Design
Designing new homes is about much more than just bricks and mortar. It is about designing a community. A neighbourhood. A place people can call home. Extensive technical work has been undertaken to inform the design principles and planning parameters for the development to establish a clear framework for detailed design moving forward.
This is shown on the parameters plan which can be viewed here and has been used to inform the illustrative layout for Phase 1 which is available here. Further information about how the plans have developed can be found in the Design & Access Statement here which sets out the vision for Erlas Park; a high-quality, sustainable, landscape-led residential development.
Planning
The site has been identified by Wrexham County Borough Council’s emerging Local Development Plan as suitable to deliver much-needed new homes. As part of the wider Cefn Road allocation, Harworth Group proposes up to 1,080 on the southern parcel of the land, with the outline application for the first phase of development proposing up to 425 new homes.
A Planning Statement has been prepared which demonstrates the need for residential development in Erlas Park, as well as how Harworth Group’s plans accord with relevant national, regional and local planning policies. You can view the Planning Statement here.
Trees, Hedgerows & Landscaping
The plans for Erlas Park will be a landscape-led residential development and extensive consideration has been given to ensure the landscape strategy identifies, retains and protects valued features, elements and attributes of the site, where possible. This will include retaining trees and hedgerows, enhanced through surrounding open space and green linkages.
The Public Open Space requirement will exceed standards, with a community orchard and/or allotments, formal and informal leisure and recreation play spaces. You can read more about the approach taken in the Landscape & Visual Impact Assessment that can be viewed here, whilst details of how existing trees and hedgerows have been considered can be found in the Arboricultural Impact Assessment here.
Ecology
A key aspect of preparing the plans for Erlas Park was to assess existing species and habitats, with an Ecological Survey having been undertaken. In preparing the plans, Harworth Group has ensured that the green infrastructure strategy has been designed to maintain connectivity of habitats by retaining existing features, such as hedgerows, as well as creating and strengthening connections to existing ponds and woodlands. This will also help to mitigate impacts on wildlife, such as bats, birds and badgers. To view the Ecological Assessment, please click here.
Traffic & Highways
The site is well connected and the sustainable nature of it has already been established through the Local Development Plan site allocation process. Vehicular access will be taken from along Cefn Road. This includes a ghost island right turn lane and pedestrian islands to provide safe access to bus stops and amenities. There are several bus routes that frequent nearby roads, such as the 5 and 35 on Styrt Holt and the 8 on Sutton Drive / Hullah Lane.
It is envisaged that the spine road which will run through the site would present a fantastic opportunity for a new / rerouted bus route and Harworth Group would work with the bus operators to achieve this. This road will also connect the site to the land south of Holt Road at later stages of development. Further information can be found in the Transport Assessment available here and the Travel Plan here which promotes suitable travel locally.