SUSTAINABILITY AND ENERGY
CWoAR is committed to running the Resort in a sustainable way. The waterpark adventure will include energy efficient technologies including Photovoltaic (PV) panels and a blue roof.
The building is expected to achieve a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’. The application will be accompanied by a full Energy and Sustainability Statement setting out how energy efficient design measures will be incorporated into the scheme. The current strategy is summarised below although this is subject to ongoing review.
SUSTAINABILITY PLAN
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ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
GREEN BELT
‘Very Special Circumstances’ will be provided to justify the proposed development in the Green Belt. These will include:
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The need for the development: linked to the need to continue to invest and evolve the resort offer to ensure it stays up-to-date and attracts guests. The ability to attract visitors and encourage them to spend more time at the resort is central to its success.
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How this need can only be successfully satisfied at the site, (“the lack of alternative sites case”) – there are no other suitable alternative locations within CWoAR and the water park is intrinsically linked to the resort and the wanyama reserve. The unique animal interaction cannot be provided elsewhere.
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Lack of comparable existing water parks in greater london or within the M25: a water park at CWoAR would be very attractive to guests and the lack of comparable facilities will mean the CWoAR waterpark meets a gap in the market.
The substantial benefits of the proposals: including the economic benefits (e.g. Investment and jobs) to the borough.
DRAINAGE
The current proposals will involve the loss of existing drainage ponds however this will be compensated through the creation of a new and enhanced drainage scheme. Surface water runoff will also be intercepted and managed through the proposed blue roof on the new waterpark building.
ECOLOGY, TREES AND LANDSCAPE
An ecological appraisal of the site has been undertaken. The proposals will include new planting and other features such as blue and green roofs to provide mitigation for the development and overall ecology enhancements at the site.
Tree loss will be minimised and restricted to low quality trees. This will be compensated for with the introduction of a wide variety of complementary indigenous trees and landscaping. A Biodiversity Net Gain will be achieved for the development.
VISUAL CONSIDERATIONS
A detailed study of views from the area surrounding the Resort has confirmed that the existing boundary planting at the Resort provides a high level of screening of the site.
The proposed building will be no taller than the existing hotel, but it will be seen from some views to the north and east. New landscaping and the use of dark, non-reflective material will reduce impacts.
The plan opposite identifies nine views that are being assessed, and visualisations from five of these representative views are provided below.
Viewpoints plan
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VIEW 2.8 A2343 COACH ENTRANCE
VIEW 2.9 A243/NORTH ENTRANCE
VIEW 2.10 A243/SIR FRANCIS BAKER RECREATION GROUND
VIEW 2.20 GATE ON LANE TO WINEY HILL
VIEW 2.22 WINEY HILL SOUTH OF THE POND
NOISE
Given that the development will be primarily an indoor attraction, no adverse noise impacts are expected.
Initial noise surveys have been undertaken at 4 different locations outside of the Resort boundary. Noise limits will be set to ensure there are no impacts on residents. A noise assessment will accompany the application setting this out in more detail.
NOISE SENSITIVITE RECEIVERS IN RELATION TO THE PROPOSED ATTRACTION
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TRANSPORT
The waterpark is expected to attract a combination of existing multi-day resort guests, existing guests that extend their stay and become multi-day guests, as well as new guests to the Resort. Based on the predicted modal share of guest trips, car occupancy levels, and the start and finish times of the proposed waterpark sessions, it is not anticipated that there will be a noticeable impact on the local highway network during peak periods.
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TRANSORT PLAN
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