The Hazelcroft Pre-Application explored the redevelopment of a generous garden plot in Surrey, to create eight high-quality family homes that responded to the distinctive landscape and architectural character of this leafy suburb.
The site comprised 0.26 hectares of land set behind the existing Hazelcroft house, sloping gently from north to south. Mature trees and high hedgerows enclosed the plot, including three protected trees; two oak trees and a large lime tree, which defined the structure of the landscape. Surrounded by residential developments such as The Oakmere and Birchfield Place, and overlooking a Cricket Green, the site sat within a well-established, green suburban context characterised by detached Regency villas, tree-lined streets, and large private gardens.
The design team identified opportunities to improve site access, make use of the underused rear garden, and create new dwellings that would maintain privacy, enhance landscape quality, and sit comfortably within the existing pattern of development.
EXISTING SITE - GOOGLE MAPS©
EXISTING SITE ANALYSIS DIAGRAM
The proposals built upon feedback from a previous pre-application, which had suggested that a flatted scheme would not sit comfortably within the local context.
In response, our revised approach focused on lower-density, characterful family homes arranged along a shared access road, that followed the site’s existing topography. By removing the original dwelling, a more efficient and coherent site layout was achieved, with improved access and landscape integration.
A range of massing studies were undertaken, testing options from apartment layouts to semi-detached and detached villas. The preferred option, a series of two and three-storey homes stepping down with the slope of the land maintained the rhythm, height, and grain of neighbouring properties while introducing a contemporary architectural language.
PROPOSED SKETCH SITE PLAN
The final pre-application layout proposed eight dwellings, comprising:
Two semi-detached villas fronting the main road, stepping back behind landscaped gardens to maintain the established frontage rhythm.
Four semi-detached homes set along the adjacent lane, each responding to the site’s changing levels with dual-aspect living spaces and south-facing gardens.
Two dormer bungalows positioned around the existing lime tree to form “Lime Tree Square”, creating a distinctive landscaped focal point within the development.
Each home provided private amenity space, integral or screened parking, and generous internal layouts. The dwellings were designed to step with the land, minimising visual impact and enhancing the sense of enclosure provided by existing boundary planting.
The architectural language was derived from the surrounding Regency-style villas and traditional local forms, expressed in a contemporary interpretation. Simple pitched roofs, articulated facades, and materials such as painted render, natural slate, and brick provided a timeless aesthetic that blended into the leafy setting. Garages and parking were integrated into the building footprints to reduce hardstanding and maximise green amenity space. Landscape buffers and mature planting were retained and strengthened to protect privacy for both existing neighbours and future residents.
PROPOSED SITE AERIAL MASSING DIAGRAM
The Hazelcroft proposal demonstrated how an underused suburban site could be redeveloped to deliver a increased density of high-quality new homes that respected existing character, responded to topography, and celebrated mature landscape features.
By creating a new shared lane, preserving protected trees, and introducing a family-scaled mix of dwellings, the scheme offered a design-led approach to incremental residential growth. One that reconnected the site to its surroundings while maintaining the tranquil, green qualities that define this part of Surrey.
Type
New Development
A+P Sector
Location
Surrey
Status
Pre-Application