Kidbrook Village, Old Ferrier Estate

The 109 hectare development is located to the east of Blackheath Park. In its regeneration one of the key principles has been ‘Sociability’ creating social neighbourhoods with appropriate communal values. This has been achieved with both formal and informal gardens in addition to over 35 hectares of parkland and sports facilities. Not only has it created numerous areas of high quality public space but has also met its 50% affordable housing criteria. With this type of scheme the landscape architects were very conscious that the green spaces would also be viewed from above so the aerial aesthetics are important.

The AluExcel Aluminium Edging by Kinley has enabled tight sweeps to meet the design aspirations whilst enabling sufficient root space for the grass to avoid die back. The system was also chosen due to its cost effective supply and installation.

As David Lloyd, Technical Manager for Berkeley Homes explains “ The main reason for using the edging was to stop the grass edges from dying back. On other areas at Kidbrooke we have used traditional kerb edges and the grass particularly in summer suffers in hot weather where the hunching that supports the kerbs is just below the surface leaving little or no soil on the edges causing the grass to dry out and turn brown.” 

The Kidbrooke Village scheme has won the following accolades:     

• What House Best Brownfield Development Gold Award 2013                        
• International Property Development Award 2013                                          
• Evening Standard New Homes Awards 2012 – Highly Commended for Best Regeneration Project                                                                                
• Regeneration and Renewal Best use of Housing in Regeneration  Award 2012