Soil-led masterplanning

Bailrigg Garden Village, illustrative masterplan.

An innovative soils-led approach to masterplanning aims to change the scale and pattern of future residential development.

Farrer Huxley, in collaboration with JTP Architects, has developed a spatial masterplan framework for Bailrigg Garden Village in Lancashire. Through comprehensive community engagement over RIBA Stages 1–2, the project sought to redefine landscape-led masterplanning for the 550-hectare site. Alongside the delivery of 5,000–8,000 new homes, the team explored how a landscape in crisis might be restored to resolve its current challenges and meet the demands of future living.

An innovative approach to the land, based on in-depth site mapping and analysis of its qualities, processes, and stewardship, was kindled by Lancaster University’s soils team and the local consultation process.

There is a societal lack of understanding about the environment needed to sustain agricultural practices: now identified as environmental generational amnesia (EGA). Early consultation revealed the crisis farmers face due to EGA jeopardising future land management. Hence the masterplan for Bailrigg Garden Village aims to create a balanced and enduring local economy through the reconnection of the future community with the soils and landscape.

The masterplan was shaped by the quality of soils, creating patterns of development that reflect the landscape’s natural characteristics. Early mapping of soil quality informed land use allocation, with productive landscapes and their associated enterprises integrated into the new neighbourhoods. Understanding the processes that shaped past settlements, food production, employment, and stewardship informed the development of a balanced system for people, industry, food production, and nature. This varied, smaller-scale mosaic of land uses includes regenerative farming, open space for leisure, a network of green routes for walking and cycling, and areas left untouched for rewilding. The result is a new settlement that conforms to the natural rules of the place, where the form and density of its components contribute to the same ecosystem.

Green infrastructure makes up approximately 70% of the land, and 70% of that green infrastructure is productive. The proximity to homes and workplaces of green spaces, orchards, and areas for growing ensures everyone is in touch with nature and the natural cycles that impact them. The common language of food – growing, making, selling, and eating – binds local communities and creates healthy local and circular economies.

The success of the place will be dependent upon individuals understanding their contributions, whether through buying local produce, working in local food businesses (such as a brewery), or engaging in traditional land management (crops, forestry, livestock). Long-term success will be assessed through collaboration with Lancaster University – from EGA to biodiversity, carbon, climate change resilience, and community wellbeing. This critical analysis will inform future phases of development.

Bailrigg Garden Village was the winner of the Excellence in Masterplanning & Urban Design category at the Landscape Institute Awards 2022.