The Proposal
Paul Basham Associates were delighted to work alongside Snug Architects and Bartlett Tree Experts to provide transport planning advice for a new Arboretum with associated landscaping and the creation of a new build Centre of Excellence Tree Research Laboratory located to the south of Reading.
Designing suitable and safe access points into the scheme was key given the various user groups and vehicles requiring access during both construction and operational phases. It was also important to emphasise that the proposed Arboretum will involve the relocation of an existing site approximately 5km away, and as such associated vehicles will already be operating on the local road network.
Our Approach
In the first instance, we undertook a site visit to establish the most appropriate location for the proposed accesses into the site, with visibility splays informed by 2 x 7-day ATC surveys on Yew Tree Lane and White House Lane where the access points are located. Three of the four existing access points were retained with minor alterations to accommodate the necessary swept paths and ensure that safe and suitable access is achievable for the scale of development.
A Transport Statement was prepared to support planning submission which detailed the existing conditions, development proposals, and a trip generation assessment based on the existing levels of staff at the existing site. As part of this, we also prepared a Travel Plan that outlined staff modal share to achieve TRA01 and TRA02 credits to contribute to the scheme’s BREEAM score.
The Outcome
Paul Basham Associates were delighted that Wokingham Borough Council confirmed no highway objection and the scheme subsequently received planning approval in March 2024.