- Location
- Station Road, Bicester
- Value
- £1,828,097
- Duration
- June 2020 - July 2021
- Client
- Platform Housing Group
- Architect
- Oakley Architects
- Contract
- JCT Design & Build 2016
Overview
- 13 Cotswold Stone Dwellings
- 7 Affordable Rent and 2 Shared Ownership Tenure
Description
We were appointed to develop 10 no. two and three-bedroom houses, 2 no. one-bedroom flats and 1 no. two-bedroom bungalow in Oxfordshire on behalf of Platform Housing Group. Such mix and tenure of the new properties was based directly on the Housing Need Survey findings produced by Cherwell District Council.
The layout depicts the new dwellings forming a linear development, creating a workers cottage style estate and all of the new homes front towards Station Road as established by the existing surrounding buildings. We procured materials with consideration to the local area, utilising limestone Cotswold stone walling, with ashlar stone head and cill detailing, and grey concrete tiled pitch roofs.
Window proportions were also carefully decided to reflect the local character and a simple white double casement style is exhibited throughout. The front doors are of a cottage style, with a single glazed aperture and black finish. The flats and bungalow also incorporate a white timber canopy feature to the entrances, providing a subtle variation between the plots.
To ensure sustainability throughout the homes, we used air source heat pumps for both heating and hot water maximising thermal efficiency by implementing a ‘fabric-first’ approach.
In terms of landscaping, we retained a variety of existing mature trees and hedgerow along the western boundary. Each property boasts two gardens which are commensurate with the size of the dwellings, along with external storage and garden sheds to provide secure/weatherproof storage for bicycles. At least 100% car parking was provided to every property, in addition to having access to one of five unallocated visitor spaces.
It can be said that the new homes assimilate well with the surrounding dwellings, producing character that respects the local context and delivers a sympathetic extension to the village along Station Road.
