A landscaped-led neighbourhood forming a new edge to the countryside 

Covering a total of 38 hectares and located to the south-west of Cranleigh in Surrey, Knowle Park will deliver a unique place that is part of the rural landscape and provides 265 new homes. Dwellings will be provided in a variety of house types, sizes and tenures including affordable homes across the neighbourhood to support a socially sustainable community and aspirations of people at different stages of their lives.

The buildings are designed to respond sensitively to their surroundings, forming a new edge to the village. The houses are contemporary in design and homes harmonise with the rural architectural character and material palette of Cranleigh, taking full advantage of the views with large areas of glazing. Key features which typify Cranleigh’s vernacular included traditional roof pitches, vertical proportions, gables fronting primary aspects and multiple facing materials.

The material palette is based on the local vernacular for Cranleigh, consisting primarily of red bricks, tile hanging clay roofs and black boarding to create greater variety to the street scene and create focal points.

A linear park forms the main open space, and meanders through the new neighbourhood, providing a landscaped corridor connecting the site to a country park along the eastern edge via footpaths and cycle routes. The homes will face onto the park to reinforce the connection to the countryside and provide framed views across the landscape.

JTP’s design process welcomed the engagement and input of local residents and stakeholders, and the result is a neighbourhood shaped by the existing landscape, with a variety of spaces and routes for pedestrians, cyclists, dog-walkers, children’s play, sports activities and family strolls.