The Russells

Character

The character of The Russells comes from the mix of uses provided, the sensitively refurbished existing buildings and the new homes, which are well crafted in the style of surrounding 16th Century Broadway Village buildings.

Pedestrians are led into the site from the high street via two well lit alleys towards a Budgens supermarket and new pedestrian town square, which is decorated with mature planting and robust public seating.

A refurbished barn, which sits opposite the supermarket is now a museum dedicated to the furniture maker Gordon Russell.

Beside the square is the block of 24 flats for the elderly run by Evesham and Pershore Housing Association. Flats are arranged over three floors within the entrance building and two floors surrounding a court car park with the upper units accessed via a lift and running deck. Garden space and a day room for residents is also provided.

Beyond this and across Back Lane is the private housing, predominantly built in terraces but with detached and semi detached units at the end of the site. Locally sourced Costwald sandstone features heavily, as do stone window keystones and sills. Sandstone is mixed with timber boarding on garages to reflect existing outbuildings in the area.

Streets are defined by the building layout, so that buildings rather than roads dominate. The scheme is clearly navigable and inviting for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as being easily accessed for those with cars living in and around the development.

Roads, parking and pedestrianisation

The section of the development leading from the high street to the town square is largely pedestrianised and has only limited access and parking via Back Lane for those using the supermarket and shops. What could have so easily been a large car park is instead the terrific new public square, which is actively used for daytime public entertainment and events.

Cars access the new homes via Back Lane. Parking spaces are provided within the overlooked court of the sheltered housing for the elderly. Parking is provided for the private homes in a variety of small and overlooked rear courts, with on plot parking and garages. Some on plot parking spaces are accessed across the public pavement, which is not ideal.

The site is integrated well with existing roads and pedestrian routes are created through the site from the high street to walkways and fields beyond the private housing. Routes are well overlooked and lit, and with a flow of people, particularly through the pedestrianised sections, The Russells feels a very safe place to enjoy.

Design and construction

While the design is far from contemporary, traditional stonework is finely detailed and robustly built. The designs had to respond to a unique site with a long list of stringent conditions, so are specific to the scheme with no 'standard' house types used - Chase Homes developed over 50 new types for The Russells.

Chase has set up a site specific management company and employed a management agent to run the maintenance directly. Private residents all own a small portion of the company and pay an annual service charge to pay for maintenance. So the public access routes, spaces and planting should be well looked after in the long term.

The construction is traditional brick and block - buildings do not outperform Building Regulations in area such as high thermal performance.

Environment and community

Though buildings do not outperform Building Regulations or go out of their way to provide eco friendly elements, the introduction of Broadways first supermarket should have significant impact in reducing local car use for shoppers.

A bus route runs right by the development along Broadway High Street and the inclusion of 24 homes for the elderly right beside the supermarket allows them to shop for their daily needs with the minimum of hassle.

The development provides a range of home sizes from two bedroom flats (disguised within a crescent building at the entrance to the site along back lane), to four bedroom townhouses. So a mix of residents, from young singles to families and pensioners is catered for.

This combined with the high quality public square, range of new shops and offices and restaurants, should keep the Russells loved and enjoyed by locals while adding to what was already a highly attractive tourist destination.