Knowle Lane
An award wining £10 million bespoke private development that captures the essence of placemaking, for Drew Smith Homes, on the outskirts of Fair Oak within a fantastic countryside setting.
Drew Smith Homes
Feasibility Study, Concept Development, Detailed Planning Drawings, Public Consultation, Construction Drawings, Technical Support
01 Background
This greenfield site on the eastern edge of the village of Fair Oak, Eastleigh, had most recently been in agricultural use. KSA was appointed by the client to review and enhance the original ‘inward looking’ layout that had outline planning consent for up to 78 dwellings, to improve the overall identity, feel and sense of place of the development to bring ‘added value’.
02 The story
We looked at various options for this site. Located on the edge of the countryside, the site benefitted from views over rolling farmland and was bound by mature hedgerows and trees. The previous scheme focused on an internal courtyard that overlooked an area of public open space.
Our design approach was to embrace the ‘green fringe’ by changing to an outward looking development. The area of public open space was moved from the centre of the development and was used as an acoustic buffer between the housing and the main road, thus further improving the connection with the surrounding ‘green infrastructure’.
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03 The outcome for Knowle Lane
KSA worked with Drew Smith to secure a Reserved Matters approval for a scheme of 69 houses and 4 flats with a provision of affordable housing and a significant area of Public Open Space for the whole community to enjoy. Whilst the quantum of development represented a slight reduction in unit numbers over the outline consent, the change in mix and design of the dwellings resulted in an enhanced value.
The development was completed in early 2018 with all market units being sold off plan. In an area where there is considerable consumer choice for new build housing, this is testament to the attention to detail that KSA brought to this project.
In recognition for high quality placemaking, Knowle Lane was awarded a ‘Solent Quality Places Award’ in 2020.
Cllr Sean Woodward (Chairman of Partnership for South Hampshire (PfSH)) said: "Initiatives such as the Solent Quality Place Awards are so important in promoting the importance of placemaking. An iconic building may be of interest to many, but bringing to fruition a scheme which creates an environment that makes a real difference to the people around it is more than interest, it is essential to the coherence and development of our communities.”
"Knowle Lane demonstrates the success of true collaboration between client and design team, where the core thread of placemaking is reflected throughout"
Daniel Knight, Design Director, KSA
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