Land off Drakes Drive, Long Crendon

LOC02: Land off Drakes Drive, Long Crendon 1. Land off Drakes Drive, Long Crendon, shown on the policies is allocated for a 29ha mixed-use employment led development comprising of approximately 7.7ha of employment land alongside leisure uses. 2. Development proposals will be supported where they: a) Deliver approximately 7.7ha of employment land within Use Class E(g), B2 and B8. b) Deliver a layout and mix of uses that are compatible with nearby residential areas, enhance local services, and support the economic vitality of Long Crendon and the wider area. c) Provide or contribute towards enhancements to public transport services and infrastructure, including improvements to bus connectivity serving the site and the wider Industrial Estate. d) Respond appropriately to the site’s flood risk constraints by directing built development to areas at lowest risk (Flood Zone 1), informed by a site-specific Flood Risk Assessment and in accordance with the Level 2 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment. No employment or leisure uses (less vulnerable) to take place in areas of Flood Zone 3b. store e) Retain and enhance key environmental features, including: i. the existing river corridor and associated habitats ii. existing field pattern and hedgerows iii. trees along the river corridor. f) Incorporate a strong landscape framework, including woodland planting, to provide visual screening, mitigate impacts on the rural landscape, and create a well-integrated edge to the site. g) Provide leisure uses that complement, and do not compete with, existing local facilities, delivering accessible community benefits such as recreation, health, wellbeing, or familyoriented activities. h) Are supported by a comprehensive site-wider masterplan demonstrating the nature of land uses in response to flood risk, active travel corridors and connections to Long Crendon and Thame, how the development supports the objectives of the Long Crendon Neighbourhood Plan and local active travel aspirations. i) Provide safe, direct and attractive walking and cycling connections to Long Crendon, Thame and surrounding areas, including. i. upgrades to existing routes to the north and south of the site, designed in accordance with latest active travel standards (including LTN 1/20), with provision for segregated cycle infrastructure where feasible, ii. improved crossing provision on Thame Road to enable safe and convenient pedestrian and cycle access, iii. provide contributions towards the delivery of strategic cycling and walking routes, including links between Long Crendon, Thame, Haddenham and Aylesbury, and access to Haddenham & Thame Parkway station. iv. support for cross-boundary delivery of active travel routes where required. 6.522 Land off Drakes Drive lies to the south-east of Long Crendon, immediately adjoining the established Long Crendon Industrial Park and accessed from Drakes Drive. The wider site extends to approximately twenty-nine hectares and provides an opportunity to deliver around 7.7 hectares of employment development, alongside leisure uses, open space and green infrastructure. Its location adjacent to an existing employment area makes it well suited to accommodate an integrated and complementary extension to the industrial park, supporting local economic growth and strengthening this important employment cluster. 6.523 The site occupies an edge-of-settlement location, bordered by employment uses, residential areas and open countryside. Development will therefore need to respond sensitively to its surroundings, ensuring an appropriate relationship with nearby residential properties and the rural landscape. A strong landscape framework, including woodland planting, retention of hedgerows and protection of the river corridor, will be essential in mitigating visual impacts and creating a well-defined and integrated settlement edge. 6.524 Parts of the site are affected by flood risk, and development will be required to follow a sequential approach, directing built development to areas at lowest risk and incorporating sustainable drainage systems. A site-wide masterplan will be essential to coordinate land uses, respond to these constraints and integrate employment and leisure uses in a coherent and effective manner. 6.525 Leisure uses are envisaged as complementary to the employment function, providing services and facilities that support employees and the local community, increase footfall and enhance the overall vitality of the area, without undermining existing provision in Long Crendon or nearby centres. 6.526 The scale of the allocation requires appropriate infrastructure provision, including safe access from Drakes Drive, local highway improvements and upgraded utilities. There are significant opportunities to enhance sustainable transport connectivity, particularly through improved walking, cycling and public transport links between Long Crendon, Thame, Haddenham and Aylesbury, including connections to Haddenham & Thame Parkway station. Development proposals will be expected to support these connections and demonstrate that impacts on the highway network and local amenity can be effectively mitigated.