Polbathic Housing Development: Masterplanning and Condition Discharge for a Complex Construction Project
Masterplanning for 19 homes on a constrained, contaminated site in Cornwall—delivering drainage, ecology, play, and planting strategies to unlock planning approval and start construction.
Client: REDTEN Ltd
Location: Polbathic, Cornwall PL11 3HD
Services Provided
Landscape Design
Ecology & BS5837 Arboriculture
Project Management
LEMP and Technical Coordination
The Challenge
The site presented numerous challenges: steep topography, contamination, adjacent ancient woodland, and complex drainage dynamics. Formerly an ironworks, it required sensitive planning and technical integration to secure approval for 19 dwellings. The client also needed to meet conditions for ecological mitigation, open space, and recreational provision.
The Solution
Land & Heritage developed a concept-led masterplan that evoked a ‘village street’ character while solving significant design constraints. Water was managed through a partially open channel system integrated with footways and structured planting.
We coordinated closely with other consultants and led on ecological surveys, arboricultural assessments, planting strategies, and the Landscape Environmental Management Plan (LEMP). Our integrated approach kept the project moving through to planning submission.
The Result
We successfully supported the discharge of planning conditions by April 2023, enabling construction to begin. Land & Heritage’s role was pivotal in bridging technical and design requirements, ensuring the masterplan was viable, characterful, and compliant.
