The illustrative photographs provide an example of a potential street scene, house types, and site layout from a Stonebond site.

Stonebond deliver high-quality housing that meets local and broader needs. The proposal will deliver open space, aim to provide an on-site biodiversity net gain, sustainable urban drainage, and deliver a mix of housing to the local area.

The proposal will be made in Outline, with some or all matters reserved for a later planning application. This planning application will seek to set the principle of residential development. Matters considered for detail will be clearly presented at the planning application stage. Full details of the proposal will be available on the Council’s website at the point of planning submission.

Flood Risk and Drainage

The site is located within an area of lowest risk from flooding from rivers and watercourses (Flood Zone 1), and a drainage strategy will be proposed at the appropriate stage.

Trees

It is anticipated that the site will provide a net gain of native trees be able to operate with limited loss of trees. 

The higher value trees and groups of trees will be retained.

The woodland to the west will be respected and enhanced where possible and a suitable landscape buffer proposed between the built development and the trees.

Ecology

Initial assessments are being undertaken prior to a planning submission, and it is understood that the site does not include any ecological designations that would restrict residential development.

The habitats on-site include mixed scrub, bramble scrub, modified grassland, ecologically valuable line of trees, scattered rural trees and broad-leaved woodland. The proposal will pursue to retain boundary hedgerows and mature trees, wherever possible, with opportunities to enhance the habitats within the site.

As an Outline Planning Application, the level of detail and matters to be considered are not yet set. However, Stonebond is committed to enhancing habitats and ensuring that new developments include hedgehog runs, bird and bat boxes.

Highways

The site is located adjacent an established residential area and is consequently served by a good-quality pedestrian network. Primary pedestrian and vehicular access will be achieved from Woodhampton Close, achieved by extending the close into the site. A second pedestrian access will be provided to Windsor Drive.

Both access routes benefit from footways which will provide safe pedestrian access to and from the site. Cyclists will be accommodated on the highway.

Electric vehicle charging infrastructure will be provided across the site to promote the use of zero or low-emission vehicles. In addition, new homes will benefit from cycle parking provision to encourage travel modes other than the private car.

Bus stops are conveniently located on Redstone Lane, approximately 200m from the centre of the site. The bus services connect to Stourport town centre as well as destinations further afield, such as Kidderminster, Worcester, and Bewdley. 

The local area has a wide range of amenities with multiple options for education, food, retail and recreation. A 1km catchment includes St Bartholomews Primary School and Nursery, the rank of shops on Queens Road and Areley Common comprising convenience stores, post office and pharmacy.  A 2km catchment also includes Stourport medical centre and the town centre.

Heritage

The development is not considered to impact the heritage assets within the wider settlement and the separation between the site and the Arelely Kings Conservation Area (close to 1km north) is considered to result in no harm to the Conservation Area.