.

Project Aims

To provide Housing in the vicinity or heart of the town centre including affordable housing.

To provide high quality homes in accordance with technical and sustainable standards within the town

centre.

To provide a sustainable housing solution within the town centre area.

Project Objectives

To meet specific housing and community development needs in the town centre of Crawley and surrounding

areas.

To achieve an overall design which creates an area of coherent character, and which takes into account the

characteristics and constraints of the site and its surroundings.

To retain an appropriate level of residential amenity, character and design that blends in with the existing

buildings surrounding the site and town centre.

To design and construct buildings that takes into account noise from nearby railway line and any other

environmental health matters of the site and its surroundings.

To help meet sustainable objectives by the reduction of the consumption of energy during construction, and

during the use of the finished building by enabling sustainable living patterns.

Planning Policy Overview

Local Planning; - Crawley Borough Council identified this site for

housing in the Submission Core Strategy of May 2006 and the Town

Centre Wide Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). According

to the Supplementary Development (SPD) there is a range of other

relevant policies which need to be taken into account in developing

proposals for this site:

Policy NS1 and Policy H4 recognises that neighbourhood parades are

sustainable locations where higher density mixed use and/or housing

developments may be acceptable.

Policy ICS1 recommends that local community facilities are located

within or close to neighbourhood centres. Joint provision and sharing

of facilities is encouraged.

Policy H5 requires 40% affordable housing to be provided for residential

development of 15 dwellings or more, or on sites greater than half a

hectare.

Policy H3B of the deposit Draft Local Plan allocates this site for housing

to help meet the requirements of the structure plan.

Policy H8 of the Deposit draft Local Plan indicates that Council will

seek to secure affordable housing on appropriate new housing sites

allocated in the plan.

The NPPF has also been recently adopted. For information, S106

payments are likely to include outdoor open space, WSCC contributions

to be set by the County Council - (they have a calculator available

on line) and affordable housing. The above policy Documents are all

available

Some of the relevant planning information/documents have been

attached; - e.g. planning obligations Section 106, SPD, SPG 3 Housing

Standards, key local services 3, Local Development Framework and

other documents.

Planning Permission; - No Outline Planning Permission for the land

has granted or applied. Developers/Contractors will be expected to

submit a fresh application due to the elapsing of the limit for reserved

matters.

Highways Authority;- West Sussex County Council (WSCC)

Development Opportunity

An opportunity has arisen for a contractor to work with Crawley

Borough Council to explore options to enable a comprehensive and

quality design to be achieved over the entire site, and to encourage

the development of the whole site to come forward in the current

market.

It is anticipated that the residential part of the development should

achieve Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes and Housing

Corporation Standards now the Homes and Communities Agency.

Delivery requirements

The Council wishes to work with the Contractor to master plan the

site to deliver about 15 own build dwellings as a minimum with an

indication from planning that approximately 20 units could be

achieved with considered design. As indicated within this Expression

of Interest the Contractor will be a designer and builder for council

affordable dwellings under a conventional JCT 2011 Design and Build

Contract with amendments.

The Council will work with the appointed contractor to develop

a master plan within which the minimum requirements are to be

achieved. For this site, the Council has explored funding options and

wishes to maximise the number of dwellings on this site ranging from

15-20 + units for the Council. Although the council has an indicative

programme, actual timing to start on site is subject to the land sale/

licence agreements with HCA and WSCC dates of relinquishing the

current lease agreement. However, it is important to note that both

organisations have agreed to these proposals and discussions are

currently under way to take over this site. There will be a long stop

date of March 2015 in which the project must be completed to avoid

the Council losing the HCA grant funding.

