Site LPS 37: Parkgate Extension, Knutsford

The development of Parkgate Extension over the Local Plan Strategy period will be achieved through:

  1. Phased provision of around 200 new homes (at approximately 25 dwellings per hectare);
  2. 6 hectares of employment land with the provision of suitable vehicular access;
  3. Incorporation of green infrastructure;
  4. Implementation of a landscaping scheme, including SuDS and boundary treatments, ecological mitigation and pond treatment required to detract large water birds;
  5. Pedestrian and cycle links to new and existing residential areas, shops, schools and health facilities including a permanent diversion route of public footpath (Knutsford FP11) and at least three 20 metre wide links between the housing area and the woodland buffer;
  6. An approximate 50 metre acoustic buffer/bund/fence for noise mitigation between the proposed housing and the industrial estate and employment allocation;
  7. Dwellings within mapped areas of noise mitigation will require mitigation to outdoor amenity space; and
  8. Appropriate contributions towards education facilities.

Site Specific Principles of Development

  1. Undertake a Landscape Character Assessment to guide the scale and massing of new development and to ensure it is acceptable with the surrounding landscape. Also ensure a high quality design, which reflects and respects the character of the area, built form and surrounding landscape. Provision of a landscape buffer to enhance and secure the boundary of the Tatton Park Estate to the north and west of the site and between the employment site to the south.
  2. Provide a comprehensive landscaping scheme which retains and enhances existing mature trees and hedging where possible, or provide appropriate mitigation.
  3. Improve the connectivity and accessibility into and out of the site to the town centre and wider local area with the provision of, or contribution to, cycle paths and pedestrian linkages.
  4. New development will be expected to respect any existing ecological constraints on site and where necessary, provide appropriate mitigation and enhancements.
  5. Avoid development on the eastern boundary of the site which falls within Flood Zones 2 and 3.
  6. Provision of a satisfactory road access to the site.
  7. Contributions towards highway infrastructure such as the Brook Street/Hollow Lane, Adams Hill/A50 junction improvements and Mobberley Road and Parkgate Lane junction.
  8. Contributions to education and health infrastructure.
  9. Provision of green infrastructure to include open space and woodland buffers.
  10. Archaeological mitigation will be required in accordance with the completed desk-based assessment. 
  11. The Local Plan Strategy site is expected to provide affordable housing in line with the policy requirements set out in Policy SC 5 'Affordable Homes'.
  12. Housing which incorporates noise mitigations measures such as acoustic glazing and mechanical ventilation and heat recovery systems.
  13. The site will be developed only where it can be demonstrated that there is no adverse impact on the Midland Meres and Mosses Phase 1 Ramsar and Tatton Mere SSSI particularly in relation to changes in water levels and quality and recreational pressures. This should include a Habitats Regulations Assessment of the direct and indirect impacts of the development on the features of special interest. Where impacts cannot be avoided, appropriate mitigation measures will be required to ensure no adverse effects on the integrity of sites.
  14. A minimum of a Phase 1 Preliminary Risk Assessment for contaminated land should be carried out to demonstrate that the site is, or could be made; suitable for use should it be found to be contaminated. Further work, including a site investigation, may be required at a pre-planning stage, depending on the nature of the site.
Access a larger version of Figure 15.44 Parkgate Extension site (PDF, 645KB) (Opens in a new window)
Figure 15.44 Parkgate Extension site (PDF, 645KB) (Opens in a new window)

Justification

15.450 The land at Parkgate forms a logical extension to an existing residential and employment area located adjacent to the settlement boundary north of Knutsford.

15.451 This whole site is outside the Green Belt having been allocated within the Macclesfield Borough Local Plan 2004 as employment land. In order to facilitate the sustainable expansion of the trading estate and contribute to economic growth, a mixed employment and housing scheme is proposed. By virtue of its location and non Green Belt designation, it is considered that this site presents a rare opportunity, within this part of the borough, for a sustainable development within the existing settlement boundary of a Key Service Centre.

15.452 This site is well contained by existing landscape features (woodland to the north and a brook to the south) and borders the Tatton Mere SSSI and the Rostherne, Tatton Park Landscape Designation. A landscape and visual assessment will therefore be essential to ensuring that new development is designed sensitively having regard to the surrounding landscape, character of the area and existing built form.

15.453 Green infrastructure provision will be essential to ensure the new development is well integrated. New residential development should be situated to the north of the site to protect the amenities of residential properties with the existing and proposed employment uses. Comprehensive woodland buffers should also be secured to the boundary of Tatton Park Estate to the north and west of the site and to the south adjacent to the existing and proposed employment land.

15.454 Existing mature trees and hedging will be expected to be maintained, where possible, or replaced with mitigation. The floodplain of the Birkin Brook must be safeguarded.

15.455 A cohesive approach must be taken when considering the layout of the site, good connectivity between existing and new developments and open space provision will be essential in ensuring a well designed sustainable site. Noise mitigation must be incorporated between the industrial site and the residential area in the form of a 50 metre standoff or acoustic bund / fence.

15.456 New development will also be expected to respect any existing ecological constraints on site and where necessary, provide appropriate mitigation.

15.457 Improved access and infrastructure is considered to be key to ensuring the site's sustainability and integration within the wider community. New access to the site off Parkgate Lane will be required together with a new access to Mobberley Road, over or under the railway line. Section 106 contributions will be sought to improve additional pressure to road networks within Knutsford and social infrastructure to secure a sustainable form of development.

15.458 Details of Construction Environment Management Plans, landscaping, green infrastructure and open space proposals should be submitted to the council during any future planning application process on this site as part of sustainable development proposals and their proximity to European site (consisting of either Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas and / or Ramsar sites).

15.459 The council expects that the following are considered in the context of the ecological value of the site due to its proximity to a European site (consisting of either a Special Area of Conservation, Special Protection Areas and / or Ramsar site):

15.460 Any replacement and/or new sports provision should be in accordance with an adopted up to date and robust Playing Pitch Strategy and Indoor Sports Strategy and with Policy SC 2 ‘Indoor and Outdoor Sports Facilities.

15.461 The site has potential for contamination to be present therefore at least a Phase 1 Preliminary Risk Assessment for contaminated land needs to be carried out to ensure that any contamination that is present is subject to appropriate remediation.

Indicative Site Delivery

Policy information

 

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