BRODSWORTH WOODLANDS : DONCASTER

Sectors : Masterplanning

Client : Strata Homes, Network Space [one of two remaining tenderers]

This is an OJEU bid for one of English Partnership’s ‘Carbon Challenge’ projects on the site of the former colliery at Brodsworth.

The scheme includes a new village centre called the ‘Gateway’, with community facilities, offices, play areas and space for a farmer’s market and community events, as well as 500 new homes and workshop units. The ‘Gateway’ will act as an interface between the new ‘village’ and existing community.

Homes are designed to meet the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 6, Building for Life, Lifetime Homes, Secured by Design, and Home Zone principles. Net zero carbon is achieved by an energy strategy that minimises heat losses and maximises solar gain in the winter (with the reverse in summer). This is combined with the on-site production of renewable energy from a wind turbine which off-sets energy consumption from the grid.

Key to the site strategy is a ‘green corridor’ which brings the countryside beyond into the heart of the housing layout. This will also be a focus for community cropping, play, recreation, wildlife, and community art.