The masterplan supported an outline planning permission for up to 1,100 dwellings, alongside a phased programme of reserved matters applications for residential development, a village centre, and an extra care facility.
The outline consent established the overarching vision and development framework for the site, defining access and movement strategies, land use distribution, development parcels, and key parameters for scale, density, and built form.
A comprehensive landscape and green infrastructure strategy was embedded at the outset, ensuring that environmental considerations, drainage, and long-term placemaking principles informed the delivery of subsequent phases.
Client
Crest Nicholson
Sector
Mixed Use & Residential
Location
Ashford, Kent
Ward
Ashford Borough Council
Status
Part Completed
Responding to the brief, the masterplan delivers a landscape-led neighbourhood with a varied density family housing mix arranged across a series of distinct character areas. Development is structured around an existing Ancient Woodland and a new central linear greenway, which together form the primary landscape spine and create a strong sense of place. Homes are orientated to address streets, open spaces, and pedestrian routes, with active frontages overlooking green corridors and public spaces, enhancing visual amenity, biodiversity, and community interaction.
A clear hierarchy of streets and spaces underpins the layout, promoting legibility, walkability, and strong connections across the site and into the surrounding area. The masterplan integrates informal public open space, sustainable drainage features, and structural planting to reinforce site edges and respond sensitively to neighbouring development and the wider landscape.
In parallel, revised masterplanning for the wider site explores opportunities to enhance the approved outline consent through improved connectivity, refined parcel layouts, and strengthened placemaking, while remaining consistent with the established development principles.
