The Grange Hotel Brent Knoll

An outline planning application is to be submitted for the development and as part of the background work specialist consultants have been employed to advise on key aspects of the development proposals. A synopsis of the early stage results are shown below, however each of these topics will be addressed fully in the details to be provided in the application together with a report and feedback from the community consultation process which is ongoing:

Overall Design 

In order to achieve a co-ordinated outline design for the hotel and associated function room and leisure suite W H Architects has been working with the owners to help to develop the design and is managing the project through the preliminary stages on concept through to the sketch design. Including: 

• Review client requirements and business case for feasible options including review of project risks and project budget. ratify option that best delivers client requirements, review feedback & undertake site appraisals.
• Prepare Project Brief including project aspirations and spatial requirements. Undertake feasibility studies & agree project budget. Source site information including site surveys, prepare project programme & prepare project execution plan.
• Prepare architectural concept incorporating strategic engineering requirements, project strategies and outline specification. Undertake design reviews with client and project stakeholders.
• Undertake design studies, engineering analysis to test architectural concept resulting in spatially coordinated design, project strategies and outline specification. Initiate change control procedures.

Ecology

IES Consulting Ltd have been employed to provide the specialist advice for the proposed development.  Their brief is with relation to the ecological aspects of the scheme covering the protection of existing habitats and species.

An initial survey and site inspection has been carried out and it has been found that habitats present were not considered rare or protected in their own right.

While further ecological assessments are still needed, the following measures will be adhered to ensure wildlife is protected and the proposed development does not result in harm to the local habitats

• Maintaining onsite habitats and habitat connectivity
• Retain an ecological buffer zone to the site boundary
• Ecologically sensitive landscaping design and lighting strategy

A comprehensive report will be submitted as part of the Outline Planning Application.

Highway safety / access and parking provision
Key Transport Consultants have been employed to provide the specialist advice for the proposed development.   Their brief is in relation to the transport aspects of the scheme covering access and parking requirements and including a review of the relevant planning policies.

The focus of their input will be the access from the Bristol Road / A38 to ensure that it will be adequate to accommodate the potential increase in use with particular attention to road safety together with an analysis of the estimated trip generation for the extension of the hotel and the new uses.   The report will also assess the car parking requirement for the scheme. The work being undertaken includes:

• Assess existing arrangements and facilities including access from the main road.  
• Consider and advise on possible widening and improvement including a left turn filter/slowing down lane.
• Review local highway network and consider accessibility.
• Calculate trip generations in relation to the proposed activities at the hotel and for the different uses.
• Calculate car parking requirements and provision in the scheme for the new development and increased activity.
• Overall accessibility for the site by all means of transport including walking, cycling, public/private taxi journeys.
• Sustainable modes of local travel to include cycling and walking trips for visitors.
• Access for larger vehicles , delivery lorries, coaches refuse collection and emergency services.

A comprehensive report will be submitted as part of the Outline Planning Application.

Drainage and Flood Prevention:

Providing engineering advice in relation to flood risk and zoning together with the development of a strategy for surface water management and drainage for the scheme. This work includes an assessment of the available flood data, surveying the local features and the available water receptors together with calculations for the existing and proposed drainage requirements for the hotel project. An approach is being developed for the site in order to achieve a sustainable drainage strategy for the project. The areas of investigation and assessment include:

• The site falls partly within flood zone mapping and flood risk assessment is required to interpret the topographical levels and accepted datums for possible predicted flood events.
• Assess status and potential of local rhyne network for surface water management.
• Consultation with the Environment Agency regarding flood levels for the local area.
• Consultation with Somerset Internal Drainage Board.
• Carry out preliminary calculations for foul and storm water drainage for the proposals and seek to maximise efficiency of the design for drainage.
• Assess local sub strata and approach to design using infiltration and or outfall drainage.
• Use of water storage and attenuation as part of the design to include use of permeable surfaces, green roofs drainage swales.

A full report will be submitted as part of the Outline Planning Application.