Lacuna
West Malling, Kent
This award winning project combines the need to meet economic objectives with that of sustainability.
Lacuna forms the central village part of the Kings Hill redevelopment of a former Battle of Britain airbase in West Malling, Kent. Lacuna consists of 260 dwellings. This project started about 10 years ago and the masterplan includes commercial, residential, hotel, leisure and community facilities (including a school, community hall, nursery, golf course and doctors' surgery).
The entire development is in the local plan of Tonbridge and Malling District Council. The joint land owners, Kent County Council and Rouse Kent Ltd appointed Environ Country Homes to undertake masterplans for the central area. Environ worked with Clague as Architects, and following acceptance of the masterplan, Kent County Council offered them the central parcel of land. Environ formed a joint venture with Sunley Estates, called Environ Sunley, to undertake the development. Clague Architects completed the design for 180 homes and Berkeley Homes have designed 80. Clague responded to the Kent Design Guide producing a tight village feel in the Kentish vernacular on the 3 hectares (7.6 acres) site of the village core.
Due to the high quality finish required, prefabricated timber-framed Super E Homes were imported from Canada. The village core has achieved high density ratings, and has a minimum parking allowance.
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