Vectos

Vectos has assisted Redrow Homes and Taylor Wimpey North West in gaining planning permission this week for a mixed-use residential-led 1,300-home development on the outskirts of Chester. The site was allocated as a Strategic Site in the Cheshire West and Chester Local Plan – Part 1.

The development consists of two separate applications, with a target of up to 30% affordable housing. The first is Redrow’s proposal for 483 dwellings to the south of the site, including a local centre with a supermarket, café/restaurant and public house, as well as a nursery, outdoor play area and primary school with associated playing fields. The second is a joint proposal from Redrow Homes and Taylor Wimpey North West for 786 homes on the northern part of the site with landscaping, playing fields, play areas and other open spaces.

Vectos has been providing strategic transport planning and highways advice for the complex site which is located on land to the west of a highly congested commuter route (A483) into Chester.

Vectos Director Matt Russell said he, together with Ellen Axon, adopted a bespoke transport strategy which ensured a holistic approach was applied to both applications cognisant of the site’s sustainable location.

“The transport strategy required a comprehensive approach to breaking the Wrexham Road commuter mindsets and existing travel habits to prioritise sustainable travel. Pedestrians needs were considered, cyclists will be able to utilise the wider network (traffic-free and on-road routes), bus services will be extended and re-routed through the development, and we will work with local schools to plan school travel,” said Matt.

“We use a modern approach to our transport strategies to ensure we not only comply with current policy but to help sustainably future-proof developments for our clients. It comprises of four key themes: Design, Choice, Behaviour,  and Management.

“Design means that mobility and transport should be key to the masterplan: sustainably designing at pedestrian scale and providing convenient access to facilities locally to reduce the impact on the wider network. Choice is about providing options for mobility, from different modes of transport with suitable infrastructure to providing work hubs so that virtual mobility is also an option. Behaviour is about influencing people to move in certain ways by implementing initiatives and campaigns and by using advisors to effect change. Management is about coordinating movement, for example by holding traffic queues in the most appropriate places and prioritising active and shared travel to facilitate efficient movement by all modes.

“We are very pleased that Councillors made the decision to approve the project which will lead to sizeable economic and social growth in the city centre.”

Councillors overwhelmingly approved the scheme for the new neighbourhood by nine votes to one.