Plans for The Parks, former RAF Staff College Site, unveiled
Public Exhibition – 20th to 21st July 2007
09 July 2007
An enhanced masterplan for The Parks - the former RAF Staff College site on Broad Lane - has been unveiled by Taylor Wimpey. The developer, in partnership with English Partnerships, will submit planning application to increase the number of homes on the site to around 1,150 incorporating a higher percentage of affordable housing and key worker accommodation with improved public open space.
Bracknell residents and local businesses will be able to discuss the enhanced plan with consultants from Taylor Wimpey and English Partnerships at a public exhibition. The exhibition will be held at St Joseph’s Church Hall on Stanley Walk over two days - Friday 20th July between 10am and 7pm, and Saturday 21st July between 10am and 5pm.
The site was originally allocated for housing development in the Bracknell Forrest Borough Local Plan in 2002 and an outline planning application for 730 dwellings was approved by the Borough Council in 2003. Homes already under construction on phase one of the development are selling well with 35 homes already sold to local first-time buyers.
Taylor Wimpey and English Partnerships’ decision to increase the housing on the site is based on national, regional and local government requirements to maximise sustainable development on brownfield sites in order to reduce the pressure on greenfield land. After reviewing the emerging South-East plan that proposes a greater housing provision for the area, it was felt that the site was underdeveloped given its proximity to the town centre and transport links, and not meeting the local housing requirement.
Following feedback from the public consultation in 2005, the enhanced plan sees the allocation for affordable housing increase from 20% to 38%, with a significant number set aside for key workers. Eligible first-time buyers will also benefit from English Partnerships’ First-Time Buyers initiative (FTBI), which will allow them to purchase a minimum 50% share in a new house with English Partnerships’ making up the remainder. This scheme is already proving very popular with local purchasers at The Parks first phase.
The revised development proposals will also help to protect the environment. All homes will be built to achieve EcoHomes ‘VERY GOOD’ rating and, where appropriate, renewable energy systems (for example, solar thermal) will be used to further reduce carbon emissions. Careful ecological and landscaping mitigation and enhancement will help ensure that the wildlife and amenity value of the site is preserved.
Approximately 18 hectares (44.48 acres) of open space will be enhanced and opened up for public use. Provision of a mixed-use community centre and recreational facilities within the open space is also being explored. Taylor Wimpey and English partnerships will be asking for feedback from the local community at the public exhibition on these issues.
The scheme includes a substantial package of improvements to local infrastructure, including, for example, improvements to the Horse & Groom roundabout. These measures, coupled with a Green Travel Plan, will ensure that the schemes impact on local roads will be minimal and aims to provide tangible benefits to the local road network. The necessary infrastructure improvement to support the enhanced development is already underway with road and drainage improvements.
All interested parties are encouraged to attend the exhibition later this month so they can put forward their ideas on the commercial and recreational facilities. These will be taken into consideration when details are submitted for planning approval later this year.
Notes to editor:
The creation of Taylor Wimpey Plc follows the merger of George Wimpey Plc and Taylor Woodrow Plc, effective as of 3rd July 2007.
For further information and details on the scheme please visit www.rafstaffcollege.com, which is scheduled to go live on 11th July 2007
or contact:
Louise Hearn on 020 7255 6428 or email lhearn@golleyslater.co.uk
Lorraine Calvey on 020 7255 6455 or email lcalvey@golleyslater.co.uk
Find out more at the public exhibition on the 20th and 21st July.
