We were appointed by a design and build contractor to provide landscape architecture and landscape design services for this new-build residential development. Our scope included discharging landscape planning conditions, preparing tender information and producing the full construction information package.
The 0.40 ha brownfield site forms part of the Chocolate Factory masterplan prepared by Barton Willmore. Our landscape proposals followed the consented masterplan and responded to the site’s existing context, surrounding development and access requirements.
A railway embankment lies beyond the western boundary, adjacent to Western Road. To the north, the existing Chocolate Factory Workspace remains in place. The remaining boundaries adjoin areas where buildings have been demolished and cleared. Consequently, our landscape architecture responded to a changing urban context and the site’s relationship with the surrounding streetscape.
The residential development provides homes along Western Road at ground-floor level, with further residential accommodation above. Commercial units occupy the rear ground-floor areas. Meanwhile, an at-grade car park sits beneath a landscaped podium at the centre of the development.
Our landscape architects focused particularly on levels, accessibility and the integration of the landscape proposals with the surrounding public realm. We developed the landscape levels to achieve Part M compliance while also ensuring smooth connections with existing levels. This was especially important along Western Road, where sections of the site would become highway-adopted areas.
We therefore worked closely with Haringey’s Highways Engineer throughout the landscape design process. Regular coordination meetings helped resolve level changes and confirm that the proposed landscape and highway levels met the required standards.
At Level 1, above the residents’ parking, we designed a communal podium landscape for residents. The landscape provides opportunities for relaxation, informal recreation and children’s play. At its centre, a dedicated children’s play space provides play opportunities for children aged 0 to 11 years.
Furthermore, the play area incorporates an undulating landform to create a varied and engaging landscape environment. This landform also provides opportunities for larger plant species and layered planting within strategic locations. The planting design contributes to the character and biodiversity of the communal landscape while helping to define different areas within the space.
We also incorporated seating throughout the communal landscape. Benches provide comfortable spaces for residents, parents and carers, particularly around the children’s play area. Overall, our landscape architecture and landscape design services helped integrate residential amenity, play, planting, accessibility and public realm requirements within a constrained urban brownfield site.
Landscape Institutes Work Stages: 4a to 6
Client: London Borough of Haringey
Architect: Delta Architects
Developer/ Contractor: Formation Design and Build