The brief also carried a complex set of constraints. Proximity to Epping Forest required a soft, ecologically sensitive edge and protection of mature trees, while the northern road geometry limited vehicular access and turning. Neighbouring homes needed daylight, privacy and outlook safeguarded, and policy benchmarks from the Mayor’s Housing SPG and the London Design Guide set a high bar for quality. Long term affordability meant communal areas had to be efficient to keep service charges low, and the borough’s Mini Holland agenda shifted emphasis toward walking and cycling. Inclusive design targets added further rigour, with 10% of homes to be wheelchair accessible alongside practical blue badge provision.

Our response was a calm, legible masterplan that balances density with everyday comfort. Three stepped blocks of 4 to 9 storeys are split to break down mass, anchored by a generous central garden that draws movement and life through the site. Active street frontages with clear front doors, private terraces and planted thresholds create safe, overlooked routes, while improved geometry resolves emergency and service access. We retained key trees, threaded informal paths that connect back toward the Forest, and prioritised active travel with 215 secure cycle spaces and 9 blue badge bays. All homes are step free, with 12 Category 3 units included, and rationalised cores and circulation reduce ongoing management, delivering a robust, low-maintenance scheme that serves residents and respects its context.