Local Development Plan

4

Assessment

The site is located in the suburb of Northgate, Crawley. Crawley is situated about 35 miles south of Central London, roughly 20 miles north of Brighton and the South Coast and 8 miles north east of Horsham. Crawley benefits from exceptional transport links with London Gatwick Airport to the north of the town and junctions 10 and 11 of the M23 motorway providing direct access to the M25 and national motorway network, approximately 2 miles from the town. Crawley’s main line railway station provides a fast and frequent service to London Victoria. Crawley is approximately 20 miles away from Croydon.

Northgate is one the 13 Neighbourhoods in Crawley and is located directly to the north of Crawley town centre. The neighbourhood is well located within walking distance of both the town centre and the Manor Royal industrial estate. Despite its proximity to the town centre, it still boasts a number of local facilities including a shopping parade, community centre, primary school and it is home to Crawley Library.

The site in question is to be found under this suburb of Northgate to the eastern side of Crawley Station, south side of the County Mall and Crawley Library and directly behind the Aurora Hotel. Site is located at the end of Brunel Place road, which is immediately off Station Way and College road.

Full postal address: Brunel Hall, Brunel Place, Northgate, Crawley, RH10 1JB

Size; Area: Approximately 1,346.71 square meters.

Site’s ownership: Currently owned by Homes and Communities Agents (HCA), The site is suitable for almost any development.

The land is flat with some areas green and macadam with very few trees, with some embankments on one or two sides of the site. This is a Brownfield site.

Crawley Railway Station

County Mail

Brunel Place

Crawley Library

Location Map showing surrounding

Brunel Place

Location Map: Brunel Place

555

The ProcessBrunel Place, CrawleyDesign and Access Statement 6

1. South East corner of Site 2. South perimeter of site 3. Looking North East to Thomas Eggar House

4. South from site entrance 5. View South from Brunel Place towards site entrance

6. Looking West from Lanacre Av. 7. Looking South at Brunel car park 8. Looking South West Brunel Place

Assessment (Continued)

Existing Site Condition

The site is currently unoccupied and surrounded by mature trees. The

surface consists of overgrown and deteriorating hardstanding.

To the North is Brunel Place and further to Crawley town centre. The

proposed housing site used to contain building used as a Children’s

Day Centre. The Building has been demolished to make way for this

housing development. The character of the developments around

the proposed site is largely commercial due to its nearness to the town

Centre.

Brunel Place is the only road used as access and exit into the site and to

the adjacent Avery Building and Estate Agent. This road is currently not

adopted. Although there are double yellow lines, currently this area is

full of cars parked illegally and parking restrictions not enforced,

To the east the land descends sharpely to A2004 Southgate Avenue.

To the south is the Arun valley mainline rail line, slightly lower than site

level and behind it the six storey Arora hotel. To the west is a five storey

office with hardstanding car park.

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Existing gatedvehicular access to

Thomas Eggaroffices

Total 4 no. on-street car parking spaces

Kerbline at junction withStation Way revised

11

14

15

16

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Secure cycle storagefor 24 no. cycles

Enclosed refuse storagefor 6 no. 1100 ltr'Eurobin' containers

Total 22 no. carparking spacesincl. 2 no.accessible spaces

Granite setts toindicate extentof adoptedhighway

Existing brickwork wall to boundary to be retained.Condition of existing wall to be assessed and madegood where necessary with additional supportingpiers formed where required.(Note: Existing height of wall to be confirmed withadditional trellis added to top of wall in accordancewith Secured by Design recommendations)

New 1800mm highc/boarded fence tofront of existingsecurity steelpalisade fence

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19

Motorcycle parking

Visitor

Visitor

Existing close boarded fence to remain.Existing chainlink fence to site boundaryretained and made good where necessary.

HNW Architects, 11 West Pallant, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1TBTel: 01243 533300 Fax: 01243 533311 E-mail: [email protected] www.hnw.co.uk

This drawing is the copyright of HNW Architects Ltd.

All dimensions must be verified on site prior to construction.

Do not scale this drawing except for Planning Application purposes.

