Adam Architecture picked for 2,000-home eco scheme in Essex

Adam Architecture has been appointed to design a 2,000-home “climate-positive” community at Rochford Park, Essex.

The London and Winchester-based architecture firm will work as masterplanner for the development by construction technology company Hemspan.

Planning has recently been submitted for the development, located on 60 hectares of land east of Rochford and Ashingdon. If approved, it will include 2,000 mixed occupancy high quality and affordable homes, as well as schools, GP services, community spaces, shops, leisure and sports facilities. 

Up to 40% of the homes will be affordable, either for affordable rent or shared ownership.

The Biohaus homes created by Hemspan are panel-based, factory built, and operate below net zero by removing more carbon from the atmosphere than they emit.  

The Rochford Park project includes the creation of a new on-site manufacturing facility for the Biohaus building system, which will create around 350 direct and a further 175 indirect jobs.

The on-site factory will locally grown materials to build the sustainable home panels, incorporating energy efficient elements such as solar panels, air source heat pumps and greywater recycling.

Hugh Petter, design director at Adam Architecture, said: “Rochford Park is a great opportunity to make a positive statement, not only in design quality, but also in sustainability and prioritising community.  

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“It also demonstrates one dynamic way towards the delivery of government’s ambitious housing targets of 1.5 million new homes by the next general election.”

Matthew Belcher, chief executive officer of Hemspan, said: “With Adam Architecture we can deliver a scheme that reflects Rochford’s character whilst raising the bar for sustainable development nationally.

“The plans also include a new factory for the manufacture of our innovative Biohaus building system enabling climate positive homes to be delivered at scale.  

“The home design not only achieves near-zero carbon emissions, but also actively removes CO2 during construction, and produces all the energy required once occupied.”