Theme 5
Placemaking
Examples of where the Group has been engaged in placemaking activities
With all new development opportunities, Longhurst Group assesses the design of a scheme and how it will suit the needs of our customers and the community, using the Building for Life 12 (BfL12) design tool outlined in Appendix 6.
BfL12 is based on a traffic light system and aims to achieve as many ‘greens’ as possible. Where there are ‘reds’ or ‘ambers’ we’re able to challenge the design and introduce changes, unless restricted by planning policy or technical aspects of the site.
As an example, an initial Building for Life self-assessment has been undertaken for a new development of 39 new homes at Gorefield, Wisbech.
Of the 12 BfL categories, four have been fully scored, three of which are green, with one amber due to the limitations of public transport services in this rural location. The remaining six categories require further design development for them to be scored but have been reviewed positively.
The initial assessment will help inform the more detailed design development.
BfL and the Group Development Strategy
The Group Development Strategy targets a minimum of nine out 12 green criteria. In 2022–23, 28 schemes were approved as new developments or initial land-led opportunities. Following a self-assessment at the appraisal stage, all but one of the schemes (96 percent) achieved the minimum criteria, with over 60 percent exceeding this.
Examples of where the Group has been engaged in placemaking activities
With all new development opportunities, Longhurst Group assesses the design of a scheme and how it will suit the needs of our customers and the community, using the Building for Life 12 (BfL12) design tool outlined in Appendix 6.
BfL12 is based on a traffic light system and aims to achieve as many ‘greens’ as possible. Where there are ‘reds’ or ‘ambers’ we’re able to challenge the design and introduce changes, unless restricted by planning policy or technical aspects of the site.
As an example, an initial Building for Life self-assessment has been undertaken for a new development of 39 new homes at Gorefield, Wisbech.
Of the 12 BfL categories, four have been fully scored, three of which are green, with one amber due to the limitations of public transport services in this rural location. The remaining six categories require further design development for them to be scored but have been reviewed positively.
The initial assessment will help inform the more detailed design development. BfL and the Group Development Strategy
The Group Development Strategy targets a minimum of nine out 12 green criteria. In 2022–23, 28 schemes were approved as new developments or initial land-led opportunities. Following a self-assessment at the appraisal stage, all but one of the schemes (96 percent) achieved the minimum criteria, with over 60 percent exceeding this.
BfL and the Group Development Strategy
The Group Development Strategy targets a minimum of nine out 12 green criteria. In 2022–23, 28 schemes were approved as new developments or initial land-led opportunities. Following a self-assessment at the appraisal stage, all but one of the schemes (96 percent) achieved the minimum criteria, with over 60 percent exceeding this.