Ordnance Survey Licence No. 100000200

Rev Amendments By Chkd Date

Project

Drawing Title

Scale Drawn By Date

Checked By Date

Project No. Drawing No. Revision

HNW Architects Ltd - Registered No. 3589904

Drawing Status

BRUNEL PLACECRAWLEY

PROPOSED SITE PLAN

1:200/1250@A1 JPV AUG 2013

DR AUG 2013

13028 P105 K

PRELIMINARY

A Building location and parking amended JPV DR 19/08/13B Updated to revised building layout DR KW 24/09/13C Updated to accord with Client comments DR KW 02/10/13D Kerbline revised to footpath along eastern

boundary DR KW 10/10/13

2m 5m 10m0m

Scale 1:20020m1m

25m 50m0m

Scale 1:1250125m10m 100m5m

Location PlanScale 1:1250

Proposed Site PlanScale 1:200

E Additional street parking added to entrance road,location plan added DR KW 14/10/13

F Flat block location revised, car parking layoutamended. DR KW 21/10/13

G Cycle store and block location adjusted DR KW 22/10/13H Car parking layout reconfigured DR KW 24/10/13J Refuse store relocated, visitors cp spaces added DR KW 28/10/13K Cycle & refuse stores revised, boundary wall

notes updated. DR KW 07/11/13

1

2

3 4

8

7

6

5

The ProcessBrunel Place, CrawleyDesign and Access Statement

Involvement

As part of the design process we have consulted a number of bodies to

inform and supplement the design with additional requirements.

Neighbour Consultations

Two principal properties share access via Brunel Place to Station Way.

The larger of the two Belmont House to the west is leased to Thomas

Eggar, a firm of Solicitors. Avery House to the east is a smaller two

storey property occupied by One Rent, a firm of property agents.

Representatives of these two organisations were invited to a

presentation on the proposals which took place in Belmont House on 6th

October 2013. The presentation was given by Crawley Bourgh Council

representatives and HNW Architects in order to appraise adjoining

owners/ occupiers on the principal scope, extent and proposed use

of the proposals. The following key points of collective feedback was

received:-

No objection in principle to the use of the site for residential use

Although uncontrolled and unregulated concern expressed over

loss of parking in Brunel Place

Clarification sought over type of construction and means of access/

egress for construction purposes

Effect of proposals on key views from site and sun path shadow

profile

The following action items were identified for potential incorporation

into further development proposals:-

Potential, as a result of the existing generous width in Brunel Place

to incorporate marked on-street parking bays for pay and display

purpose subject to agreement as part potential adopted highway

procedures

7

Provision of a construction management plan to ensure maintenance

of clear access through Brunel Place, coordination of deliveries

outside peak hours and maintenance of all utility services

Provision of wider site layout plans to show previous relationship

between the applications site and surrounding properties.

Pre Application Advice

Crime Prevention Design Officer

The Crime Prevention Design Officer for Sussex Police, PC Phil Edwards,

has been consulted over the proposals for advice on adopting the

principles of secure by design. The following points were identified

and incorporated;

Apartment doors to be PAS24 with security viewers and chains.

Communal postal arrangement rather than to each flat.

GF and accessible windows to conform to BS7950 and min. thickness

6.4mm laminated glazing

Demarcation and location of gates to the private space surrounding

the block.

Location of cycle store

Sufficient lighting provisions for approach, car park, cycle and refuse

storage.

Pre application Consultation

Pre-application meetings were held at the offices of Crawley Borough

Council with representatives from HNW Architects, Geoffrey Osborne

Ltd, Crawley Borough Council and David Lee (Senior Planning Officer

- CBC) with Peter Martin (Urban Design Manager - CBC) on the following

dates:-

10th July 2013,

8th August 2013,

13th September 2013, and

30th September 2013.

