Overview
Since inception in 1997, we have worked as the planners and masterplanners at Cranbrook, the fastest growing town in the South-West and a self-contained New Town including education, transport, and community infrastructure. We secured the site’s Local Plan allocation in 2005, outline planning permission in 2010, approval for expansion to 8,000 homes and numerous subsequent detailed and reserved matters approvals. Cranbrook formed a Town Council in 2015, and in 2022 proposals for the Cranbrook Town Centre were approved, with building now underway.
Project Highlights
Clients
Hallam Land
Taylor Wimpey Homes
Persimmon Homes
Henry Davidson Developments
Date
1997 - Present
Scale
8,000 homes, town centre, secondary education campus, 2 primary schools, country park.
Cranbrook is the fastest-growing town in the South West and the current population is unlike any other in Devon, with a young population and different demands for health and care now and in the future. The Healthy New Towns programme is helping to create an environment that promotes healthy lifestyles using innovative approaches to planning, community engagement and models of health and care service deliver.
NHS Healthy New Town Programme
The Project
In the environmentally constrained yet economically vibrant Exeter sub-region, Cranbrook has become a hugely successful new town. This success is driven not only by its environmental quality but also by the effective delivery of infrastructure and community facilities, including its innovative energy centre and district heating scheme. The town is now home to a rail station, local centre, secondary and primary education facilities, a 30 hectare country park, and town centre. Perhaps its biggest achievement is the sense of community, that has been generated by committed residents, the Town Council, and the many independent organisations and community groups that have flourished there.
The Process
Our involvement in the Cranbrook scheme since promotion, has allowed us to oversee and contribute to the town’s evolution, from original masterplans and outline planning applications to a thriving and desirable community. Initial outline planning consent was granted back in 2010, following extensive design review and consultation. To secure funding for the delivery of 40% affordable housing in the first phase, we prepared a detailed reserved matters application and design for the first 1,100 dwellings. Intensive design workshops involving the District, County, and Parish Councils began in January 2011, which remarkably resulted in securing committee approval in an unprecedented 12 weeks.
In addition to supporting the implementation of strategic infrastructure, we prepared and obtained consent for the innovative Energy Centre, which powers the District Heating Scheme, as well as for the primary schools and community buildings. Most recently, the partnership approach resulted in reserved matters approvals for the town centre, which began construction in 2022. Our longstanding and pivotal role continues across all aspects of Cranbrook delivery.