The Winstanley Hall Development Proposal has been guided by a strong commitment to listening, adapting, and responding to community feedback. Following the public consultation, a number of important design adjustments were made to ensure that the scheme reflects local concerns and protects the unique setting of the site. These refinements demonstrate the project team’s focus on delivering a sensitive and well-balanced development that respects both its surroundings and the people who live nearby.
During the consultation process, local residents raised questions about proximity, landscape impact, and the preservation of long-distance views. In direct response, the development stand-offs—the buffer zones between new buildings and surrounding areas—have been significantly increased. These adjustments ensure that the development maintains a respectful relationship with neighbouring properties, green spaces, and key visual corridors.
The Pemberton Road parkland stand-off has been increased from 25 metres to 30 metres, creating a wider and more natural transition between the new homes and the existing parkland. This expanded buffer not only improves visual separation but also reinforces the sense of openness and greenery on approach to the site. It ensures that the character of the Pemberton Road frontage remains consistent with the surrounding landscape, maintaining the rural feel of this key gateway to Winstanley Hall.
To the south of the site, where the new development adjoins existing homes at Springpool, the stand-off distance has been increased from 15 metres to 25 metres. This substantial revision will ensure privacy, protect amenity, and safeguard the setting of current residents. The additional space also provides room for enhanced landscaping, creating a green buffer that softens the edge of the development and integrates it more gently with its surroundings.
In addition, new parks have been introduced to the southern section of the site. These open areas have been strategically positioned to maintain long-distance views from Springpool, preserving the landscape character and ensuring that the hall and its parkland can still be appreciated from key vantage points. This improvement enhances the overall visual quality of the scheme and delivers extra community green space.
A 15-metre stand-off will also be provided along the woodland perimeter of the site. This measure has been included specifically to protect existing trees and local ecology, ensuring that the development remains sensitive to its natural setting. The buffer will create space for wildlife habitats to thrive and will serve as part of the wider biodiversity network planned throughout the scheme.
This approach not only safeguards the woodland’s ecological value but also enhances the visual appeal of the development by retaining mature planting as part of the landscape design. These trees will provide natural screening, seasonal colour, and a sense of continuity with the historic parkland environment.
The refined Parameters Plan reflects the project’s ongoing commitment to responsible planning and meaningful consultation. By increasing stand-off distances, adding new parks, and protecting woodland, the design ensures a harmonious balance between built form, open space, and nature.
These adjustments make the proposal more inclusive, more sustainable, and more sensitive to its context—reinforcing the vision for a development that integrates naturally into the landscape while enhancing the character of the Winstanley area.
The result is a masterplan that protects what is important, addresses community concerns, and strengthens the relationship between the new development, the hall, and the wider community.