11 - 21
Banstead Road

Croydon

Planning permission has been successfully granted by the London Borough of Croydon for 67 residential homes for RAA Ventures Ltd and VFund Ltd. The scheme is on Banstead Road, Purley, and has been designed by Formation Architects.

Client: VFund & Southern Housing Group
Size: 67 residential units
Status: In Construction
Award: Shortlisted for Housing Design Awards 2023 and New London Awards 2023
Sectors
Mainstream Residential, Private Development
Services
Concept Design, Planning Applications

Located in Purley, Croydon, 11 - 21 Banstead Road is a landscape-led, 100% affordable housing scheme that is contemporary but respects existing local character. It consists of 67 residential units in a cluster of 4 urban villas, paired by a central core. A scheme that encompasses healthy homes, sustainability, carbon reduction, biodiversity, ecological gains, and health and wellbeing.

The site sits between two different character areas of Purley, urban and suburban. The layout and massing have been designed to mediate between these two character areas. The buildings respond to the heights of nearby emerging developments as well as existing buildings. Spaces between the buildings maximise landscaped amenity, enhancing ecological value.

11 - 21 Banstead Road is now in construction and is shortlisted for the Housing Design Awards 2023 and New London Awards 2023.

“

As a practice we know Croydon, and in particular Purley very well, our analytical and contextual approach to the design of this scheme has evolved with a thorough understanding of the site and consultation with key stakeholders and Croydon Council.

Marco Tomasi, Director at Formation Architects

Design

The scheme maximises quality of accommodation. Building heights range from 3 to 6 storeys, with upper floors of the buildings concealed within roof profiles. The buildings include pitched roofs, yet private amenity areas are integrated throughout. 97% of homes are dual or triple aspect and are arranged to maximise light and views with corner loggia balconies where possible. All dwellings have good access to daylight and sunlight; overlooking between homes is mitigated through carefully positioned windows and view hierarchies.

10% of units are Part M(3) and there are 7 blue badge holder car parking spaces. Each resident has access to ample communal amenity which includes a range of spaces – from quieter, enclosed zones to larger areas with children’s play space.

Sustainability

11 - 21 Banstead Road is landscape-led. Hence, retaining as many of the existing trees, vegetation and the existing varied topography, as possible – a key concept to protect existing biodiversity and celebrating existing features of the site. Ecological enhancements such as a pond, wildlife boxes and green roofs planted with wildflowers are proposed to enhance biodiversity and to create features for residents to enjoy.

Overall, the scheme achieves biodiversity net gain and ecological gain, with the Urban Greening Factor at 0.615, significantly exceeding London Plan’s targets.

The scheme encourages the use of existing and proposed active travel and is a car-free scheme. With a Public Transport Accessibility Level (PTAL) of 5, it is near to a range of existing transport routes, connecting the new community to surrounding areas and promotes sustainable travel. The public realm along Banstead Road is widened to accommodate new active travel routes.

Cycle storage is provided including a range of stand types and stands for oversized bikes. This will ensure and promote the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.

The central core and play space give ample opportunities for social interaction, promoting health and wellbeing. The landscape settings and designs allow this site to be a vibrant place for a new community to flourish, it will create an advantageous environment to reside in and promote healthy living.

Our scheme aims to enhance the street by positioning buildings at grade and increasing the width of the pavement, a contrast to the poor existing street condition. This increase in public realm gives back to the local townscape, enhancing connections and makes way for a new cycle and pedestrian route.

Next Case Study:

922 - 930 Purley Way

Located on a very prominent site in Purley Town Centre, the scheme combines 5 separate sites, facing towards the town centre. This scheme proposes a new landmark for Purley.