Planning And Design Philosophy
Our planning and design philosophy is rooted in sustainability, innovation, and community-centric solutions, creating spaces that enhance quality of life.
Determination of Phases
It is the intent of the developers to undertake the construction of the development in phases. Additionally, the intent is to develop a mixture of housing types, namely townhouses and detached, single family houses. These considerations led to the design of a development which features five (5) initial phases. As previously stated, there is also a section of the property which is reserved for future development.
Services and Open Space Considerations
Land reserved for commercial use will be located along the access road that leads to the property and close to the entrance. Land reserved for social services will also be located close to the entrance and also, where possible on flat land, in order to minimize the need for regrading to facilitate the construction of playfields and other sporting facilities.
Road Network Considerations
The plan has been laid out using a curvilinear road network which respects the natural topography and follows the gentlest grades, minimizing the need for extensive cut and fill. The road network features gentle curves and cul-de-sacs which reduces the total road length required to cover the property, thereby, reducing overall infrastructure costs.
Drainage Considerations
Owing to the development of the property, there will be an increase in the volume of stormwater runoff, due to increased impermeable constructed surfaces. In order to mitigate against the long term environmental effects which may arise because of this, the plan proposes several features, such as
1. an adequately sized storm drainage network, featuring underground storm sewer pipes and inlets to direct storm water away from roadways and buildings;
2. the regrading of lots, as required, to raise the building pads and finished floor levels above any potential flood levels;
3. the incorporation of an engineered berm along the bank of the river to serve as a flood control buffer;
4. the incorporation of rainwater harvesting systems to limit the uncontrolled flow of water onto lots and eventually the roadways;
5. adequately sized detention areas with sufficient capacity to detain flows from the specified storm event as per National Works Agency requirements. These detention areas will also serve as sediment control to reduce the instances of silt and other sediment and pollutants entering the aquifer;
6. the design of a buffer zone along the bank of the river, which will be utilized as a park. This ensures that in the event that flooding does occur, the park area will become inundated, thereby, protecting the residences and roadways.
Road Network Considerations
The plan has been laid out using a curvilinear road network which respects the natural topography and follows the gentlest grades, minimizing the need for extensive cut and fill. The road network features gentle curves and cul-de-sacs which reduces the total road length required to cover the property, thereby, reducing overall infrastructure costs.
Water Distribution Network
It is being proposed that the potable water for the development will be sourced from the existing Thetford Hall Replacement Well, which is located within the section of the property earmarked for future development. The requisite permits to drill the well have already been received from the Water Resources Authority. The design also makes provision for the construction of a water storage tank by the developers, located at the peak with the highest elevation.
