Cuxton, Kent

Intended to be a world-class winemaking facility with a visitor centre and café in a stunning location in a secluded valley at the heart of the UK’s largest single vineyard site covering 1,200 acres. The scheme was designed by Norman Foster himself and included numerous cutting-edge sustainability solutions.

It was a beautiful and extremely sensitive landscape. The woodland that enclosed the valley was a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and designated Ancient Woodland, the nearby hamlet was a Conservation Area and contained two Listed buildings, the whole area was in the Metropolitan Green Belt and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The North Downs Way passed through the field in front of the application site and numerous other footpaths crisscrossed the surrounding area. SP&D worked alongside the architects, landscape consultant and tree consultant to create a scheme that responded to and respected this sensitive location.

The neighbouring village was concerned about traffic movements from both delivery vehicles and visitors. SP&D worked closely with the highways consultant to demonstrate how traffic flows to the winery would not coincide with peak times and would not exacerbate the problem junction at the other end of the village. We also supported the PR consultant to engage with local residents and members to explain the scheme and its benefits as well as how we would address its impacts.

The scheme gained the active support of the local planning authority and it was reported to the Planning Committee with a strong recommendation for approval but this was overturned by members and so the application progressed to appeal.