Environmental Considerations

The site is located within walking distance of schools, retail and jobs, as well as public transport links. It provides a good location for new residential development with existing development located to the south and east. It could provide a wide mix of housing types and scales within an attractive environment. A range of Environmental studies have been conducted to inform the masterplanning process, which are summarised below:

Heritage & Archaeology

First mentioned in the Domesday Book, the village has grown and developed to the north, including along Crawley Road (new housing and at Cranfield FC), as well as east of Bourne End Road. Hallam’s proposals would therefore clearly align with and complement the historic growth of the village.

No listed buildings, conservation areas or monuments are impacted by the scheme.

Landscape

The Site is visually well-contained and experienced within the context of the adjoining residential areas, Crawley Road and Cranfield FC. Bourne End Road to the north has a more rural character, which will be retained through retention of a green corridor as part of the masterplan.

The Site will deliver new homes in an attractive landscaped setting, with native planting including new trees, hedgerows meadow grassland and ponds.

A key design priority is to create new green space and recreational opportunities to the north of Cranfield, including a significant area for ecological enhancements, play areas for children and public open space.

Ecology & Biodiversity

The Site is dominated by horse-grazed grassland fields which are bound by hedgerows, with a pond to the east of the Site. The scheme design has sought to retain hedgerows and other habitats as far as practicable, with compensatory planting provided within retained areas of open space.

Survey work has been undertaken for bats, badger and great crested newt. Precautionary working measures have been proposed in respect of badger, nesting birds and amphibians, in addition to sensitive lighting design to maintain dark corridors for bats and other nocturnal wildlife. Mitigation measures have also been proposed to avoid adverse effects upon bats and ensure compliance with legislation.

Ecological enhancement measures have been proposed on-site to be located within an Ecological Enhancement Area in the west of the Site. Grassland habitats will be enhanced through reduction in soil nutrient levels and increased floristic and structural diversity, to include the introduction of a conservation management regime. These measures will contribute towards a net gain in biodiversity, with off-site habitat restoration and/or creation to be undertaken to deliver further gains for wildlife.