Developers plan zero-carbon community in Chichester

Developers have submitted a planning application to transform the former Graylingwell hospital in Chichester into a new eco-friendly community.

Linden Homes and the Downland Housing Association will work in collaboration with English Partnerships if the application gets the go-ahead.

The design team will be lead by John Thompson & Partners and includes Joachim Eble Architektur of Tubingen in Germany, conversion specialists Gillespie Yunnie and landscape architect Studio Engleback. Future City prepared the cultural strategy, while WSP provided environmental consultation.

Plans for the project include the provision of 750 new homes ranging from one to five bedrooms, of which the housing association will provide 40% affordable housing.

The scheme also includes 30 new studios for local artists, a 60-bed care home, new bus routes, improved cycling and walking links, the development of a primary school and a single-storey pavilion, providing changing facilities and a small café.

According to John Thompson & Partners, Graylingwell will be a zero-carbon community as a result of the new energy centre featuring a combined heat and power plant.

Marcus Adams, managing partner at John Thompson & Partners, said: “The scheme represents another milestone in the drive towards sustainable urbanism, in which dynamic new places are created by combining sensitive, but technologically advanced architectures, with existing historic buildings and mature landscapes.”