Planning consent has been granted for 140 new homes which form the first development phase of Mountfield Park - a 21st century ‘garden city’ taking shape on the south-eastern fringe of Canterbury.

Developed by Kent-based developer Corinthian Land, Mountfield Park is a major urban extension to Canterbury that will provide up to 4,000 homes alongside new healthcare, education, business, retail and leisure facilities. Proctor and Matthews’ first phase offers a broad mix of housing typologies and sizes, from one-bed apartments to six-bedroom family homes.

Our design approach has been informed by a close study of nearby courtyard farms and their surrounding agricultural landscape. The development is arranged as six residential clusters, each one a series of courts made up of interconnected houses overlooking an orchard landscape. with an orchard landscape focus at the heart of each grouping. The clusters are arranged as a series of stepped terraces to address the sloping site. The majority of spaces within the 5 hectare development are designed as shared spaces, creating safe environments for families and children.

Red brick perimeter walls, which echo Kent village streetscapes, incorporate gables, chimneys and perforated brick panels. Further variety and vernacular references are offered by white masonry gables, clay tile roofs and a scattering of different gable treatments, with natural slate used in places to accentuate particular buildings. Two tall apartment buildings are conceived as courtyard buildings with inner cloisters, while two others act as ‘bookends’ to rows of terraces houses.

Development is expected to start on site in early 2017, with the first homes completed by March 2018.