Beech Tree Place has been designed with a distinctive sense of character between a Grade II* Listed church and a Heritage Action Zone, creating quality homes that set an exemplar for Council-led regeneration.
92 affordable, net zero, dual and triple aspect homes are arranged within four Mansion Blocks on the sloping site and will replace the existing 1950s homes, which comprise 20 independent living bedsits and flats, which do not meet the existing older residents’ needs. The inter-generational proposals will re-house older residents in spacious apartments designed to HAPPI standards and introduce a new community of sustainable and affordable homes, with shared community gardens. The proposals contribute to Sutton’s Town Centre Masterplan with public realm improvements to the gyratory and biodiversity enhancements.
From late 2019 HTA facilitated an Options Appraisal process in close collaboration with the existing older tenants of this small town centre estate, which was allocated for regeneration in Sutton’s Local Plan (2018). Co-design workshops were carried out in Sutton and online, and following a formal Section 105 consultation process a test of opinion resulted in a majority of tenants supporting full phased regeneration. Further workshops enabled residents to shape the design of their new homes, the elevations and landscape. Throughout 2021 tenants had a hands on role in getting into the detail of accessibility within their building, the wayfinding, storage, daylight, ventilation, underfloor heating, renewables and their roof garden. These discussions shaped the regeneration proposals, along with reaching out to the local neighbourhood, St Nicholas Church and other stakeholders.
Designed with PVs and air source heat pumps to heat the homes, the proposals achieve ‘net zero carbon’ as defined by the GLA, and meet the RIBA Climate Challenge 2030 target to reduce operational energy. Homes are designed to maximise daylight and sunlight throughout the year, while adopting measures for tackling overheating, reducing CO2 emissions and noise pollution. Retained mature trees, biosolar roofs and habitat features integrated in the new public realm and gardens strengthen the existing qualities of the site to achieve a biodiversity net gain.
This will be an exemplar multi-generational community for older residents to enjoy living alongside future generations in Sutton’s town centre.
