Summers Park, Lawford

A D P developed the Masterplan and secured planning permission for the 150 dwelling village extension of Lawford, Essex.

The success of this project was a result of a collaborative planning approach with the local community, the Council and key stakeholders. Community engagement began early in the process through a variety of methods, including stakeholder meetings, group discussions, ‘open house’ events and collaborative workshop sessions with the Parish and District Council. This approach shaped the emerging proposals and importantly identified the local community benefits that could be delivered in conjunction with the residential element.

These benefits included:

• New and improved school playing fields and a Multi User Games Area for both school and the community use.

• Additional car parking for the school.

• Increased areas of natural space and an to increase biodiversity.

• Improved connectivity throughout the local area. The delivery of affordable housing specifically for young local people through a housing trust that was set up to be run by members of Tendring District Council, the Parish Council and local people in collaboration with each other.

This quality of this project and its contribution towards sustainable development has been recognised by the RTPI. This project was ‘Highly Commended’ at the ‘RTPI East of England Awards for Planning Excellence 2020’. Read about it here.