Alton
Thank you for visiting the the Land at Brick Kiln Lane page. This stage of engagement has now closed, but you can find out more about Hallam Land, the site and proposals below.
INTRODUCTION TO HALLAM
Hallam Land are respected as being one of the UK’s leading land promoters. Working closely with landowners, partners and stakeholders, we have a successful track record of bringing forwards high quality, well designed places where people want to live. Our commitment to creating sustainable communities is proven by the provision of thriving places to work, green spaces to enjoy, improved transport networks and community facilities alongside these homes.
Our proactive team has the experience to ensure that each of our developments is well planned, enhances the character and qualities of each unique site and meets local needs and ambitions for growth.
As part of the Henry Boot Group, we recognise our duties to the environment and the communities in which we operate. Our people, partners and communities continue to trust our reputation, respect our expertise and value our team’s forward thinking approach.
Here are some recent examples of Hallam Land’s recent developments where high quality new homes have been designed and delivered alongside public open space and supporting infrastructure. Local character and materials are reflected in the design of the new homes which are laid out to protect existing trees and hedgerows within extensive new green infrastructure.
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Handcross
Southbourne
SITE LOCATION
Alton, land at Brick Kiln Lane
The site currently comprises one large arable field and two smaller fields of improved grassland. The site slopes down towards the south where the source of the River Wey is located. The lower lying, southern part of the site contains a SINC on the former railway embankment as well as a number of trees covered by a TPO and areas of flood zone and surface water flooding.
Brick Kiln Lane borders the site to the east and Basingstoke Road to the south. The northern boundary is bordered by Hungry Copse ancient woodland and SINC and arable land. To the east of the site, setback from the site boundary, is Will Hall Farm which includes a number of Listed Buildings. There are no public rights of way on the site but existing routes are located nearby.
OPPORTUNITIES AND STRUCTURING PRINCIPLES
The landscape is one of the local area’s greatest assets, providing environmental and wellbeing benefits, as well as shaping the distinct character of the area.
It is important that design proposals respond positively to the site’s existing characteristics and features. Some of these present sensitivities, in terms of ecology or heritage, which will require careful consideration through the design process to ensure they are appropriately protected and where possible enhanced.
This plan illustrates the key considerations for design and how these create opportunities for positively shaping and structuring the design proposals.
LANDSCAPE AND CONTEXT-LED DESIGN
Working sensitively with the site’s natural topography and landform to inform where access, development and open space should be located in response to key opportunities and sensitivities such as flooding, levels and preventing coalescence with Beech.
Preservation of
View Corridors
Retain key view corridors to features such as Hungry Copse, through the creation of green corridors within the development
Heritage Respect
Respect heritage features such as the Listed Buildings at Will Hall Farm by considering key views and creation of landscape ‘buffers’
Habitat Integration
Retain, protect and enhance existing areas of habitat and green infrastructure features such as trees and hedgerows through their integration into areas of open space and additional new planting
River Wey Protection
Protect the source and water course of the River Wey through the appropriate offsetting of development and creation of a new stretch of ‘river park’
Town Gateway Creation
Create a gateway for Alton on the Basingstoke Road, marking the arrival into and departure from the town through the creation of a new green space as part of the site entrance
Active Travel
Connectivity
Improve walking and cycling connectivity to and from the site towards Alton town centre and Beech, supporting initiatives identified in the LCWIP (Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan)
Pedestrian and
Cyclist Safety
Help to improve safety levels and prioritisation of pedestrians and cyclists on Basingstoke Road and Pertuis Avenue through the creation of a new junction
Efficient Land Use
Use the less sensitive areas of the site as efficiently as possible. Consider an appropriate northern extent to development to maintain key views and the landscape setting
EMERGING DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT
The emerging proposals presented have been developed by Hallam together with a full team of specialist consultants including masterplanning and design, heritage, access, ecology, landscape and drainage. A number of considerations have shaped how the design proposals have evolved, as set out on the above plan and supporting text.
The plan represents the collective thoughts of Hallam and their consultant team as to how high quality, sustainable development could be brought forward on this site. It is not the ‘finished article’ with more work to do, and receiving your thoughts is an important aspect of this.
Below we set out how the proposals have been developed to date, highlighting how they respond to the site and it’s context’s particular features and characteristics.
The development will follow a landscape and context-led approach which responds positively to the existing site conditions, maintaining the characteristic containment of Alton by the landscape, vegetation and topography.
