Dinas Powys, Cardiff

Quattro, as specialists in residential architecture, was commissioned by Kier Living to produce a residential layout on a site at Carleon Road in Dinas Powys, located to the southwest of Cardiff.

The brief specified that the development should be appropriate for open market sale housing. The site is located at the north-eastern edge of Dinas Powys, adjacent to the railway line running into Cardiff from West Wales. It was classed as a green-field site.

In total, the site comprises 70 dwellings, ranging from one-bed two-person apartments to four-bed detached houses with integral garages. The design also required over 1200sqm of public open space and a LAP (Local Area for Play) at approx. 1100sqm.

An above ground storm water attenuation solution in the form of a seasonal basin/swale and a pumping station for the management of foul water from site into the main sewer system were also required.

Significant existing trees (with RPA’s) and vegetation on the site boundary, also needed to be retained as an ecology buffer between the site and the adjacent land.

In addition, Kier Living specified Quattro should develop the proposed dwellings in line with their existing portfolio, requiring a process of design adaptation to ensure their dwellings were optimised in this location.

In order to comply with local and national planning policy, a percentage of Affordable Housing provision was also required on site.

Proposing a residential scheme on this site with the subsequent loss of existing green space, meant that a considered and sensitive design approach was required in order to gain the support of the Local Planning Authority.

Key elements such as surface water drainage, storm water attenuation, and a considered approach to hard and soft landscaping, meant that close liaison with other design consultants was essential in order to maximise the potential for the sale of the dwellings whilst also complying with both local and national planning policy.

The completed proposal successfully integrated the requisite housing mix with well defined streets and public spaces. The final design also expressed an understanding of how elements such as character, context, movement and landscaping can be incorporated to create a coherent and cohesive design strategy.

To learn more about our experience in residential architecture, click here.