Jefferson Sheard Architects, along with client Optivo Development Services, have secured planning permission to provide a community focused, regenerative housing scheme within the neighbourhood of Thornton Heath, Croydon.

The scheme repurposes a declining industrial site set within a tight-knit residential canvas of historic terraced streets and provides a contemporary development consisting of 75 new homes set around a generous landscaped courtyard, offering flexible and multi-functional amenity space which encourages social interaction with neighbours.

The development provides a mix of 1,2 and 3 bedroom flats for both market and affordable tenures. The flat typologies come together in a variety of ways to create a layered elevational composition along Bensham Lane whilst defining a massing which is carefully articulated to respond to and compliment the local terraced character. Bensham Lane is a predominantly car free development with excellent access to the public transport network and provision of on-site accessible electric vehicle charging spaces.

Jefferson Sheard Architects Project Director, Joe Dickeson said;

“A key driver behind the design was to enhance the streetscape of Bensham Lane and create a true sense of community with connection to the outdoors. We have achieved this through considered landscaping and planting and ensuring the internal spaces have clear links to the communal courtyard space – encouraging the residents to interact with each other and the environment.”

Jefferson Sheard Architects Design Director, Clare Ailward said;

“We are excited to be part of this project which will deliver high quality housing set around an attractive green space, making a positive contribution to the local area. The environmental credentials have been a crucial element on the scheme. We have achieved enhanced bio-diversity through a generous shared landscaped courtyard and extensive green roofs on both blocks. Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) is proposed for all dwellings and Air Source Heat Pumps form part of the site-wide communal heat network with infrastructure for future connection to a District Heat Network.”