Acstro - Highways & Transport Consultants

News Archive

Recent Instruction (March 2010)

Theses are some recent instructions that we’re currently working on. We’ll have more news to give you on these projects as they progress;

• 336 Unit Residential Development – Carmarthenshire
• Holiday Lodges & Fishery - Leicestershire
• 1,600m² Retail Development – Carmarthenshire
• New Fire Brigade Station – Neath Port Talbot
• Strategic Land Promotion (700 Homes & New Primary School) – Rhondda Cynon Taf
• Church - Pembrokeshire

Tregaron Residential Development

Acstro was appointed by Cymdeithas Tai Cantref to assist with their planning application for a residential development at Tregaron following the highway authority’s objection to the scheme.

The development site was proposed to be accessed by the extension of an existing cul-de-sac but the highway authority considered the cul-de-sac to be too narrow to accommodate additional traffic.

Acstro successfully argued that the highway authority’s objection was unjustified as it was based on out-dated and superseded design guidance.

Colwyn Bay Nursing Home

Planning permission has been granted for Pennaf Housing Association’s new £4.5 Million, 54-bed, nursing home scheme at Pwllycrochan Avenue, Colwyn Bay.

The local highway authority was initially concerned that the development would exacerbate congestion caused by a large school located opposite the site.

Acstro was able to demonstrate to the Council that its fears were unfounded and that the development would have no material impact on the surrounding streets.

Cambridge Hotel

Acstro has recently prepared a Transport Assessment and Travel Plan of a proposed development of a 138-bed hotel on behalf of developer Livia Ltd.

If planning permission is granted the hotel will be occupied by a national operator of budget hotels. The development site is located on land that currently has permission for B1. Acstro’s assessment demonstrated that the hotel’s traffic generation will be less than the consented use of the site. By doing so the developer has avoided significant financal contributions towards off-site highway improvements.

Ivinghoe Marina, Buckinhamshire

On behalf of Abington Consulting Engineers, Acstro prepared a Transport Statement to accompany the planning application for the development of a mooring basin for 150 narrow boats at Ivinghoe, Buckinghamshire.

Hirwaun Medical Centre

Planning permission has been granted for Primary Asset Ltd’s £2.5 Million medical centre that will provide 1,300m2 of space for medical and dental services. Acstro provided the Transport Statement that accompanied the planning application.

New Instruction

Acstro has been appointed by Primary Asset Ltd to undertake a Transport Assessment of a proposed new Medical Centre within Rhondda Cynnon-Taff. The precise details of the scheme are confidential at this stage but more details will be available as the scheme progresses. Primary Asset, part of the MedicX Group, is a leading provider of innovative premises solutions in the primary care market.

Planning Success in Cardigan

Planning permission has been granted for 48 Extra Care Apartments in Cardigan. 'Extra care' or 'assisted living housing' is a relatively new concept that is filling an important gap in the elderly care industry. Also known as 'very sheltered developments / schemes' or 'housing with care', this type of housing is designed to cater for a frail and incapacitated, yet independent-minded ageing population.

Acstro produced a Transport Assessment to support the planning application by Family Housing Association (Wales) Ltd. The Transport Assessment was successful in demonstrating that the site was located in a sustainable location, that appropriate car parking space was provided and that the existing cul-de-sac serving the development could accommodate the traffic generated by the development.

Planning Success at Milford Haven

Pembrokeshire County Council has resolved to grant planning permission for a development of 168 new homes at Dale Road, Hubberstone, Milford Haven. Acstro prepared a Transport Assessment on behalf of the applicant, Bluebird Homes Ltd, which proved that the surrounding highway network would not be adversely affected by the development. The Transport Assessment identified that off-site improvements to the local pedestrian, cycle and public transport networks were required and these will be delivered as part of the development.

Planning Success at Newport

Acstro prepared a Transport Statement and Travel Plan for a proposed development of 86 apartments and 15 mews and terraced houses on behalf of our client, Charter Housing. Planning permission has recently been granted.

The site is located at Old Town Dock, Newport which is an area of significant regeneration being transformed transformed by a £200 million redevelopment that will provide 1,500 homes, a business district, hotel, local shops, restaurants, bars and cafes, all set within a high quality environment with water features and a new riverside park, creating a new gateway into the city centre from the south.

Newcastle Emlyn Foodstore

Acstro prepared a Transport Assessment in support of a recent planning application for a new, 1400m² foodstore in the centre of Newcastle Emlyn. We were also instructed to audit the Transport Assessment of a competitor's planning application for a similar foodstore at an alternative site within the town. We identified a number of concerns relating to the competitor's application and passed these onto the County Council.

A decision on both planning applications is expected within the next few months.

Swansea Mixed Development

Acstro has prepared a Transport Assessment in support of a recent planning application for the construction of 20 houses, 17 apartments and two retail units at the site of the former Pines Country Club, Swansea.

The Transport Assessment found that the development is highly accessible by sustainable modes of travel and that the increased traffic brought about by the new development will be modest.

The City & County of Swansea Council is expected to make a decision on the planning application shortly.