Green infrastructure will protect and enhance Hungry Copse Ancient Woodland and provide habitat connectivity with surrounding ecological features such as the on-site SINCs.
Existing hedgerows and trees will be retained and supplemented with new species-rich planting.
The open space network will create a variety of types of space including significant green corridors to protect views towards the surrounding countryside to the north.
The careful layout of development, streets, open space and tree planting will sympathetically integrate the development into the landscape.
A comprehensive sitewide SuDS network will be integrated into the open space network to manage water in storm events, helping to relieve pressure from flooding of properties down stream through controlled discharge off-site. The careful design of SuDS will also provide amenity benefits and biodiversity enhancements.
There is potential for the riverside park to be extended to improve connectivity of Alton town centre with the surrounding countryside and celebrate the source of the River Wey.
The site will create a range of habitats and wildlife corridors, achieving a minimum of 10% Biodiversity Net Gain on site.
Prevent coalescence of Alton and Beech through the careful layout of open space and new woodland planting, working with the landform, in order to maintain separation between the existing village and the proposed development.
Stewardship of the green infrastructure is considered from the outset to ensure the high quality open spaces within the development can be delivered and maintained.
The new neighbourhood will deliver up to 225 new homes comprised of a range of house types and tenures, including affordable housing.
Development and access will be laid out to work sympathetically with the existing landscape, set down from the highest contours and minimising the need for re-profiling of the existing landform.
Development will work with the topography and aspect to capitalise on opportunities for passive solar gain and energy generation to help reduce energy consumption.
Development and open space will be designed in tandem to reduce negative impacts on nearby heritage features, such as Will Hall Farm, to provide a combination of separation and vegetated screening.
The development will take a fabric-first approach to new homes, providing high levels of insulation and energy efficiency, meeting recognised standards such as Future Homes Standards.
New buildings will be designed to use and reference the historic materials palette of Alton, contributing to the distinctiveness of the town.
The development would make contributions to community infrastructure to provide wider benefits for the town.
The development will help improve walking and cycling connectivity within the site and beyond to the surrounding neighbourhoods, town centre and countryside, encouraging healthy and active lifestyles.
Benefitting from the compactness of Alton and the direct routes to the town centre, the new development will be just a 20 minute walk from the heart of the High Street.
The new neighbourhood benefits from close proximity to the public transport network with existing bus stops adjacent to the site. There is potential for improvements to the bus stops to provide wider community benefits.
A new junction on the A339 will create a high quality green gateway to Alton, contributing to an enhanced sense of transition between town and country as well as improving road safety and pedestrian and cycling connectivity.
Tree-lined streets will be designed as spaces to be used by all, prioritising people over vehicles.
The development will help strengthen the connection of Alton with the wider landscape through links to the existing public rights of way.
CONNECTING TO ITS CONTEXT
When considered in the wider context the proposed development has the potential to create important new connections with the surrounding town and landscape, supporting this as a sustainable location for new homes.
The proposals include the creation of a new public open space around the source of the River Wey. This will see a significant expansion of the river corridor open space westwards benefitting the wider town with access to nature, walking and cycling and to the rural landscape beyond.
Maintain separation between Beech and Alton through the creation of new open space and woodland planting.
New areas of meadow, SuDS features, scrub and tree cover proposed within the development will create important new habitat connections to the surrounding landscape, including the expansion of the woodland network.
This will play an important role in supporting nature recovery within the local area.
The proposals reflect a natural extension to Alton, reflecting the settlement pattern and relationship to the surrounding topography established within the town.
Proximity to the town centre and ease of access to it will support the vibrancy of the High Street and town centre economy.
The site is located just 1600m (20 minutes walk) from the High Street presenting opportunities for walking and cycling to be the natural and first choice by future residents for accessing the town centre. New walking and cycling routes and supporting infrastructure will facilitate this, contributing to the LCWIP proposals for Alton.
The presence of existing bus stops adjacent to the site present opportunities for public transport connectivity, supplementing the active travel options available.
The site also benefits from direct access to the surrounding rural landscape and network of public rights of way. The new walking and cycling links and open spaces proposed as part of the development will enable better connectivity between the town and its surrounding landscape to the west, benefitting the town.
DEVELOPMENT CHARACTER
A selection of precedent photos to give an indication of the proposed built form and open space character for Land at Brick Kiln Lane.
