The part-detailed, part-outline application for the 715ha Garden City-style development, known as the Tendring-Colchester Borders project, comes three years after the UK’s largest housing association chose the ‘pioneering consultant design team’ for the huge scheme.
RIBA Stirling Prize-winner Haworth Tompkins is working alongside Swedish masterplanners Kjellander Sjöberg, spatial and landscape design practice Periscope plus architects Grounded Practice, Jas Bhalla Works, Michael Pawlyn, Bell Phillips Architects, Colchester-based HAT Projects, and engineers Arup.
According to the team, the landscape-led masterplan has been designed to ‘protect and restore natural habitats’, half of which will be given over to open space. The scheme aims to retain 30km of mature hedgerows as ‘core infrastructure’ and also features restored woodland networks and a 60ha country park.
The hybrid submission includes detailed plans for an initial stages with more than 800 homes, the first phase of a rapid transit system, and a ‘public quarter’ for community activities and jobs.
Richard Cook, chief development officer at Clarion Housing Group, described the submission as a ‘landmark moment’, adding that ‘housing associations stepping into the role of master developer [was] nationally significant’, demonstrating how ‘organisations with a social purpose can create large-scale, well-designed communities, expertly meet local housing need, and create lasting social and environmental value’.
Clarion has partnered with Colchester Borough Council, Tendring District Council and Essex County Council and has worked alongside Homes England and the The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The housing association claims the proposal is founded on ‘long-term public benefit, infrastructure provision and place stewardship’ which will marry ‘design ambition and viability, while aligning with the principles of the New Towns Taskforce’.
Cook added: ‘In this context, and as the government grapples with how to deliver new towns that are fully integrated, and deliverable, we hope that it will provide a valuable model of what is possible.’
The scheme also includes up to four primary schools, a secondary school, mobility hubs, health hubs, and cultural venues and a modern ‘guildhall’. At least 30 per cent of the proposed homes will be designated ‘affordable’.
The Garden Community is also projected to generate more than 6,000 full-time jobs.
The original competition brief, organised by Colander for Latimer, called for an ‘exemplary masterplanning team’ to deliver a ‘sustainable and inclusive’ vision for the site on the eastern fringe of Colchester. An outline planning application had first been expected in 2024.
Haworth Tompkins’ bid was chosen ahead of submissions from four other teams, which featured a mix of established names, such as Grimshaw, Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands, Mikhail Riches and Farrells, collaborating with a number of emerging names.
Speaking after the official submission of the plans, Joanna Sutherland, director at Haworth Tompkins, said: ‘[This] masterplan reflects a shared commitment to delivering high-quality, sustainable neighbourhoods shaped through partnership, meaningful engagement and long-term stewardship.
‘Our vision is for a landscape-led, walkable community with a strong civic heart, one that provides much-needed homes and infrastructure while creating lasting social and environmental value for Tendring and Colchester.’
Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community: Axonometric of Gateway Place within the scheme designed by Periscope
Project team
Master developer Latimer
Masterplanners Haworth Tompkins, Kjellander Sjöberg with Grounded Practice
Architecture (detailed components) Haworth Tompkins, Jas Bhalla Works, Bell Phillips Architects, and
HAT Projects
Landscape design Periscope
Sustainability consultant Arup with Michael Pawlyn
Technical design and engineering Stantec
Cost consultant Tetra Tech
Estates management and stewardship CSS
Viability consultant Turner Morum
Public engagement support Connect
Planning consultancy Lichfields
Structural consultancy (detailed component)Â Clancy
MEPH and energy (detailed component)Â Wallace Whittle
Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community: Knowledge Gateway and Southern Fields end state illustrative overview by Haworth Tompkins