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LAND AT GREAT ASHBY, STEVENAGE, HERTFORDSHIRE PROPOSED RELOCATION OF THE THOMAS ALLEYNE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT: FURTHER INFORMATION

NOVEMBER 2009

RL/4682 NOVEMBER 2009

STERLING COURT NORTON ROAD STEVENAGE HERTS SG1 2JY

T: 01438 316331 F: 01438 722035

E: [email protected]

LAND AT GREAT ASHBY – ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT: FURTHER INFORMATION

RL/4682/NOVEMBER 2009

CONTENTS PAGE NO.

1.0 Introduction 1 2.0 Description of amendments to planning

application proposals 2

3.0 Further information 9 4.0 Amendments to Environmental Statement and

assessment of effects

11 DRAWINGS

Forming part of Environmental Statement

1 Site location plan (drawing 4682/001F)

2 Site identification plan (drawing 4682/014H)

4.1 Development parameters (north sheet) (drawing 4682/030C)

4.2 Development parameters (south sheet) (drawing 4682/031D)

4.3 Explanatory notes to accompany development parameters drawings

6 Access and Drop Off / Pick up Strategy (drawing E1678/18/Q), prepared by Wormald Burrows Partnership

ANNEX

Revised illustrative drawings (not forming part of Environmental

Statement)

7

Outline Landscape Masterplan (drawing L100E), prepared by Plincke Landscape Ltd

Additional illustrative drawings (not forming part of Environmental Statement)

8

Great Ashby Site - Mendip Way Access Corridor (drawing L400/01), prepared by Plincke Landscape Ltd

9

Great Ashby Site - Tilekiln Farm Boundary (drawing L401/00), prepared by Plincke Landscape Ltd

10.1

Great Ashby – Indicative Boundary Treatments (drawing L300), prepared by Plincke Landscape Ltd

10.2


10.3




10.4


APPENDICES

ES CHAPTER NUMBER

ES CHAPTER TITLE

7.0 Landscape and visual impact

7.2 Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment – Access Corridor East of Mendip Way

8.0 Ecology

8.4 Floodlight details 8.5 Addendum to Ecological Impact Assessment

16.0 Rights of Way

16.2 Revised drawings showing proposed footpaths 17.0 Noise

17.3 Noise Impact Assessment for the Access Road


RL/4682/NOVEMBER 2009 PAGE 1

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 In June 2009 Hertfordshire County Council (Children, Schools and

Families Service) submitted an outline planning application for the

relocation of The Thomas Alleyne School from its existing site in

Stevenage Old Town to land at Great Ashby, Stevenage.

1.2 The application was accompanied by an Environmental Statement

which was prepared in accordance with the Town and Country

Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales)

Regulations 1999, as amended.

1.3 In the course of processing the planning application and discussions

with a number of authorities and organisations, including North

Hertfordshire District Council, Stevenage Borough Council and

Hertfordshire County Council (as planning authority and highway

authority), as well as views expressed by members of the public an

number of amendments have been requested. Additionally, further

information has been sought to help explain and/or elaborate the

application proposals.

1.4 This statement describes the amendments to the planning application

and draws together in one source the further information which has

been requested. It then proceeds to assess the environmental

implications of the changes.

1.5 This statement should be read in conjunction with the submitted

Environmental Statement.



2.0 DESCRIPTION OF AMENDMENTS TO PLANNING

APPLICATION PROPOSALS

2.1 This section describes the changes to the application proposals and

the accompanying drawings.

DRAWINGS

2.2 As before the drawings and the Environmental Impact Assessment

which is described in the Environmental Statement are based on two

sets of drawings. These comprise a set of drawings which form part

of the Environmental Statement and on which the Environmental

Assessment is based and a set of illustrative drawings which show the

development proposals in more detail, but do not form part of the

Environmental Statement. The revised sets of drawings are identified

below. Copies of amended and additional drawings accompany this

statement. Unchanged drawings are included in the main

Environmental Statement:

Drawings forming part of the Environmental Statement

2.3 The complete set of drawings and, where relevant the changes,

comprises:

• Drawing 1 (4682/001F): Site Location Plan (prepared by

Vincent and Gorbing) – the drawing has been amended to

reflect a revision to the site boundary (see below).

• Drawing 2 (4682/014H): Site Identification Plan (prepared by

Vincent and Gorbing) – the drawing has been amended to

reflect a revision to the site boundary (see below).

• Drawings 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 (4682/104, 105 and 106): Site

Appraisal Drawings (prepared by Vincent and Gorbing) – these

drawings have not been changed.

• Drawings 4.1 and 4.2 (4682/030C and 031D): Development

Parameters Plans (prepared by Vincent and Gorbing) and



accompanying explanatory notes (4.3) – these drawings and

the accompanying notes have been revised to take account of

changes to the proposals.

• Drawing 5 (4682/029A): School Access Link drawing (prepared

by Vincent and Gorbing) – this drawing has not been changed.

• Drawing 6 (E1678/18/Q): Access and Drop Off / Pick Up

Strategy drawing (prepared by Wormald Burrows Partnership)

– this drawing has been revised to take account of changes to

the proposals.

2.4 Copies of the amended drawings accompany this statement.

Illustrative drawings not forming part of Environmental Statement

2.5 The following revised illustrative drawing accompanies this statement.

• Drawing 7 (L100/E): Outline Landscape Masterplan (prepared

by Plincke Landscape Ltd) – this drawing has been revised to

take account of changes to the proposals.

2.6 The following additional illustrative drawings accompany this

statement.

• Drawing 8 (L400/01): Great Ashby Site – Mendip Way Access

Corridor (prepared by Plincke Landscape Ltd) – this drawing

illustrates proposals for the Main Site Access area in more

detail.