Initial design proposals were presented and the following comments

from the Local Planning Authority incorporated including:-

Initial proposals agreed in principle for the inclusion of an additional

storey to the 5-storey block increasing proposed accommodation

from 20 units to 22 units,

Internal floor areas for dwellings increased to accord with

Supplementary Planning Guidance Note 3: Standards for New

Housing Development’

Building location revised to retain existing Pedunculate Oak tree on

SE boundary,

Integral screening to edge of roof added to obscure PV panel

arrays,

Extent and form of lift over-run to roof revised,

Setbacks for external walls to the top floor unit was increased to

maximize articulation of the building form,

External cladding to top floor units revised from render to coloured

rainscreen cladding,

Extent of brickwork and render cladding to external walls revised,

Secure cycle storage relocated along Western site boundary,

Balcony sizes increased to maximize external amenity space.

The ProcessBrunel Place, CrawleyDesign and Access Statement

Evaluation

Design Requirements

Specific Requirement:

Approximately 15 -20 affordable units all at Affordable Rent tenure

Minimum Code 4 build standard with HQI compliance

Residents parking minimum 1 per unit and to strictly comply with CBC planning requirements and standards.

Unit mix:

Minimum 7 x 1b/2p flats 50/50 split 1 and 2 bed.

Minimum 8 x 2b/4p flats

Parking to adhere to CBC parking standards

Standards requirement as per planning policy:

100% affordable housing split into 1 and 2 bed units.

Roads outside the site to be adopted by highways

Allocated parking pro-rata to standards approved by planning

Approved Registered Providers are Crawley Borough Council

Build Standard of Affordable Housing:- Minimum Code 4, of Code for Sustainable Homes.

Residential space standards and amenity space standards to be compliant with Code for Sustainable Homes, HCA and CBC published standards (whichever the greater).

Lifetime Homes, Secure By Design, Considerate Contractor

According to the Town Central SPD (2009, cl, 6.9) it is required that any development should be a local landmark to compliment the hotel and complete a southern gateway into the Town Centre. According to this SPD there is an opportunity to take advantage of the views to the south of over playing fields and provide natural surveillance. In view of this, the residential development should achieve a Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes and Housing Corporation Standards now the Homes and Communities Agency.

Design to take into consideration noise nuisances as may be directed by planning requirements. Noise survey report or any such reports may be required at planning stage. Consider installing/constructing

8

abatements and buffers (e.g. Bunding, Fencing, and Acoustic structures) for noise from nearby main roads and railway line.Design to consider (if required, necessary and or possible) include any Traffic calming measures, bus stop, school crossing points, pedestrian crossing refuge points, and cycle access points along Brunel place road.

Design to consider mixed land use, communities and promote integration as may be possible. All car parking spaces for the residents to be within the site.

Must respect the context set by surrounding development and by specific site constraints and characteristics while at the same time contributing to sustainable objectives through the efficient use of land (PPS3, PPG13, TC1 and 2, WSCC structure plan NE9, Local plan policy, GD1, GD2, GD5, GD6, GD13, BN11,H17) and Core Strategy.

The design of built form, selection of materials, and landscaping are important considerations in ensuring development which reduces the use of non-renewable resources, conservation of natural features, and which enables more sustainable living patterns a design statement at planning stage to cover these elements would be therefore suitable (Local Plan GD15).

While the design of the individual parts of the site will vary according to building use and to location, it would be necessary to demonstrate that the design is coherent. In particular, built forms, circulation and green space require to be integrated with each other as part of the overall concept. In addition, the detail design and specification of individual buildings should form part of a coherent overall design concept. (Local Plan Policy GD1, GD13,H26)

Standards that apply:-

HCA Design Standards incorporating;

NHBC design standards or similar and approved;

Planning and urban design standards and requirements;

Minimum Level 4 Code for Sustainable Homes;

‘Lifetime Homes’;

The Proposed Design

This sites prominent southern gateway to Crawley location dictated the requirement for a design composition of landmark quality and therefore the following key design characteristics have incorporated:-

