Church Fields, Boston Spa – A Case Study

Andrew Paley

Urban Design Quality

• Allocated Housing Site (H3-H3A.25 Leeds UDP, 2006)

• Lies within Conservation Area

• Open arable field

• Approximately 8ha (19.9 acres)

• Situated to the northern side of the High Street and

to the south of the River Wharfe

Overview

Church Fields - Location

• Allocated Housing Site (H3-H3A.25 Leeds UDP, 2006)

• Lies within Conservation Area

• Open arable field

• Approximately 8ha (19.9 acres)

• Situated to the northern side of the High Street and

to the south of the River Wharfe

• Strong Market Area – “The Golden Triangle”

• 30% Affordable Requirement

• Code 3 + 10% Renewables

• 3ha Open Space Requirement

Overview

• Scheme A submitted for 170 homes – Refused10 reasons for refusal August 2009

• Scheme B 153 units Re-submitted – Refused10 reasons for refusal January 2010

• Conjoined Appeal – 14 day Public Inquiry

• Both Schemes Approved March 2011

Costs Awarded

PINS Ref APP/N4720/A/10/2120991

Application

• Taylor Wimpey Brief – “A Quality Scheme”

• Careful Site & Context AnalysisNo LPA Conservation Area Appraisal during design period

• Production of the D&A Statement During the design

process – to fully record the journey

• Use of BFL 20Q’s During the design process

Design Approach

• 43 Page D&A submitted with Concept Layout for

Initial Pre-App Discussion December 2008

• D&A was a Comprehensive Exploration of Ideas –Structure, Form, Heights, Landscape, Edge responses, Open space locations and uses, Views, Materials and Character.

Design Approach

Design Approach - Analysis

Design Approach - Ideas

Design Approach – Preferred Ideas

Design Approach – Various Designs

Design Approach – Initial Layout

Design Evolution

Scheme B – 153 HomesSchedule

27 2 Bed

26 3 Bed

75 4 Bed

25 5 Bed

Context, Context, Context

Place making – Understanding Character

Design Analysis - Connectivity

Design Analysis - Character

Design Analysis - Streets

Design Analysis – Car Parking

The Development

The Development

Boathouse Terrace8 no. 4 Bed Townhouses

Place making – Creating Character

Place making – Organic Growth

3D Views in Design Analysis

3D Views in Design Analysis

Streetscenes in Design Analysis

The Development

High Street Frontage

The Development

The Development

The Development

• Build the D&A as the Design Evolves

• Context, Context, Context

• Use of Building for Life 12 during Design

• Use of Manual for Streets & EP Car Parking Guide

• Standard Housetypes can create Character

• Planners & Politicians - Don’t Mix!

Church Fields – Lessons Learnt

Andrew Paley

Church Fields, Boston Spawww. builtforlifehomes.org