Urban Design Quality. Church Fields, Boston Spa, a case study.

1. Church Fields, Boston Spa – A Case Study
Andrew Paley
Urban Design Quality

2. • 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

3. Church Fields - Location

4. • 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

5. • Scheme A submitted for 170 homes – Refused
10 reasons for refusal August 2009
• Scheme B 153 units Re-submitted – Refused
10 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

6. • Taylor Wimpey Brief – “A Quality Scheme”
• Careful Site & Context Analysis
No 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

7. • 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

8. Design Approach - Analysis

9. Design Approach - Ideas

10. Design Approach – Preferred Ideas

11. Design Approach – Various Designs

12. Design Approach – Initial Layout

13. Design Evolution

14. Scheme B – 153 Homes
Schedule
27 2 Bed
26 3 Bed
75 4 Bed
25 5 Bed

15. Context, Context, Context

16. Place making – Understanding Character

17. Design Analysis - Connectivity

18. Design Analysis - Character

19. Design Analysis - Streets

20. Design Analysis – Car Parking

21. The Development

22. The Development
Boathouse Terrace
8 no. 4 Bed Townhouses

23. Place making – Creating Character

24. Place making – Organic Growth

25. 3D Views in Design Analysis

26. 3D Views in Design Analysis

27. Streetscenes in Design Analysis

28. The Development
High Street Frontage

29. The Development

30. The Development

31. The Development

32. • 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

33. Andrew Paley
Church Fields, Boston Spa
www. builtforlifehomes.org