Simon Toplis (HTA
Architect) and Richard Fitter (Entran)
gave a presentation on the proposed development to the former MSA
site, Drummond Park – Ludgershall, some of the points covered
were:
·
An outline application was submitted in December
2010, the decision for this was anticipated for June 2011, which
would be subject to further detailed applications.
·
A further consultation would then take
place.
·
The site is divided broadly in two by a
central road running from the south-west to the
north-east
-
The site features 12 existing
buildings totalling 26,000 sqm which
included two large warehouses (which are in a poor condition), to
the south of the existing road central road.
-
The central road must be retained
for MOD use and an area must be kept clear of development to allow
visibility for MOD traffic.
-
Green gateways are formed at the two
entrances to the site from the east and west. These are combined
with protection of views from all around the site through banks of
retained trees which enhanced by new planting in a continuous
protective band to the west, north and east.
-
Three distinct character areas have been identified,
it is proposed that these areas are designed and named to reflect
the character of Ludgershall and the surrounding rural areas. The
names would be the Main Street, the Lanes and the
Farmsteads.
-
Within the development, smaller play sites for
residents were planned.
-
Subject to the detailed application(s), 500 to 550
new homes were proposed for the site.
-
There would be a mix of buildings which would range
from 2 bedroom flats to 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom houses. They would be
between two and two and a half storeys in height.
Questions and comments were then taken from the
floor, these included:
·
With an increase of 500 houses to the area, this
would put added pressure on leisure facilities currently in place
for young people. Could thought be given to the social needs as
well as the educational needs that young people have, as part of
the development? Answer: There had been a request for education,
but not for youth provision. Simon agreed to find out the answer to
the question and forward it to the person in due course.
-
The Chairman of Ludgershall Town Council stated that
the Town Council were against the transport plan, but not the
overall development. They felt that the plan to implement a mini
roundabout to control the traffic flow would not solve the problem,
and asked if the plan could be changes to include a better solution
to the traffic problem that an additional 500 houses would bring.
The main aim would be to alleviate traffic from Butt
Street. Answer: The presentation did
not include a slide detailing the transport improvements planned
for the site. Wiltshire Council had ring fenced funds towards
transport improvements which could only be spent on strategic
transport improvements and funds had already been allocated from
the Castle Down Business Park development.
-
Does the plan of building 500 to 550 new homes
encompass all of the land currently owned for development? Answer:
Yes, all but the open space quoted for on the site.
-
There is a need for light industrial business on the
site, why has this not been included in the plans? Answer: One of
the principle issues on the site was access, so having light
industrial mixed with housing on a single access point was
considered but this raised a number of problems. Further to this
including such a mix of uses would negatively impact on the quality
and value of residential units immediately adjacent to the site
while competing with existing commercial space in
Ludgershall.
-
The Chamber of Commerce noted that they would go
back to the planners to insist that there was a need for light
industrial businesses to be included within the
development.
-
There was some concern that the social housing may
be grouped together in one area. Answer: The distribution of the
social housing across the site had not yet been decided, but it was
likely that the affordable housing would be mixed across the
site.
The Chairman invited ZOG
(Entran & HTA) to come back to a
future Area Board to give an update or to deliver any further
information.