A large part of the site comprises a 189-space car park for the office complex.  We plan to confine new housing development to the previously-developed land formed by the car park and neighbouring building complex, in order to maintain the openness of the Green Belt and protect existing landscape features. 

Landscape Precedents

• • We’re applying for outline planning permission, so the detailed design will come later as part of the reserved matters stage.

  • In the meantime, we’re developing the key design principles that will guide the project, and we’ve prepared an illustrative layout to show how the site could come forward

  • We have commissioned South Wales-based Loyn+Co Architects to work up the proposals for the site. They are a RIBA award-winning practice, specialising in high quality residential schemes.

  • The new housing will be designed to be in keeping with the area and follow local precedents –We expect most of the homes to be two or three storeys but there may be opportunity to include four storeys on part of the site (see below diagram)

  • The new homes will be concentrated in the middle of the site with the boundaries kept for landscaping and open space, to respect the Green Belt and local landscape character

  • New housing would meet or exceed the Council’s sustainability and energy policies and national standards.

Proposed dwelling mix and parking (Source: Loyn & Co. Architects)

• • A change from previous office use to residential will result in an overall reduction in vehicle traffic using the site. We estimate that two-way traffic movements will reduce by around 35% when compared to the last active use of the site.

  • Car parking for the new housing will be provided in accordance with the Council’s parking standards, either on individual plots or in small communal parking areas. 

  • There are bus stops close to the site on Durley Hill and the site is also close to established footpath and cycle links into Keynsham. We are looking at measures to encourage active travel and use of public transport.

  • We are also working up proposals for improvements to the Durley Park access road including new passing places, better lighting, and safety improvements for pedestrians and cyclists.