Strategic development as a catalyst for the restoration of a lost landscape
Client:
Highwood Homes
Collaborators:
HGP Architects, Odyssey, WYG Planning and Ecology, Paul Basham Associates
Status:
Completed
Set within a fragmented 17th-19th Century parkland, North Stoneham Park delivered over 1,100 new homes as well as primary education, a prestigious care home, and the restoration of historic parkland features.
2019 BREEAM Awards
North Stoneham Park is a 17th -19th century locally listed parkland, which once formed the setting for the now lost Fleming family mansion of the same name. Working with Highwood Homes, we were involved from outline through to construction to develop a cohesive landscape strategy, including the restoration of ‘Avenue Park’, influenced by Capability Brown.
This landmark residential scheme in Eastleigh has recently received ‘Highly Commended Status’ at the 2019 BREEAM Awards. Our parkland landscape has helped shape a new community and has been sensitively designed to improve local pedestrian and cycle links, natural equipped play areas, SuDS, and enhanced wildlife corridors.
Applying Green Infrastructure
The development also provides significant open space improvements including an extension to the adjoining Lakeside Country Park, links to a Forest Park Green Infrastructure Initiative, and contributions to the Eastleigh Sports Hub.
The success of this project is largely down to the speed that the locally based consultant team delivered the first phase of approvals that, in turn, led to construction starting within 18 months of reserved matters applications.
2022 Solent Quality Place Awards
North Stoneham park was granted a Solent Quality Place Award for three significant components of the project located in Eastleigh. These awards recognize the creation of high-quality spaces that enhance the well-being of communities and visitors in the region, and are evaluated based on the National Design Guide’s criteria for excellent placemaking. The project’s success was attributed to its consideration of the site’s cultural heritage, its distinctive character and identity, the quality of its structures, its accessibility, and its overall coherence in development. Additionally, the Park’s dedication to preserving its diverse and abundant biodiversity, as well as its impressive and diverse landscapes, were also crucial factors in earning the award.
