Design principles
Our application provided an outline level of design information on what the project could look like when complete, based on a set of design principles that will form part of the DCO application. These design principles will be carried through into any DCO that we receive, and final detailed design elements would need to align with them.
The principles are structured to align with guidance prepared by the National Infrastructure Commission under the following four thematic headings:
Climate
Places
People
Value
Cory is keen to enhance biodiversity and provision for green space and connectivity, as well as deliver a safe operational layout and an open channel of communication between all stakeholders and the community.
Our four design principle themes are set out below and are supported with some examples of what they could deliver.
Climate
Mitigate and compensate for impacts on habitats in a way that is resilient to climate change.
Examples of this theme may include:
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Directing site drainage from the operational area to support local ground water levels and support grazing marsh habitat and reedbeds/ditch environments.
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Protect against possible flooding, ensuring that key operational infrastructure will operate in the event of flooding and that there is no additional flood risk elsewhere.
Value
Deliver a proposal that is efficient and secures benefits beyond the immediate operational site boundary.
Examples of this theme may include:
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Enabling enhanced provision of district heating to nearby communities.
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Seeking to optimise the site layout for operational flexibility with minimised use of open land and habitat loss within the carbon capture facility, as well as adding up to six hectares to Crossness Nature Reserve.
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Provide proportionate enhancement and mitigation for the loss of, and impacts to, open land, public access and natural areas.
Places
Delivering a proposal that addresses effects on the character and visual qualities of the local area, improving a sense of identity and quality of environment.
Examples of this theme may include:
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Prepare design guidance to support future detailed submissions to Bexley to ensure good design is delivered.
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Provide planted boundaries around the site to support the natural character of the Crossness Nature Reserve.
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Explore opportunities to extend the Crossness Nature Reserve as part of the mitigation strategy, by up to six hectares.
People
Delivering tangible benefit to local people and communities.
Examples of this theme may include:
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Improvements to local public footpath connections, potentially to deliver a circular recreational route linking Thamesmead to the Crossness Nature Reserve.
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Making provision for enhancement of existing features to improve public awareness of local nature and points of cultural and educational interest.
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Improvements to accessibility of open spaces on site, making them more attractive to the community.
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Expansion of Crossness Nature Reserve.
