The client a major national house builder approached JCN to consult with the local authority and produce a design for the residential development at Cowdray Avenue. The site had been subject to an earlier appeal decision in favour of residential development.

Total site covers 5.7 hectares, 2.0 hectares allocated to residential development, well defined between the Cowdray Avenue forming the northern section of the town’s by-pass and the River Colne. . Dominated by housing opposite the sites northern boundary, a retail park, a drive through restaurant and the town’s leisure centre to the west.

A nature conservation area had to be created including a Bat hibernaculum. Existing footpath and cycle links to be retained and enhanced. Flooding issues to be mitigated.

Following the establishment of the principle for development within the outline planning application, a level of 100 dwellings or more with a density of between 50 -60 dwellings per hectare, 25% is proposed as affordable. Following consultation the design evolved to a total of 117 units comprising; 79 houses and 38 apartments.
The planning, design and access statement prepared in support of the application comprehensively addressed all the planning related issues and secured support of the local planning authority.