The availability of the John Hunt of Everest School of the site for proposed housing development derived from the County Council’s intention to provide a replacement community school on the Merton Rise site. The Development Masterplan is available to view at Parkland's reception.
The Development Masterplan for John Hunt of Everest school site indicates the layout for the provision of 400 dwellings, including 60 affordable units The master plan sets out a number of key design features, including:
- A landscaped gateway space at the entrance to the site from Popley Way, formed by well-designed and tightly arranged building frontages.
- A pavilion-style frontage along Popley Way. This will provide a strong and robust edge to this highly visible part of the site.
- A formal urban-square that forms the internal focus for the development. This space will be the main open space within the development and should be overlooked by high-quality urban housing.
- A mews of smaller scale frontage along a pedestrian/cycle route at the south-eastern edge of the site.
- Courtyards within the development creating informal open space.
Development Quality
The key in setting the design quality agenda is set out in the Design Statement. The site was sold to Linden Homes (Phase 1) and Taylor Wimpey (Phases 2 & 3).
The proposed development will be expected to set a high standard of design quality and the successful developers must demonstrate that the development will meet the following principles:
- Create a strong, clear and legible environment.
- Attractive and pleasant to live in
- Contains streets and public spaces of the highest possible quality.
Development Phasing
Development of Phase 1 of the John Hunt School site is completed and development of Phase 2 and 3 is under construction.
The proposed phasing strategy for the John Hunt of Everest School is set out in the S.106 agreement which details the phasing schedule. The Phasing Plan is available for download at the bottom of this page. Development of Phases 2 and 3 has been delayed and is due to be completed by December 2014.
Phase one of the development, is located to the north-east of the site and include a designated urban square and 125 dwellings including 19 affordable units. Access to the site is provided in the form a roundabout on Popley Way.
Phases two and three will include an urban square, a LEAP and kick-about, and 275 dwellings including 42 affordable units.
Infrastructure Provision
The development master plan provides for the creation of 3 access points onto the site:
- Simple priority junction onto Shakespeare Road.
- Mini roundabout on Popley Way.
- Access provision at the Carpenters Down/Popley Way traffic lights to form signalised cross roads.
Details on additional improvements to the transport infrastructure can be found in the Movement and Access section of this website.
Landscape Strategy
Views into the site are currently limited by existing structural planting around the perimeter of the site. The tree belt along the eastern edge is to be substantially retained and reinforced.
An urban square, including a formal open space overlooked by buildings, will be provided in the centre of the site. An unequipped Local Area for Play (LAP) for the residents of the development will be provided as part of this open space and financial contributions will be provided to enhance existing open space in the locality.
