Broadclose

This unique housing project consists of a partnership between North Cornwall District Council, Westcountry Housing Association, The Guiness Trust and Midas Homes Ltd. The project provides 173 properties - of which two-thirds will be affordable homes for rent, or controlled affordable sale with the remainder being open market private homes.

With its high proportion of affordable homes and adherence to “green” principles, it is hoped that this scheme will become a regional exemplar of urban design, low energy architecture and sustainable development.

The scheme, which is derived from a masterplan by ECD Architects, is a pioneering use of the new HomeZone concept that provides a new approach to the road layouts. Pedestrians, cyclists and cars have the same priorities over a shared surface. The streets are not treated merely as roads, but are designed as landscaped areas, and provide a more friendly space.

Given its semi-rural location, on the edge of open countryside between Bude and Stratton, the development has been designed to have a positive relationship to the landscape and coastal views. The houses are set out in a series of short terraces and courtyard arrangements with the affordable and privately owned properties “pepper-potted” throughout the site. The street pattern supports and enhances existing well-used pedestrian connections and encouarges walking and cycling. The public spaces and architecture reflect Cornish idiom and materials, but in a way that contribute to a new regional vernacular based on a more environmentally responsive strategy.

The design principles are based on a robust, passive approach that would be adaptable to accommodate future developments in technologies and standards, particularly with regard to energy, water and recycling. Highly insulated buildings orientated where possible, to make maximum use of solar gains and other sustainable building techniques have been utilized. The scheme has been awarded a ‘Very Good’ EcoHomes rating.