This project is a new residential development in Frogmore, near St. Albans, comprising 183 new dwellings of various types and designs. The 323-hectare site owned by Barwood and Legal & General is located on the east side of the historic Watling Street, adjacent to the listed Holy Trinity Church. However, in the past, the site has operated as a regional food distribution base, an airfield, studios and currently a coach and lorry park and contains monolithic industrial buildings and areas of hardstanding. Their size and appearance have a severely negative impact on the village. The redevelopment involves their replacement with a residential development of a scale and form that is in harmony with the traditional character of the area.

The proposals developed from a detailed study of the history and development of Frogmore and Park Street, which identified key details and features and a rich palette of materials, that could guide the design of the development. The masterplan as a whole places emphasis on upon smaller units, terraced housing and flats for which there is a great need in the area. 64 houses and flats are to be affordable homes, available to meet the needs of local people and key workers. All dwellings will be of a human scale, predominantly two and three storeys in height, intermingled with a wide variety of attractive open spaces, which are an integral part of the design.

The masterplan comprises six different character areas, each of which has a clear sense of local identity within the development as a whole. The two storey buildings running parallel to Watling Street and Watling Lane are designed as a continuation of the historic linear form of development of to the street. A pair of lodge buildings frame the access onto the site and echo the 19th century almshouses opposite, acting as a striking approach to the new residential area. Further within the site, the Church Green reinstates the setting of the church to its pre twentieth century character and reintroduces it as a focal point to the village. Residential development along Northern Street emulates the built form found locally in Branch Road, and the Square represents the heart of the new village area. A simple, high quality space, it will remain attractive and durable long into the future. The close has an informal and close-knit character reminiscent of the traditional form of Frogmore.The courtyard and crescent section occupies the core of the old distribution depot area, and comprises four three-storey apartment buildings, reminiscent in form, mass and use of materials to park street mill.

The sensitive development will be a highly attractive addition to the existing village community, and will greatly improve and enhance the appearance of the conservation area and its listed buildings. Thankfully, the barrier to the natural growth of the settlement created by unsightly industrial structures can finally be redressed.