The Stamford Brook development is sustainable housing on a commercial scale.
The housing scheme is built on land that once formed part of the Dunham Massey Estate, comprising approximately 3000 acres of land.
It was left to The National Trust in 1976 by Lord Stamford, who had always intended for a section of the land to be sold in order to create an endowment to safeguard, in perpetuity, the rest of the Dunham Massey Estate. This land is at a site called Brookside Farm in the Broadheath area of Altrincham, forming under 2.5% of the total area of the estate.
© National Trust
The National Trust and the joint developers, Redrow Homes (North West) and Taylor Wimpey, are working to achieve the overall vision for Stamford Brook, which is to create:
'A sustainable and imaginative development of new homes in a new landscape, which integrates with the surrounding environment, and aims to be a safe, healthy and inspiring place in which to live, work and to have as a neighbour. A place and community that will evolve, mature and rejuvenate, and serve as an exemplar of sustainable development over many decades.'
Energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions
The properties at Stamford Brook are of traditional brick and block cavity construction under a tiled roof. The development seeks to use existing techniques and traditional building methods to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The standard requires:
- highly insulated buildings free from serious thermal bridging;
- a high level of airtightness;
- heating and ventilation systems that minimise carbon dioxide emissions.
Partners in Innovation
The development is participating in a 'Partners in Innovation' project to look at improving the energy efficiency of masonry dwellings. Leeds Metropolitan University is undertaking the project for the Department for Communities and Local Government (previously ODPM).
The scheme demonstrates what is achievable on a commercial scale by volume house builders. The Partners in Innovation steering group has a number of leading representatives from the construction industry who advise and support the ongoing programme and form a useful link to influencing DCLG.
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What the development demonstrates
© National Trust
- Substantial savings in water usage
- Different methods for householders to reduce their waste, working in conjunction with the local authority.
- Materials were used from sustainable or renewable sources.
- The quality and character reflects the landscape setting and nature of traditional built form in the local area.
- Encourages the use of public transport, walking, cycling.
- Regeneration of community woodland, recreational riverside areas and children's play areas.
Working with the local community
Throughout the project, the National Trust has maintained effective communication with the local community. A Community Liaison Officer ensured the community's views were represented in the masterplanning process and today the project coordinator remains a key link to the community attending / hosting community meetings, liaising with residents and producing the Stamford Brook newsltter. Two Trust representatives will sit on the Management Committee, once established, to continue this relationship.
The river re-alignment scheme
© National Trust
At the heart of the project is a river re-alignment scheme which involved excavating a new river valley corridor approximately 30-60 metres wide. This prevents flooding into the existing development area and has increased the river's natural dynamics, but poses no danger to surrounding properties or the public. As well as increasing the existing standards of flood defence, the river corridor significantly increases ecological value.
Improving the local environment
Stamford Brook was designed essentially through a triple bottom line approach balancing environmental, community and financial needs. With this in mind, creating an attractive environment for the community was a central facet of the devlopment. A wide variety of wildlife and native habitats are being established for the benefit of both nature conservation and the enjoyment of the community. Key elements include:
- Restoration and enhancement of Sinderland Brook and Timperley Brook river corridors.
- Using a semi-natural drainage system (SUDS) to enahnce the landscape and ecology of the site, and to help prevent flooding.
- An expansive area of community woodland will be regenerated with native trees and shrubs.
The Sinderland Brook scheme is the largest restoration project of its kind in the country and reflected a fundamental design principle - the development would fit around water and not the other way round. Reflecting this philosophy has involved transforming the existing canalised watercourse into a diverse and appealing river corridor environment with high nature conservation, landscape, land drainage and recreational value.
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The future
The river and wildlife corridors will remain as National Trust land as part of the Dunham Massey estate. These areas will be leased to the Stamford Brook Management Board, which will comprise of residents nominated as directors together with two National Trust staff. The board will oversee the upkeep of the development and will employ a maintenance company who will oversee the day to day management of the river and other open areas.
- For further information on Stamford Brook contact Catherine Prasad, Stamford Brook, Project Co-ordinator on 07879 657190
  
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