Regeneration of an existing retail unit and adjacent garage site and forecourt at Elm Hatch in Harlow to provide brand new council homes and new retail units.
The scheme at Elm Hatch will comprise six apartments within a 3-storey building with two single-storey retail units at ground floor level and a separate, three-bedroom townhouse (on the former garage site), together with associated parking, gardens and landscaping.
Forming part of Harlow Council’s land and garages redevelopment programme, which focuses on the regeneration of redundant garages, brownfield land and open development sites, our designs for Elm Hatch will deliver an exemplary and distinctive scheme, that will contribute to the local character of the area, deliver much needed social housing and provide a new and enjoyable place to live that is an architectural asset to the community.
The existing site contains a retail unit to the eastern portion of the plot with hard-standing / parking to the north and a small area of soft landscaping to the south-east corner. The western portion of the site is derelict following the demolition of the former Hummingbird pub. The scheme also encompasses a row of garages on a plot opposite the main site that will be demolished to make way for the three-bedroom townhouse.
Several options were explored during the feasibility stage of the project to assess the housing types and quantum that could be provided on the site. Although individual houses could be accommodated on the plot it was decided that severely reduced rear garden amenity and an awkward interface with the relocated retail unit made this option unfeasible.
The site sits on the edge of a conservation area and in close proximity to a Grade II listed building that sits behind the development. Our design is in keeping with its surroundings and offers opportunities for sightlines across to the adjacent Grade II listed Church of St Andrew.
We have facilitated continuity of service for a sitting retail tenant, by focusing on phasing priorities that will ensure that the new retail units will be built before the old one is demolished.
The scheme facilitates an extension of the public realm of ancient grassland immediately to the north of the site, while bringing community and play features to the forefront of the landscape design through naturalistic play gardens and a central lawned area, for the residents of the site, the users of the retail unit, and for the local community to enjoy.
- Client:
- Harlow Council
- Services Provided:
- Architecture
Building Services Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Project Management
Quantity Surveying
Sustainability & ESG - Sector:
- Social Housing
- Location:
- Harlow, Essex
- Period:
- 2019 - ongoing