Basildon, Essex
Residential
In February 1949 the government appointed Basildon Development Corporation was formed; its task, to transform the designated area into a modern new town. Under the chairmanship of Sir Lancelot Keay a Master Plan was drawn up for an expected population of 80,000, though this was later revised to 106,000. At the 2021 census it had a recorded population of 115,955 whereas in 1931, the town had a population of just 1,159.
The site is surrounded by plot land development which is generally characterised by long plots with buildings perpendicular to the leafy lane (Bells Hill Road) creating a grid pattern. This has influenced the design of the layout which is in the form of a loose grid, curved around the open spaces.
The layout shows the main access off Bells Hill Road. On entering the site one's view is led along the tree lined avenue to the public open space with its pond, and landscape. The avenue then turns northwards and then becomes a shared surface before looping back to the main access road. In the centre of the site is a secondary road running perpendicular to the avenue.
Buildings are arranged at key locations and vista stops, echoing the landscape design.
Building lines and ridges are varied and undulating in some parts of the street scene. The layout has been influenced by the analysis and by the guidance set out in The Essex Design Guide. It has been designed in 3D so that the spaces between buildings can be properly understood.
Client
Hawridge Land
Task
Preparation of an Outline Planning Application for 40 homes Public Open Space and associated infrastructure.
Role
Architect
Concept Model
Illustrative Street Scenes
Assess the Design Quality of a Housing Layout. Review the five key characteristics to look for in a Housing Layout.
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Matt Corcoran
CDS Planning and Development