Cambourne is a new settlement nine miles west of Cambridge, with planning permission for 3,300 new homes, town centre facilities, a 50 ha Business Park and over 240 ha of public open space.

Randall Thorp have acted as landscape consultants since the scheme’s inception in 1989 and were part of the team of consultants that drew up the masterplan in 1995. In addition to input to the planning and strategic design of Cambourne, Randall Thorp were also responsible for the detailed design and overseeing construction contracts for all elements of Green Infrastructure on site.

More detailed aims within the masterplan were:

Conservation of village character

Development will occur in a manner that respects traditional English settlement patterns for villages and market towns. The quintessential character of villages and market towns will be the basis for the Masterplan.Conservation of community

• Village life is often centred around certain key activities and/or buildings. The disposition of these elements in the Masterplan will reflect the social and community benefits that arise from the function of these buildings (or areas).
• Within a larger overall community, there may be subdivision into smaller groups that help to establish identity for individuals and the area in which they live and work.
• The Masterplan will respect the existing communities in the area by avoiding any unnecessary strain or burden upon their current framework.

Conservation of rural character

The landscape of South Cambridgeshire includes parkland, woodland and many delightful, intimate rural landscapes associated with villages and country houses, within wide expanses of otherwise open arable land.

• The Master Plan will conserve existing features of landscape value within the site.
• An attractive rural landscape will be created which reflects the best traditions of the South Cambridgeshire villages and country houses.
• The landscape framework will enable the new settlement to be integrated harmoniously into the surrounding countryside.

Conservation of ecology

Ecological considerations will he incorporated throughout the design process and all development stages. Existing habitats and species of nature conservation value will be protected.

• Biodiversity will be conserved and enhanced by habitat management and creation.
• Habitats characteristic of the local area and region will be created.

Conservation of energy

• Conservation of energy in relation to journeys within, to and from the site will be respected. Movement by foot, bicycle and other non-vehicular forms will be facilitated and encouraged.
• Public transport connections to the wider area with an efficient routing through the site must be established.
• Motor vehicles must be adequately provided for but that provision will not be dominant in the plan.
• Facilities will be provided to allow residents and business

Randall Thorp contributed detailed design guidance to over 20 chapters in the 1995 Masterplan and Design Guide including:

• Country and Eco Parks
• The Entrance Park
• Footpaths, Bridleways, Cycleways and Tracks
• Village Greens
• Greenways
• Woodlands
• Nature Reserves
• Enclosure and Landscape at Development Edges
• Integration of Development into the Landscape
• Site Boundaries and Off Site Highways
• Highway Verge Landscapes
• Enclosure Types
• Lakes and Wetlands, Landscape Treatments
• Lakes and Wetlands, Engineering Requirements (with WSP)
• Allotments
• Amenity and Sport Land
• School Grounds
• Play Areas
• Golf Course Landscape
• Planting and Soft Landscape
• Protection of Vegetation and Landscape Features
• Protection of Soils