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At the heart of Penn Square is a sculptural , multifaceted tree inspired by an ancient cedar tree in Watford ’ s Cassiobury Park . This contemporary interpretation is made up of origami forms creating a canopy which will allow light to dapple through onto the ground below . Capturing the idea of a new community growing at the heart of The Eight Gardens , a place to lay down roots , it offers strength , security and stability .
There will be 2,050sqm of flexible floorspace centred around the new Penn Square , catering for creative workspaces , shops , restaurants and cafes . We have carefully considered the location and amount of commercial space .
Local business groups have been consulted to ensure the project complements and doesn ’ t detract from the North Watford High Street .
Berkeley Homes have focused the commercial space around the public square and kept the spaces flexible to accommodate a range of use , including community space .
The homes are energy and water efficient and built using sustainable building materials . We are greening an urban area and providing landscaped spaces equivalent to 2.3 football pitches .
New habitats generating a net biodiversity increase of 200 % will be created , with Berkeley Homes recognising the role the business must play in tackling global climate change and become the first carbon positive housebuilder in 2018 by decreasing its carbon emissions and offsetting more than its remaining emissions through the support of verified projects .
Berkeley Homes was a founding signatory to the World Green Building Council ’ s commitment to deliver Net Zero Carbon Buildings by 2030 in September 2018 and are keen to maximise this urban brownfield site to develop new homes and spaces for the community .
Building in urban areas is supported by policy and alleviates pressure on the greenbelt . A number of studies on the urban townscape have been undertaken to ensure the scheme complements the local area and the design is a positive addition .
The construction of Eight Gardens marks an exciting new chapter in Watford ’ s urban development , promising to redefine
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