A complex of 22 apartments over six storeys conceived in a

contemporary aesthetic to assist in harmonising with the predominantly commercial nature of surrounding structures

The recessing of the upper storey to soften the overall profile of the building and allow the incorporation of a “floating” roof structure to cleverly conceal energy saving initiatives

Use of a combination of face brickwork and light render facades to provide a variety of surface treatments to articulate bay elevations of the facade

Use of colour coated steel and aluminium balconies to all units to provide good levels of external amenity whilst adding a further three-dimensional element to the building facades conceived, once again, in a contemporary manner

Use of grey UPVC slender profile windows and patio doors to provide a sharp aesthetic consistent and harmonious with the architectural treatments of the commercial neighbours.

Maximising of ground level amenity space by use of existing building footprint which in combination with the mature perimeters thus softens the impact of the building from long views and provides important privacy to the lower levels from the adjacent railway Southgate Avenue and the adjacent car park.

The integration of comprehensive hard and soft landscaping proposals to reference the above point and complement the enhancement of Brunel Place generally.

Open Space Assessment

The development provides private amenity space for each dwelling on the basis of enclosed external patios (Ground Floor units), balconies (Upper Floor units) and terraces (Top Floor units).

Schedule of Private Amenity Spaces

Ground Floor 1&2B Units – 9.6m² paved patio areas/dwelling.

Upper Floor 1B Units – 11.6m² external balconies/dwelling,Upper Floor 2B Units – 15.1m² external balconies/dwelling.

Top Floor 3B Units – 28.5m² external terraces/dwelling.

Enclosed communal open space is provided to the front, rear and sides of the proposed building providing a total of 403m² of landscaped amenity space, to include bench seating with ornamental tree and shrub planting.

This compares to an existing defined site area of 1358m².

The ProcessBrunel Place, CrawleyDesign and Access Statement

Design

The initial design approach was to allocate required units and areas

around a central vertical circulation stack. This was located in the

centre of the site, but set back to allow parking areas. The central

location allows for equidistance to the surrounding mature trees and

private external space surrounding.

The form itself is designed to articulate the corners to break it down and

soften its juxtaposition to the surrounding flora with articulated balconies

that turn the corner.

The principle design driver has been the internal layout which has

tweaked the overall form only slightly in proportion.

Choice of materials of brick, render and terracotta plank cladding has

been developed towards creating a soft and natural pallette.

9

HNW Architects, 11 West Pallant, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1TBTel: 01243 533300 Fax: 01243 533311 E-mail: [email protected] www.hnw.co.uk

This drawing is the copyright of HNW Architects Ltd.

All dimensions must be verified on site prior to construction.

Do not scale this drawing except for Planning Application purposes.

Ordnance Survey Licence No. 100000200

Rev Amendments By Chkd Date

Project

Drawing Title

Scale Drawn By Date

Checked By Date

Project No. Drawing No. Revision

HNW Architects Ltd - Registered No. 3589904

Drawing Status

Brunel PlaceCrawley

Proposed Entrance Approach View

- RJH July 13

AC July 13

13A21 P212 A

PRELIMINARY

Early Massing Model Design Development model

Design Development model Design Development model

ProposalsBrunel Place, CrawleyDesign and Access Statement

Use

The proposed use for the site is for 22 No. self contained residential

apartments with associated car parking and landscaping.

Amount

The proposals are for a total of 22 units arranged over 6 storeys with 10

no. 1 bed dwellings and 12 no. 2 bed dwellings.

