The Green, Gamlingay
Masterplan for a village green, community centre and sports pitches
Client: Private owners of the site
Location: Gamlingay, Cambridgeshire
Status: Ongoing
Burrell Foley Fischer were commissioned to design for a new Community Greenspace for the village of Gamlingay in South Cambridgeshire. The 10 acre plot, 95% of which will be gifted to Gamlingay in perpetuity, is located alongside Cinques Road and within easy walking and cycling of the village centre. Based on known local needs, the new green and amenities would strengthen the individual identity of both Cinques and Gamlingay by providing a new permanent open recreational space between the two.
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The current private ownership of the new green would be legally transferred as an open public space with the intention of safeguarding ‘the gap’ forever from any future development by re-purposing it in a holistic way as an accessible, useable space for all.
A new single low rise barn structure of ten modest dwellings will be accompanied by a new bowling green and clubhouse, and the significant landscaped amenities will also greatly improve the access, parking, setting, and aspect to the existing houses in East Lane.
Included are 9 acres of new village green, 2,500 trees, an arboretum, orchard, a community ‘walled garden’, new walking routes and linked cycle paths all with outward views to the horizon and ancient woods. New sport, health & wellbeing facilities will include: a bowling green, indoor and outdoor all-weather gyms, sports pitch, and a clubhouse ‘hut’. The new village green will act as a focus for clubs, societies, fetes, concerts, local produce market shows, etc.
The simple agricultural barn style building arranged around a ‘green-walled’ courtyard will accommodate 10 dwellings in a single building, with three units designated as affordable starter shell units. The mix of 3/4 bedroom flexible live/work style homes will all be constructed using modern methods of construction (MMC) to the highest energy efficient zero carbon ratings.