Westall Road

Loughton

Sustainable homes within biodiverse landscape to support improving the local neighbourhood whilst assisting the Council address its housing needs.

Location: Loughton

Client: Epping Forest District Council

Status: Planning achieved.

Specialisation: Biodiversity net gain

Westall Road provides 15 new build high-quality homes for Epping Forest District Council as sustainable, affordable housing within a sensitive suburban context. Located on the corner of Westall Road and Etheridge Road, the scheme replaces the former Princess of Wales public house with two three-storey buildings containing a mix of one, two and three-bedroom flats.

The design takes references from the surrounding 1950s Debden Estate, reinstating the building line and reflecting the area’s architectural rhythm through the use of contextual brickwork, stepped rooflines and carefully proportioned forms. The result is a contemporary development that complements the existing streetscape while creating a strong new identity at a prominent corner site.

Sustainability has been central to the project from the outset. Targeting the Passivhaus standard; the homes incorporate a high-performance fabric first building approach, photovoltaic panels and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery to reduce energy consumption and running costs for residents. The scheme also includes a sustainable drainage system of swales and rain gardens, designed to manage surface water and mitigate local flood risk.

The design’s comprehensive landscape strategy supports a 20.19% Biodiversity Net Gain, introducing fifteen new trees, native planting and ecological features such as bird and bat boxes and hedgehog highways. The private communal garden offers a secure, green space for residents, complemented by improved public realm along both street frontages. The development promotes sustainable transport choices through extensive cycle storage and limited parking provision – all of which have electric vehicle charging capabilities.

All homes meet high accessibility and security standards, ensuring safe, inclusive environments for residents. Through close collaboration with Epping Forest District Council and local planners, the ECD team has delivered a design that balances environmental performance, contextual sensitivity and community benefit. Westall Road stands as an exemplar of modern, low-carbon local authority housing that enhances its surroundings while setting a benchmark for future sustainable development in the district.

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