News
Following extensive consultation with the public, we have made a number of changes to our development proposals and a planning application was submitted on 31st January 2023.
In response to resident feedback, we have reduced the number of homes proposed to 14, reducing the density of proposed housing on the site. Our consultation asked the public whether they would prefer the public open space to be a play area, a community orchard, or allotments. The response was a three-way tie between the three options and, as such, we have taken the decision to provide all 3 on our updated layout. Our final proposals are greatly improved as a result of the consultation process and we would like to thank everybody who took part.
Having received the application, the Council will now consider it, taking on board a range of comments from consultees from other departments and agencies. Once officers are satisfied, they will make a recommendation and prepare a report for the Council’s Development Management Committee. If officers are minded to recommend the application be approved, the application would be called in to the Development Management Committee for councilors to consider the application and vote on whether it should receive planning permission or not. Check back to this website for further news updates as the application goes through the Council’s processes.
Welcome
Award-winning, family-run South Gloucestershire based local housebuilder Cotswold Homes is currently in the process of working up proposals to build an eco-friendly development at Land West of Wotton Road, Rangeworthy.
The aim is to develop the site with up to 25 new homes in a low-density scheme designed with technology to help homeowners reduce their carbon footprints, including photovoltaic (PV) panels and air source heat pumps. The proposed new homes feature traditional designs that are intended to reflect the character of the local area and remain in-keeping with the existing village.
We are at an early stage in our designs and we are open for discussion on the details of our proposals. We would welcome any thoughts on what palette of materials people would like to see.
There is a continued need for additional homes within South Gloucestershire, and this site is deliverable, having no significant constraints that would delay construction. Furthermore, the site is in a sustainable location in close proximity to Chipping Sodbury and Yate, and fits within the landscape with well-defined natural and existing boundaries.
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Who Are We?
Cotswold Homes is an award-winning, family-run local housebuilder based in Yate and operating around the South Gloucestershire area.
Almost all of our staff members live in the local area and these roots give us a special insight when it comes to sensitive developments and an understanding of what local people need.
We pride ourselves on individually designing each of our developments to meet the needs of our residents and to reflect the character of the surrounding area.
The Site
The development site is off Wotton Road and opposite Patch Lane, next to our recent site to the north. It covers an area of 1.8 hectares and currently is used for grazing. The site is in flood zone 1, the lowest level of risk, and has no other designations, making it ideal for residential development.
Site Considerations and Opportunities
In developing the proposals, considerable care and attention has been given to the characteristics of the site and its context, including the relationship to our neighbours.
The constraints and opportunities for the site and its development have been identified as follows. Understanding these points in more detail has helped us to develop our proposals and produce some initial plans.
Considerations
Consideration of the relationship with neighbouring homes
Maintaining and enhancing hedgerows to protect the landscape setting and local ecology.
Orientating the site layout to enhance key internal views and promote natural surveillance.
Pedestrian and cycle connections
The site is in flood zone 1, which is the lowest risk, and has no other designations
Access from Wotton Road
Opportunities
Provision of a varied mix of housing in response to local need
Establish a new special planting tree to provide focal trees that can be enjoyed by future generations
Creation of new public green space and play area
Reflect local design principles in the design of the scheme.
Champion climate change technology to reduce use
Increase spending in the area as a result of new residents.
Our Proposals
At Cotswold Homes, all of our developments are designed to respect and positively respond to the social, economic, historic, and environmental context in which they are set. As such, we have undertaken extensive analysis of the Rangeworthy area, including (but not limited to) discussions with technical specialists and officers of the Council as we have developed our proposals. As South Gloucestershire’s local developer, we want to build a scheme of which we can be proud, where people can flourish as part of the wider community.
Our proposals for the site include:
25 new homes
Up to 25 new homes, with 9 affordable homes
A range of house sizes
A range of house sizes, for example bungalows, responding to local demand.
Local character
A sensitively designed scheme similar in character to our Tytherington scheme
Neighbourly consideration
Consideration to the neighbouring properties through additional screening, orientation and set back distances
Energy generation
Photovoltaics and air source heat pumps (instead of gas boilers) will be included on all the homes to reduce carbon footprints.
Energy efficiency
Well-designed homes that are efficient and cost effective to run.
Protected hedgerows
The existing hedgerows and trees will be protected and any that require removal due to safety concerns regarding their health, will be replaced through a comprehensive planting plan.
Public open space
Our proposals include new public open space, but we would welcome feedback on what form this should take, it could include a community orchard, allotments, and/or a play area will be included.
Vehicle parking
Adequate car and cycle parking provision, in line with South Gloucestershire Council standards. The scheme will also make provision for Electric Vehicle charging points.
Sustainable drainage
The proposed development will require a connection to the existing foul sewer system to be agreed with Wessex Water.
We have been carrying out in-depth assessments of the site’s drainage in order to inform the final drainage strategy for the site
New site access
A new site access from Wotton Road, with enhanced landscaping at the entrance.
Local investment
Investment in community infrastructure and local services. We expect the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) figure for this development to be between £150,000 and £200,000, of which 15% (£22,500 - £30,000) will go to the Parish Council to spend on local projects.
Local Architecture
As a South Gloucestershire based developer, our schemes are carefully designed by people with significant local understanding so that they positively respond to the characteristics of the surrounding area.
Our proposals consist of mainly two storey housing, with the possibility of some single storey units to meet identified housing need. Our development seeks to use the diverse palette of building materials and architectural detailing found in the Rangeworthy area. The use of brick, render and stone walling with clay and slate tiled roofs can be incorporated, along with detailing which reflects the existing style of the village.
Sustainable Drainage
The proposed development will require a connection to the existing foul sewer system to be agreed with Wessex Water.
We have been carrying out in-depth assessments of the site’s drainage in order to inform the final drainage strategy for the site.
Landscaping
As part of our proposals, we will seek to retain existing landscape features such as significant hedgerows and trees. We also propose additional hedgerow and tree planting within the development in order to provide enhanced habitats and landscaping and we are currently seeking to achieve a biodiversity net gain as part of our plans.
Our proposals also include the provision of public open space which has been set aside for play, but could include other community provision, as well as providing a link through to other amenities within the Rangeworthy area.
Access and Parking
The proposed vehicle access to the site is from Wotton Road. We have produced a detailed engineering proposal, which will be submitted and published through the planning process. This report helps ensure that the design of the access is both safe and practical. The impact of the new site access on the existing road frontage and the existing houses (Old Star House and Laurel House, and adjacent properties) will be mitigated against and softened through the introduction of additional planting buffers either side of the entrance and providing a separate pedestrian route detached from the new road. This will keep the access away from existing housing and provide an attractive landscape gateway to the development beyond.
Improving Local Infrastructure
The regulations require CIL funds to be spent on the provision, improvement, replacement, operation or maintenance of ‘infrastructure’.
Infrastructure is defined in the Planning Act 2008, as including:
(a) roads and other transport facilities,
(b) flood defences,
(c) schools and other educational facilities,
(d) medical facilities,
(e) sporting and recreational facilities, and
(f) open spaces*.
*Initial calculation anticipates a figure in the region of £150,000 – 200,000 of which the local parish council will receive 15%. Both South Gloucestershire and Rangeworthy Parish councils will be able to spend these funds on the provision, improvement, replacement, operation or maintenance of infrastructure, or anything else that is concerned with addressing the demand that development places on an area.
Next Steps
Our planning application has now been submitted and can be viewed on the council's website here.
If you have any questions, please do get in touch.
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Getting In Touch
If you would like further information at this stage, please contact the team on:
Freephone 0800 689 5209