Phase One Design Strategy Section 5

5.2  Block typologies

The block typologies illustrated in this section are
set up to reinforce the urban hierarchy and legibility
of Key Phase One. Block types are distinguished
primarily by land uses, urban grain and building
typologies. Whilst addressing issues such as block
access and servicing, these allocation of typologies
must not, however, distract the urban design intention
to create coherent streets.
Principles are set-out as follows:
• Façade Depths – buildings on both side of the
street present sufficient façade depth to create
visual interests;
• Roofline – a varied roofline should be created on
both sides of the street to create rhythm at upper
levels;
• Scale – the scale of blocks is broken down
vertically and horizontally to create an
appropriate scale so as not to overwhelm the
block opposite.

• Buildings on both sides of street should work

together to create visual interests and serial
visions and thus create a strong sense of place;
• Buildings on both sides should hold the ‘street
wall’ to create good consistent streets;
• Rhythm – the blocks either side of the street
should resonate to each other (i.e. symmetrical or
asymmetrical rhythm);

Linear street edge

Mews access block

Development edge block

Communal green block

Back to back block with rear garden

Typical Phase One plot showing block typologies

k garden
parking 076
Waterbeach Barracks and Airfield

52.2656º N, 0.12910º E
Outline Planning Application

Linear street edge block

The street edge block is a linear block along
secondary and primary roads framing the plots.
Pedestrian access is from the main street and car
access is from a mews or tertiary road within the plot.
These blocks will be dual aspect to create strong
frontages to address street edges.

Building type - Terrace houses with dual access and
apartment blocks at corners.

Frontage - Continuous frontage with occasional

breaks which also provide pedestrian access points
between main roads and internal plot.

Massing - Generally high lying especially to primary

roads and on corners (3-5 storeys).

Layout - Houses framing streets, discretely varied Linear street edge block
massing to achieve an interesting but coherent roof
and streetscape.

Parking - On plot undercroft or drive way.

Communal green link block

The communal green link block is a linear block
located central within the inner plot area. Pedestrian
access is from the green link side and car access is
from a mews or tertiary road. The blocks will be dual
aspect to create strong frontage to address open
spaces as well as street edges.

Building type - Courtyard houses with dual access.

Frontage - Continuous frontage with occasional

breaks which also provide pedestrian access points
between main roads and internal plot.

Massing - Generally low lying with buildings along

mews not more than 2 -3 storeys tall, and flat roofs; if
higher slanted roofs or set back from mews should be
considered.
Communal green link block
Layout - Houses framing streets, discretely varied
massing to achieve an interesting but coherent roof
and streetscape.

Parking - On plot, undercroft or drive way.

077
Phase One Design Strategy Section 5

Back to back block with rear garden

The back to back rear garden block is a block
comprising secure rear gardens in the centre and a
mix of house types and apartments defining the street
edges. These blocks will:
• Clearly define public and private domains by
locating all front entrances onto the surrounding
streets;
• Where possible achieve a minimum distance
of 12m between building faces at the rear of
dwellings to provide privacy;
• Create good street rhythm by addressing the
roofscape and create regular plot widths;
• Accommodate a range of housing types to create
a legible environment;
• Not allow public pedestrian routes to run through
the block to create a completely secure internal
block environment.
Back to back block with rear garden
Building type - Terrace and semi detached houses.

Frontage - Continuous frontage with occasional

breaks.

Massing - Generally low lying with massing focus

on framing streets and step down facing internal (2-3
storeys).

Layout - Building along perimeter with back to back

rear gardens or courtyards and raised terraces.

Parking - On plot, undercroft or drive way.

Development edge block

The development edge is designed to complete the
perimeter block form with the green open space such
as the Lake Spur or the Woodlands. The blocks will:
• Back onto green open space;
• Achieve a reasonable distance to the open green
space and the mews/ road opposite;
• Only detached and semi-detached houses are
considered for this block type;
• Apartment blocks are considered in limited
numbers to complete corners or to hold strategic
vistas;
• Parking is anticipated to be integral to the main
dwelling built-form; individual stand-alone
garages are not considered.

Building type - Mainly semi detached or detached,

limited terrace houses and low rise apartment blocks.
Development edge block
Frontage - Fragmented frontage with broken edges.

Massing - Generally low lying with building heights

about 2-3 storeys high and apartment block heights
about 4-5 storeys high.

Layout - Buildings along streets with private front,

side and back garden extended to the development
edge.

Parking - On plot, undercroft or drive way.

078
Waterbeach Barracks and Airfield

52.2656º N, 0.12910º E
Outline Planning Application

Mixed use blocks

Located on the lakeside and in the local centres these
are predominantly residential apartments blocks with
active ground floor uses. These blocks will:
• Maximise strong building fronts and primary
entrances around perimeter of the block;
• Maximise active frontage towards street and
lakeside boulevard with commercial uses such as
shops and restaurants, cafés and bars;
• Have access to basement or semi-basment
parking that must be well-integrated to minimise
negative impact on public realm;
Building type - Medium rise apartment blocks
and low-rise town houses connected via podium
containing commercial facilities.
Frontage - Continuous active frontage with decent
breaks above podium line to lighten appearance.
Massing - Generally medium lying with apartment
block heights between 5-7 storeys and townhouses
between 3-4 storeys high.
Layout - Hybrids with discretely varied massing
to achieve an interesting but coherent roof and
streetscape.

Parking - Basement, semi basement and/ or podium.

Lakeside blocks featuring mixed uses and spaces

Food and beverage

Visitors centre

Retail

079