Sustainability, enhancing biodiversity, and placemaking are at the heart of this new development
Planning permission has been granted for 50 new homes adjacent to the existing and growing town of Haslemere in the Borough of Waverley, south-west Surrey, following an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate at the end of 2021.
The new development, designed by ADAM Architecture for Redwood (Southwest) Ltd, will provide a range of housing types, sizes and tenures aimed at meeting specific local needs, including affordable housing, whilst promoting and supporting a diverse, inclusive, and sustainable community connected to its landscape and the wider countryside. The site is within an Area of Great Landscape Value (AGLV) and adjacent to the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
The design for Scotland Park, informed by the local character of Haslemere and the surrounding small towns and villages, respects the local built environment heritage and landscape characteristics. Also, by working to the best practice principles of ‘Placemaking’, the design for Haslemere will create a beautiful, distinctive, and enduring place rooted to the established character of the surrounding region, where people want to live, work and visit.
Nigel Anderson, ADAM Architecture director and architect for the scheme commented, “We are delighted to be working with Redwood (Southwest) Ltd and the team of experts on this exemplar project. Scotland Park is intended to become a benchmark for Haslemere’s housing design and provide a model for other housing schemes in the area because of the quality of design and considered placemaking. Redwood and the whole team are committed to delivering the common vision for the area, believing that good design, rooted in regional character, and tightly controlled delivery, results in better long-term value, and better places for people to live.”
Inspector, Alison Hockenhull who overturned the planning refusal by Waverley Borough Council concluded, “The appeal scheme includes a variety of terraced, semi-detached, and detached dwellings, with a range of architectural styles in keeping with the local area. The density is low with the proposed layout providing an overall spacious character. The materials are appropriate to the locality comprising red and orange facing bricks, clay tile hanging, render and timber boarding. The design and layout of the scheme would be appropriate in the local area causing no harm to character and appearance.”
Redwood (Southwest) Ltd is very proud of the exceptional scheme that ADAM Architecture has created for its highly sustainable site at Scotland Lane, Haslemere. The attention to detail, from the choice of traditional materials to the sensitive landscaping, demonstrate the company's considerable research into the local vernacular architecture.
A spokesperson from Redwood (Southwest) Ltd commented, “Sustainability and enhancing biodiversity were central in our brief to ADAM Architecture, and we are pleased that the design includes energy efficient homes which exceed current standards of insulation, important in today's energy and climate crisis. Moreover, careful landscaping will also improve the site's biodiversity; the introduction of meadowland, park, and the planting of over 5,000 new trees and indigenous hedgerows will achieve an impressive 20% net gain in biodiversity. There are also benefits for the wider community as hitherto private land will be opened-up to the public, including a glorious 2.3km circular field and woodland walk providing a highly accessible Gateway into the South Downs National Park. It is a truly inclusive and unique scheme, harmoniously linking town with country, that will set a president for future developments.”
ADAM Architecture has also introduced the concept of 'Placemaking' which produces a more harmonious community setting, where children can cycle safely, and wide pavements put the pedestrian first. Of the 50 dwellings consented, 15 will provide much needed affordable houses within walking distance to the town, and their provision is assured, as will the overall build quality of the scheme via covenants provided by our delivery partner.
Other key features of this new development at Scotland Park include:
- A network of streets, footpaths and cycle ways that will enhance links to Haslemere and the wider countryside to provide an accessible, well-connected development within walking distance of amenities and mainline railway station.
- An integrated network of public open spaces throughout the site which will meet local needs and provide opportunities for offsite links to the South Downs National Park.
- The inclusion of an integrated Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) network that will mitigate flood risk and ensure that the development is resilient to the potential impacts of climate change.
PROJECT DATA:
Location: Land off Scotland Lane, Haslemere
Type of project: Urban extension
Client: Redwood Southwest Ltd
Architect: ADAM Architecture, Nigel Anderson and Andrew Moneyheffer
Master planner: ADAM Architecture
Agent: Jason Leete, Peter Leete & Partners
Landscape Architects: Sightline
Planning consultant: Savills
Movement: Vision
Transport: Planning Ltd
Heritage: Montagu Evans
Sustainability: David Strong Consulting Ltd
Ecology: Engain
Site size: 5.18 hectares
Start on site date: Late 2022/Early 2023
Completion date: Late 2023/Early 2024