• Drawing 9 (L401/00): Great Ashby Site – Tilekiln Farm

Boundary (prepared by Plincke Landscape Ltd) – this drawing

illustrates proposals for proposed landscape treatment of the

boundary near Tile Kiln Farm in more detail.

• Drawings 10.1 to 10.4 (L300, L301, L302 and L303): Great

Ashby – Indicative Boundary Treatments (prepared by Plincke

Landscape Ltd) – these drawing illustrate cross sections



showing proposed landscape treatment for boundaries around

the site.

2.7 Copies of the revised and additional drawings accompany this

statement.

2.8 As before the development proposals for the site, for the purposes of

testing as part of the preparation of this Environmental Statement, are

illustrated on the drawings which form part of the Environmental

Statement. The illustrative drawings do not form part of the

Environmental Statement but give a general indication of a possible

layout for the proposals within the parameters illustrated in drawings

4.1 and 4.2.

CHANGES

2.9 The changes to the submitted proposals and the reasons for the

changes are summarised in the following paragraphs. Where

relevant, the paragraphs also confirm that the application proposals

have not been changed. Note: The references to areas refers to the

areas identified on the Development Parameters Drawings (Drawings

4.1 and 4.2).

Application site boundary and site area

2.10 The boundary of the application site has been amended to reflect the

extent of land ownership and the proposed Compulsory Purchase

Order by reducing the site to exclude a small area of land at the

eastern end of the Main Site Access area [Area H].

2.11 The change means that the total area of the application site has been

reduced from 22.78ha to 22.61ha. The area of the access land has

also reduced from 2.58ha 2.41ha.

Building area [Area A]

2.12 No changes.



Parking Area [Area B]

2.13 The proposed Parking Area has been revised to accommodate

approximately 185 cars (plus mini-buses) rather than the previously

proposed 150 cars / mini-buses. This has necessitated a number of

changes to the internal access roads, cycleways, footways, and

incidental landscaped areas. However, the relationship to the

boundaries remains as set out in the Environmental Statement.

2.14 The reason for the change is to make up for parking spaces which

were previously identified for possible future parking (if required) at

the centre of the main access dropping off area within the Main Site

Access area, to improve the outlook from adjoining houses and

reduce the noise impact on those houses. These changes were

requested by North Hertfordshire DC and Hertfordshire CC (County

Development Unit).

Multi-Use Games Area [Area c]

2.15 No changes.

All Weather Pitch [Area D]

2.16 No changes.

Northern Playing Field [Area E(i)]

2.17 A deeper landscaped buffer with new tree, shrub and hedge planting

is proposed adjacent to the site boundary near Tile Kiln Farm and an

existing paddock to the south of the farm. The buffer will incorporate

an acoustic fence.

2.18 The reason for the change is to meet the request of North

Hertfordshire DC to reduce the potential noise impact on Tile Kiln

Farm, reduce the visual impact of the proposals on the listed buildings

at the farm and to provide an appropriate setting for the listed

buildings.

Eastern Playing Field [Area E(ii)]

2.19 No changes.



Dell Field [Area E(iii)]

2.20 No changes.

School Access Link Corridor [Area F]

2.21 No changes.

Plantation and New Spring Wood (parts) [Area G]

2.22 No changes.

Main Site Access [Area H]

2.23 The proposals for the Main Site Access have been revised to include

the following changes:

• A larger, slightly repositioned, roundabout on Mendip Way to

serve the proposed school. (Note: the roundabout would not

be located any closer to the existing hedgerow to the south,

than previously proposed).

• The dropping off loop road has been redesigned and relocated

further to the east, away from properties in Cromdale Walk, and

would be separated from those properties by a new landscaped

belt. (Note: the eastern end of loop would be in the same

location as previously proposed).

• The previously proposed ‘possible future parking area’ at the

centre of the dropping off loop has been removed.

• Additional landscaping, including trees, and hedges, has been

incorporated to soften the appearance of the site access road

and dropping off area.

• The proposed cycleway / footway linking Mendip way to the

school entrance has been repositioned so it is further from

properties in Cromdale Walk.

• The existing children’s playground which was previously

proposed to be relocated to the west of Mendip way is not now



proposed to be relocated but will need to be moved slightly to

the north to avoid the new access road and adjoining cycleway

/ footway.

• The proposed diversion of footpath 11, which crosses the

existing open space, has been rerouted so that it follows the

outside of the proposed access road and dropping off loop

rather than crossing the main access road near the proposed

roundabout, as previously proposed.

• The proposed eastern swale has been repositioned so it is

located within the dropping off loop rather than on the outside

of the loop. The western swale has also been slightly

repositioned.

2.24 The proposals are illustrated on drawing 6.

2.25 The reasons for the changes are to meet the request of North

Hertfordshire DC and Hertfordshire CC (County Development Unit) to

reduce the potential noise impact on properties in Cromdale Walk and

Grampian Way, to take account of the highway authority’s advice and

the advice of the highway authority’s safety auditors, and to improve

the design generally, improve the route of the proposed footpath

diversion and retain the existing children’s play area.

Public Open Space [Area I]

2.26 Largely unchanged, except that the children’s playground which was

previously proposed to be relocated to the new Public Open Space

will remain more or less in its current location to the east of Mendip

Way.

Surface Water Drainage Corridor [Area J]

2.27 No changes.

Ecological Mitigation Area [Area K]

2.28 No changes.



Public footpaths

2.29 As mentioned above the proposed diversion of footpath 11, which

currently crosses the existing open space, has been rerouted so that it

follows the outside of the proposed access road and dropping off loop

rather than crossing the main access road near the proposed

roundabout, as previously proposed. (See Chapter 4.0 for further

details).

