Keir Hardie Avenue, Cleator Moor

Project type:	New Neighbourhood
Client:	Home Group
Stage:	Detailed Planning Application
Programme:	2017-ongoing

Creating a sustainable community based on a contemporary interpretation of Cumbrian vernacular

With homes that were dated in design, had fallen into a poor state of repair and were expensive to maintain and heat, Home Group sought to regenerate Cleator Moor in Cumbria to provide housing that better suits the aspirations and housing needs of existing residents and the wider community.

JTP was appointed to the project as masterplanner and architect to develop a regeneration strategy for Keir Hardie Avenue, situated to the north east edge of Cleator Moor at the heart of the Wath Brow Estate.

The vision for the site is to accommodate the demand for a variety of housing in the area and provide new green public space for both new and existing residents, while creating better connectivity between different neighbourhoods and spaces.

Putting people at the heart of the creative process, we engaged extensively with local residents to discuss the future of their estate, to ensure that any future plans for the area had input from those living there and that the proposed designs addressed their needs and requirements as a community.

Having established clear consensus with all key stakeholder groups in late 2019, our regeneration proposals were subsequently approved by Copeland Borough Council.

“

What we want to use this development for is a springboard for regeneration to the rest of the estate as well and show people what can be achieved.

Brian Patterson, Development Manager at the Home Group

Project Delivery

– 20 dwellings of mixed accommodation, including 2, 3 and 4 bedroom houses, and 2 bedroom bungalows. A tenure split of 45/55% is proposed with 11 private and 9 affordable units.

– Creation of a meaningful landscaped space designed to appeal to all members of the community to ensure its active use and encourage community interaction.

– New and improved vehicular and pedestrian links.

– Homes are designed to create new streets and spaces and to respond to the unique characteristics of the site. They all share common characteristics - indoor and outdoor living, lightness, responding to orientation, flexible spaces which flow with a strong local identity.

– The architecture manifests as a contemporary interpretation of Cumbrian vernacular with a carefully chosen palette of robust, low maintenance materials, that fit well with the local architecture and fulfil the aspirations of Home Group and existing residents.