Land North of Sir Williams Lane
Location: Aylsham, Norfolk
Client: David Wilson Homes
Completion Date: In Construction
Grafik Architecture was commissioned to prepare and submit, alongside other members of David Wilson Homes Design Team, a 300 unit Reserved Matters application.
The project was particularly challenging as there was a very short time frame to achieve the submission.
The layout of the site in the reserved matters application evolved to closely reflect the master plan layout that was submitted as part of the original outline application, with the creation of character areas. A village green was proposed at the site entrance, complete with a pond that doubles as surface water attenuation for the site. Within the site, there is a central landscaped square with a preserved line of sight towards the tower and spire of St. Michael’ Church, visible just off the central Market Square in the town centre. Surrounding the central square are blocks of dwellings with characteristics and densities ranging from an intimate mews form with a respectful human scale, to a less dense, more organic ‘village edge’ where dwellings are larger and set in more space adjacent to the northern boundary and the eastern edge of the proposed development next to new public open space.
To the west of the site, the new school car park sits adjacent to a proposed pedestrian and cycle link to Sir Williams Lane, which will also act as an alternative access for emergency services. To the north of the school car park is the proposed area for school expansion.
To the south east of the site lies the proposed allotments and a large area of existing trees and hedgerow that is to be retained. To the eastern edge of the site lies a new area of formal public open space and existing hedges and trees that will form a visual and acoustic buffer to the A140 Cromer Road.
The scheme achieved planning permission in May 2014.