South Staffordshire Council Projects Update
Our team had been busy progressing our work with South Staffs District Council, supporting in progressing their emerging strategic sites. We recently completed a comprehensive design assessment and workshop for Phase 2 North of Penkridge planning application submitted by Bloor Homes. The focus was on enhancing design and placemaking aspects, fostering collaboration through a workshop approach that included the District Council, County Council and Bloor Homes. Following this successful workshop, we are now gearing up for Phase 3 pre-application support on the same site,
continuing our commitment to collaboration with the Council and the Applicant, in delivering quality places.
Additionally, we are supporting the Council and Bloor Homes in relation to the planning application approach to the East of Bilbrook strategic site, where we were previously involved in
preparing a Strategic Development Framework in the Council’s emerging Local Plan . Our scope involves providing comprehensive support to the Council, including design, masterplanning, PPA preparation and infrastructure support. Exciting times ahead as we contribute to creating vibrant, sustainable spaces in South Staffs!
Social Value
We are thrilled to share our commitment to social value through our involvement in the Rotherham Bassingthorpe Farm commission. As part of this initiative, we teamed up with AHR Architects and OPEN to deliver a dynamic online session in collaboration with Speakers for Schools. This national charity aims to level the playing field for your people from state schools and colleges and empower them to reach their potential by providing them with opportunities they would otherwise struggle to access. Our session delved into the fascinating realms of town planning, high streets, urban design and masterplanning. Our primary goal was to inspire and engage a young audience by making the session interactive and informative. We got some good interaction going and hopefully inspired a few young folk to explore a career in the built environment. Thanks to Speakers for Schools for the opportunity and the RTPI for providing material.
RAF Halton Project Update
Hyas have been working on behalf of Buckinghamshire Council on the development of the Supplementary Planning Document for RAF Halton, leading the team, and working alongside Alan Baxter Ltd. Consultation of the SPD took place between January and March 2024.
The site in Halton, near Wendover, is allocated for 1,000 homes in the Aylesbury Vale Local Plan, with the decommissioning of the RAF Base planned for 2027. The document will form a material consideration in the determination of future planning applications. The development of the masterplan has had to take into account the striking landscape setting within the green belt, the impact on the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the integration of the site with the existing village of Halton and neighboring Wendover, and the preservation of the site’s military heritage and retention of listed buildings, including barrack blocks and parade grounds.
The masterplan sets out how the site will evolve into a new residential neighborhood of 1,000 homes with a new local center and 50% green infrastructure, in a manner that retains and incorporates the site’s important RAF and Rothschild heritage.
