Sidney Close, Lane End.

Sidney Close is the redevelopment of a former care home site for affordable housing. Comprising 19 new two-bedroom homes, the sloped site and proximity to the M40 bought with it a number of physical and environmental issue to overcome.

Sidney Close, Lane End, though modest in scale, has become a flagship project for Catalyst in delivering people- and community-focused development. Completed in summer 2021, it transformed a former care home site into a distinctive new residential neighbourhood.

Homes are arranged around a central communal garden, which shields residents from motorway noise while providing a welcoming space for social interaction and children’s play. Each dwelling has direct access to the garden, supporting outdoor activity and giving parents peace of mind. The sloping site is sensitively addressed with wheelchair access around the garden’s perimeter, ensuring inclusivity for all.

The repeatable house plan brings multiple benefits- enclosed courtyards that balance privacy with connection to shared green space, dual-aspect rooms that enhance daylight and outlook, and integrated parking that maintains a clear perimeter street. Together, these elements create a pedestrian-friendly, resident-focused neighbourhood with a strong sense of community.


Description: 19 two-bedroom affordable homes

Client: Jarvis Contracting for Catalyst Housing Group

Site: 0.65Ha

Area: 1,690SM

Value: c.£4.5m

Stage 0-3: ZCA Architects

Stage 4-6: Rock Townsend Architects

Struct. Eng.: IESIS

Photography: Matt Clayton Photography

Status: completed 2021

RT Team: Richard Watson, Dan Bangs

Previous
Previous

Hall Grove, Welwyn Garden City

Next
Next

Hertford Mill, Hertford