Schedule of Accommodation

Level No. Units per floor

No. Bedrooms No. Peopleper unit

Gross Internal Area (sqm)

Ground Floor 2 1 2 512 2 4 75.7

First Floor 2 1 2 512 2 4 75.7

Second Floor 2 1 2 512 2 4 75.7

Third Floor 2 1 2 512 2 4 75.7

Fourth Floor 2 1 2 512 2 4 75.7

Fifth Floor 2 2 3 63.1Total 10 1 2 51

2 2 3 63.110 2 4 75.7

The sizes of the dwellings are determined by supplementary planning

guidance document ‘Standards for New Housing Development’ by

Crawley Borough Council. Unit sizes generally exceed the recommended

minimum unit size contained in guidance by 5%. This in part compensates

for the relatively restricted amount of amenity space provided on this

centre urban site. Unit size and amenity spaces are supplemented by the

provision of good size balconies at all levels to each unit

10

Site analysis of Building as Proposed

ProposalsBrunel Place, CrawleyDesign and Access Statement

Layout

During the early stages of design development, option studies

concentrated on the need to produce an efficient building envelope

with a single access stair/ lift core, thus maximising the retention of as

much ground level amenity space as possible to surround the building

whilst satisfying the one for one parking space requirements and

enhance service access arrangements.

The proposal is set back into the site to allow for 22no. on site parking

spaces with 2 additional accessible parking bays adjacent to the

entrance approach.

The proposal is also centred between the East West perimeter to allow

optimisation of external space and to maintain appropriate distance

from mature trees that surround the site.

The main pedestrian entrance approach faces the vehicular approach,

which is aligned to Brunel Place to maintain established shrubery to the

site perimeter.

The vehicle access and parking is separated from the proposed

dwellings by residential amenity space and cycle parking for 36no,

cycles as well as storage for refuse and recycling. A detailed landscape

proposal accompanies this submission.

11

Site Plan as Proposed (not to scale)

ProposalsBrunel Place, CrawleyDesign and Access Statement

Scale

At six storeys the proposal comfortably adjacent to both the nearby

6-7 storey Arora Hotel compex directly to the south and the five storey

Belmont House communical office building to the west. The massing of

the proposal is broken into sections to soften the visual appearance.

The top storey is clad in a contrasting material and set back to soften

its overall visual impact. Each elevation is split into three compositions

of contrasting brick and render, with steel frame external balconies to

populate and enhance the corner features.

Mature planting surrounding the site extents partially mask the lower

elevations to Southgate Avenue.

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View looking South from Station Way

View looking North from Southgate Avenue

ProposalsBrunel Place, CrawleyDesign and Access Statement

Landscaping

The site is located adjacent to the car park for a large office block to

the west and a railway line to the south. The office block and a large

hotel on the far side of the railway line overlook the site. Access to the

site is from the north along an access road, shared with the office car

park. To the east, at a lower level than the site, is Southgate Avenue,

a busy centre of town ring road. Between Southgate Avenue and the

site boundary are a number of large trees which screen the site from

the road. An arboricultural survey and assessment has been carried out

and forms part of the application. With the exception of a grade B oak

in the southeast corner which will undergo some pruning; all trees on

site will be lost. They will be replaced with species more appropriate to

the location, use of the site and neighbouring land uses.

The proposed development on the site is a six storey, residential building

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On site Leylandii to southern boundary to be removed

Off site Birch trees on eastern boundary to remain in situ

W C

with car parking, cycle storage and communal amenity space surrounding

the building. The landscape scheme aims to provide liveable and robust

space with amenity and ecological value to assist with integrating this

building into the landscape. Existing vegetation on the site will be mostly

lost to the development and the landscape scheme will replace this

vegetation replicating and increasing the landscape value of the site.

Tree planting on the southern boundary will soften views in and out of

the site while increasing light levels within the site and available amenity

space at ground level. The species selection in this area has been

carefully considered in collaboration with the arboriculturalist to ensure

essential maintenance along the side of the railway line is minimised.

The arboriculturalist has stated that the species selected is ‘very suitable’

for this location as it will have a smaller lateral branch spread and is likely

to produce less root growth and less leaf litter than species of a similar

nature currently present along this section of the railway corridor. Trees

outside the east and west boundaries of the site provide screening of the

site and will not be affected by the proposed development or landscape

scheme. Additional tree planting is proposed in the car parking area in

the northern section of the site softening views to and from the proposed

building.

