A new development of 13 affordable, sustainable homes in Down Ampney, Gloucestershire, has received planning permission - offering a much-needed boost to local affordable housing provision while protecting the village’s unique character and biodiversity.
Delivered in partnership with Bromford Housing Association and Cotswold District Council, the scheme is designed by a Ridge multidisciplinary team to align with the Cotswold District Council Net Zero Carbon Toolkit as well as the Future Homes Standard and LETI net-zero carbon goals, setting a benchmark for low-carbon, community-focused housing in rural areas.
Thoughtful Design for a Rural Setting
Set within a traditional Cotswold village, the design complements its surroundings through the use of Cotswold stone and a layout that respects the village’s scale and character. Two terraces will provide a mix of two- and three-bedroom homes, with south-facing facades to maximise daylight, compact forms to support thermal comfort, and solar panels to achieve net zero in operation.
Each home will feature a private garden, driveway, and front-facing kitchen. Chimneys designed to channel natural light into the home’s core will reduce reliance on artificial lighting.
At the heart of the site is a green space with an informal play area, designed to encourage neighbourly interaction and children’s play, while offering passive surveillance from surrounding homes. Mature trees will be retained, a landscape attenuation pond will support a sustainable urban drainage strategy, and a wildflower meadow will enhance ecological value and biodiversity.
Community Collaboration
Ridge led the project through RIBA Stages 0–3, delivering Architecture, Building Services Engineering, Civil Engineering, Geotechnical, Structural Engineering, Sustainability, Traffic & Transport, and in-house Net Zero Carbon expertise.
Two public consultation events helped shape the proposals, giving residents a chance to share feedback – particularly on concerns around local infrastructure and honouring the village’s character.
As a result, Thames Water is now upgrading the village’s pumping station, helping to ensure the development supports wider infrastructure improvements. Despite delays to submission, planning permission was granted in March 2025.
Looking ahead
The project has been welcomed by the local community, who praised its sustainable design and sympathetic approach to placemaking. A new footpath will link the development to the village centre, promoting walkability and social connection.
“Being involved in this project from an early stage has been a fantastic learning experience,” “Working alongside different disciplines in-house has not only strengthened my technical understanding but also shown me the value of collaboration in multi-disciplinary delivery for well-rounded, sustainable outcomes. Ridge’s commitment to nurturing young professionals and encouraging cross-team learning makes projects like this both rewarding and impactful.”
Conor Toland, Project Architect at Ridge.
Following the infrastructure upgrades, Ridge look forward to delivering a high-quality, future-ready and affordable housing solution that reflects the needs and values of the Down Ampney community.
