case studies
North Hamilton, Leicester – Humberstone and Elms Farm Trust
This is the final phase of a major urban extension at North Hamilton, Leicester. Construction started in 2001, and 1500 dwellings are being constructed by at least five house builder companies with management of the public open space funded by Greenbelt's Greenspace Arrangement.
North Hamilton is situated between open countryside and existing housing development and provides river meadows, extensive wetlands, green corridors, equipped play areas, general amenity areas and structure planting.
There are approximately 27 hectares of open space linked by a network of green corridors providing habitats for biodiversity. Extensive sustainable urban drainage system (SUDS) are located within these areas, providing storage and treatment of surface water runoff from the housing area. The SUDS network includes attractive swales, ponds and wetlands which have been designed by the client's team and independently audited by Greenbelt.
All areas will be progressively transferred to Greenbelt as the site develops and matures. The transfer, through an agreed phasing plan, started in spring 2003.
Site achievements since 2003:
- 16ha grassland/woodland
- 21 swales, wetlands and ponds treat and convey surface water runoff from 1500 houses
- 13 play areas
- woodlands protected by TPO