In this scheme we obtained planning consent for three detached houses in former back garden land. The proposed design picks up on that of the ‘L’ shape circa 1970’s houses adjacent at 30 & 30a Ditton Walk, to create a series of courtyard houses. These are orientated to create a southerly aspect to living rooms and south facing gardens. The dwellings are designed with mono-pitched roofs (with a small flat section on top) which fall from two storey to 1.5 storey on the courtyard side to maximise the amount of natural light to these areas and to minimise the scale in proximity to the site boundaries. Although the design is a departure from the 1930’s properties fronting Newmarket Road, we consider that the scale and design of the dwellings create a successful contrast and are sympathetic to the character of the adjoining backland properties to the west. Internally the houses have an open plan dining/kitchen area linked via a double height hallway to the living area and study.