Homes

Bratton Green

Project Details

Client
Bloor Homes
Location
Telford, Shropshire
Year
2020 – Present
Services
Planning, Masterplanning, Landscape Architecture

A landscape-led new sustainable community

Bratton Green is located to the north-west of the urban area of Telford, a third-generation New Town designated in 1968. The planning and design of Telford was inspired by a number of founding ambitions, some of which remain relevant today, including the creation of places that are characterised by generous open space provision and access to local facilities within walking distance.

A collaborative and iterative process to understand the sites constraints and opportunities has identified clear design principles, which underpin the vision and Masterplan for Bratton Green. The site benefits from having extensive views toward the Wrekin and Ercall, iconic landscape features that define much of Telford and the surrounding countryside. Existing watercourses cross the site and, whilst associated flood risk has been carefully addressed, they offer unique opportunities to provide biodiversity net gain and to create engaging open spaces.

The site also encompasses areas of woodland, hedgerows and veteran trees that offer opportunities for retention and enhancement to further maximise habitat creation and biodiversity net gain. A strong vision, supported by a Masterplan, has been key to successfully promoting the Bratton Green as a suitable and deliverable new sustainable community for allocation in the Telford and Wrekin Council Local Plan Review.

Site promotion

Define, acting on behalf of Bloor Homes, have actively and collaboratively engaged with Telford and Wrekin Council since the outset of the Local Plan Review, to promote the site for allocation in order to meet local needs. Central to the success of this promotion has been the articulation of a clear and compelling vision through a Vision Document and Masterplan.

These highlight the substantial benefits of the proposals, underpinned by comprehensive technical assessment work to provide the Council with the confidence that the site is both suitable and deliverable.

The application

Following the securing a draft allocation in the Local Plan Review, a comprehensive planning strategy has guided the preparation of an outline planning application, which was submitted during the examination of the Local Plan Review, demonstrating Bloor Homes’ commitment and ability to deliver the site. Significant pre-application engagement was carried out to inform the evolution of the Masterplan and technical assessment work. This included participation in an independent Design Review Panel with Design:Midlands, where the vision for the site and the Masterplan were positively received.

The draft allocation for the site also necessitated the preparation of a Design and Development Brief that was prepared by Define on behalf of Bloor Homes and neighbouring parties within the wider allocation. The Brief provides clarity and confidence in the quality and consistency of development across the allocation site, and has informed the Design and Access Statement for Bratton Green, which includes a Strategic Design Code to guide its delivery.