VILLAGE HOUSING
SANDYCOTE, NEAR EXETER,
DEVON

Our proposal for this site on the edge of Exeter was undertaken in conjunction with Create Streets.  It incorporates urban spaces, buildings and landscape that are in keeping with the character of surrounding historic Devon villages. 

 

44 houses are provided, set within a traditional streetscape centred on a village green.  Half of the homes are allocated as affordable - available for either shared ownership or social rent.

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The houses draw inspiration from local vernacular precedent - particualrly the provincial Georgian architecture in the area - and incorporate high quality traditional materials.  Bay windows and door surrounds create focal points.

 

The planting adopts native species including local tree varieties.  In addition to an orchard and nuttery within the public spaces, a fruit tree will be planted in every garden. The project will result in a net gain of 82 trees and include 160m of new native hedgerow.

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The project will be delivered using MMC (Modern Methods of Construction) utilising a modular or panelised system. This will result in an estimated 67% reduction in energy and a 45% reduction in material use.  In addition, the scheme will incorporate either air source heat pumps or a connection to a district heating system, utilise photovoltaic cells to generate electricity, and provide a large number of electric car charging points.  The site provides a new connection to a dedicated cycle path that leads into Exeter.

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The project received much praise from the planning committee:

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"What a refreshing application.  50% affordable housing.  A village green.  I don't know what else they can do to make this application better."

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"I honestly don't think we have seen anything as attractive as this for a very long time . . . the applicants should be commended for it."

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For more on the design process, take a look at our guest blog for Create Streets and this short video.

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Design team: James Armitage, Sadie Alsop, Paul Jeffries, Elenia Nevradaki, Chris Fothergill