Tendring Colchester Borders is an exemplar Garden Community in Essex guided by regenerative design principles.

Periscope led the landscape and public realm design on a new garden community east of Colchester in Essex. As part of the integrated masterplaning team including Haworth Tompkins, Kjellander Sjoberg, Grounded, Stantec and ARUP, our work also includes the Detailed Component of a hybrid planning application and encompasses the development of the 62.8-hectare Salary Brook Country Park. We have also collaborated with Essex Young Designers through Matt + Fiona, along with other local groups, to incorporate community feedback into the masterplan proposals.

Over the next 20 years, the masterplan aims to create a resilient and innovative community of 7750 new homes, with a 30% affordable housing mix. Across three distinct neighbourhoods, primary and secondary schools, student accommodation, a knowledge gateway, and a dedicated employment zone will be delivered, all connected via a Rapid Transport Service. Periscope’s primary focus is on the strategic design and vision for the landscape and public realm, which aims to enhance biodiversity and ensure landscape resilience in the short and long term.

The masterplan is influenced by the ecologically rich rural landscape, which includes arable farmland and ancient woodlands interspersed with hedgerow corridors.

Over time, this project will transform intensive farmland into a cohesive landscape that benefits both people and wildlife; key elements will be protected and enhanced as part of the primary green network, which includes an active travel corridor. The existing hedgerows will be allowed to naturally widen and re-wild to create a more complete and resilient ecosystems across the site.