John and Tim have just returned from an inspirational trip to Malmo in Sweden where they visited some remarkable housing schemes. John explains;
The trip was arranged by David Birkbeck of Design for Homes. We are about to team up with a development partner at Lingfield Point, Darlington and start building the first new homes there. We wanted to see the very best examples of new housing in Europe before the design for phase 1 was finalised.
David showed us some fantastic low energy schemes using district heating systems, solar thermal and PV but we were most interested in the layouts of these new communities. I was inspired by the mixed scale of these developments with small single storey homes alongside apartment buildings. The designers had created intimate spaces between buildings, often incorporating water and reed beds where children can play safely. People take priority over the car in Sweden and the shared surfaces really work.
We’ll be making sure the ideas and lessons learned from the trip are brought back to Lingfield Point to make the new homes there some of the most remarkable in the UK.
Marchday fell in love with cycling a long time ago now and since then the passion has not waned one little bit. In fact Priyen has just about had enough of the cycling talk on the train going to and from Darlington.
The real surprise is that this new found passion has maintained a place even in the cold dark winter months…. introducing @thelingfieldlap.
Every tuesday night at 17:45 the peleton sets off to complete as many laps of the Lingfield Point measured mile as they can before it gets too cold or they get too hungry! These winter miles will be invaluable when the clocks go forward and we are able to ride out the the beautiful dales. They also make the inevitable curry taste so much better!
If you are a cyclist of whatever level and are keen to get fit for the summer come along to the Home Office at Lingfield Point and join us. Updates are sent out on twitter (@thelingfieldlap) prior to each session.
We are often asked when the first new homes at Lingfield Point will be built. Well, we’re delighted to tell you that we are very close to choosing our residential development partner and that new homes will be started at Lingfield Point within a year.
We’ve spoken to many potential partners and despite the general gloom hanging over the residential market have found them all keen to build.
It is essential that we find a partner who’s thinking was aligned with our own in terms of design and commitment to the sustainable mixed community.
We’re close to doing that and will be unveiling our new partner shortly. Watch this space!
