Buckingham

NESS008 - Buckingham NESS008: Buckingham NESS 1. This 217.5-hectare site, as shown on the Policies Map, is located to the south-west of Buckingham, in the north of Buckinghamshire. 2. The site is allocated for a residential-led urban extension delivering a minimum of 4,700 dwellings, of which approximately 2,235 dwellings will be delivered within the Plan period, alongside 10 net additional serviced Gypsy and Traveller pitches, approximately 1.7 hectares of employment land, around 2,000 sq. m of town centre uses, supporting infrastructure, and 10 net additional serviced Gypsy and Traveller pitches. Development requirements 3. Planning permission will be granted where development accords with the requirements below and are supported by a comprehensive site-wide masterplan and phasing strategy: Place making and design. 4. Development must adopt a landscape-led approach which: a) Responds positively to the site’s rural character and edge-of-settlement location. b) Reflects existing field patterns, hedgerows and landscape features; and c) Integrates development sensitively into the wider countryside setting. 5. Development must establish a high-quality, distinctive and functional place and must: a) Retain and integrate existing land uses where appropriate. b) Address the presence of the solar farm, including its removal or reconfiguration where justified. c) Retain and incorporate hedgerows and woodland within a connected green infrastructure network. d) Respond to site constraints, including the historic landfill site. e) Manage flood risk through layout, design and sustainable drainage systems; and f) Conserve and enhance the setting of Gawcott Conservation Area. Movement and Connectivity 6. Development must deliver a comprehensive movement strategy which prioritises sustainable transport and must: a) Provide the Buckingham South Spine Road linking the A413 to the A421, including appropriate access arrangements. b) Deliver a network of internal roads connecting to the wider highway network. c) Ensure infrastructure provision is informed by proportionate transport modelling and supports the safe operation of the network; and d) Provide connections to key routes including the A413, A421 and local roads. 7. Development must provide a comprehensive walking, cycling and Public Rights of Way network which: a) Connects the site with Buckingham, employment areas, retail facilities and community services. b) Retains and enhances existing PROW; and c) Integrates with the Buckinghamshire Greenway and wider network. Community Facilities and Services 8. Development must provide a comprehensive range of community infrastructure, including: a) Local centres providing retail and community uses as accessible focal points. b) Land and buildings for three primary schools (4-7FE total). c) Land and buildings for one secondary school. d) On-site primary healthcare facilities or contributions to off-site provision as agreed; and e) Indoor and outdoor sport, recreation and play provision in accordance with Policy SE5. 9. Retail provision must be of a scale and type that meets local needs and supports, and does not undermine, existing centres. Green and Blue Infrastructure 10. Development must deliver; a) connected network of green and blue infrastructure which: b) Integrates watercourses including the River Great Ouse and Padbury Brook. c) Incorporates areas of flood risk. d) Enhances biodiversity and ecological connectivity; and e) Reinforces landscape character. 11. Development must: a) Provide a substantial green buffer along the southern boundary to protect the setting of Gawcott Conservation Area; and b) Maintain the rural character of Lenborough Road. 12. Development must provide multifunctional green infrastructure including: a) Public open space; b) Sustainable drainage systems; c) Outdoor sports facilities; d) Walking and cycling routes; and e) Allotments. Implementation, Phasing and Delivery 13. Development will only be permitted where it is supported by a comprehensive site-wide masterplan and phasing strategy. 14. The masterplan and phasing strategy must: a) Demonstrate coordinated delivery across the site. b) Demonstrate coordinated and comprehensive delivery of off-site necessary infrastructure. c) Show how each phase integrates with the overall design. d) Identify infrastructure delivery timing and triggers. e) Include mechanisms to avoid piecemeal development; and f) Ensure alignment with infrastructure evidence. 15. Infrastructure provision must be informed by viability and deliverability considerations, to be agreed with the Council. Buckingham NESS Site 008 6.79 Land identified, on the Policies Map and Indicative Diagram below, as Buckingham NESS Site 008 is allocated to deliver a strategic urban extension to the south-west of Buckingham. The site extends to approximately 217.5 hectares and provides an opportunity for a comprehensive and well-integrated expansion of the town. 6.80 The development will deliver a minimum of 4,700 homes, of which approximately 2,235 will be delivered in the Plan period, alongside employment, community infrastructure and supporting services. A significant proportion will be delivered within the Plan period. Site Characteristics 6.81 The site lies within a predominantly rural landscape characterised by gently undulating agricultural land, with hedgerows, field patterns and watercourses providing structure. 6.82 It forms part of the setting of Buckingham and nearby settlements including Gawcott and includes features such as a solar farm and a historic landfill site. 6.83 Watercourses, including the River Great Ouse and Padbury Brook, are key environmental features which influence the design and layout of development. 6.84 The site is located close to existing services, employment areas and facilities within Buckingham. Development Strategy and Design Approach 6.85 The site will be developed as a comprehensively planned urban extension, with a strong emphasis on landscape-led design and integration with the existing settlement. 6.86 Green and blue infrastructure will form a key component of the scheme, incorporate natural features and support biodiversity, recreation and flood risk management. 6.87 Development will respond to the site’s context, including its relationship with Gawcott and the surrounding countryside. Infrastructure and Community Provision 6.88 The scale of development requires provision of a wide range of infrastructure, including local centres, education, healthcare and recreation facilities. 6.89 Healthcare provision will be informed by ongoing engagement with the Integrated Care Board and the latest evidence at the planning application stage. 6.90 Development will also contribute towards off-site infrastructure where required. Transport and Movement 6.91 The transport strategy is designed to support sustainable growth and manage impacts on the surrounding network. 6.92 The Buckingham South Spine Road will provide a key route through the development and assist in distributing traffic. 6.93 Improvements to key routes including the A413, A421 and local roads will be required to maintain safe and efficient operation. There is also a longstanding strategic aspiration for a Buckingham western relief road between the A421 and A422. 6.94 Sustainable transport measures, including bus improvements and walking and cycling infrastructure, will reduce reliance on the private car. Delivery, Masterplanning and Phasing 6.95 Development will be brought forward through a coordinated masterplanning process to ensure integrated delivery. 6.96 A site-wide masterplan and phasing strategy will guide the development and ensure timely infrastructure provision. 6.97 A design code will be required to secure high-quality outcomes across the site. 6.98 Delivery will be monitored through the Council’s monitoring framework. Figure 13: Buckingham NESS Concept Masterplan Figure 14: NESS Concept Masterplan Key (reproduced from Figure 8)