Thornhill Park

A place that fosters a sense of community

A CGI render of a proposed residential apartment with a multi-use open space featuring informal play spaces and large areas of biodiverse planting.

Thornhill Park

Client:

Shaviram

Area:

3.5 ha (8.6 acres)

Location:

Oxfordshire

Type:

Residential Placemaking

400

new homes

new-homes-statistic-image

2.1

acres of public open space

public-open-space.svg

new

innovation centre, cafe, gym & hotel

mixed-use-statistic-image
An illustrative masterplan for Thornhill Park. © BMD

A mixed-use development underpinned by a landscape led approach, where the inherited green infrastructure assets are used to craft a new and special place with a distinctive character and strong community focus.

Located on the A40 gateway to Oxford, the proposed development creates a new neighbourhood to Risinghurst and Sandhills.

BMD worked closely with JTP and the Lockhart Garratt arboricultural team to create a design that seeks to draw the best from site features, landscape character and local context whilst integrating into these surroundings through an assessment-based approach.

The overall masterplan and landscape proposals respond positively to issues of ecology, access, water management and parkland sensitivities, creating a unique and multi-functional landscape.

Image caption: Illustrative masterplan. © BMD

A CGI render of an area of amenity grassland with woodland planting, creating a secluded communal area for residents to enjoy. © JTP

Biodiversity

A CGI render of the proposed meandering footpath through the woodland walk at Thornhill Park. © JTP

The biodiversity strategy at Thornhill Park starts with the retention of existing green infrastructure and builds on this resource to provide a varied and rich landscape for biodiversity net gain.

A mixed palette of trees is specified to complement the species already present on the site and embellish the parkland character that has already been well established and 'Shallow dig' or 'No dig' solutions will be incorporated where there is risk to the Root Protection Area's of existing trees.

Green roofs, SuDS, productive landscapes, gardens and public amenity planting all provide opportunity for biodiversity enhancement through increased habitat types.

Image caption: CGI of the Woodland Walk. © JTP

A CGI render of the proposed SuDS pond with a boardwalk platform and wetland planting. © JTP

Sustainable Urban Drainage

A detailed diagram illustrating the water cycle through proposed SuDS features at Thornhill Park. © BMD

The SuDs strategy for Thornhill Park is based on the existing site features and landform to maximise effect.

Existing ditches will be utilised for attenuation and bio-retention and incorporated with proposed rain gardens, biodiverse roofs and amenity roofs.

Permeable paving will be a feature running through the site and connected tree pits will increase soil volume for tree root expansion and aid surface water runoff detention.

Image caption: SuDS detail. © BMD

An illustrated section of the water cycle through proposed SuDS features at Thornhill Park. © BMD

LVIA

A plan showing viewpoint locations of the proposed development within the surrounding context. © BMD

BMD undertook a standalone LVIA to support the planning application for the proposed development.

This included in-depth desktop analysis of adopted and emerging and planning policy, local and regional landscape character areas, as well as liaison with Oxford City Council to agree viewpoint locations.

This was then followed up by extensive testing of views in the field, from a number of nearby sensitive locations, including within Forest Hill Conservation Area and Shotover Park and Gardens (Grade I Listed).

BMD also co-ordinated the production of a series of verified views to support the LVIA. In total, 12 verified views were created, using a combination of wirelines and full renders, which helped to convey the massing, materiality of built form and landscape proposals for the site.

Image caption: Viewpoint location plan. © BMD

A panoramic photograph from a Thornhill Park viewpoint, with labels to illustrate the extent of the site within the surrounding context. © BMD