Harlow Property, Essex Residential Buildings, English Domestic Design, Homes

Newhall Housing Scheme

Essex Residential Buildings design by Sheppard Robson Architects

31 Mar 2014

Newhall Housing in Harlow

Design: Sheppard Robson

Next Phase of Newhall Housing scheme gets planning permission

Newhall Housing

The progression of the second phase of the project will create 239 dwellings, forming part of the award-winning new community positioned to the east of central Harlow in Essex. Designed for client Bellway Homes Ltd. in conjunction with landowners Newhall Projects Ltd., the brief called for a design that moved away from generic volume housing, creating a project that used high-quality architecture to build a new neighbourhood in this rural location.

In order to deliver a varied architectural language, Sheppard Robson’s scheme creates 11 different housing types, using a controlled palette of materials – characterised by a range of different style bricks, slates and timbers – that are based on a study of the colours and character of the local area. The aim is to create a sense of cohesion between the architectural styles whilst varying the materials, style and sizes of houses. This caters for a wide demographic, helping build an inclusive community and will form an interesting streetscape.

The streetscape, house types and materiality also help articulate four distinct characters within the development. For example, the main thoroughfare (The Chase) is defined by large three-storey, robust brick townhouses whilst towards the edges of the development – which overlook the surrounding woodland – a softer palette of materials, such as timber, is used.

The built environment is animated through the inclusion of varying public spaces, ranging from the main street running through the development and open green areas to smaller intimate mews-style spaces. Sheppard Robson’s masterplan modified the existing framework (designed by Studio REAL), creating informal seating areas for residents that will be interconnected through a series of smaller cross-streets that also provide extra permeability to the woodland area to the north west of the site.

Alan Shingler, partner at Sheppard Robson, said: “We’re delighted that the project was granted planning permission through delegated powers and that the planner officers had such confidence in the scheme.

“Newhall is a continuation of our work on major scale housing developments – such as Barking Riverside – which pushes to create not just buildings but also the social glue that allows communities to thrive. On Newhall, the design has been supported by a client that understands the value of high-quality contemporary design and wanted to follow the success of phase one of the project with designs of a very high quality.”

The development aims to achieve The Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 through providing houses that have a high performance building fabric and use of photovoltaic panels on the roof. Social sustainability is also key to the design process: the project will create spaces that encourage community development and interaction through a carefully planned arrangement of streets and open spaces where people feel secure and part of a wider community.

Newhall Housing Scheme, Essex images / information from Sheppard Robson

Newhall Housing design : Sheppard Robson architects

Location: Harlow, Essex, England, UK