Park Farm
Ponsbourne Park, Hertfordshire
Overview
A unique development – borne from a vision of ‘what could be’. Our scheme consists of 34 new homes in Green Belt. Our sympathetic designs are derived from our want to re-purpose and restore the disused buildings and enhance the existing historical walls and landscape of the old farm at Ponsbourne Park.
The buildings have been rendered redundant for many years, we wanted to re-ignite them with a new lease of life by way of -maintaining existing structures, re cladding and cleverly converting into individual properties. To tie in with this, the walled garden has been revamped to include Mews style homes that nestle inside the ornamental walls of the garden, complete with its existing orchard and vegetable patch.
We propose to re-use the tennis pavilion (previously a garden villa of Ponsbourne Manor House) as a new coffee/community shop for the new villagers and bring the heart of Newgate Street Village to this historic part of the village.
- Operationally Net-Zero homes- no impact to our planet
- Re purposing of barns through clever re-evaluation of existing structure
- Sustainable drainage systems linking to landscaping and existing watercourses
- Restoration of historic walled garden and Ice House
- Reinstating historic pathways and re-opening of community gardens
- Opening of public space and sports facilities for the village
- Existing Pavilion to provide a local community run farm shop
- Ecological and biodiversity exceeding The Environment Bill
- A Forest School and a classroom for St Mary’s Primary Schoo
Detail
The restoration of barns and outbuildings include materiality to match the original aesthetic to retain the farmyard character, with missing elements repaired. Careful consideration was taken on the detailing and openings, so not to domesticate the existing farm buildings.
To provide accessible housing the new build proposals were borne in the walled garden – the strong architectural forms responding in rhythm to the ornamental walls, as well as to maximise the sun path for the solar panels.
Our holistic design approach has significantly reduced the regulated carbon emissions by our fabric-first approach, passive design combined with low carbon and renewable technologies.
We hope that with the Pavilion’s new use as a hub and conversion of the old tennis courts (of the old hotel) into a multi-sports courts for community use (including the local primary school) this section of Newgate Street Village will become a beacon of community spirit.
The site has severely lacked woodland management over the years, significantly impacting its landscape character. By introducing an extensive new landscaping strategy it will bring back original views and features, restoring and enhancing the local distinctiveness and agricultural roots of Ponsbourne Park.
The detailed landscape strategy focuses on management of retained mature woodland and gardens, new native planting, enhancing an existing pond feature and introducing a number of site wide ecological enhancements to achieve a biodiversity net gain legacy.
All grounds within the garden, will be opened back up for the wider community to enjoy including a Forest School for local school children greatly developing their creative learning experience.
Carbon impact
Carbon impact
Featured in
Want to know more about Park Farm?
More from our collections
Shall we talk?
Accredited by:
.webp)