SINGLETON ENVIRONMENT CENTRE

A new centre to interpret environmental issues, which is to be a resource for learning about sustainability, bio-diversity and nature conservation. The centre will be a focus for the rapidly-expanding Ashford area. Conserving agricultural fields and meadows in a proposed residential area is the priority of the new centre and a woodland community project has been established on adjoining fields and is restoring the local vegetation of oak woodland. Connections between the projects have been established since inception, which highlight pathways, routes and woodland walks for the community and visitors to explore. The Woodland Trust, Kent Wildlife Trust and the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers will be based at the new centre.

The Centre is set on a sloping site and its landscape setting is designed to create additional habitats to the established oak woodland with open water, wetlands, reed beds, willows, plantations and wild orchards. Water is recycled into storage tanks and rainwater run off is processed on-site by swales, balancing ponds and ditches, SUDS drainage in the road and car park.

Client: Ashford City Council
Architect: Architype