The design masterplan has been landscape and visually led and is founded on best practice in landscape architecture, architecture and sustainable development.

The result is a design proposal which is sympathetic to its environment, of high quality design, with a strong identity and sense of place.

Site, layout and landscape

Elements of built form have been created that emerge ‘seamlessly’ from the landscape of the site, as natural extensions of the local topography and using ‘green roof’ systems to create a development which integrates fully with the surrounding environment.

Buildings

The buildings have been designed to blend into the landscape with a green roof system, which stretches over the petrol filling stations and knits into the surrounding landscape.  The timber framed buildings will be built of douglas fir from the nearby Forest of Dean. The car parks have been designed to allow for charging points for electric vehicles.

The building has been designed to allow for the carbon efficient technologies and renewable energy solutions. 10% of the energy will come from onsite renewable technologies.

Design Process

• The architects, Glenn Howells Architects, were appointed following an invited design competition. The client wished to identify an architect whose approach would complement the values of the project and its landscape sensitivities.

• Local expertise has been introduced through the integration of Gordon Clarke Architects within the design team in order to gain a full understanding of the local area and its communities.

• As part of the design process the team held regular internal reviews and this process was re-enforced by client design reviews to make sure that the developing proposals met not only their operational and aspirational requirements, but more importantly, sought to minimise the impact on the landscape.

• The public consultation exercise was another important way of explaining the design approach to the community. It allowed local residents the opportunity to comment and input into the design process. The proposals have been developed as part of an ongoing dialogue with the planning officers and the South West Design Review Panel. On having reviewed the scheme the panel said the following:

 'We were also impressed with the way the scheme would give rise to restful and enjoyable breaks for M5 users. From parking to departure, the sequence is designed to be peaceful and separate from the motorway. It may be hard to measure this intangible benefit but it strikes us as real. Architecturally, the buildings would lift the spirit: the way they are woven into the land would be intriguing and pleasing and the internal spaces with their exposed timber construction would be wonderful.’

South West Design Review Panel, November 2009