The concept of this scheme was to:

• rethink the design of the house, as a high quality and efficient Passivhaus ‘product’
• landscape approach to the site that creates a sense of community with a locally distinct rural character
• reconsider the process of house building and masterplans to achieve a light touch approach to minimise carbon and maximise biodiversity

The proposals provide a model of living streets that combines parking and servicing with play and growing gardens complimented by secluded private gardens. These are embedded within a context that references distinct local typologies of winding lanes, native plum hedgerows, swales and wetlands and traditional apple orchards. A large green community open space with ‘natural play’ is provided along a green infrastructural ‘spine’ that is defined by a reinstated historic field boundary.The provision of public space and affordability of the development was supported by the reduction, or even omission, of typical development costs associated with external works, primarily through innovative alternative drainage that eliminates below ground drainage and Homezone planning to minimise road surfacing. These strategies were developed in unison with Herefordshire Council to enable adoption of public realm and the SUDS strategy in advance of their formal requirements under The Flooding and Water Management Act 2010.