Newhall is an award winning new neighbourhood in Harlow, Essex. The promoters are Newhall Projects Limited. The Newhall project has been masterplanned by studio | REAL to integrate into the structure of the New Town which was originally laid out by Sir Frederick Gibberd. The design and delivery at Newhall, however, are very different. The masterplan precedes PPG3, current sustainability standards and utilises design codes. The ambition has been to consider every aspect from first principles, to raise expectations and, if required, rewrite the rules.
Approximately 20% of the new neighbourhood is now complete, with Phase 2 about to commence on site. For visitors to Newhall, the new café restaurant designed by ORMS on the square overlooking the park will be open in 2010.
Data sheets can be downloaded providing an overview of the Newhall development, the principles which underpin its design, the delivery process and its successes to date:
- The Masterplan
- Sustainability
- Awards & Publications
Data Sheets can also be downloaded from the development parcels section providing information on the following parcels:
- 1A
- 1B / Abode
- 1D & 1E / CALA Domus
- LOT 1 / SLO
- LOT 3 / BE
- North Chase
- Community Centre
The masterplanning approach has sought to maximise development potential in terms of capacity while creating attractive and desirable locations. The following seven key design criteria underpin the masterplan:
- To respect the natural environs and leave a significant proportion of the site undeveloped.
- To develop the remainder of the land at higher residential densities.
- To maximise linkages through the layout of a semi-lattice street structure.
- To prioritise the needs of people on foot over the needs of people in cars.
- To build out the masterplan with contemporary architecture.
- To set standards for sustainability that are in line with or higher than the current legislation.
- To implement the development through the use of urban design guides, briefs and codes.
Newhall is an award winning new neighbourhood of approximately 6,000 inhabitants in Harlow, Essex. The neighbourhood is designed to integrate into the structure of the New Town which was originally laid out by Sir Frederick Gibberd. The masterplan precedes PPG3, current sustainability standards and utilises design codes. The ambition has been to consider every aspect from first principles, to raise expectations and, if required, rewrite the rules.
Approximately 20% of the new neighbourhood is now complete, with Phase 2 about to commence on site. The first phase was originally planned as 440 dwellings and a local centre. Phase 2 will form the remainder of the neighbourhood and include some 2,300 dwellings, a primary school and nursery, parkland and recreation, employment and a district centre to serve the everyday needs of this sustainable community.
From the outset, it was intended that Newhall should achieve a higher level of sustainability than the minimum required by national standards such as the building regulations. This is to ensure that all house purchasers at Newhall will have energy efficient accommodation and that the neighbourhood as a whole is both sustainable and efficient.
Throughout the design and development programme, the Newhall project continues to pick up awards for the quality and ingenuity of both planning and design. Further details of the latest awards can be found at www.newhallproject.co.uk
- LABC Building Excellence Award (Best Large Housing Development 2009)
- Housing Design Awards 2009 Project Winners – Moat at Slo
- What House? (Gold Award Best Exterior Design 2009) Linden Homes, Be
- Exhibition of Excellence (Housing Design Awards 2008) – Parcel 1C
- Gold Standard (Building for Life Awards 2008 ) – Parcel 1C
- What House? (Gold Award Best House 2007) Newhall Projects North Chase Town House
- Long listed (RIBA Sterling Prize for Architecture 2005)
- Best Large Housing Development (National Homebuilder Design Awards 2005)
- Gold Standard (Building for Life Awards 2005) – Parcel 1D/E
- Best Project at Design Stage (National Homebuilder Design Awards 2002)
- Deputy Prime Minister’s Award for Sustainable Communities (2004)
- Best Development by a Medium Size Housebuilder (RIBA Housing Design Awards 2004)
- Winner of Winners (Housing Design Awards 2004)
- Commendation for Best Housing Project of the Year (2004)
- Project Award in Recognition of its Potential Excellence (Housing Design Awards 2004)
- Award for Planning for New Neighbourhoods (RTPI National Planning Awards 2003)
- Winner of Winners (Housing Design Awards 2003)
- Best Architecture (International Property Awards 2003)
- Gold Standard (Inaugural Building for Life Awards 2003) – Parcel 1B
- Best Practice in PPG3 development (Deputy Prime Minister 2003)
- Housebuilder Award (RIBA Housing Design Awards 2002)
- Project Award (RIBA Housing Design Awards 2002)
The following guidance publications also reference the Newhall development among their examples of urban design and architectural best practice:
- Urban Design Compendium 2 (UDC2) - Homes and Communities Agency
- Manual for Streets - Department for Transport and Communities Local Government
- The use of urban design codes: building sustainable communities - CABE
- Better Streets, Better Places: delivering sustainable residential environments - Department for Communities and Local Government
Both Phases 1 and 2 have been subdivided into land parcels for design purposes. These typically accommodate 20 to 100 dwellings. For some landmark sites a land parcel for a single dwelling may be identified. For each land parcel, a design code is prepared and agreed with Harlow District Council prior to submission of the reserved matters application.
An optimum phased sequence of development is then proposed which seeks to:
- Define attractive land parcels for development by virtue of their location against completed infrastructure and landscape.
- Create a neighbourhood which will appear relatively complete at each stage of its growth, and is therefore attractive to house buyers.
- Provide for separate vehicular access for residents and construction traffic.
- Create a sufficient critical mass of residential patronage within convenient walking distances around the neighbourhood centres, supporting services, facilities and a mix of uses.
It is intended that the remainder of Phase 1 and the forthcoming Phase 2 should be completed within an overall 15 year construction programme. Phase 2 at Newhall is about to commence on site.
Data sheets can be downloaded here providing information on the following development parcels:
Newhall frequently receives visits from study tours and individuals from across the country. The site is easily located off junction 7 of the M11 and is a short distance from Harlow railway station, so why not take a look for yourself!
