The development to the south of Abbotts Ann will provide a sensitive continuation of the rural village within a designated Greenbelt landscape. The site is characterised by it’s sloping typography and sits adjacent to the village school, bounded by fields and existing dwellings. On the south west boundary a newly planted tree belt will be incorporated as part of a proposed woodland walk.
In response to extensive discussions with the Local Parish Council and Planning Authority, the scheme will provide 25 homes to suit the recognised housing needs of the local community, including much needed homes for downsizers and young local residents. The masterplan comprises a residential cluster which has been carefully configured to reflect local farmsteads and vernacular building typologies.
Existing historic building forms include distinctive boundary walls with flint bases and tiled protective copings together with a local vernacular arrangement of building gables forming street frontages.
Reference is made to these vernacular forms within the contemporary design for the new neighbourhood layout and the specific dwelling typologies developed for the site.
Typologies include single storey dwellings for Later Living, one and two bed apartments and small houses for downsizers and younger village residents as well as two-four bed houses for families.
Communal productive landscapes are proposed, as a way of encouraging social interaction between existing and new village residents, shaping a sustainable, healthy and cohesive community.
