So my question to you is, how do you integrate 100-200 plus new homes into an existing village where every existing property has a chimney - where there is a richness that has evolved over time and where it would have been absolutely extraordinary to have seen developments of more than 5 houses at any one time. Oh, and where you have the added constraint of at least one if not more conservation areas and other designations
Most developers in our area want to build traditional styled housing, they aren’t interested in contemporary (apparently it doesn’t sell) and getting them to do anything sustainable above building regulations is like you have asked them to sacrifice a small child. And this is in one of the most affluent areas of the country.
my personal preference is for contemporary modern homes which are highly sustainable, have evolved to take account of contemporary architectural practices and add a new dimension to the built environment. It probably wouldn’t have a chimney as it would be built to passive Haus standards.
The typical house developers use pocket books with standard floor plans, and as little elevational treatment beyond a door and four windows as possible. There is no creativity, no contribution to the community and even less regard for the context within which they wish to build. Try working with that and you would soon realise why people don’t want to go into the profession.
there are so many reasons why the planning system is in a mess (not least how housing numbers are determined and the use of the tilted balance to get whatever shit development is put forward at appeal). I wouldn’t have put me looking to ensure crap schemes integrate into their surroundings just a little bit better to be at the top of that list but I live and learn.
i imagine you live in quite a unique place where new development is as it should be, evolved, contemporary and sustainable. Probably some city and not in the shires where any positive change is resisted at every single level.