CASE STUDY 17
promoting “values and principles of successful placemaking.” Alison Dowsett, managing director of
St William Homes, explained further: “Together, we are unlocking previously inaccessible, redundant and complex brownfield gasworks sites. “Our development proposals consis-
tently focus on delivering visually appealing, landscape-led schemes that regenerate brownfield sites in urban areas, reenergising them for the benefit of the wider community, while providing a host of new homes in prime locations.” It was through this partnership, and its
passion for regeneration and nature, that the new project was formed – named Courtyard Gardens. Working very closely with St William,
planning architect Michael Taylor was appointed to create the masterplan for the project, which formed the basis of the project as it stands today. After considering “many iterations of
the design,” the current scheme of 111 apartments was agreed, displaying tradi- tional facing brick facades alongside reconstituted stonework porticos and detailing – the building will also boast “entrance pillars, sliding sash windows and ornate ironwork across the scheme,” Alison added.
REVITALISATION The scheme gained planning approval in July 2018, and demolition of a 30 metre high gasholder where the homes now reside commenced on 2 January 2019. One of several gasholder sites that St
William has obtained planing permission to develop on, Courtyard Gardens’ location in the centre of Oxted heavily influenced the design process. Described by Alison as a “quintessen-
tially English town, full of character and charm,” Oxted’s residents were report- edly very welcoming of the project – not just because of the demolition of the disused gasholders, but also because the redevelopment is set to generate £1.53m in Community Infrastructure Levy contri- butions, and an estimated £600k in New Homes Bonuses. When she first arrived on the site, one
of the early draws was its “unique” place between the nearby Oxted Railway Station and Station Road East, “making it well suited logistically for residential homes – especially as it will reduce the need for development on the green belt in the area.” Unlike its attractive location however,
the brownfield site offered many challenges to the JV – the main one being the 100 metre long site’s level difference of 13 metres from north to south. Allison explained further: “The steep
nature of the site was an exciting challenge during the design phase, as we worked to ensure easily accessible entry to all three buildings and to the commu- nal gardens for all residences at the scheme.”
GATED COMMUNITY When approaching the new project, residents and visitors will pass access- controlled entrance gates, set behind the main high street. Residents will each be provided with entry fobs to allow them secure access here, as well as into each of the buildings. The project’s varied 111 homes are
spread across the three, five-storey apartment blocks. All of the buildings are centred around the titular courtyard garden – which cleverly masks the heavily sloping nature of the site, creat- ing engaging routes around it. Each of these blocks has been
constructed using facing bricks, with PVCu double glazed windows and exter- nal doors. The facades have reconstituted stone band courses at various locations and matching copings, with door and window heads all featur- ing brick arches. Entrances to two of the buildings will include reconstructed stone porticos, and the buildings’ three cantilevered balconies feature traditional ironwork balustrading. Mixed evenly among these blocks, all
of the apartments types offer a balcony or terrace, providing views of either the courtyard or the North Downs. The penthouses in particular do well here – being located on the fifth floor of each building; Alison said they will boast “stunning views across the surrounding countryside.” As well as the “social and sustainable”
communal gardens that Alison said will provide “colour all year round,” the residents will benefit from gated parking, and a private, secure entrance and lobby in all three of the buildings.
INSIDE Heading inside the homes – which can be done with dedicated lift access – the apartments have all been designed and finished to the same high standards as the exterior. Throughout the communal entrances,
hallways and staircases, for example, these spaces have all been “beautifully designed and finished with meticulous attention to detail.” An example from the kitchens is the
soft-close cabinetry on show – which is available to residents in a choice of four colour palettes – combined with integrated appliances to enable what the developers have described as “relaxed, modern living and entertaining.”
THE BROWNFIELD SITE OFFERED MANY CHALLENGES TO THE JV – THE MAIN ONE BEING THE 100 METRE LONG SITE’S LEVEL DIFFERENCE OF 13 METRES FROM NORTH TO SOUTH
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