The emerging proposal

High quality design

Landscape-led

Housing

Biodiversity

Energy efficiency

Highways

Connectivity

Drainage

The design incorporates the green corridors and connectivity from the previous OPA Framework Plan framed by small perimeter blocks of houses creating streets and spaces. This is consistent with the existing character of Thurston and provides definition between the private and public realm.

The height and massing of buildings is consistent with creating a development with a human scale as exists in the village itself. Short, winding streets have been provided to promote an intimacy to the development.

A variety of house styles based on the traditional character of houses in the village will be promoted. The houses will be clad in good quality facing bricks (together with occasional use of light coloured render), and roofed in plain tiles with colours to reflect the surrounding context.

The fabric first approach to building materials means new homes will be energy efficient. All new homes will be built to the latest building regulations and meet the Nationally Described Space Standards.

The design takes inspiration from the Thurston Character Assessment prepared by Thurston Parish Council. This means the new homes will use a variety of materials, styling and character that reflect the look and feel of Thurston.

The existing trees and hedges create a mature, layered, woodland effect around the site, forming an attractive backdrop of essential green infrastructure planting, located between development parcels in Thurston. To ensure the long term retention of existing trees, these were all surveyed to identify species and value, with firm proposals for protection to prevent damage throughout the development process.

Proposed planting and swales To retain the rural character and physical structure of Thurston and protect the amenity of neighbours, the site comprises a mixture of native tree and shrub planting, ornamental hedge, tree, shrub and herbaceous planting and an orchard. The strategy for proposed planting is divided into 4 key types:

  1. Native buffer planting to create robust and diverse open space planting using native species, to create a strong green infrastructure and interface along boundaries with adjacent development and between development parcels on site. Specific areas of buffer planting are proposed along the western boundary with Ixworth Road, and along the southern boundary opposite Thurston Community College.

  2. Swales planting to create diverse planting mixes within swales using native shrubs and wetland plants that increase biodiversity and assist with moisture uptake along these shallow, linear drainage features.

  3. Garden hedges will be used where appropriate to create a strong, green infrastructure along the street scene, with front gardens enclosed by linear hedgerows, set back from pavements to allow them space to grow and mature.

  4. Garden borders where appropriate to create defendable space along narrow frontages with mixed shrub and herbaceous borders located between houses and the back edge of pavements, adding colour and texture to enhance visual amenity along the street scene.

Open Space tree species shall include those that typically thrive in the local area, such as field maple, hornbeam, lime, whitebeam, Scots pine, yew, alder, birch, apple, cherry and oak. Native shrub and hedgerow mixes shall include hazel, dogwood, guelder rose, spindle, wayfaring tree, hawthorn, privet, holly and wild rose.

A more formal area of parkland grass open space shall be provided to the north of the site, allowing for secluded relaxation, or informal kick about space for family and group recreation. Avenues of trees shall line these areas to create areas of shade and contribute to the layering of tree canopies.

The housing mix is designed to respond to the need for more family homes in Thurston as identified by the Planning Inspector at the outline planning stage.

The housing mix will also deliver many smaller units to ensure the needs of older people (for downsizing) and younger people (first time buyers) will be met as identified in the Neighbourhood Plan.

The emerging mix includes:

  • 12 - one bedroom

  • 74 - two bedroom

  • 97 - three bedroom

  • 27 - four bedroom

Accessible bungalows will be provided. In line with the outline planning permission, 35% of the homes will be classed as affordable. This will comprise a variety of homes for affordable rent and shared ownership spread throughout the development.

The emerging proposal has been designed to maximise landscape, arboricultural and ecological opportunities, safeguarding and retaining existing features, whilst enhancing local wildlife opportunities.

Barratt David Wilson are seeking to enhance local biodiversity through:

  • Protection and retention of existing trees located along the site boundaries.

  • Introduction of new native tree and shrub planting, hedgerows and varied species rich wildflower planting.

  • Promotion of farmland bird mitigation on neighbouring fields.

  • Introduction of planted drainage swales, to encourage a diversity of habitat types.

  • Wildlife connectivity via new green corridors located throughout the site.

  • Native shrub planting to create strategic green buffers between development areas along site boundaries.

  • Hedgehog foraging access points and hibernation habitats.

  • Bird and bat boxes integrated into buildings and mounted on trees.

Energy efficiency and future proofing is an important design priority to help combat climate change and ensure the development stands the test of time. Barratt David Wilson’s plan for energy efficiency includes:

  • All homes will be built to the latest building regulations.

  • Air source heat pumps. There will not be a single gas boiler.

  • A fabric first approach to building materials chosen for their energy saving qualities.

  • EV charging infrastructure installed in every home.

  • Use of renewable technologies such as solar PVs.

  • A car club on site to encourage more sustainable travel.

The final planning application will be accompanied by a full energy statement that will demonstrate how Barratt David Wilson will reduce CO2 through their development.

Access details were approved as part of the outline permission. Barratt David Wilson Homes have submitted a non-material amendment application to Mid-Suffolk District Council to reduce the width of the vehicle entrance and visibility splays to accommodate the 30mph speed limit that’s now in force along Ixworth Road, but the position of the approved access will remain unchanged.

Barratt David Wilson are working closely with the local highways authority to ensure the local highways network can absorb extra demand and that the development is joined up with other developments that are being built elsewhere in Thurston.

Barratt David Wilson have committed to delivering a range of highways safety and capacity improvements to the existing highways network, as approved during the outline planning application.

This includes making it safer and easier for pedestrians and cyclists to cross the road at junctions in the local area and contributions to capacity improvements at the Bunbury Arms junction.

Pedestrian and cycle routes will generally follow the internal road structure and are also within the landscaped spaces to provide connectivity throughout the site. Existing footpaths and Public Rights of Way will be retained and enhanced by increased access and connectivity across the development.

Vehicular access to the development is located in the southwest corner of the site. This access was granted by the outline planning permission.

A variety of measures are proposed to control and manage surface water run-off, to include: permeable surfaces; swales, and attenuation basins.

New trees, shrubs, hedgerows and wildflower planting will increase water uptake across the site to assist natural drainage.

Barratt David Wilson’s plan will be designed to cope with a 1 in 100 year storm event, plus allowances for climate change.

The drainage strategy will consider the wider area around the site to ensure there is no impact on existing homes. Before any building can take place, the drainage strategy will have to be approved by Mid-Suffolk Council and Suffolk County Council.