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13 Affordable Housing Apartments, Potters Bar

The existing building on this site is locally listed and has served various functions over the years, including a residence for a prominent scientist and, more recently, a residential nursing home. Unfortunately, the building has suffered from poor refurbishment and extensions during its conversion, resulting in a structure with limited architectural merit. Our proposal aims to replace this building with a high-quality design that provides an optimal living environment and maximizes the potential of the site.
Our design pays homage to the site's history by referencing the original building in the choice of materials and architectural details. We also intend to honor the legacy of the previous owner through thoughtful design elements. The new development will feature 13 apartments, including 3 wheelchair-accessible units (M4(3) standard), with 9 parking spaces, one of which will be designated as a disabled parking bay.
The new building will offer well-lit, high-quality apartments, each with a generous proportion of private outdoor space. Residents will benefit from shared amenities, including ground-floor gardens and two roof terraces. These outdoor spaces are designed to foster social interaction and a sense of community within the development.
We have carefully considered the impact on neighboring properties by maintaining a separation distance of 20 meters between habitable rooms and incorporating external screening on roof terraces to ensure privacy. Existing tree screening on the site will be preserved wherever possible to maintain the current level of privacy for neighboring properties. The building's massing is designed to step down from the scale of the commercial buildings to the residential context, creating a harmonious transition.
The new development aims to deliver high-quality, sustainable housing in a central town location. The project will provide 13 social housing units on the former nursing home site, significantly improving upon the existing structure.
Key aspects of the proposal include:
- Compliance with National Space Standards and Building Regulations Part M for wheelchair and disabled users.
- Minimisation of overlooking through strategic positioning of windows and balconies.
- High energy efficiency standards exceeding current Building Regulations.
- Provision of vehicle and cycle parking, along with a dedicated refuse and recycling area.
- Integration of high-quality private and shared amenity spaces, including the retention and incorporation of existing trees in the landscaping.
- Creation of a strong sense of community with open gardens and roof terraces.
This redevelopment will offer a modern, attractive solution to the site, enhancing both its functionality and aesthetic appeal while respecting its historical context.






Oxfordshire​
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7 Goddards Lane
The Theatre Chipping Norton
Chipping Norton
OX7 5NP
​​​Cambridgeshire
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Sheraton House
Castle Park
Cambridge
CB3 OAX​​​

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