Means of enclosure

2.30 No changes, except that the proposed 2.5m high school perimeter

fence near Tile Kiln Farm will be relocated approximately 10 to 15m

into the site rather than on the site boundary as previously proposed.

A 1.1m high timber post and rail fence will also be provided in this

area and, if necessary, a 1.8m high acoustic fence will located parallel

to the perimeter fence. All these fences will be located within the

proposed landscaped buffer adjacent to Tile Kiln Farm.

2.31 The reasons for the changes are to meet the request of North

Hertfordshire DC to reduce the impact of the proposals on properties

at Tile Kiln Farm. (See Chapter 4.0 for further details).

Infrastructure and services

2.32 No changes.



3.0 FURTHER INFORMATION

3.1 The further information that has either been requested by consultees

or has been supplied voluntarily is contained at the appendices to this

statement.

3.2 The information is summarised below:

Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment – Access Corridor East of Mendip Way (Appendix 7.2)

3.3 In response to requests from North Hertfordshire DC and

Hertfordshire CC (County Development Unit) concerning the visual

impact of the proposed access arrangements on adjacent properties,

in particular Cromdale Walk and Grampian Way, a supplementary

Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment has been prepared. A

copy is attached at Appendix 7.2.

3.4 The assessment sets out the assessment methodology, describes the

baseline conditions, summarises the local planning policy framework,

assesses the landscape and visual impacts and mitigation and draws

conclusions. It assesses the revised proposals which are outlined in

this statement rather than the original proposals.

3.5 The following chapter summarises the main conclusions of the

supplementary assessment.

Noise Impact Assessment for Access Road (Appendix 17.3)

3.6 In response to requests from North Hertfordshire DC and the County

Development Unit of Hertfordshire CC a supplementary Noise Impact

Assessment has been prepared by Gifford which assesses the impact

of the proposals on properties surrounding the proposed access road

serving the proposed school, in particular properties in Merrick Close

and Grampian Place. It assesses the impact of the revised proposals

rather than the original proposals.

3.7 The following chapter summarises the main conclusions of the

assessment.



Lighting details (Appendix 8.4)

3.8 In response to requests from consultees Hertfordshire Biological

Records Centre raising queries about the impact of the proposed

floodlights for the All Weather Pitch and Multi-Use Games Areas on

adjacent ecological habitats, particularly the local bat population,

further information has been obtained from a specialist lighting

company. This is attached at Appendix 8.4 and comprises:

• Details of proposed Asymmetrical OptiVision Floodlight with

MHNFC lamp

• Details of floodlighting for All Weather Pitch, including

calculation results

• Details of floodlighting for 3 court Multi-Use Games Area,

including calculation results

3.9 The implications of the proposed lighting for adjacent ecological

habitats and the local bat population are outlined in the following

chapter.



4.0 AMENDMENTS TO ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT

AND ASSESSMENT OF EFFECTS

4.1 Following the changes to the submitted proposals the Environmental

Statement has been reviewed and the following amendments /

addendums are made. Alternatively, the following paragraphs identify

where the changes would have no material implications for the

findings set out in the Environmental Statement.

APPLICATION PROPOSALS

4.2 The changes to the application proposals which are the subject of the

Environmental Statement, and the revised and additional drawings

(including illustrative drawings), have already been outlined in Chapter

2.0.

LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT

Access Road

4.3 The supplementary Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment, which

considers the landscape and visual impact of the revised access

proposals on adjoining properties makes the following conclusions:

6.1 Residual landscape effects

The mid to long-term residual effects on the landscape at a district and local level are not significant and are low adverse in nature. The extent of the proposals in character do not differ from the existing or wider site context at a district and local scale and would seem to fit within the wider residential context.

The mid to long-term residual effects on the landscape at a site level can be best described as low to moderately adverse in nature. This is due to a moderate level of landscape sensitivity and magnitude of change at the site level, given the partial loss of open landscape amenity space and replacement with access road and parking / drop off areas.

6.2 Residual visual effects

The mid to long-term residual effects of visual impact on the wider visually sensitive receptors is low to moderately adverse.



A number of the more sensitive visual receptors, namely those residences north of Grampian Place to the south of the site and users of the proposed definitive footpath route No.11, will have a significant change in their visual aspect of the site. Due to limitation within the site, the full impact of this change cannot be fully mitigated in the long term, especially to those residences with direct and oblique open views from second floor windows.

Tile Kiln Farm boundary

4.4 As mentioned earlier in this statement the revised proposals include

the provision of a deeper landscaped buffer adjacent to the site

boundary near Tile Kiln Farm. This amendment has been made at

the request of North Hertfordshire DC to reduce the potential noise

impact on Tile Kiln Farm, reduce the visual impact of the proposals on

the listed buildings at the farm and to protect the setting of the listed

buildings. The landscaped buffer includes new tree, shrub and hedge

planting adjacent to the site boundary near Tile Kiln Farm and an

existing paddock to the south of the farm. The original landscape

proposal also included some screen planting to this location and

boundary, and therefore the overall results of the Landscape an d

Visual Impact Assessment (Appendix 7.1 of Environmental

Statement) remain unchanged. However, paragraph 7.42 of Chapter

7.0 (Landscape and Visual Impact) needs to be amended to read:

7.42 Viewpoint 2 (near distance viewpoint located near Tilekiln Farm) was found to have a high adverse visual impact. The visual receptors are residential properties at Tile Kiln Farm, who are assessed as highly sensitive receptors. The existing view will change moderately due to filtered views through proposed screen planting. The overall long-term effect will be moderately adverse.

ECOLOGY AND NATURE CONSERVATION

4.5 As outlined in the previous chapter further information has been

obtained from a specialist lighting company in response to requests

from Hertfordshire Biological Records Centre raising queries about

the impact of the proposed floodlights for the All Weather Pitch and

Multi-Use Games Areas on adjacent ecological habitats, particularly

the local bat population.



