The development affords the opportunity to substantially
increase tree planting in the area. The main hedgerow running
north-south will be substantially widened and enhanced thereby significantly reducing the visual impact of both the existing and proposed development.
New planting immediately south of the development, along the
A40, will screen views of the buildings from the A40 and the
hills to the south. It will also enhance the landscape quality of
the site by reducing the visual impact of the A40 when viewed
from the valley. In addition, substantial new areas of public open space with areas of wildfire grassland and wetland will serve as a valuable community and ecological resource. A new
network of cycle/footpaths and footbridges will increase public
access to the Windrush Valley.
An area of allotment gardens (which are in short supply in the
town) will be provided on the northern part of the site. These
could be accessed from the new housing or the existing car
park associated with the Cogges Museum.
The Environment Agency Flood Risk mapping shows an area of land off Stanton Harcourt Road lying outside the Windrush flood plain (ie outside of Flood Zone 2). This land is capable of development and has the capacity to accommodate about 50
dwellings. The Environment Agency Flood Risk Map also shows a significan number of properties in Cogges to be in Flood Zone 2. A small number of properties, includinkg Blakes Primary School, are also shown in Flood Zone 3.
Small scale flood defence works designed to enhance the natural environment and historical flood prevention features such as the Cogges balancing pond and Hardwick Brook double ditch, would provide robust flood protection for the proposed Cogges South development, as well as existing properties in Cogges that were affected by flooding in 2007.
Following the small scale flood defence works, there maybe scope to extend the Cogges South development area, increasing the capacity of the site to about 100 dwellings.
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