HOME + GARDEN
LYDDEN HILLS by Pentland Homes CONT .
How was the location for the Lydden Hills development chosen ?
Lydden Hills is a truly one-off scheme that worked perfectly for us as a local developer as it gave us the opportunity to provide something unique and a little bit special . Pentland are not a national house builder , we are local and we can offer a more bespoke product which many other developers would shy away from . We refused to compromise on the style and the materials on what is a very complicated build due to the undulating topography .
What was the property development brief / objective ?
Located to the south of the village of Lydden in Kent , on the edge of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty , Proctor & Matthews ’ design brief for this sensitive new development grew out of a contextual response to Lydden and its surroundings . The 1.45 ha site was previously used for the storage and services of plant hire equipment and associated activities , the site comprises rough grassland , with areas of concrete hard standing and spoil heaps . An escarpment lies at the northern end of the site which borders the adjacent agricultural land , this is heavily treed ; there is also substantial planting to other boundaries .
The general ‘ grain ’ of the built form is that of simple pitched roofed forms with gables and ‘ ridge lines ’ aligned perpendicular to the general site contours .
This configuration is made in response to an analysis of the existing built form within Lydden and will deliver a ‘ broken / interrupted ’ silhouette of gables which will sit comfortably against the existing dense tree lined skyline on the valley ridge to the south .
Inspired by the site ’ s dramatic topography , the panoramic views across the valley to the tree and pastureland landscape of Lydden Hill , and the Temple Ewell Nature Reserve , homes are arranged in terraces on distinct levels to maximise views . Within each home the living space is orientated towards the view and is split between ground and lower ground levels . Similarly , at first floor level most bedrooms capture views across the valley .
Home working space is also integrated on this floor looking down into the entrance court of each house . Providing these spaces within the home has proved to be an important addition , helping to cater for changing 21st century lifestyles , in particular during the COVID-19 pandemic .
At the centre of the scheme , a multilevel neighbourhood square provides a place for community interaction and will encourage biodiversity at the heart of the development . Shared surface external spaces with street trees will help to give pedestrian and cycle priority to all residents and encourage a more relaxed environment within this small neighbourhood cluster .
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