4.6 This information is attached at Appendix 8.4 and includes details of

proposed floodlight lamps, floodlighting for the All Weather Pitch and

for a 3 court Multi-Use Games Area, including calculation results

giving details of lighting positions, surface illuminance and light spill.

The information includes sample plots which give a good indication of

a) lighting levels needed on the pitch to ensure users can use the

facility safely and b) light levels falling outside of the pitch area

towards the areas of concern.

4.7 The specialist advice / information indicates that:

• Metal halide (White light) lamps would be used as this is the

requirement of sports bodies to ensure the proposals are fit for

purpose.

• In this situation, they would look to use a full asymmetric

floodlight called the Philips OptiVision.

• This would ensure that all floodlights on both the All Weather

Pitch (AWP) and Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) would be

aiming in a flat glass position (the most effective position for

containment of light).

• This is the most advanced floodlight in the market in terms of

light distribution and the control of stray light.

• Using this type of product ensures no light is emitted in an

upward direction direct from the floodlights.

• Given the proposed pitch locations and proximity of the lights

(10 and 15 metres) to the boundary of the site / hedgerow, it

would not be possible to stop all light reaching the adjacent

hedgerows and woodland edges.

• They indicate that the level of illuminance / light spill at the

southern end of the MUGA adjacent to New Spring Wood

would be 7.15 lux; at the western side of the AWP adjacent to



Tilekiln Wood would be an average of 29.0 lux ; and, although

not calculated, would much less than 29.0 lux at the hedgerow

between the northern playing field and the school building.

4.8 We understand that typical street lighting is between 5 to 30 lux and

that twighlight is approximately 3 lux and that in order to bring down

the lighting level to twilight levels the lights would need to be at least

25 metres from the woodland edge / hedgerow.

4.9 In the light of this additional information Elmaw Consulting have

reviewed the Ecological Impact Assessment, which was submitted as

part of the Environmental Statement (attached at Appendix 8.3), and

have prepared an addendum which is attached at Appendix 8.5 to this

statement.

4.10 The following addendum is also made to Chapter 8.0 (Ecology and

Nature Conservation) of the Environmental Statement:

In section 9.6 Bats, of the Ecological Impact Assessment, it was concluded that flood lighting over both the All Weather Pitch and Multi-Use Games Area could impact upon both feeding and commuting bats, specifically common pipistrelle and brown long-eared bats. Baseline surveys found up to three brown long eared bats and up to 20 common pipistrelle bats using the hedgerow which separates the proposed northern playing field and School Building A and to a much lesser degree some bat activity along the northern edge of New Spring Wood. No bat activity was found along the north western edge of Tilekiln Wood.

The Impact Assessment concluded that without mitigation the flood lighting could render sections of hedgerow and woodland edges unusable by bats which may result in the loss of access to feeding habitat. However, baseline surveys showed that the bats using the woodland edges and importantly the hedgerow which separates the proposed Northern Playing Field and School Building A were also using three other commuting routes to access feeding areas outside the Application Area. It was concluded that light spillage over the woodland edges was unlikely to affect substantial numbers of bats and therefore unlikely to reduce a substantial feeding resource for the colony of bats. It was therefore concluded that without mitigation the light spillage would result in a Minor Adverse level of effect of Moderate minor significance at District level.

With mitigation, which it was suggested would include the design and positioning of the flood lights; an anticipation of no light spillage was



predicted and on that basis an Operational Effect at District level of a Neutral level/scale of Negligible significance was predicted.

However, the anticipated design and flood lighting positioning resulting in no light spillage has not been realised and therefore this Addendum summarises the re-assessment made of the ecological impact upon bats from the flood lighting of the Multi-Use Games Area and the All Weather Pitch.

The re-assessment has concluded that in all likelihood the brown long-eared bats will abandon the hedgerow which may result in the fragmentation of a dispersal route to feeding areas. It has also been concluded that (although less certain), the colony of common pipistrelle bats may also abandon the hedgerow. It is also likely that the small section of New Spring Wood which will now be illuminated may be unusable by common pipistrelle bats for feeding although the light lux levels are within their tolerance levels and very few bats were found to be using this section of the woodland. Brown long- eared bats were not recorded using this section of New Spring Wood.

Following the re-assessment of the Operational Impacts upon bats without mitigation at District level a Major Adverse level/scale of Moderate Minor significance is predicted.

4.11 In addition to this, the proposed additional landscaping, including

deeper landscape buffer adjacent to Tile Kiln Farm, which includes, a

grass / meadow strip, native shrub belt and hedge and native habitat

planting and trees, and the additional planting in the Main Site Access

area , including new trees and hedge, will provide additional benefits

for wildlife.

TREES

4.12 The proposed changes would have some minor implications for trees,

as follows:

4.13 The proposed alterations to the access road would require the

removal of a wider section of the existing hedgerow which crosses the

existing open space (Main Site Access) in order to be able to

accommodate the proposed access road and the adjoining footway /

cycleway (which was not previously proposed) and provide adequate

visibility for vehicles leaving the dropping off area. These changes

have been made as a result of discussions with North Hertfordshire



DC, the County Development Unit of Hertfordshire CC and the

highway authority, including the outcome of a safety audit.

4.14 The impact of the change on the environment and the findings are the

same as set out in the Environmental Statement, i.e.:

9.28 This will result in the partial loss of a linear scrub group of trees (former field hedgerow) located within the existing open space and some recently planted new trees as part of a previous landscape scheme. It is noted in the Arboricultural Report that whilst recently planted trees could be re-located; the partial loss of the linear scrub group will open up views within the site. These trees are however, of domestic scale and whilst of some visual amenity as a group, they are not considered to be significant within the local or wider landscape. Their loss could therefore be reasonably mitigated in the short term through strategic replacement planting.

