Bath-based specialist architecture practice Grant Associates is to design what it is calling a “beautiful and resilient” landscape for a major housing development north of London.
The firm, which has worked on major projects in the Far East, Australia as well as the UK, is part of the team behind Gilston Park Estate, a development of six new villages totalling 8,500 homes in East Hertfordshire, pictured.
Planning permission has been granted to Places for People Developments on the Gilston Area outline masterplan – the largest to ever be presented to East Herts District Council. Grant Associates has been working on the scheme since 2009.
The site forms part of the wider Harlow and Gilston Garden Town, which has been earmarked by the government for 23,000 new homes.
The next phase of Grant Associates’ work is to develop the landscape parameters of the outline masterplan into a strategic landscape masterplan to create a beautiful and resilient landscape and integrate the proposals in their wider green infrastructure context, promoting increased biodiversity and habitat.
Working closely alongside Places for People and London and Leeds-based planning consultant Quod, Grant Associates will provide a framework for the successful delivery of the masterplan that encompasses all key elements of landscape management, including sustainable drainage systems and flood risk, ecology and biodiversity, heritage assets and landscape integration.
Grant Associates senior associate Danny Nagle said: “Following the resolution to grant planning permission for Gilston Park Estate, we look forward to now moving forward to the next phase of our work, which is further developing the strategic landscape masterplan.
“This planning document and landscape-led vision will establish a landscape framework for the creation of a sustainable new community, through strategies to increase biodiversity habitat, enhance existing water courses and to provide access to countryside, sports and leisure and active transport.
“It considers the protection of heritage assets and existing communities, promotes regenerative land management and local food production.”
Best known as lead designers of Singapore’s world-recognised Gardens by the Bay and the Superbloom experience at Tower of London, Grant Associates’ work also includes supporting Bath’s Forest of Imagination community arts event. It also won the Best Show Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2021.
