Woodley, Reading
CSa Input: Landscape Proposals & Landscape & Visual Impact Assessment
Date: Nov 2010 – Present
Client: Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd
CSa have played an important role as part of a multidisciplinary consult team in producing design for a new urban extension to Woodley, Berkshire on the site of a former landfill and mineral extraction quarry.
CSa have provided the landscape input into the project which has involved the formulation of a detailed landscape strategy in support of the planning application containing designs for numerous ‘green fingers’ linking the new development with the wider context of the River Loddon valley. The designs include provision for numerous community facilities including natural play areas and picnic areas, along with the integration of the site-wide SuDS scheme in the form of open swales and balancing ponds.
In addition to the on-site open space areas, CSa have worked closely with local stakeholders and the client in forming proposals for a new Country Park area to be created immediately adjacent to the new housing area on the site of another former landfill within the floodplain. The Country Park is proposed as a sensitive natural landscape, where the existing landscape framework of young woodland, wet grassland and reedbeds will be managed and enhanced with public access opened up to facilitate activities like bird watching through the installation of a specialist bird hide and screen.
The planning application is currently being considered by the local authority and a decision is expected in late 2011.