4.15 The proposals incorporate additional tree and shrub planting

compared to the original scheme, including tree planting adjacent to

the access road and creating a new hedgerow linking the northern

remnant of the existing hedgerow with New Spring Wood to the north.

The changes also include additional tree planting near the boundary

with Tile Kiln Farm. Overall the proposals will increase the level of

tree cover compared to the original scheme.

4.16 In order to mitigate the impact of the revised access arrangements

and any changes to the alignment of services and utilities arising from

this any service connections to Mendip Way will be located outside

the Root Protection Area of retained trees. Where this is unavoidable

all service trenches will be dug by hand and care taken during

construction to avoid damage to or cutting any significant tree roots.

As recommended in the Environmental Statement it is suggested that

details of services should be submitted for approval at the detailed

application stage.

4.17 The short term effect of the removal of a wider section of hedgerow in

the vicinity of the Main Site Access will be slightly adverse and of low

significance. In the long term the effect of the additional tree planting

will be low to moderate beneficial.



GEOLOGY, MINERALS AND GROUND CONDITIONS

4.18 The proposed changes would have no material implications for these

issues, the impact on the environment or the findings as set out in the


WATER, INCLUDING WATERCOURSES, FLOODING AND HYDROLOGY

4.19 The main changes relative to these issues are slight changes to the

location and extent of the proposed drainage swales located within

the Main Site Access area.

4.20 The drainage proposals have been discussed and agreed at a

meeting with the Environment Agency and will match the existing

greenfield run-off rates as closely as possible.

4.21 The proposed changes would have no material implications for these

issues, the impact on the environment or the findings as set out in the


AGRICULTURE

4.22 The proposed changes would have no material implications for this

issue, the impact on the environment or the findings as set out in the


SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS




CULTURAL HERITAGE AND ARCHAEOLOGY

4.24 The main changes relative to these issues are changes to the access

arrangements and the location and extent of the swales within the

main access area and the increased depth of the landscape buffer

adjacent to Tile Kiln Farm.



4.25 The proposed changes would have no material implications for

conservation areas, historic parks and gardens, historic battlefield

sites, or world heritage sites or the findings on these cultural heritage

issues as set out in the Environmental Statement.

4.26 The groundworks associated with the proposed changes may have

implications for any archaeological remains which may be present.

However, the main findings of the Environmental Statement are

unchanged i.e. the archaeological remains known to be present are

isolated and considered to be of low importance and, due to their

shallow depth, the development will result in their total removal (as

before). The proposals will be subject to an archaeological watching

brief in accordance with a written scheme of investigation which will

be submitted to the Local Planning Authority for approval. The results

of the watching brief will be published and the archives and artefacts

deposited with the local museum.

4.27 As mentioned earlier in this statement the revised proposals include

the provision of a deeper landscaped buffer, incorporating acoustic

fence, adjacent to the site boundary near Tile Kiln Farm. This

amendment has been made at the request of North Hertfordshire DC

to reduce the potential noise impact on Tile Kiln Farm, reduce the

visual impact of the proposals on the listed buildings at the farm and

to protect the setting of the listed buildings.

4.28 In the light of this revision the following amendments should be made

to the Environmental Statement.

Amendments to Chapter 14.0 Cultural Heritage and Archaeology

4.29 Amend paragraphs 14.55 to 14.66 to read:

Tilekiln Farmhouse

14.55 The nearest part of the listed farmhouse will be located approximately 240m from the nearest part of the Building Area within which the school building will be located. They will be separated by an existing hedgerow between the northern field and the Building Area, which is to be retained (see photographs 13 and 14); by an



existing hedgerow and trees adjacent to the site boundary (see photographs 5 and 6); by existing trees and an existing garage in the garden to the south of the farmhouse; and by a proposed landscaped buffer up to 45m deep, comprising existing boundary vegetation, a 10m deep grass / meadow buffer strip, an area of screen tree planting, a native shrub belt, a native hedge with timber post and rail fence, a maintenance strip between a 2.5m high weld mesh fence and a potential 1.8m high acoustic fence (if required) and by native habitat planting and trees to the boundary of the proposed playing pitches. The majority of the area between the farmhouse and the building will comprise grass playing fields and landscaping. Tilekiln Farmhouse itself is angled slightly away from the main body of the Building Area.

14.56 During winter months, when the existing trees are bare, there will be softened and filtered views of the proposed school building (see photograph 5). In the summer views will largely be screened by the existing trees and by the garage, although there will be glimpses through gaps in the vegetation. Proposed landscaping will eventually screen these views as it matures.

14.57 The immediate of the listed building will not be affected by the proposals. However, the character of the wider setting to the south and west will inevitably change from one of farmland and paddocks to one of school playing fields and landscaping. This will have a low adverse impact on the wider setting of the listed building. [Note: For the purposes of the Environmental Statement the immediate setting corresponds to the curtilage of the farm complex, including the lane / footpath to the west and the small paddock to the south. The area beyond this is referred to as the wider setting]

14.58 As part of the proposals a number of fences will be erected within the landscaped buffer. These will have a low to medium adverse impact on the wider setting of the listed building. Assuming that the existing trees and landscaping are allowed to attain a height of at least that of the highest fence (i.e. 2.5m) the impact on the setting will reduce to low adverse.

