TEP has supported Cambridge Investment Partnership through all RIBA work stages with the landscape design for a fantastic new residential development with a high percentage of affordable homes, a children’s nursery and an emphasis on climate adaptation. The development, known as Timber Works, is located on the site of a former timber merchants on Cromwell Road, close to Cambridge city centre and careful attention has been paid to the integration of the development into the surrounding streets and community. A great deal of community consultation was undertaken to ensure neighbours felt included in the design and planning process.
TEPs landscape architects have worked on this project for the last 5 years, providing expertise in the early conceptual design, pre-planning design development and technical detailing of the hard and soft landscape. We worked closely with PTE Architects (pre-planning), IDP Architects (post planning) and engineers at Walkers Associates to create a thoughtful design with well resolved solutions for the shared surface streets, courtyard gardens, green roofs, surface water drainage, refuse and bike storage. Our negotiation skills and proactive approach to resolving matters with council officers and stakeholders helped the scheme’s smooth passage through planning.
The landscape design, which gained the support of the Cambridge Design Review Panel, caters for the sustainable community with many homes overlooking a large multi-functional green space. Within the park, there are children’s play features for a wide age range, accessible routes and seating, playful topography and biodiverse planting. Swales, rain gardens and small basins have been integrated into the landscape to manage surface water as part of the site wide sustainable drainage strategy, with permeable paving on the streets and driveways also contributing. The meadow filled swales, flower-rich shrub and perennial mixes and a variety of native and non-native trees support urban dwelling invertebrates, birds and pollinators bringing significant biodiversity gain to this brownfield site.
The development comprises a mix of houses and apartments, all of which are now reserved and many are occupied. There is a nice interview here with a new resident and first-time buyer reflecting on the lifestyle and active travel options on offer at Timber Works.
Cambridge Investment Partnership (CIP) is an equal partnership between Cambridge City Council and The Hill Group and we are very proud to have supported CIP throughout the design and delivery of this vibrant new community.
