As experienced heritage architects, we were commissioned by Chase Homes to formulate designs for the redevelopment of the former Gordon Russell Works set within the beautiful Cotswold village of Broadway.

The design evolved through considerable consultation with the local planning authority and English Heritage, given the delicate nature of the site, and its standing within a conservation area and area of outstanding natural beauty. The mixed use development included retail, commercial and residential accommodation, and is one of several projects we have done in the village.

Our design was informed by careful consideration of the existing site, examining its features and constraints. The layout capitalises on the best features of the Town and provides a perpendicular extension to the main high street.

A philosophy of taking the parking off the street has been adopted along with the idea of creating feature buildings, interesting massing and public open spaces / focal points. The focal points include the use of feature buildings to catch the eye at prominent points along the road which has been laid out to make a strong feature of the existing thatched houses.

The buildings are a combination of one, two and two a half-storey buildings with architectural features, details, massing, etc which reflect the existing buildings within Broadway to make an interesting development similar to the existing townscape.

The layout includes a general lowering of massing and density to the rear of the site where the buildings relate to the open fields to the north.

“The people who’ve made this development happen are heroes. Good schemes need leadership and someone who cares – this has it in spades.”


Wayne Hemingway, CABE – Building for Life chair

Public open space was introduced which contributes greatly to the visual interest of the development. This includes, stone walls, gates, bridged openings, vista and focal buildings with good landscaping giving the scheme a strong identity but still creating a natural extension to Broadway. Our experienced heritage architects were able to create a scheme that reads entirely with the existing fabric and townscape of Broadway – fully integrated into the local environment without pastiche, respecting the historical architecture, and creating quality public space.