Barn to East of Farmhouse at Tilekiln Farm

14.59 The nearest part of the Barn will be located approximately 215m from the nearest part of the Building Area within which the school building will be located. They will be separated by an existing hedgerow between the northern field and the Building Area, which is to be retained (see photographs 13 and 14); by an existing hedgerow and trees adjacent to the site boundary (see photographs 5 and 6); by an existing garage and stables to the south of the Barn (see photographs 7 and 8) and by a proposed landscaped buffer up to 45m deep, comprising existing boundary vegetation, a 10m deep grass / meadow buffer strip, an area of screen tree planting, a native shrub belt, a native hedge with timber post and rail fence, a maintenance strip between a 2.5m high weld mesh fence and a potential 1.8m high acoustic fence (if required) and by native habitat planting and trees to



the boundary of the proposed playing pitches. The majority of the area between the farmhouse and the building will comprise grass playing fields, landscaping and a paddock. The main outlook from windows at the barn is to the north east, away from the site, with a mainly blank façade facing towards the site.

14.60 During winter and summer months, there will be a limited view of the proposed school building between a garage and stable. Proposed landscaping on the site boundary will eventually screen this view.

14.61 The immediate setting of the listed building will not be affected by the proposals. However, the character of the wider setting to the south and west will inevitably change from one of farmland and paddocks to one of school playing fields. This will have a low adverse impact on the wider setting of the listed building.

14.62 As part of the proposals a number of fences will be erected within the landscaped buffer. These will have a low to medium adverse impact on the wider setting of the listed building. Assuming that the existing trees and landscaping are allowed to attain a height of at least that of the highest fence (i.e. 2.5m) the impact on the setting will reduce to low adverse.

Barn Group around courtyard at Tilekiln Farm

14.63 The nearest part of the Barn Group will be located approximately 245m from the nearest part of the Building Area within which the school building will be located. They will be separated by an existing hedgerow between the northern field and the Building Area, which is to be retained (see photographs 13 and 14); by an existing hedgerow and trees adjacent to the site boundary (see photographs 5 and 6); by existing buildings – Tilekiln Farmhouse, Barn to East, garages and stables, as well as trees (see photographs 4, 5, 6 and 7); and by a proposed landscaped buffer up to 45m deep (see previous paragraphs for details). The majority of the area between the farmhouse and the building will comprise grass playing fields, landscaping and a paddock.

14.64 The main outlook from windows at the Barn Group is away from the site. It is unlikely that the proposed school building will be seen from windows at the building.

14.65 The immediate setting of the listed building will not be affected by the proposals. However, the character of the wider setting to the south and west will inevitably change from one of farmland and paddocks to one of school playing fields. This will have a low adverse impact on the wider setting of the listed building.

14.66 As part of the proposals a number of fences will be erected within the landscaped buffer. These will have a low to medium adverse impact on the wider setting of the listed building. Assuming



that the existing trees and landscaping are allowed to attain a height of at least that of the highest fence (i.e. 2.5m) the impact on the setting will reduce to low adverse.

4.30 Amend paragraph 14.70 to read:

14.70 As set out elsewhere in the Environmental Statement the proposals have evolved as part of an iterative process and already incorporate a number of measures to minimise the impact of development on the environment, including listed buildings. These measures include locating playing fields (rather than buildings) nearest to the listed buildings, retaining existing trees and hedges, providing additional landscaping on the boundary with Tilekiln Farm and providing a weld mesh fence to secure the school site, rather than a more substantial palisade fence. The application proposals have also been amended to significantly increase the size of the proposed landscaped belt adjacent to the boundary with Tile Kiln Farm. Provided these measures are incorporated in the proposals no further mitigation is necessary.

4.31 The residual effects of the revised proposals are as set out at

paragraph 14.82 and in the summary of effects table at paragraph

14.86 of the Environmental Statement i.e. low adverse residual

impact.

TRANSPORT

4.32 The proposed changes require a number of amendments to the

Environmental Statement, as follows:

Amendments to Chapter 15.0 Transportation


15.6 Detailed capacity tests have been undertaken for the site access junction with Mendip Way using the ARCADY 6 program, and for a total of 5 existing junctions,, 3 roundabouts and 2 ‘T’ junctions, on Great Ashby Way. These junctions were identified by Stevenage Borough Council, in which district they lie, to be tested by the Transportation Assessment.

4.34 Amend table 15.1 at paragraph 15.11 to read:



Service Route

Distance from Site to Bus Stop

(Great Ashby Way)

Frequency

Arriva SB7

Stevenage bus and railway stations, north of

Stevenage (Pin Green, St Nicholas, Great Ashby and

Martin’s Wood)

650 metres Every 20

minutes, circular service

Arriva 797 Hitchin, Stevenage

Hospital, Welwyn, Hatfield and London

650 metres Every 30

minutes. But restricted

Centrebus 863

Pin Green to Stevenage Old Town Schools. 650 metres

Once each morning and

evening. Schooldays only

Arriva 889 Stevenage and Aston, to/from Buntingford Schools 650 metres

Once each morning and

evening. Schooldays only

Table 15.1 Details of Existing Bus Services


15.34 Within the management of the school, sustainable transport will be a focus to minimise the impact of car use in the surrounding area. The Marriotts School, also in Stevenage, currently has 15% of its pupils cycling to school through suitable management at the school. On this basis it is considered that a target of 15% is a reasonable target for cycle use at the new Thomas Alleyne School at Great Ashby. This target will increase the number of pupils cycling to the school to 240. Sufficient suitable cycle storage facilities will be provided at the school to meet this number, together with sufficient space for expansion of those facilities.


15.41 The proposals for the new school include a number of proposals to improve bus services and facilities to maximise the number of pupils living in Great Ashby who will travel to the school by bus (as well as walking and cycling) rather than travelling by car at 2015 (school opening). These proposals include diverting public buses into the new school turning facility during school start and finish times, or alternatively provision of an additional bus stop on Great Ashby Way in the vicinity of Mendip Way; reinforcement or expansion



of the existing SB7 bus service; and provision of bus shelters at bus stops. The provision of an additional bus stop and shelters will be funded by existing Section 106 contributions or by the development.


