Our transportation team has contributed to a successful planning application for a 150-home development in Devon for Progress Land. A key aspect of our work focussed on using road design to influence driver behaviour.
South-west developer, Progress Land, has secured planning on a 150-dwelling development at Westacott Grange, near Barnstaple. The development is part of a larger strategic allocation – the Westacott Urban Extension – that covers 150 acres and will eventually accommodate 1,000 homes in addition to employment space and a new school.
Our involvement centred on the delivery of a transport assessment, travel plan and traffic modelling. The proposed site is complex because it currently does not join the main highway and the main access road – whose future requirement has always been acknowledged in the local plan – runs close to an existing park. Due to this arrangement, the proposed access road into the site will be long and straight which raised concerns over speed of travel.
As part of our transport assessment work, we advised on design measures to increase driver awareness of their surroundings, which calms traffic speed. Solutions that don’t visually blight the environment but influence driver behaviour, include: different coloured sections on the highway surface to create the illusion of a narrower carriageway; the removal of the central white lines which makes drivers more conscious of oncoming traffic; and speed tables for pedestrian crossings.
Our approach has ensured that most of the existing park has been retained as the new road is located to the south of the park and includes a 3m wide foot and cycle path and a 1.5m wide Devon bank topped with trees to screen the road from the park.
Speaking about the scheme, Graham Fincham, Managing Director of Progress Land, said: “The site has been allocated since 1999. It’s been incredibly challenging to deliver but we believe we now have a scheme that can be supported at a local level. The total site is owned by multiple landowners but the council has said it is happy to support a phased application, and we are starting at the most logical place.”
Explore related
- News
Hydrock assists GRAHAM in achieving industry accreditation for carbon management system
Read more- News
Lights, Camera, Action! Sunderland gets set for Hollywood with planning approval of Crown Works Studios
Read more- News
Hydrock’s fire safety experts support planning application for new R&A project in St Andrews
Read more- News
Hydrock brings expertise to NHS estates programme to help meet sustainability and safety goals
Read more- News
Ground-breaking land contamination conceptual model paves the way to a cleaner and safer future at Sellafield
Read more- News
James McNay joins HSE Industry Competence Committee (ICC) to guide safer building construction for everyone
Read more- News
Hydrock appointed to deliver catheterisation scanner suite at St Bartholomew’s Hospital
Read more- News
Hydrock nets geo-environmental and geo-technical role on multi-million-pound Belle Vue Academy site
Read more- News
Hydrock support successful planning application to extend Western Community Hospital in Southampton
Read more- News
Hydrock’s Civil & Structural engineering team appointed on next stages of £104m Patchworks development
Read more- News
Hydrock supports feasibility and planning application on Grade II listed buildings in Leeds
Read more- News
Civils & Structures team move to detailed design with Mi-space on 4.65ha Barne Barton site
Read more- News
Hydrock advising BoKlok – the Skanska and IKEA joint venture modular housing business
Read more- News
Hydrock on the strategic masterplan team for Cyber Central Garden Community, Cheltenham
Read more- News
Hydrock's multi-disciplinary expertise helps unlock massive residential site in Bristol
Read more- News
Stunning new headquarters for English National Ballet unveiled by London mayor, Sadiq Khan
Read more- News
Hydrock provides engineering services to transform Grade II* listed Cleveland Pools lido in Bath
Read more- News
Transport team contribute to successful planning submission to revive Andrew Gibson House, Merseyside
Read more- News
Multi-disciplinary advice helps secure planning for landmark footbridge in Pontypridd
Read more- News
Ground investigation work contributes to planning application for 282 homes in Stretford, Manchester
Read more- News
Hydrock helps secure planning for refurbishment of historic Generator Building, Bristol
Read more- News
Ground-breaking initiative to provide affordable housing to transform lives of Bristol’s young homeless
Read more- News
The University of the West of England (UWE) appoints Hydrock to design new multimillion pound engineering building
Read more- News