Technical Considerations

A range of technical surveys have been undertaken for the site and have been used to inform the parameters of the scheme. The surveys identify the site constraints and outline mitigation and technical specification for the development. Detailed reports will be submitted with the outline planning application, including required mitigation and enhancements, and will be assessed by Newcastle City Council.

They will be available for residents and the wider public to see on the Council’s planning files. In principle, a significant amount of the physical infrastructure (roads, drainage etc) is already in place at a specification which can accommodate the proposed level of housing development, having regard to the historic use of the site. Some of the key considerations are as follows:

Vehicular access to the site will be from Great Parkway in the east. A pedestrian connection will be provided to the Wagonway Drive boundary in the south and an existing footpath in the north. A detailed Transport Assessment will be submitted to Newcastle City Council as part of the planning application which assesses the impact of the proposed development on local highways and ensures the proposals meet all local and national policy and safety requirements.

The Transport Assessment will detail the capacity of junctions surrounding the application site to inform the need for any improvement works to be undertaken as part of the proposed development. Car and cycle parking will be provided in accordance with Newcastle City Council Parking Standards. A Travel Plan is being produced to accompany the application, promoting the use of alternative modes of transport and enhance the accessibility and sustainability of the development.

The site is served by multiple bus routes providing access to Gosforth Regent Centre Interchange and Newcastle City Centre, including from the adjacent park-and-ride. The proposal will create a new cycle and pedestrian link, supporting active travel within the site and throughout the wider Great Park neighbourhood for existing as well as future residents.

The entire site lies within Flood Risk Zone 1 which is the category at the lowest risk of flooding.

A detailed drainage strategy and a Flood Risk Assessment will be submitted with the planning application which sets out how the proposal will be drained, incorporating Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SuDS) principles.

The drainage infrastructure which already serves the site is appropriate for the size of development proposed, including the sustainable urban drainage which supports the former Sage building.

The outline proposal has been designed to maximise environmental benefits. Significant amounts of existing mature trees and landscaping will be retained, particularly around the edges of the site.

The development will deliver at least 10% net gain in biodiversity across the site. The landscape of the site is a significant consideration in the redevelopment proposal.

Landscaping around the boundaries is a prominent feature of the site and something which the proposed development seeks to protect and enhance wherever possible.

This principle of retaining large amounts of the landscaping will be controlled by condition to inform any future detailed layout for the site.

A suite of information will be submitted with the application including an Ecological Impact Assessment and Appraisals, Arboricultural Surveys, and species-specific ecology surveys. Landscape and visual appraisal of the development will also form part of the application material.