15.45 The new school access will provide a turning facility for coaches and buses and for parent pick-up / drop-off, in the form of a loop off the main site access road. It will also provide additional car parking (20 spaces), if parking over and above that proposed on the main part of the school site is required.

4.38 Amend summary table at paragraph 15.54 to read:

Potential Effect

Nature of Effect

Significance

Mitigation

Residual Effects

Impact of construction traffic

Short term

High

Implementation of Construction Code of Conduct

Moderate adverse

Impact of traffic generated by the operational 8FE school

Long term

Moderate

Sustainable transport measures, implementation of School Travel Plan Traffic and Car Parking Management Plan

Ranges from low adverse to medium beneficial depending on proximity to school.

Amendments to Chapter 5.0 Alternatives

4.39 Add new paragraph to Chapter 5.0 after paragraph 5.20 to read:

4.40 5.21 Because of the separation between Great Ashby and any of the

existing secondary schools in Stevenage, without the proposed school

at Great Ashby, pupils would be likely to continue to travel to the other

schools by car, which may give rise to more local traffic than would be

the case with the proposed school, as the proposed school is local to

the community that it serves, unlike the existing schools..



RIGHTS OF WAY

4.41 The proposals involve a number of changes which affect the existing

and proposed public rights of way in the vicinity of the Main Site

Access area and a proposed footpath at the northern end of the site

near Tile Kiln Farm. These changes require a number of

amendments to the Environmental Statement, as follows:

Amendments to Chapter 3.0 Proposed Development


3.67 The definitive route of Public Footpath 11/46 is proposed to be diverted between a point just to the west of Grampian Place and the northern point where it leaves New Spring Wood [Area F] to the north. The diverted route will follow an existing footpath to the west of Grampian Place, in a northerly direction towards the proposed main access road. It will then follow a proposed path running alongside the site access road (separated from it by a grass verge) in an easterly direction. It will then cross the road near the entrance to the school access link road. The diverted route reflects the actual route of the footpath on the ground as it runs through New Spring Wood and at the western end adjacent to Mendip Way. It will also reroute a section of the definitive footpath where it runs through the gardens of properties in Grampian Place.

Amendments to Chapter 16.0 Rights of Way

4.43 Amend paragraphs 16.19 to 16.21 to read:

16.19 Southern section - The proposals will have a direct impact on the southern section of the definitive footpath which will be diverted to follow a new route for most of its length. The first part of the definitive footpath, which runs from Mendip Way adjacent to an existing remnant hedgerow, will be retained on its existing alignment. The next part of the definitive route, which passes through back gardens in Grampian Place, will be diverted to follow the actual path used by the public, which continues in a northerly direction adjacent to the hedgerow. Where it meets the proposed main access road it will be diverted to run in an easterly direction parallel to the road from which it will be separated by a grass verge. At the eastern end of the access road the diverted path will follow the road around to the north towards the entrance to the school access link where it will cross the road to meet the existing definitive footpath to the south of New Spring Wood.

16.20 The diverted section of the footpath, which currently has an unmade surface, will remain unsurfaced.



16.21 The proposals will also have an indirect impact on the footpath as the character of the path will inevitably change from one with a semi-rural character to one with a more urban or suburban character. The indirect impact of the proposals on the character and views from the footpath is assessed as high and adverse. Although there are some adverse effects, the overall direct impact of the proposals on the southern section of the definitive footpath, in terms of the route of the diversion (which avoids rear gardens and follows the actual path used by the public), is assessed as moderate to low and beneficial.

4.44 Amend the lengths of footpaths in paragraph 16.41 to read:

16.41 A primary objective of the strategy has been to ensure that the footpath network, as amended, provides the same (or better) level of convenience and amenity for the general public. The existing public footpaths on the site have a total combined length of some 1.51km. The retained footpaths, proposed diversions and additional public footpaths will result in a total length of some 1.92km so there will be an overall increase in the public footpath network of approximately 415m. Adding the proposed footway / cycleway between Botany Bay Lane and its connection to the diverted footpath (proposed footway / cycleway) to the east of Mendip Way, which has a length of some 370m, will give an overall length of 2.29km, which is approximately 785m more than at present. There is therefore an overall gain in the right of way network in terms of length, in addition to the extra links and connections which are provided, as well as regularising some sections of public path. (Note: These figures exclude the existing informal footpath between Botany Bay Lane and Mendip Way, which is to be retained within an open space, and has a length of approximately 260m).

4.45 The northern section of the proposed diversion to footpath 26 will be

changed as it will now pass through a more substantial landscaped

buffer to the west of the track leading to Tile Kiln Farm. The impact is

as set out in paragraph 16.28 i.e. – overall the impact is assessed as

moderate to low and beneficial.

4.46 The residual effects of the changes are as set out in the summary of

effects table at paragraph 16.44.

Amendments to drawings

4.47 Drawings 4682/110A and 111 at Appendix 16.2 are replaced with

drawings 4682/110B and 111A which show the revised proposed

public rights of way. Copies accompany this statement – see

Appendix 16.2.



NOISE AND VIBRATION

Access Road

4.48 A supplementary Noise Impact Assessment has been prepared by

Gifford, at the request of North Hertfordshire DC and the County

Development Unit of Hertfordshire CC. It assesses the impact of the

revised access proposals on properties surrounding the proposed

access road serving the proposed school, in particular properties in

Cromdale Walk and Grampian Place.

4.49 The assessment report proposes a number of mitigation measures

including new 1.8m high acoustic fences at the eastern end of

Cromdale Walk, adjacent to New Spring Wood, to providing screening

of noise from the drop off area; and the replacement of existing post

and rail fences along the southern boundary with Grampian Place, at

the existing pedestrian access point near numbers 60 and 62, with an

acoustic barrier such as a close boarded fence.

