Our Design Approach

Our proposals have been developed to embrace the character and location of this important site at the heart of Ascot High Street and respond to previous feedback from the Council and other stakeholders.

The team have carefully considered the local setting, in particular, retaining as many existing trees as possible while delivering the objectives for the site set out in the Council’s Local Plan.

The proposals seek to deliver high quality design that reflect the character of Ascot. Public open space, community, commercial and retail uses are also proposed along the High Street to benefit everyone.

Currently, the site is a mix of hard surfacing and grassed areas having been used as a car park associated with the racecourse located to the north of the High Street. The site is fenced off and fails to enhance Ascot High Street. The site includes some mature trees and our proposals have been designed to retain as many as possible.

There are several amenities nearby that serve the existing community, including retail, food and hospitality businesses. It is our aim for the new development to complement and support local businesses, helping the area to thrive.

ARTIST’S IMPRESSION: STREET SCENE

ARTIST’S IMPRESSION: GREEN SPACE

New Homes

The proposals will deliver new high-quality sustainable modern homes to support the local economy. The new homes will be a mixture of apartments and houses, helping to create a diverse and vibrant local community in the heart of Ascot. Around 100 new homes will be provided, of which 40% will be affordable.

Importantly, the development will include enhanced pedestrian and cycle routes, linking the site with the High Street and train station, making the homes some of the most well-connected and sustainable properties in Ascot.

In developing the proposals, the design team have sensitively researched the surrounding local architecture, ensuring an architectural style that will complement the local context.

The scale and height of the proposals, at a maximum of three and a half storeys, have been carefully considered, taking into account daylight and sunlight analysis of the local context, as well as a wide range of other design considerations.

The majority of proposed homes will have their own private balcony or garden as well as access to public open space fronting the high street that will include play and seating areas, wildflower meadows, and a woodland buffer.

All homes will exceed current design standards for size, accessibility, open space and play space. These high standards have been designed with future residents in mind to help create a healthy and happy community.

Transport, Access and Parking

The new homes will have allocated car parking spaces and dedicated cycle storage. Car club and visitor parking spaces will also be provided.

A Car Park Management Plan will be prepared to provide full details on how the car parking spaces on site will be managed.

The current access from the High Street (via the white gates) will be for pedestrians and cyclists and closed off to vehicles.

The vehicular access via Station Hill will be retained for residents.

Landscape and Trees

Celebrating the existing natural environment has been a key design ambition for the team, who have carefully developed the proposals and sought to improve future and existing residents’ access to green open space.

In order to deliver this allocated site, it is necessary to remove some of the existing trees. However, we will offset this with new tree planting, enhancement of some of the existing trees and better accessibility for the whole community.

The improved accessibility will include providing better pedestrian and cycle connections to nature through trails, habitat discovery and bug hotels.

In terms of sustainability, air source heat pumps are proposed along and an efficient use of materials and will help minimise carbon emissions and energy usage.

New Public Outdoor Space

The proposals will provide new outdoor public spaces for both new and existing residents to enjoy together. We are proposing:

• A Community Park – a new park for Ascot with open areas of grass to sit and relax on and playspace.
• A new High Street square providing a further area to sit, relax and chat, with scope for pop up market spaces.
• Shops, cafes, restaurants and community uses.
• Around 100 new sustainable homes.

A Mix of Uses

An important consideration of the design team has been ensuring that the new development is embedded into its local surroundings.

As an extension to the High Street, the proposals will create a diversity of spaces that can enable communities and commercial activities to thrive and grow. The proposed development will be a place for local artisan, creative industries and like-minded businesses to connect.

Mixed commercial floorspace (community / office / retail / café & restaurant) would be provided, fronting the High Street and market square.