Previous and emerging proposals
Our approach is to start afresh with the site in order to provide a positive response to all of the reasons why the previous 2008 scheme for 750 homes was not successful.
To this extent, we are pleased to outline that our Vision for the site is to:
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Focus development on areas that our survey findings are suggesting are the least sensitive in landscape, ecology, and arboricultural terms.
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Create a lower density more sensitively designed scheme, which at this stage from our emerging surveys suggests a reduced scheme of up to 430 dwellings. This could be delivered at an average density below 35 dwellings with buildings limited to up to 2.5 storeys in height, which is a significant reduction from the previous 750 dwelling scheme that sought at an average density above 40 dwellings per hectare and included buildings up to 4 storeys in height.
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Provide a significantly increased provision of SANG of 25 hectares, which is 9 hectares more than the previous scheme proposed.
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Provide new woodland walks, as well as formal sports pitches and a generous provision of informal open space within and around development parcels.
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Provide simplified but safe access arrangements to the site, directly onto A22, through areas of non-Ancient Woodland, with non-vehicular links onto Snatts Road for cycle and pedestrian usage, connecting to existing routes to Uckfield town centre, as well as a new pedestrian and cycleway alongside the A22 and B2102.
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To provide a sensitive response to the Ancient Woodland that borders the site and the main ecological features both within and adjoining it, with the objective to deliver a minimum landscape buffer of 15m between built development and all Ancient Woodland areas.
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To ensure the arboricultural, ecological and landscape features at the site are preserved and wherever possible enhanced for future generations, by bringing them under a management plan for long-term protection and enhancement, including the creation and signage of walking routes through site/woodland (as part of SANGS) to deter informal use of more sensitive woodland assets.
