Site context
The site is well positioned for easy access to the town centre and local first school, which are around 500m to the northwest. There are bus stops within 300m of the site to the north and there are several public footpaths that pass to the east, south and west of the site.
The site slopes gently from the north east to the south west. The gentle level change allows for a water attenuation pond to be located in the south west corner of the site, which enhances the drainage capability of the site and local area.
Existing mature trees and hedgerows follow the perimeter of the site, except for the southern boundary where a new green edge is proposed to make use of the existing tree and follow the historic hedge line. These are a feature of the site and contain the site visually.
The site sits outside of the conservation area and away from any listed buildings, and there is no public access to the site currently.
Design principles
Our key design principles are to:
- Create an attractive and sensitive development that respects the amenity of neighbouring homes whilst making efficient use of the land.
- Retain the established green infrastructure, ensuring that it remains as an important feature and backdrop for the site.
- Provide pedestrian and cycle connections to Axbridge.
- Use materials and features to reflect the character of the area.
- Create a new public open space, accessible for all, which includes a play area, an orchard and a meandering footpath for the enjoyment of the residents and visitors to the site.
- Provide active frontages and natural surveillance over the public realm and pedestrian routes.
- Deliver a mix of market and affordable housing.
The simple site layout has been designed to make efficient use of the land whilst retaining and respecting the key features of the site, including the boundary vegetation and the adjoining development.
The homes have been carefully arranged to respond to vistas into and through the site, as well as providing views out over the green. The green includes new landscaping, an area for children’s play, a community orchard, an attenuation pond and a footpath meandering through the space connecting homes with the green space and site entrance.
Proposed site plan - click to enlarge
Housing need
House prices in Axbridge are particularly high compared to average levels of household income. The Axbridge Neighbourhood Plan explains that feedback from surveys and public consultation undertaken during preparation of the Plan identified a need for affordable housing, particularly for local and young people.
A Housing Needs Assessment for Axbridge was undertaken by Collier Planning in 2023 in order to understand the level of local affordable housing need. The assessment, which has been endorsed by Somerset Council, identified a need for 17 affordable homes for local people. The need comprises of 13 social rented homes and 4 shared ownership homes. The greatest need is for 2-bedroom homes (10) followed by 4 x 3 bedroom, 2 x 1 bedroom and 1 x 4 bedroom homes. The proposed development will deliver these affordable homes tailored to local need.
Landscape and open space
The existing mature vegetation around the perimeter of the site will be retained where possible and reinforced where necessary, providing a robust green backdrop for the proposed new homes.
A landscape buffer around 5m wide is proposed along the northern boundary to provide a buffer alongside the existing homes, meaning that the proposed new homes will have little or no impact on the living conditions or amenities of neighbouring properties.
New tree and shrub planting have been incorporated throughout the proposed design to create an attractive residential setting and to ensure they can be properly managed and maintained.
The public open space area to the south of the site will provide a community orchard and will contribute to the social element and integration of the new and existing communities. The open space also accommodates sustainable urban drainage in the form of a water attenuation basin, providing further interest and variety.
Ecology
The proposals include the retention and enhancement of existing boundary vegetation that will provide valuable commuting and foraging habitats. The proposed attenuation pond will also provide ecological benefits.
Drainage
Sustainable urban drainage is proposed in the way of a water attenuation pond in the lowest part of the site to the south west (outside of any tree root protection zones), as well as rain gardens for each home. The site sits outside of all flood zones. Further drainage measures will be utilised as the design of the scheme progresses.
Vehicle access and car parking
Vehicular access will be provided via Orchard Road.
The proposed layout includes ample off street parking spaces and is designed so that service and emergency vehicles are not restricted, as well as ensuring that the road network is safe for all users.
Car parking is included on plot to the side of the proposed new homes in most cases and, in some instances, parking is included to the front of the home.
Visitor spaces have been accommodated on the main street alongside the green. Cycle parking has been provided on plot, either in the garages or in separate garden sheds. All homes will provided with an electric vehicle charging point.
Energy efficiency
The proposed design applies a ‘fabric first’ approach to sustainable construction, reducing energy demand through improvements to the built fabric of the homes, low air leakage and additional passive and active demand reduction measures as a first principle. This ‘fabric first’ approach ensures that energy demand reductions will be built into the lifetime of the new homes.
The layout also ensures the majority of the new properties have a south facing roofscape to maximise the opportunities for solar panels and photovoltaics. It is also proposed to have electric vehicle car charging points throughout the site.
Recycling and refuse
The site will be designed for council waste collections. Where homes are served by private drives, recycling and refuse collection points have been incorporated into the design where distances to homes exceed the 25m maximum distance for refuse operators to travel.