Hardley Depot, Hardley

Paul Basham Associates’ Transport Planning team were originally instructed to support the planning application for a new commercial waste service depot with ancillary uses at Hardley Industrial Estate, to replace a former industrial unit. Following the team's early layout input, our Civil Engineering and Structural Engineering teams were also invited onto the project.

Initially the teams were asked to undertake a through review of the proposed design and layout of the depot to ensure the necessary vehicles could enter and exit the site, adequate drainage was provided for the brownfield site and that building structures would be suitable Following our input into the layout, the Transport Planning and Civil Engineering teams provided reports suitable to support the full planning application and ensure the planning authority and consultees responded positively to the scheme.

The Transport Planning team prepared a Transport Statement which reviewed the site’s existing conditions and site accessibility, parking provision, access arrangements, the internal layout and operations and considered the likely highway impact of the proposals The review of the internal layout and site operations was of particular importance as the layout had to ensure the full number of vehicles could be accommodated and that specific vehicles could be stored in certain locations. Consideration had to be given to the movement of vehicles around the site in order of likely departure and arrival times Following this, we were asked to provide a BREEAM Compliant Travel Plan to ensure credits could be applied for the scheme

To address flood risk and drainage queries, our civil engineering team prepared a Flood Risk Assessment and Drainage Strategy along with a SuDS Management Plan to ensure the site could be adequately drained in a sustainable manner.

The application received planning consent in April 2023 following receipt of no highways and lead local flood authority objections.