Almost seven years in
its planning and design, the new village of Dickens Heath began taking shape at the end of
1997. Located in a rural setting beside the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal and only 3 miles
from Solihull Town Centre, it will, when completed, become home to a population of over
2,000 people. It is the second new village to be created in Hockley Heath Parish within 30
years, the nearby Cheswick Green having been built in the 1970s.
The origin of the new village was
rooted in the decisions made by the Council in 1989 in response to its required search for
land to accommodate 8,100 new homes between 1988 and 2001.
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The
Solihull Unitary Development Plan -the statutory land-use document that, amongst other
things, designates land for future housing and business purposes as well as establishing
the Green Belt - proposed a settlement of 850 new houses adjacent to the existing two
hamlets off Dickens Heath Road and Tythebarn Lane. It took advantage of the opportunities
afforded by the canal and nearby woodland and of it being surrounded by Green Belt
countryside.
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The Plan was subject to a public
inquiry into objections in 1991 and, in the light of the favourable view of the Government
Inspector, the Council finally approved the principle of the Dickens Heath project in
December 1992. At the outset, the Council decided that Dickens A Heath should be given
special treatment. Rather than it become simply a large housing estate in the country, the
view was taken that the new settlement should possess the features and attributes of a
traditional village. |
In 1991 the Council
retained the services of London architects, John Simpson and Partners, whose original
concept plan was subsequently developed and refined, in partnership with the Consortium of
Developers, to become the approved Master Plan in 1995.The Master Plan has at its heart
four key principles: It proposed that the new village should:
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Village Character
The development of a new village presents a rare and exciting challenge and a series of
imaginative approaches will be taken to all aspects of design.
In this respect, all development will be required to attain the highest standard of
design, layout and landscaping, the aim being to ensure the new settlement has a
distinctive identity and an attractive character. Thus, the physical form and visual
appearance will be designed to produce a recognisable community, with a village atmosphere
and using the rural location to provide an attractive setting.
In echoing the characteristics of a traditional village, the design of Dickens Heath will
be based on a high density core around the village centre, with densities diminishing
towards the edges, thus presenting a softer transition to the adjoining countryside.
At the centre and on the main highway network will be a series of public squares, each
with its own distinct character and each possessing landmark buildings.
A design guide lays down broad principles for developers to observe. These include the
layout of the squares, the street pattern, building heights, the relationship of houses to
the street, the pitch and colour of roofs, parking and garaging. The purpose is to
encourage good design which will ensure continuity in the character and visual appearance
of the new village.
Village Green & Parkland
At the heart of the settlement will be the village green. Triangular in shape and
occupying a site of 1.05 hectares (2.6 acres), it will be a major focus for sports events
and informal recreation. And in the typical English tradition it will possess a cricket
square and associated pavilion. One of its principal features will be a regular line of
trees at approximately 10 metre intervals around the entire perimeter.
To the south, and acting as a transition between the village and countryside beyond Brags
Farm Lane, will be a sizeable area of parkland. Some 7 hectares (17.1 acres) in extent and
accessed directly from the southern square, it will afford the opportunity for informal
recreation in a natural setting. Existing trees and hedgerows will be retained, with all
new planting adding to the natural and informal ambiance of the area.
Wildlife
The countryside surrounding Dickens Heath is part of the ancient Arden landscape.
This rural area is characterised by small field patterns with species rich, old hedgerows
interspersed by mature oak trees. Roads are narrow with sunken green lanes. The Stratford
upon-Avon canal, which links Solihull with Warwickshire, flows around the edge of the
village and is popular with canal boaters. Herons, kingfishers and ducks can be seen along
this wildlife corridor, also home to bats, foxes and badgers. Several woodlands are found
in the area, including remnants of the ancient Forest of Arden, dating from 1600 or
earlier. |
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These
provide homes for a diverse range of wildlife and rare plants including bluebells, wood
anemones and wood sorrel. There are two Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC)
nearby, Little Tyburn Coppice and Big & Little Dickens Wood. Within the village
itself, remain some important hedgerows and trees. A tree lined inner-circular walkway
links up the cycleway and canal side walkway, which allows all parts of the village to be
reached by foot. The canal side walkway provides an ideal location for a peaceful stroll
along the water's edge.
Village Centre The focal point of the settlement will be the main village square, located
at its highest point at the junction of Dickens Heath Road and Rumbush Lane. Here the
church site will provide a landmark for both the square and the village green. The village
centre will be in the form of a linear street running downhill from the main square to the
southern square and the adjoining canal wharf. |
Roads & Footpaths
Pedestrians and cyclists will be given priority in the village, with traffic nuisance kept
to a minimum.
Traffic entering the settlement will be dispersed along three main routes which will be
subject to traffic calming to produce design speeds of 25mph.
Cars will not be excluded from the village centre. They form part of the activity which
will bring life to its heart, and informal parking will be permitted in the street and
square. However, the linear form of the village centre will ensure that all essential
facilities should be within walking distance of most residents, thus reducing the number
of car journeys.
It is intended to provide two circular pedestrian walks: one within the village identified
by tree-lined footpaths, and an outer one alongside the canal and around the western edge
of the settlement, subject to agreement with landowners.
Dickens Heath is close to Whitlocks End Station on the Birmingham - Stratford-on-Avon
railway line. Although it will be within walking distance for some residents, plans have
nevertheless been approved to increase car parking provision to encourage park-and-ride.
Future Expansion
The Council has earmarked two small sites on the southern periphery of the village for
future expansion. Totalling 3.8 hectares (9.4 acres), they would provide for a further 90
or so houses. The final decision as to whether they will be developed will be made in the
next two or three years. The village street will contain a mixture of uses. These will
include a general store/post office and possibly other small shop units, small office
suites, a multipurpose community hall and library, a medical centre and a variety of
homes. Obviously, the amount of retail and business floor space will depend on market
demand.
Links
Focus
on Dickens Heath
Dickens Heath Residents Association
Photographs of
Dickens Heath
Dickens Heath
Village Church
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