We are currently working with a developer to design a scheme of approximately 220 no. new dwellings on a challenging site in Cockermouth, Cumbria. The project is being progressed using Building Information Modelling (Revit) along with the design team, and is due to commence on site in July 2014. The site is situated just to the south of the River Derwent and is bound on one side by mature woodland and an ancient scheduled monument earthwork remains. The site itself is also varied topographically and includes some steep slopes. The layout utilises the opportunities created by the land form and consists of a mix of dwellings for open market sale and affordable rent. The elevation designs of the properties follows the surrounding rich vernacular style, and proposed material combinations create architectural compositions offering visual character and interest. Many of the dwellings are designed to meet Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3, Housing Quality Indicators, Design Quality Standards and Building for Life. The landscape has been designed to create framing of local and distant views. The existing topography has influenced the proposed layout and new roads and access points have been incorporated to create good connectivity between the new development and existing surrounding neighbourhoods. Generally, existing areas of established planting are retained and enhance by the new landscape design, which include the creation of wildlife corridors, embankment planting, private gardens and a series of new open greenspaces across the site. An existing beck is also present on the site and this feature will be integrated within the greenspace design, along with cycle and pedestrian routes.