Land East of Kidnappers Lane, Leckhampton

Overview

An application for 21 new zero carbon homes has been submitted at land east of Kidnappers Lane. With a mix of 1-5 bedroom homes, 40% of which are to be delivered as affordable homes.

Site

The application site covers an area of approximately 1.74 hectares of overgrown, low-quality scrubland, formerly used in part for horticultural purposes (plant nursery) along with paddock and field laid to grass.

The site is located north/east of Kidnappers Lane, in the Leckhampton area of Cheltenham Borough approximately 2.0km to the south west of the Leckhampton District Centre with the commercial and retail centre of Cheltenham town a short distance further.

The ‘L-shaped’ parcel of land comprises areas of scrub, and more open areas of overgrown grassland. The open areas of grassland extend across the north portion of the site beyond which are further overgrown areas of scrub and trees.

Access to the site is gained directly from Kidnappers Lane to the south/west.

Click above image to enlarge

Appearance

New homes will be provided at the same high standard as our development at Pear Tree Close, which this proposal wraps around. We propose to use high quality materials which will complement the surrounding architectural vernacular. Roof scape will vary with a mix of eaves and dropped eaves, gables, and gable fronted dormer window.

Leckhampton proposed streetscene – Click to enlarge and see more.

Landscape and Ecology

Higher quantity, quality and diversity of native fauna, shrubs and trees has been proposed to replace the poor-quality landscaping currently on site, which is predominantly in a state of decline, after being left unmanaged and left to overgrow. The landscaping within the public open space will be managed to ensure the long-term benefits of the landscaping, ecology and biodiversity are safeguarded in perpetuity.

Proposals include an attenuation pond within the public open space to provide a sustainable drainage solution that will provide biodiversity opportunities currently not present on site, as well as serving to form an attractive visual amenity within the public open space.

The open space area will create diverse ecological opportunities for habitats and foraging to benefit local wildlife, such as nesting birds, bats, hedgehogs, insects and invertebrates.

Sustainability

Homes will be zero carbon and constructed to the very latest construction techniques.  Utilising sustainably sourced materials and renewable energy technologies to make them extremely energy efficient. The use of solar panels combined with air source heat pumps and additional energy improving technology result in our homes becoming zero carbon in terms of energy use.

Water butts positioned within private gardens, where possible, will capture rainfall and enable householders to utilise this alternative source for household tasks, for example gardening or washing vehicles.

The site proposals will also secure the delivery of 10% biodiversity net gain.

Above: Shows an example of some of the climate considerate measures Newland Homes aims to include at each development where possible.

The homes themselves will be zero carbon…

Our zero carbon homes have air source heat pumps instead of gas boilers.  Couple this with high quality solar panels and high insulation levels, homes achieve as much prime energy* as they need.

* Prime energy is the regulated energy used to provide lighting, heating and hot water in the home assessed by a standard procedure.  This assumes a typical family lifestyle as indicated in the home’s Energy Performance Certificate.

Above: Some of the technologies that go towards making our homes zero carbon.

Sustainability throughout our company

We’re a climate considerate developer.  In 2021 we signed up to the United Nations ‘Climate Neutral Now’ pledge, and now we’re part of Carbon Neutral Britain.  This commits us to measure our carbon footprint, take steps to reduce and where necessary offset our carbon footprint and report annually on our progress.

This site will be developed with the aim of reducing annual energy consumption and provide energy in the most environmentally friendly way to reduce the annual CO₂ footprint.  As recommended by CIBSE, Newland Homes approach is to adopt the three stages of priority, seeking to reduce energy use through the cleanest possible solutions.

Feedback on the proposals can be submitted to feedback@newlandhomes.co.uk, submitted via our website contact form under ‘planning and public consultation feedback’

Or posted in writing to:

Feedback Leckhampton 3
Newland Homes
Brighouse Court
Barnett Way
Barnwood
Gloucester
GL4 3RT