15 - 02 - 2023
BPTW’s design for St Columba’s Close, a 46-home affordable development in Gravesham, secured permission from planning committee last week. The sustainable scheme for Gravesham Borough Council provides a strategic combination of houses and apartments to meet local housing needs, including duplexes and family homes and enhances the surrounding landscaping to create a considerate and attractive addition to the neighbourhood.
The scheme includes new apartment buildings and terraced houses on infill sites owned by the council, supporting the provision of much-needed affordable homes. The proposed buildings spatially respond to the existing built environment to create a considered townscape, including an improved street frontage to the main road. Providing new community amenities, the scheme includes play spaces for children, “grow your own” areas, an outdoor gym trail and urban greening with additional trees and plants – all in response to the community’s feedback and aspirations for their neighbourhood.
A first for Gravesham Borough Council, the proposal includes sustainable energy-saving measures, including ground source heat pumps and PV panels to improve the efficiency of the homes and reduce bills for future residents. Over 80% of homes are dual aspect and over a third triple aspect, providing good daylight, sunlight and ventilation to all rooms and exceptional living environments.
During the committee hearing, Councillor Tony Rice stated that the proposal is “thoughtful, elegant and modern”.
St Columba’s Close is one of many schemes BPTW has secured planning permission for on behalf of Gravesham Borough Council, including the Housing Design Award-nominated Valley Drive that is in construction adjacent to this new design.
