Parkland Farm, Whitminster Information for Meeting with Whitminster Parish Council 05/03/14
Why Are We Here • Parklands Farm is a former farmstead located in the south of Whitminster and has been disused for a decade • We represent the landowners who purchased the farm in 2005 • The site contains an 18th Century Grade II listed farmhouse which is currently derelict. • The landowners want to bring the site back into use for much needed housing Who We Are We are local consultants that have been appoint- ed to prepare a planning applica � on for up to 31 dwellings in a manner which respects Whitmin- sters environment, history and context.
Opportunity to : • Create an exemplary and distinctive small residential scheme drawing inspiration from the site’s context and setting; • Provide a range of house types including a mix of af- fordable housing for local people; • Increase public access and permeability through the site with new links to the canal and playing fields; • Restore and improve the setting of the listed farmhouse and adjacent derelict barns; • Restore the orchard habitat as a community asset; • Maintain the integrity and character of views from the Frome Valley and canal; • Improve the biodiversity value of the site adjacent to a Key Wildlife Site;
The Site Location
The Site To Quedgeley Whitminster A38
Site Context • Whitminster is located 580m to the northeast of the River Frome, a tributary of the River Severn. • The river flows along a shallow alluvial valley (approx 12m AOD) which is bordered either side by gentle convex slopes providing a distinctive character. • The village is a ridgeline settlement located on the south west upper slopes of the R. Frome valley which rise to approximately 31m AOD around the site. • The site is surrounded by residential landuses on its north and west boundaries and the recently expanded Highfield Garden Centre and mature hedge/tree belt to the east. The southern boundary is open. Stroud District Landscape Character Assessment • The site lies within the Rolling Agricultural Plain (LCT 5) Whitminster village is located within the refined LCT - Lowland Plain (5B) Key characteristics relevant to the site: • Open flat plains and undulating landforms • Dissected by the River Cam and Frome • Mature hedgerow trees and occasional orchards • Transport corridors such as the A38 • Semi enclosed landscape with restrained views from the Frome Valley
Local Facilities
Statutory Designations Landscape • The site does not lie within any national, regional or local designation which affords protection to the landscape. • The site contains a Traditional Orchard (a BAP habitat) but is in poor condition and in need of replacement; • A small number of predominantly low quality trees are scattered around the site Cultural and Historical • The site contains a Grade II Listed building, Parkland Farmhouse, an early 18th century brick farmhouse • Parkland House located 90m to the west of the site, is also Grade II Listed and cited as a good example of a 19th Century villa (1823) • The curtilage of the house is separated from the site by the garden and boundary of No.54 Upton’s Garden Biodiversity • The southern boundaryadjoins a Key Wildlife Site (non- statutory)
Public Rights of Way • There are no Public Rights of Way within or immediately adjacent to the site • The majority of footpaths are located to the northwest some distance from the village and linked to a well used footpath on the elevated embankments of the Stroudwater Canal, 300m southwest of the site. • A footpath lies near the site access potentially linking the site with the residential area north of School Lane.
Built Environment • Whitminster lies within the ‘Severn Vale Rolling Plain’ settlement type and has a broad mix of housing styles through its expansion during the 20th C. • Houses are traditionally set set back from the pavement by a few meters and is predominantly two storey terraced and detached. • There is a limited use of render and paint, with red brick being the most commonly used building material in the area and clay tiles on roofs. • Older buildings assocaited with its agricultural past appear more distinctive in character revealing simple but attractive elevations through harmonious use of materials, good proportion and subtle detailing.
Site Character
Western Boundary Northern Boundary Eastern Boundary
Site Features
Visual Context • Whitminster is elevated on a shallow ridgeline exposing it to views from the south. • The site is overlloked by adjoining properties to the north but is hidden in view from most of the village • Potential sensitive views are limited to the footpaths in the river valley for a maximum of 2km radius from the site. • Views are further influenced by intervening hedgelines, woodland and the elevated section of the M5 to the southeast.
Visual Context View west from A38 View north from EHW/17/1 (north of River Frome) View north from Canal
View west from Banks of River Frome View north from south bank of River Frome View north from Fromebridge Mill Access
Site Constraints
Landscape Strategy
Development Strategy
Site Access Site Access Gardeners Cottage Replaced Gardeners Cottage Retained
Redevelopment of Gardeners Cottage Option 2- Rebuild Gardeners Cottage South West North West South East North East A3
Option 1 - Nov 13 Site layout 1- Nov 13 Site layout 1- Jan 14
Site layout 3 - Preferred Option March14
Design Inspiration
Proposed View from south bank of River Frome
Proposed View from A38
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