Berryfields Case Study

Development name: Berryfields

Location: Tiptree, Essex

Size: 1.12 hectares

Architect: bluepencil Designs

Developer: Inland Homes

Accommodation type: 39 2-5 bedroom homes

Berryfields delivered by Inland Homes is a 39 unit scheme consisting of of 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom homes. Situated on the southern fringes of Tiptree, this desirable new development has been thoughtfully designed to offer a choice of high specification family homes centred around an attractive landscaped green.

The development is sited on the brownfield site of the former Tiptree Football Club, surrounded by residential development. The challenge was to ensure that the proposed new development fitted seamlessly into the existing neighbourhood, whilst also creating a unique sense of place. 

Three Pre-Application meetings were held with Colchester Borough Council to discuss the design development which had to follow the guidance of “The Essex Design Guide”. Colchester Borough Council were keen to see all aspects of the Essex Design Guide applied to the design.

The urban design characteristics of the proposed development as recommended by the EDG take their references from the urban design characteristics of Traditional built form in the towns and villages of Essex. Key characteristics of the development in response to the EDG include:

• Providing a mix of house types and a range of tenures to meet the needs of a varied community.
• The architecture and material pallet reflects the character of the surrounding area, responding to the local context.
• Car parking is largely contained within private garages or small parking courts, preventing a car dominated street scene
• Greening the built environment and incorporating a ‘village green’ area creates and attractive environment that attracts wildlife, encouraging bio-diversity.
• Buildings either present their front or side elevations to the open space edge of the development, ensuring opportunities for surveillance over the public space.
• The shared surface street allows for natural traffic calming around the development placing pedestrians at higher priority and encourages the social interaction of street spaces.