An enclosed amenity space is proposed surrounding the building with

opportunities for seating and informal recreation. This area will have a

small tree, shrub and herbaceous planting formed of a mixture of native

and ornamental species. The shrub planting will provide habitat for birds

and flowering species will attract pollinators. Immediately against the

north and south sides of the building proposed planting beds, containing

shrubs, herbaceous grasses, ferns and flowering perennials, will provide

potential habitat for invertebrates. These planting areas will also increase

the privacy of ground floor residents by preventing windows from being

approached.

Other proposed planting includes robust shrub planting in the car park

area that will be easily maintained; and climbing plants planted against

boundary fences and walls to soften the appearance of the boundaries

and provide potential habitat for birds and invertebrates. The rest of the

landscape scheme consists of paths and grass appropriately set out as to

provide positive circulation through the site and be easily maintained.

ProposalsBrunel Place, CrawleyDesign and Access Statement 14

Existing on site oak tree to be retained (centre between Leylandii and

off site Birch trees) in the southeast corner - this tree will require some

pruning to accommodate the proposed building but will benefit from

the removal of the Leylandii.

Existing trees providing screening on outside of the site

Fastigiate Oak Field maple

Escallonia hedge

Amelanchier lamarckii

Existing trees providing screening on outside of the site

ProposalsBrunel Place, CrawleyDesign and Access Statement

Appearance

The overall mass is designed to be further broken down to soften its visual

imposition, enhanced with a careful selection of materials. The materials

selected are designed to be soft and complementary to the surrounding

flora, and approachable to the human scale.

Materials

Flat roof with upswept angled perimeter sections to

facilitate provision of photovoltic panel concealed

behind colorsel vertical louvres. Coloured aluminium

fascias and sofits.

Combination of the following materials/ treatments:

facing stock brickwork to east and west facade bay

projections

Off-white ‘Sto’ render facade to north and south

elevations incorporating colour coated steel framed

balconies with glass balustrades

‘Rock clad’ composites narrow rainscreen cladding

to upper facade

Colour panel accent to north south elevations

between windows

Grey UPVC casement windows and balcony access

doors to flats.

Glazing to communal lobbies above main entrance

on North elevation

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Roof-

Walls-

Windows/Doors-

East Elevation as Proposed

South Elevation as Proposed

ProposalsBrunel Place, CrawleyDesign and Access Statement

Access

Access to the site is via Brunel Place, currently un-adapted highway.

These proposals seek to upgrade and redesign Brunel Places to

adoptable highway standards.

Threshold between adopted highway and private car park demarked

by granite setts.

Level access is provided to the for refuse and recycling collection is to

be collected via reversing vehicle and turning head adjacent to the

site as indicated on the site plan contained on this page.

Pedestrian access is provided by extending an existing pavement along

Brunel Place to the proposed entrance. Access to main entrance level

to DDA requirements with two parking bays allocated accessible, as

well as 22no. spaces, one per unit.

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Site Plan as Proposed 1:200

ConclusionsBrunel Place, CrawleyDesign and Access Statement 17

Conclusions

In summary, the proposed design satisfied key project objectives in the

following key areas;

Provides a proposal of landmark quality to compliment the adjacent

Arora Hotel and complete a southern gateway into the Town centre

consistent with Town Centre SPD.

Addresses specific housing and community development needs in

the town centre and surrounding area.

Achieves an overall design which creates an area of coherent

character and which takes into account the characteristics of the

site and its surroundings

Retains an appropriate level of residential amenity, character and

design that blends in with the existing buildings surrounding the site

and town centre

Takes account of noise from the nearby railway and highway

network

Meets sustainable objectives, including Code 4 for sustainable

homes, to assist in the reduction of energy consumption.