Alternatives

Alternative 1 - fewer units

If you prefer a scheme with fewer units our alternative would be as follows.

• Essentially this alternative would be similar to the Proposed Scheme WITHOUT the development of 7 units in the ‘West Area’, i.e. a scheme based upon the development of the Riverside and Barns Areas.

• A benefit of this scheme is that, as stated earlier in this exhibition, it is supportable by established planning principles (namely the principles of ‘infill’ development and of ‘previously developed land’).

• We believe that this scheme would not require the new access street from Reading Road, and could be served by the more low-key access routes of Vicarage Lane and our land that abuts the High Street (next to the relatively recent ‘Flintstones’ development).

• HOWEVER please note that this scheme would not produce enough value to allow us to cover our investment in the area, and we would therefore NOT be in a position to donate the various areas of land that we have suggested in the Proposed Scheme of 12 units.

click here for a larger version of the map of alternative 1

 

Alternative 2 - more affordable units

More units, but featuring a majority of smaller & ‘affordable’ units

• The consultation exercise that we have conducted with the community raised the question of the affordability of housing in the area. The view has been expressed to us that new development in Streatley tends to be serving the high-value large ‘executive’ homes market, and that as a consequence there are relatively few opportunities for those who can not afford, or do not need, such properties (first-time buyers, for example).

• We also note that this issue is raised in the Streatley Parish Plan.

• We have always stated that our proposed scheme would feature between 8 and 12 homes, and this is reflected in the Proposed Scheme. HOWEVER should the community feel that smaller, more affordable homes are required, we can look into additional units on this basis.

• This scheme would, we believe, be more supportable by the Local Authority as it would maximise the use of land in a sustainable location providing a broader mix of homes with a majority of smaller and affordable units.

• We would envisage this scheme including on-site provision of ‘Affordable’ units (in the statutory sense) owned and run by a housing association.

• As shown by the sketch below, the site would have the capacity to accommodate up to 16 units in a range of sizes, with some larger units on the Riverside Area to help us reach our necessary overall values (please note that smaller units are less profitable, and ‘Affordable’ units generally do not return a profit at all, and may even result in a loss on each such unit).

• The scheme would therefore produce 21 units in total.

• WE ARE PLEASED TO CONFIRM that a scheme on this basis would enable us to donate substantial areas of land to the Parish (in similar measure and to similar effect as in the Proposed Scheme).

click here for a larger image

Alternative Design Options

Not happy with the proposed building styles? Please let us have your thoughts on the following styles.