Public Exhibition
At the start of the design process, the homebuilders carried out a public consultation exercise culminating in an exhibition at Stratton Upper School where plans for King’s Reach were put on display.
During the exhibition, the design team was on hand to answer questions and feedback forms were distributed to attendees. As part of our commitment to open and transparent communications, each person received an individual response to their questions.
FAQs
A detailed list of the questions asked at the event and the answers given can be found below.
How many homes will be built at the site?
Ultimately, King’s Reach will provide 2,100 dwellings in line with the requirements for the area. Planning permission has currently been granted for the first 1,450 homes which will be developed by Taylor Wimpey and Martin Grant Homes. The remaining 650 homes will then be the subject of future planning applications.
Will there be affordable housing?
Yes. King’s Reach will have provision for social rented, shared ownership and discounted sales (25% reduction in price from Market Value) to help first time buyers and low income families onto the property ladder.
How will traffic be managed?
Vehicle access to the site will be from the new Eastern Relief Road. Access from the existing housing areas from the west will not be possible, thus preventing ‘rat running’.
New footpaths and cycle routes will be created and existing ones enhanced. They will be fully integrated and offer a viable alternative to the car for local journeys.
Upon completion, bus routes will enter the site through the south junction of the Eastern Relief Road. This will be limited access, allowing only buses to enter. The route will use the central road, travelling north through King’s Reach, via the market square and local community centre, and through the northern section of the development where the route will connect, via a roundabout, to the Potton Road. During the building phase, the exact bus route will vary according to areas of activity on site.
What will happen to rights of way?
We are conscious of the need to ensure continued rights of way across the site and have designed landscaped corridors to provide access from Biggleswade to the countryside to the East, for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Temporary diversions will be put in place where Rights of Way are unavoidably impacted by building operations.
Will there be speed restrictions on the new Eastern Relief Road?
The Eastern Relief Road has been designed to a 40mph speed limit with roundabouts and priority junctions along its length. This is in accordance with national highway design standards and is designed to accommodate the predicted traffic flows.
What’s being done to reduce the impact of traffic on Biggleswade Town Centre?
In line with Government requirements, King’s Reach will encourage non-car modes of transport by making it as easy and appealing as possible for residents to walk, cycle and use the bus.
We recognise that people may still want to jump into their cars. By avoiding direct road links to the town centre, we are trying to discourage unecessary car use, but the provision of non-direct links gives those wishing to do so the choice. This is part of our plan to strike a healthy balance.
Other than houses, what else will King’s Reach deliver?
Funding for new community facilities and improvements to existing facilities has now been agreed. The purpose of this funding is to ensure the new community is sustainable and can even help improve the existing provision. The package of benefits agreed for the Biggleswade area, includes:
A new Eastern Relief Road
Provision for a new Lower School and improvement to the exisitng Middle Schools and Stratton Upper School
Improvements to the A1 Biggleswade south junction
A new Local Community Centre
Significant financial contributions towards Biggleswade library, new health care facilties and a new bus service
Improvements to local footway/cycleway networks
Improvements to Biggleswade town centre
Improvement to local sporting facilities
When will construction start and finish?
Initial infrastructure works began in 2009 with work formerly getting underway on site in January 2010. Completion is anticipated around 2015.
Will there be areas for Children to play?
There will be a variety of equipped and non equipped play areas to cater for children of all ages. King’s Reach will also provide space for multi-use games areas.
Will there be disruption from the construction work?
We are committed to being considerate neighbours and ensuring that the process of development is as nuisance free as possible. We have extensive experience in ensuring that construction sites are well managed and secure.
Inevitably, there will be instances where construction work has the potential to be considered a nuisance and we will work with local groups and residents to address any issues as quickly as possible.
Will the proposed development be visually intrusive?
The site is being built on low-lying land, ensuring that it is as unobtrusive as possible. King’s Reach will be situated adjacent to an existing settlement on the Eastern side of Biggleswade. The development’s design combines open space and areas with trees so that it blends with Biggleswade and the open countryside further to the East.
How will development affect the existing wildlife?
The area proposed for development is not subject to any specific protection in nature conservation terms. Biggleswade Common is located nearby to the north-east of the proposed housing. A linear park, running adjacent to the Eastern Relief Road and along the eastern boundary of the proposed development, will provide habitats for a number of different plant and animal species.
The north/south landscape corridor will also accommodate a number of existing and new footpaths and bridleways which will be set within an attractive landscaped environment. This will contribute towards the realisation of the Ivel Valley Countryside Project.
Are the existing trees and hedgerows going to be lost as a result of the proposed development?
The existing trees and hedgerows that extend across the development areas will be retained where appropriate. Indeed, the vast majority of the existing vegetation will be retained and incorporated into areas of public open space and complemented with further tree and shrub planting to create an attractive environment and framework for the residential areas and local centre.
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