4.50 The main conclusions of the assessment are:

4.1.3 The results show that with the proposed mitigation measures the noise level will increase by 4.6 to 9.7dB for the residential properties along Cromdale Walk and Grampian Place, which is a moderate adverse noise impact for these properties during the peak traffic periods.

4.1.4 The moderate noise impacts will exist for the two peak traffic periods of the day between 0800 - 0900 and 1500 - 1600. At other times of the day the noise impact will be negligible.

4.1.5 The use of the access corridor as a haul route for the construction traffic has been considered and the erection of temporary hoardings, designed to act as noise barriers has been recommended to supplement the use of Best Practicable Means to reduce the noise impact during this phase of the development.

4.51 A copy of the supplementary assessment is attached at Appendix

17.3.

Boundary with Tile Kiln Farm

4.52 North Hertfordshire DC and has requested a number of changes to

the proposals including increasing the depth of the landscaped buffer



adjacent to Tile Kiln Farm and incorporating a 1.8m high acoustic

fence within the buffer, as well as additional landscaping and

increasing the separation between the playing fields and residential

properties at the farm. The Development Parameters have been

revised to incorporate these requested changes. The proposals are

also illustrated in more detail on Drawing 9 (Note: this is an illustrative

drawing which does not form part of the Environmental Statement).

4.53 The changes have been assessed by Gifford and they advise that the

deeper buffer zone and the movement of the sports pitches away from

Tile Kiln Farm results in a separation distance of approximately 85m

between the nearest sports pitches and the residential properties at

the farm. This increase in the separation distance will help to reduce

the noise levels and additional noise modelling has been undertaken

to quantify the change in noise levels above the current background

noise as a result of these measurements. The lowest LA90 level

measured on the site was 38.9dB. The noise levels, as result of the

use of the sports pitches, at the individual residential properties at Tile

Kiln Farm are shown in the table below:

Residential property

Noise level

LAeg T

dBA

Noise difference compared to

background (i.e. 38.9dBA)

LAeg – LA90

dBA

Tilekiln Lodge 40 1.1

Tile Kiln Farm 45 6.1

Brooches Barn 42 3.1

Newbury Barn 38 -0.9

Longdell Barn 39 0.1

The Dell Barn 44 5.1



4.54 The increased separation distance has resulted in a worst case noise

increase of 6.1dB at Tile Kiln Farm compared to a previous predicted

increase of 14dB. This results in a reduction in impact from large

adverse to moderate adverse. The Dell Barn and Brooches Barn are

also expected to experience a moderate adverse impact. The

remaining dwellings at Tilekiln Lodge, Newbury Barn and Longdell

Barn are expected to experience a negligible to slight adverse impact

due to noise, since intervening residential properties and outbuildings

provide additional shielding of the noise from the sports pitches.

4.55 The effect of incorporating a 1.8m high acoustic fence within the

landscape buffer (as shown on Drawing 9) has also been modelled

and found not to reduce the noise impact on properties at Tile Kiln

Farm by any significant amount. Noise barriers are most effective

close to the source of the noise or close to the receiver and in this

case the barrier, located mid-way between the two, will not result in

any significant reduction in noise levels.

4.56 The mitigation measures outlined in the Environmental Statement

should still be followed i.e. use of considerate neighbourly practice by

using the playing pitches closest to the school building out of

preference (i.e. furthest from the dwellings at the farm) and ensuring

that any spectators at events are located on the furthest side of the

sports pitches to Tile Kiln Farm.

AIR QUALITY




INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES






USE OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND WASTE






DRAWINGS Drawings forming part of Environmental Statement



DRAWING 1

Site Location Plan (4682/001F)



DRAWING 2

Site Identification Plan (4682/14H)



DRAWINGS 4.1 AND 4.2 AND NOTES 4.3

Drawing 4.1 Development Parameters – North Sheet (4682/030C)

Drawing 4.2 Development Parameters – South Sheet (4682/031D)

4.3 Notes on Development Parameters Drawings



DRAWING 6 Access and Drop Off / Pick Up Strategy (E1678/18/Q), prepared by Wormald Burrows Partnership



ANNEX

Revised illustrative drawings (not forming part of Environmental Statement)



DRAWING 7

Outline Landscape Masterplan (drawing L100E), prepared by Plincke Landscape Ltd



ANNEX

Additional illustrative drawings (not forming part of Environmental Statement)



DRAWING 8

Great Ashby Site – Mendip Way Access Corridor (drawing L400/01), prepared by Plincke Landscape Ltd



DRAWING 9

Great Ashby Site – Tilekiln Farm Boundary (drawing L401/00), prepared by Plincke Landscape Ltd



DRAWINGS 10.1 TO 10.4

Drawing 10.1: Great Ashby – Indicative Boundary Treatments (drawing L300), prepared by Plincke Landscape Ltd Drawing 10.2: Great Ashby – Indicative Boundary Treatments (drawing L301), prepared by Plincke Landscape Ltd Drawing 10.3: Great Ashby – Indicative Boundary Treatments (drawing L302), prepared by Plincke Landscape Ltd Drawing 10.4: Great Ashby – Indicative Boundary Treatments (drawing L303), prepared by Plincke Landscape Ltd



APPENDICES



APPENDIX 7.2 Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment – Access Corridor East of Mendip Way



APPENDIX 8.4 Floodlight details



APPENDIX 8.5 Addendum to Ecological Impact Assessment



APPENDIX 16.2 Revised drawings showing proposed footpaths



APPENDIX 17.3 Noise Impact Assessment for the Access Road

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