Located in London Borough of Enfield, the scheme is part of the Chase Farm Hospital site. An Outline Planning Consent was achieved in June 2020, establishing a comprehensive set of rules and guidelines to adhere to while designing the detailed proposal.
A Reserved Matters Application was then submitted by Formation Architects for the site, comprising 369 residential units in varied typologies including houses and apartments, set amongst mature landscaping and the heritage context of the 3 retained Locally Listed Buildings. This new application included changes to the original consent as well as designing the detailed layout and appearance of the new buildings.
The scheme comprises of a range of building typologies — including retained heritage buildings around a courtyard, mews houses along the southern edge, linear and corner blocks defining streets and spaces, and pavilion buildings integrated into the landscape — creates visual interest and supports a mixed, balanced neighbourhood.
Streets and frontages are arranged to create clear, legible streetscapes, with generous spacing between blocks to provide privacy, good daylight and a strong relationship to the site’s topography and existing trees, supported by a clear hierarchy of public and private spaces.
The proposal increases the proportion of dual-aspect homes from 61% from the Outline Consent to 65%, improving daylight and ventilation for residents, and reflects a commitment to high-quality, sustainable living.
The architectural approach is shaped the sites’ heritage setting, the natural landscape, the immediate and emerging context and the Design Code of the Outline Consent. The 3 locally listed buildings at the site entrance inform the choice of materials, detailing and fenestration, helping to retain a strong sense of place and reflect the site’s historical use and character.
The design responds sensitively to the site’s topography and existing protected trees, working with the landscape to reinforce its natural qualities
The scheme also integrates with the neighbouring school and surrounding residential areas, using a coordinated range of brick tones to create a cohesive and harmonious architectural identity, supported by a material palette of red and buff brick with coloured metalwork as guided by the Design Code.
The sustainability strategy adopts a lean, circular-economy approach that prioritises whole-life carbon reduction through resource efficiency, material durability and long-term adaptability. As well as the retrofit and reuse of existing buildings to preserve embodied carbon and minimise waste. A fabric-first approach will exceed Part L (2021) standards through enhanced airtightness, improved U-values and high-performance glazing to reduce heat loss and overheating. Low-carbon technologies, including air-source heat pumps and photovoltaic panels, will provide efficient space heating, hot water and on-site renewable energy to support zero-carbon goals. The development targets carbon savings of 60–65%, significantly above the 35% required by Building Regulations, alongside water-efficient fittings and metering designed to limit consumption to below 105 litres per person per day.
