Long Hanborough, Oxfordshire

THE CHALLENGE

SYSTRA was originally appointed by CEG to prepare a Transport Assessment, a Travel Plan and to advise upon site access designs for a residential development of 120 dwellings in Long Hanborough within West Oxfordshire. The scheme also looked to safeguard land for the future development of a 400-space station car park, bus interchange, improved station facilities and a D1 use (such as a doctor’s surgery).

Although there were no formal transport and highways related reasons for refusing planning permission, the Parish Council and local residents group had raised concerns on access, highway safety and possible traffic problems. SYSTRA were therefore retained to present evidence at the Public Inquiry.

Property developer CEG were granted planning permission following a successful appeal to the Planning Inspectorate. The Inspector agreed with SYSTRA’s evidence and concluded that, “The appeal proposals have taken up the opportunities for sustainable transport modes. Moreover, there would be a safe and suitable means of access to the site and the development would not result in severe residual cumulative impacts on the transport network.”

Richard Stacey, SYSTRA’s Head of Transport Planning in London and the South presented the evidence at the public inquiry, said “I am delighted with the Inspector’s decision, this is a key site, adjacent to a mainline rail station, within walking and cycling distance from the village centre and is accessible by a frequent bus service. This is the precisely the kind of site that should be developed for residential use in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). I am proud to have helped CEG achieve this landmark decision.”

SYSTRA’S ROLE

SYSTRA produced a Transport Assessment and Travel Plan to accompany the planning application as well as producing preliminary junction designs for the site. SYSTRA subsequently produced a Proof of Evidence to support the appeal and acted as an expert witness at the Public Inquiry which took place in December 2016.

Image courtesy of Tyler Grange