Public consultation at the heart of design for North Barnes, a new settlement in East Sussex

ADAM Architecture is pleased to be in consultation with key stakeholders and the community surrounding the proposed North Barnes development in East Sussex. The North Barnes Partnership, which consists of landowner Eton College and land promoter Welbeck Land, recently launched an eight-week public consultation on its scheme for a vibrant and sustainable new settlement, with the aim of submitting a planning application by the end of 2026.

ADAM has extensive experience in contextual urban design, having been involved in many award-winning schemes including Nansledan, a distinctly Cornish extension to Newquay for the Duchy of Cornwall. Walkability, sustainability and long-term legacy underpin all our mixed-use schemes and reflect our commitment to creating beautiful places where people can live happier, healthier lives.

As with all our schemes, we are mindful of the delicate balance between conservation and evolution. Though the site is not located within the South Downs National Park, we are nonetheless conscious of its adjacent setting. Our primary concern is thoughtful and successful placemaking, not just the provision of much-needed new homes. North Barnes is designed to learn from and respond to the surrounding Sussex settlements, with a High Street at its heart. The requirements of the community are paramount, so provision for outside space, schools, GP surgeries and places to work are as important as the new homes themselves, with the aim of the urban design for North Barnes being to support the surrounding villages.

In prioritising sustainability, we are ensuring that vehicular transport will be kept to a minimum, mitigating the danger of increased pollution. Every home will be within a five-minute walk of public green space, and the development is within easy reach of Plumpton Railway Station. Low carbon technologies will be harnessed, along with localised and on-site renewable energy.

Our respect for the past co-exists with a desire to deliver future social, environmental and financial viability. Our approach always starts with consultation and a thorough interrogation of the architectural, historical and landscape heritage of the settlements surrounding a development site. We have developed a comprehensive pattern book for North Barnes to identify local building traditions, materials, vernacular detailing, architectural styles and placemaking principles, identifying common threads running through the places that have been analysed. This includes the larger historic towns of Ditchling, Newick, Cuckfield and Lewes as well as several small village clusters in close proximity, along with standalone villages and a series of other historic Sussex towns and villages from a wider area.

ADAM Partner Robbie Kerr says: “We understand the concern surrounding the delivery of new homes in the countryside, and do not underestimate the scale of change which will need to be stewarded with utmost care. It is a privilege to work with the North Barnes, which is motivated by an enormous sense of responsibility to do things properly, to work with patience and care to build places that are shaped by the DNA of the local landscape and the Sussex vernacular.

“The designs are for a town that will be deeply rooted in the architectural character of this part of East Sussex and are based on extensive research in collaboration with local experts into local building styles and the history and topography of the landscape. Our aim is to create a thriving place connected by safe cycle and pedestrian links, where people can live, work and retire. North Barnes will also have huge benefits beyond the immediate vicinity, creating connections to healthcare, schools, shops, as well as opening up previously private land to open spaces for the public to enjoy, and improving natural habitats and woodlands through proper stewardship.”