Landscape Impact & Design.  The site is likely to create a low level of visual impact change as wide views already encompass numerous elements of built form and existing infrastructure including the M4, over ground utilities and built form on the fringes of both Swindon and Royal Wootton Bassett.

The design of the proposed development and heights of the residential dwellings (up to 3 storeys) would be consistent with the settlement pattern of Wootton Bassett (a ‘hilltop’ settlement).

There are no national or local landscape designations within or pertinent to the site. The North Wessex Downs National Landscape is located approximately 4km to the southeast.

The scheme design will strive for the highest urban design and landscape qualities that will forge a strong sense of identify and leave an enduring legacy for the site.

Walking and Cycling.  The proposals will include a high quality on-site network of active travel options, with walking and cycling routes.

These will in turn link to improvements for pedestrians and cyclists on the surrounding highway network and existing Public Right Of Ways (PRoWs) including on and off road routes and crossings.

Highways And Access.  Primary vehicular access is proposed off Swindon Road (A3102) to the south and Hook Road (B4042) to the west.

A Transport Assessment (TA) will be submitted with the planning application, this will detail the development proposals, site accessibility, forecast trip generation and will assess the operation of the highway network in both safety and capacity terms both with and without the development (in agreement with Wiltshire Highways)

Parking will be designed to meet local standards and to ensure it does not dominate the street scenes, whilst also being convenient for residents and visitors.

Ecology.  Where possible existing hedgerows, trees, watercourses and drainage ditches will be retained and positively integrated with the open space areas. The area of semi-mature woodland within the southeast corner of the site will be protected and retained.

Whilst we have seen some evidence of wildlife around the site’s margins the agricultural use has limited the ecology and biodiversity of the site. Opportunities to enhance the overall biodiversity of the site can be implemented.

A summary of some of the ecology and arboricultural surveys are set out below:

• Breeding bird surveys have recorded two to three pairs of breeding skylark, however the losses to breeding habitat will have an impact at a less than local level, with the small breeding population displaced into the surrounding farmland landscape.
• Seven trees have been identified within or adjacent to the site with bat roost potential however no bats or evidence of bats have been found during bat activity surveys.
• Surveys have recorded low levels of bat activity distributed fairly evenly across the site. The assemblage of bats recorded is considered to be relatively typical for an urban-edge site in south-west England.
• No ponds are present within the site; however, there are six ponds within 250m.  Great crested newts are considered to be present within the wider area and may use suitable habitats within the site. However given the low number of Great Crested Newts identified during surveys, the location of the ponds surrounding the Site and the low value of the on-site habitat, there is no requirement for a Natural England Licence and any works would be conducted under a non-licenced method statement.
• Reptile surveys undertaken in 2020 and 2024 recorded low numbers of slow worms present along the boundaries of the site, however the site is generally unsuitable to support reptiles, given the predominance of arable farmland.
• A survey of trees and hedgerows was undertaken in 2024. Two trees were identified as high quality, seventeen of moderate quality, and twenty-two of low quality. Additionally, four trees were considered unsuitable for retention. A single veteran tree was identified at the northern boundary.
• There was also no evidence of badgers, otters and water voles recorded within the onsite in surveys during 2020 and 2024.

Air Quality.  An air quality assessment considering relevant air quality legislation, policy and guidance will be undertaken and will be submitted in support of the planning application.

The site is not located within or near an Air Quality Management Area and the impact of additional traffic from the development on air quality will be negligible.

Mitigation measures will be implemented during the construction phase to minimise any temporary impacts on local air quality which may potentially arise due to the generation of dust and particulate matter.

New Homes.  Up to 40 homes with a mix of house sizes and types, ranging from 1 to 5 bed houses to meet local policy requirements and identified need.

Affordable Housing.  40% affordable housing (i.e., up to 170 affordable homes).

Affordable housing is a combination of discounted rent, discounted sale (for first time buyers) and shared ownership housing, provided to eligible households whose needs are not met by the market.

This will assist those looking for their first home, and lower income individuals and families get on the housing ladder in Royal Wootton Bassett.

How people access affordable housing depends on its tenure.  Generally, Local Authorities are responsible for allocating affordable housing for rent. In many instances, they will require that a local connection is demonstrated for someone to be eligible for a home. In some cases, applicants must have lived in the local area for a minimum of two years and these homes may be offered to applicants who can demonstrate family ties to the local area, or to people who previously lived in the area.

Extensive Public Open Space. A wide range of spaces will be incorporated onsite including:

- Natural green space/wetland area

- Woodland

- Neighbourhood Equipped Area of Play (NEAP)

- Local Areas of Play (LAP)

Community Allotments.  These will be provided onsite as additional community facilities.

Flooding And Drainage.  The Environment Agency Flood Map For Planning shows the whole site to be located in Flood Zone 1.

This is land at the lowest risk of fluvial (river) flooding, and the proposed masterplan takes into account surface water (pluvial) overland flow routes, utilising the topography to maintain these and create blue/green corridors for drainage.

The risk from surface water flooding across the majority of the site is very low.

The planning application will be accompanied by a Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) and Sustainable Drainage Statement (SDS) which will assess the site with respect to all types of flood risk and will propose solutions for managing surface runoff and foul water.

An indicative surface water drainage strategy will be designed in accordance with the relevant technical standards and will adhere to the guidelines as stipulated by the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) and national best practice.

The proposal will use Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) to capture, treat and attenuate surface water runoff from the site before discharging into local ditches.  Further, SuDS features will be designed to provide significant water quality and amenity benefits within the site as well as serving as a drainage function.

Archaeology And Heritage.  There are no designated heritage assets on the site.

The closest are the Grade II listed The Marsh (approximately 50m to the northwest), a Grade II listed milestone (approximately 150m to the southeast), the Grade II listed Midge Hall (approximately 230m to the north), and the Post Mill at Church Hills Scheduled Monument, (to the southeast of the Site).

The Grade II Listed Lydiard Park Registered Park and Garden is located approximately 1.5km to the northeast of the site.

Archaeology desk-based assessments and geophysical survey suggests there are some localised archaeological remains most likely of medieval origins and associated with agriculture, however these potential remains are likely to be poorly preserved due to modern agricultural activity.

Archaeological work is ongoing and the findings will be reported in the final application pack submission.

Reduced Energy Consumption Design.  New and existing homes account for 20% of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK.

The development will be designed to achieve a 100% reduction in regulated carbon emissions to meet a regulated energy net zero standard.

To achieve this the homes and buildings will feature enhanced insulation standards, heat pump heating and hot water systems and photovoltaic panels throughout.

Noise.  A noise impact assessment will be undertaken to assess the suitability of the site for residential use.

The development adopts the principles of good acoustic design, incorporating the required noise specifications to the building envelope, and following those internal and external design considerations regarding the positioning of buildings to maximise the distance attenuation and screening effects to those most exposed buildings and bedrooms.

Mitigation measures will be utilised to control noise impacts on the new homes including double glazing (with suitable trickle ventilation), appropriate facade construction, stand-off distances and boundary mitigation.

Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP).  A CEMP will be prepared and implemented during the construction phase of the proposed development and would include a series of best practice measures to control dust, noise and surface water runoff.