Llanasa Road, Gwespyr, Flintshire, CH8 9LU Telephone: 01745 270 156 ​ Email: [email protected] ​ Introduction The following Design and Access Statement should be read in support of the application for planning consent for the change of use of land for siting of 3 Pods with associated ensuite facilities and car parking area on land at School House, Llanasa Rd, Gwespr, Holywell, CH8 9LU. The site is in a clearing within a small woodland forming part of a larger paddock which is to the side and far corner from the entrance and drive to School House. The Paddock is sited directly off Llanasa Road and accessed via the drive to School House. The proposal for the siting of the 3 Pods is in the far corner of the Paddock and woodland. It is small in scale but high in quality. The proposal is sited and designed to ensure a discreet and unobtrusive appearance in the setting. This is a site that respects the rural locality in terms of scale, does not give rise to harming of the landscape and is focused on the natural habitat, biodiversity and environment. The proposal put forward is marketed to the recreational activity hobbyist with opportunities for cycling, walking and twitching. In doing so the site offers an approach that differs from that of other local holiday businesses and provides new and enriched opportunity for the area. It takes account of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Planning Guidance, which is underpinned by national planning policies in Wales. (PPW 2016) As required by the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) (Wales) Order 2012 the statement aims to address the following matters: ● The policy and approach adopted as to access and how policies relating to access in the development plan have been taken into account; ● How any specific issues which might affect access to the development have been addressed. ● The design principles and concepts that have been applied to the following aspects of the development: o Environmental sustainability o Movement to, from and within the development o Character This paper gives particular regard to the following from the Flintshire County Council Preferred Strategy Consultation & Local Development Plan (2015):- ● Policy ST4: Principles of Sustainable Development and Design. ● Policy STR10; Tourism, Culture, and Leisure. ● LDP No 1 – Biodiversity and Nature Conservation. ● LDP No 18 - Tourism 1 Access, Transport & Infrastructure. ​ Having regard to Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) (Wales) Order 2012. The site is accessed via the current vehicular access to the main house and existing paddock access. The gateway leading off the road is set back from the road some 5 meters and is 4.6 meters wide. Thus allowing for vehicles to stop off the road before the gateway. It is intended that the gateway will ordinarily be open until 7pm each night. The current access is off the Llanasa/Gronant Road. This is a country road which is wide enough for two vehicles to pass. The road is of national speed limit although given it is a country road, most vehicles travel considerably slower. The wall height on either side of the exit is below 1 meter and vegetation is kept below this level, therefore ensuring visibility and safety. The road is also a national cycle route and it is intended that cycle storage will be provided. Public transport is available via Arriva bus route 18 which stops 1 mile (by road), or 0.5 mile (by public right of way). Prestatyn rail service is 2.5 miles away and provides regular direct routes across Wales and England. The railway is additionally well serviced by local Taxi companies and a short walk to Prestatyn main bus station. The proposed development is of small scale and as a result, traffic generation will be low. No abnormal loads or large service vehicles would need to visit the site during operation. Parking for 5 vehicles and turning will be provided by way of a permeable tile structure that allows grass to grow, whilst maintaining a safe solid surface for cars. The location is indicated on the illustrated map. The parking is immediately on the left upon entering the drive and the Pods a short walk from the parking area. Environmental sustainability Having regard to Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) (Wales) Order 2012. The Pods themselves are Fiberglass made from recycled plastic bottles with 100mm Rockwool insulation in the roof & walls. The Tiles for the parking and pathways are made from recycled plastic. 