Not the largest scheme we have ever designed, but at the time it caused some head scratching. When the before shot was taken in May 2021 the levels and vegetation made it difficult to envisage how we would design the shared pedestrian and cycle link on Storth Lane in Pinxton that provides access to the rear of Gleeson Homes’ proposed development. The after shot from May 2026 shows we managed it successfully. It is always instructive to revisit sites and see how they have turned out.
We are pleased to report that last week the Planning Inspectorate accepted for Examination the Development Consent Order (DCO) application for Oxfordshire Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (OxSRFI). The scheme proposes a new Rail Terminal connected to the Chiltern Main Line railway and 6.5 million sqft of warehousing and distribution floor space, with additional allowance for mezzanine space. This is an important milestone for the project, which ADC infrastructure have been working on for many years. Our work on the project commenced with an initial transport appraisal and other due diligence work. We formed and chaired the Transport Working Group (TWG) comprising National Highways, Oxfordshire County Council (the local highway authority), and Cherwell District Council (the local planning authority). Through that process, we have worked collaboratively to develop the transport proposals for the scheme, which include a comprehensive Sustainable Transport Strategy, Public Transport Strategy, and Framework Travel Plan. We have developed a package of embedded Highway Works, including substantial improvements to M40 Junction 10 and the A43, a bypass for the village of Ardley, the provision of a relief road for Middleton Stoney, and a new link road to Heyford Park. The next stage in the process is the Examination, which will start later this year. Illustrative masterplan by FPCR.
We were grateful to be invited by BDW North Midlands to their charity go-karting event in aid of The Children’s Bereavement Centre. Our team of five – Arun, Chris, Taylor, Riley and Ashley – placed 6th overall, although held first place for a few laps. Taylor made the second fastest lap of the day. Well done all, and for supporting a great cause.
We supported Cora to get planning consent for their Eagles Edge development in Redhill in Nottingham, and also gained consent for the S278 works that allow access to the development. Now, having helped get planning consent for Phase 2, we have assisted Cameron Homes’ ambitions by undertaking the detailed design of the upgrading of the access junction from a priority controlled T-junction to signal control. We prepared a full S278 package that was vetted by ViaEM and we are pleased to say it has gained technical approval.
Back in 2013 we were first approached by Barratt North Midlands to assist them with the site they were buying from Leicester City Council at the former Blackbird Road playing fields. We produced a Transport Assessment that examined the full site, and its redevelopment for 434 dwellings. A subsequent outline consent for a Phase 1 of 314 dwellings was granted in 2017 and is now largely built out. Phase 2 has had a tough ride, but the latest application for 76 dwellings gained a resolution to grant consent at the development control committee meeting on Wednesday night. It brings to a close our input on this much needed city centre housing. CGI by Barratt Redrow.
Charnwood Borough Council consider two sports applications at their Plans Committee meeting on 19 March. Both were granted consent, ann both were supported by our Water Management and Transport Planning services. The first, a new cricket ground for Rothley Park Cricket Club, was particularly tricky because of concerns about flood risk downstream of the site in Mountsorrel. Additional flood risk work on top of the usual flood risk assessment and drainage strategy was required to address drainage authority and local residents concerns. We were able to demonstrate that the scheme would provide a minor betterment to the downstream flood risk via the on-site watercourse diversion and sustainable drainage measures, and this fact was recognised in councillor comments at the committee meeting. Layout by HSSP.
The second consent was for a new multi-activity sports ground at Mountsorrel. Working with the Parish Council, to deliver a scheme paid for by S106 monies from nearby new housing, the proposals deliver various community facilities. The Transport Statement used a first principles assessment to understand the travel and parking demands. Layout by Node.
Another unanimous approval, this time by Lichfield District Council, to an outline application for 230 houses on a strategic site between Fradley and the A38. On behalf of Bloor Homes, our Transport Assessment successfully addressed off-site capacity concerns raised by Staffordshire County Council and National Highways.
Blaby District Council have voted unanimously to approve David Wilson Homes’ full planning application for 59 new homes at Whet stone. It follows lengthy discussions with Leicestershire County Council about the acceptability of Wright Close to be extended to serve further houses.
Just to show the news isn’t always about planning successes, we are pleased to report that this week our colleague Riley has developed a spreadsheet to calculate pipe velocities using the Cole-Brook White equation. It gives a clear, printable output that can be included directly in our reports, to demonstrate flow capacities for isolated pipes and culverts, where an Infodrainage model is not warranted.
Bellway’s East Midlands division and Central Strategic Land team have successfully gained outline planning consent for 209 houses across two sites in Charnwood, south of Barkby Lane and north of Barkby Thorpe Lane. The applications were supported by our Flood Risk Assessment and drainage strategy. Our Transport Assessment examined the off-site traffic impacts in this congested location, and included some complex technical analysis of the mini-roundabouts on Melton Road and a network LinSig model of the A607 Thurmaston Roundabout and Asda roundabout on Barkby Thorpe Lane.
