The pair of new semi-detached houses constructed for Gold Property Developments in Buxted, Uckfield, East Sussex have now been completed. For more details see the Projects page. The client came to BWP Architects with planning permission in place and we were commissioned to prepare the construction drawings only.

We also prepared a series of alternative designs, one of which is shown below, to improve the elevational treatment but the client wished to proceed with the current design in order to minimise any delays to the construction period.

Gold Property Developments bought the site with the benefit of planning permission for a pair of semi-detached houses on a sloping site. However, the draftsman who prepared the planning drawings failed to take into account several important aspects of the site and a redesign was required by BWP Architects followed by a Non-Material Amendment application to the local planning authority.

Following approval of the Non-Material Amendments BWP Architects were commissioned to prepare the detailed working drawings for the scheme to proceed to construction.

Following receipt of Outline Planning Permission we were approached by Gold Property Developments Ltd to complete the discharge of reserved matters for the development of seven new houses on a site in Old Coulsdon, Surrey.

Works started on site in 2009 on Plots 1, 2 and 3.

We were then instructed to submit a further detailed Full Planning Application to increase the number of new units on site from 7 to 10.

The images are taken from sketch designs for the main central Leisure Complex for a new Holiday Park in the Cumbria. We were invited to prepare designs by the client to replace the existing planning permission scheme which was felt to be unsatisfactory.

A full 3D topographical model of the site was created which allowed these proposals to take advantage of the natural slope of the site to provide the additional storey of accommodation, the double height space to the main pool areas, and also reduce the footprint of the building without increasing the height of the front elevation – a stipulation of the existing planning permission.

The Leisure Club is split into two distinct areas – the main Hub including swimming pool, cafe, shop, reception, changing areas, sales area, play rooms, public bar, toilets etc. Alongside the main Hub is the private health club including saunas, splash pool, private bar, treatment rooms, gymnasium, changing facilties etc.

Works are now underway on site laying out the whole in accordance with the Masterplan scheme we prepared.

Designed around the concept of the traditional Village Green the layout has been driven by the needs of the pedestrian rather than by the car.

A new ‘village green’ is established in the centre of the development giving equal access to all plots. Radiating from this are a series of views and vistas along which pedestrian routes are set out.

Larger houses are clustered around the green, facing onto it, with smaller houses evenly distributed around the site together with affordable homes.

Key feature buildings are set up at the end of the long views to act as ‘full stops’ and to maintain the village perimeters.

Road layouts are deliberately convoluted with straight sections kept to a maximum of 60m to maintain speeds below 30mph. Mews areas and rear parking courts also take the emphasis away from front garden parking areas. Road and footpaths follow the building lines, while meeting the requirements of vehicle tracking, ensuring that the spaces created relate to the buildings and not the needs of the motor car.

A landscaped buffer is kept to the south-west Greenbelt land beyond and the existing mature planting to the boundary is also maintained.

Pedestrian links to the rest of the existing village are introduced to ensure that the new development is integrated with the current community.

[image align=”center” title=”View the Project” link=”http://www.bwparchitects.com/2011/01/29/new-housing-development-old-coulsdon/” width=”550″ height=”275″]http://www.bwparchitects.com/wp-content/upLoads/2011/07/Plots1231269285445.jpg[/image]

The site preparation works for the first of 8 new houses for Gold Property Developments Ltd on a site in Old Couldson has finally commenced and construction of the houses will start within the next couple of weeks.