Cowdray Avenue

Client: Persimmon Homes
Location: Colchester, Essex
Ecologist: Susan Deakin Ecology

Brief

The River Colne runs through the centre of Colchester and is an important green corridor linking coastal areas on the east, to flood meadows and beyond on the west. The proposed residential development site at Cowdray Avenue lies next to the river in an area of high nature-conservation value, attracting considerable interest from local residents. LiZLaKe was asked by Persimmon Homes to ensure that the site’s ecological assets were given the highest priority and would be fully integrated into the overall design proposals for a submission to the local planning authority.

Approach

The practice worked closely with local wildlife organisations, specialist ecologists and the local authority to build up a picture of the site’s assets, the best way to conserve and enhance them and to secure agreement on a way forward between the many interested parties.

Outcome

The complex negotiations led to approximately 40 per cent of the development site being set aside for managed nature conservation with a further 21 per cent for public open space. This, together with the sensitively integrated housing layout, and the provision for a riverside walk and cycleway helped successfully to guide the proposals through a public inquiry. We have also completed the design of the remaining external landscapes to create a sustainable ecological resource for the future.