• The proposed development is located to avoid the Flood Zones.
• Our approach is designed to ensure both efficiency and environmental sustainability.
• For surface water Drainage Ponds will capture/store run off.
• For foul drainage, the proposals will connect into the existing sewer network.
• Drainage features on site will form part of the wider open space green infrastructure network,
• Opportunities to integrate drainage features to deliver ecological enhancements will also be considered as the proposals are finalised.
• Flood risk and drainage considerations do not represent a constraint to the development of this site and will not increase the risk of flooding elsewhere.

The proposed development will incorporate measures to reduce the carbon footprint of the development through sustainable construction measures, including:

• Improved energy efficiency through careful building siting, design and orientation
• PV (Photo Voltaics)
• Sustainable Drainage systems (SUDs)
• Fabric efficiency in the design of buildings
• Use of building materials capable of being recycled
• An element of construction waste reduction and recycling
• Lighting controls
• Electric vehicle charging, and
• Reduction in water usage

The proposal and impact on the highway network has been assessed by our transport consultants concluding that the site is well placed to provide additional housing without resulting in unacceptable impacts on the existing road network.

The site is well located to support sustainable movement patterns being adjacent to Kingham Railway station and also has access to services and facilities currently available in Kingham and Bledington

There are no designated built heritage assets within the site or in its immediate vicinity but there are three listed buildings nearby: Bledington Mill and the adjacent bridge, and Langstone Priory. Impacts on the setting of these listed buildings are considered to be minimal and will not harm the significance of these heritage assets. The historic core of Kingham lies over 2km north-east of the site, the village containing several Listed buildings, which are screened from the site by topography, trees and hedges, and existing residential development areas.

In respect of archaeology, site investigations are underway.

The proposed development retains the majority of existing vegetation present on the site, which is focused on the site boundaries. Whilst the proposals will necessitate some removal to facilitate vehicular access, the development has been informed by an extensive assessment of landscape character and sensitivities and provides for a significant scale of landscape enhancements.

A tree survey has confirmed that the majority of tree and hedgerow cover is of low Arboricultural value. The one tree of significance, an oak, will be retained with the site designed around a substantial buffer zone acknowledging it’s importance. There through the proposed development, opportunities to deliver significant enhancements as part of a comprehensive planned landscape and green infrastructure strategy.

In preparing the proposals for development at this site, specific regard has been given to the existing ecological conditions of the site alongside the landscape and visual sensitivity. This has included baseline ecological surveys and recommendations of ecological design measures to input into the detailed design stages to maximise ecological benefits across the site.

As land which is currently in agricultural use, the majority of the site has limited biodiversity value, with the main areas of ecological interests located on the site boundaries which are to be retained as part of the proposed development. Overall, it is concluded that:

• There are no significant or ‘in principle’ ecological constraints to the future development of the site;
• All other potential/actual constraints which are present can be readily addressed through further development of the sensitive design demonstrated by the Concept Masterplan;
• The scheme design has sought to retain and incorporate existing features of interest within the proposed green infrastructure;
• Future development is capable of delivering significant environmental enhancements including biodiversity net gain, through the creation of new habitats on the site, including planting of new hedgerows and species-rich grassland.

Our noise survey analysis shows that the site is suitable for residential development.