2 Each Pod will feature a small log burner. Fuel for which will be supplied from the sustainable coppicing of our own ¾ acre woodland. Low voltage power for lighting and small electrical items (Laptops, phones etc) will be provided to each Pod by exclusive means of solar panels. ​ From analysis of environmental agency flood maps the site is outside of any flood risk zone. The site is not obtrusive and where the main site for the Pod’s lies is entirely out of view from the road or any housing, this includes School house & School Cottage. The following measures will be taken to ensure that any activity or disturbance is kept to a minimum:- ● The Pod’s will be well screened from overlooking or being overlooked by neighbours, with the use of additional evergreen woodland planting such as Juniper, Scots Pine and Gorse. ● Arrival & Departure times will normally be limited to within normal working hours. ● No noise/music rules for between 9pm/10am ● Noise and music to be kept to a minimum at all times. ● The parking is over 35m from the closest house, screened by tree’s and small in size. View looking out from School House. The glamping pods are situated a further 45 metres beyond this outcrop of tree’s. 3 Having regard to Flintshire County Council Strategy Consultation LDP 2017 Policy STR4 – Principles of sustainable development and design. ​ Also considers – the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, Natural Environment Framework ‘A living Wales’ and the Flintshire Biodiversity Action Plan. The proposed sources of material, scale, landscaping, woodland theme and technologies minimise any impact on the environment and positively encourages visitors to be mindful of our carbon footprint and environment. As members of a small local community we seek to ensure that Local business are promoted, for example our local pub, activities such as horse riding at Talacre, cycling and walking. All of which will be highlighted in our welcome packs. Cycling & walking will also be supported by offering on site bike storage, help with arrangements for travel from the train station and from Offa’s Dyke path. We also propose to source local produce/services such as ready-made meals, hampers and laundry/cleaning facilities. The intention is that not only does this support the local community, economy, employment and businesses but also reduces our carbon footprint. The larger site (woodland & paddocks) offers an already biodiverse environment providing habitats for a wide variety of woodland flora & fauna. In place is a further strategy to provide planting, hedging and water bodies that will further encourage and conserve habitats and improve the biodiversity value. The strategy also includes the placing of bat & owl boxes, as well as a wildlife pond. In doing so it will encourage tourists to appreciate the local landscape and increase knowledge and understanding of biodiversity and habitats. Policy STR10 – Tourism, Culture and Leisure. ​ The proposal for this small scale site will provide well-located, high quality self catering accommodation that is environmentally conscious and focused on promoting Flintshire’s diverse landscape. It will actively encourage guests to observe wildlife and participate in activities at venues such as the RSPB Dee Estuary/Point of Ayr nature reserve, the Clwydian AONB, rights of way such as Offa’s Dyke, and cycling on the national cycle route 5 which passes the gates of the site. The site is perfectly placed for access to all these activities in Flintshire whilst also close to a large town and infrastructure. The accommodation will increase the range and scope of tourist accommodation to the area and encourage a broader range of tourists visiting. In doing so it promotes the merits of this part of North Wales which is often missed by tourist’s en-route to the more recognised areas such as Snowdonia. It will promote the high quality image of Flintshire, it’s activities, environment and landscape. Bringing Flintshire to a much wider tourist Market. 4 Site Location map: 5 Proposed Full Site Plan: ● The above plan demonstrates the existing and planned robust hedgerow and tree planting to provide screening and habitat diversification benefits. ● Also illustrating the small scale of the glamping site and its location in the landscape. 6 Proposed Pod site plan (Close up). ● The above design shows the pods entryways all facing towards the stream and nature pond, with existing woodland above and additional planting of trees and hedging to the rear, providing screening from the road and neighbouring property. ● Careful consideration has been given with regards to the placement of the glamping accommodation to minimise and avoid holiday makers being overlooked by one another. The illustration also includes proposed planting of native shrubs (Juniper/Gorse/Broom) around the pods which further enhances this privacy and helps the pods to embed in their location. 7 Main Road Access: This picture shows the main gateway to School House, which is also proposed to be the access for the glamping car park, which will be to the left of the stone wall (far left of picture). Proposed Car Park entrance: Along with the lower stone wall to the left. This gateway is the proposed entrance to the carpark, off the main School House driveway.