60-home project built by SDC and designed by Cole Thompson Anders

A new housing scheme inspired by the Garden Cities movement has opened in the first one to be built - Letchworth Garden City.

The 60 home scheme, built by SDC and designed by architect Cole Thompson Anders, is mainly built to Code for Sustainable Homes level four and was developed by housing association North Hertfordshire Homes.

The project, ‘Tomorrow’s Garden City’, started with an international design competition in 2007 organised by the Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation in partnership with the housing association and the RIBA.

It draws on principles created by the Victorian founder of the Garden City movement, Ebenezer Howard, and was opened by the Duke of Devonshire last week.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, North Hertfordshire Homes’ chief executive Kevin Thompson said: “We are tremendously proud of this development, which we think offers a blue print for sustainable homes in the future. 

“We have provided quality homes that are affordable, sustainable and supportive of their occupants.  In partnership with the Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation and others we have been able to harness the best in current thinking and practice that will leave behind us a legacy which I am sure future generations will appreciate.”