Located on a steeply sloping site overlooking the River Exe, on the edge of the historic village of Topsham, the proposal creates 76 mixed-tenure homes within a sensitive Conservation Area setting. The scheme includes 30% affordable housing, including 5% wheelchair-accessible homes, responding to local housing needs while creating a well-connected new neighbourhood.
The masterplan responds to the site’s landscape, topography and rich history, retaining and enhancing its existing natural and historic features. The historic walled garden is preserved and revitalised, while existing woodland is retained and opened to the public, creating new amenity space and strengthening connections with the wider landscape.
The design builds on the rich history and morphology of Topsham, drawing particularly on the site’s horticultural heritage. The site was historically a market garden and plant nursery with close links to the Veitch family of horticulturists and ‘Plant Hunters’, who introduced plants from around the world through their nurseries in Devon. A surviving Grand Fir, associated with the Veitch family, provides a tangible connection to this history. This horticultural legacy is reflected in the landscape strategy, with planting inspired by the Veitch collections.
Homes are arranged in a series of clusters following the contours of the site, creating a varied and legible sequence of streets and spaces. Strong building frontages define the streets and public open spaces, while private gardens and landscaped edges provide a transition to the surrounding landscape. Split-level homes respond directly to the changing levels, allowing the topography to become an integral part of the character of the neighbourhood.
The architectural character draws on Topsham’s distinctive merchant houses, particularly those along The Strand. Prominent gables, side gardens and a varied roofscape establish a contemporary interpretation of the local vernacular. A rhythm of gables creates a distinctive townscape and frames views south across the Exe estuary.
The proposals have been developed through detailed site analysis and engagement with Exeter City Council, Historic England, the Design Review Panel, Highways and the local community. The resulting design responds to its historic, landscape and horticultural setting, creating a sustainable neighbourhood that is rooted in the character of Topsham.
