ORCHARD YARD, WINGHAM
Orchard Yard is an exclusive, multi award winning, new community of homes perfectly designed for retirement living and equipped to adapt to every need over time. After entering The International Property Awards 2021 for Best Architectural Multiple Residence South East and Best Residential Development Kent and winning both categories, the development is highly sought after.
Nine houses and six apartments, plus a whole host of communal areas are set within the original walled farmyard of Wingham Court, a Grade II listed manor house, on the edge of the charming Kent village of Wingham. The site lies within the village of Wingham and is located within the confines of the Wingham Conservation Area, as stated by Dover District Council.
The proposals looked to acknowledge and respond to the agricultural vernacular that exists upon the adjacent site but in a far more sympathetic manner. This has been achieved through the use of a more classical arrangement of more traditionally formed structures.
Separation and breaking up of bulk had been important to ensure an openness to the site is maintained. A more modern and contemporary design has been adopted to clearly distinguish between more historic parts of the existing site and the area proposed.
This clear definition was achieved mainly through the use of more modern detailing and a complimentary selection of materials.
The scheme is a C2 retirement scheme being nine houses and six flats with a Guest Lodge and Clubhouse and was in accordance with the recommendations of HAPPI, as well as being a scheme for which there was a serious need.
Kent Design Studio was then commissioned to design a scheme that might be acceptable to Dover District Council and submitted a revised application in March 2017 with consent eventually being granted in late March 2018. It took until June 2019 to satisfy the pre commencement conditions.
Construction is now complete after having carried out an archaeological dig and overcoming a whole series of ecological requirements.
