Sustainability Case Study at Wilkes Field, Cranbrook

Location: Wilkes Field, Cranbrook

Homes Delivered: 27 new homes, 1 retail unit plus restoration of a Grade II listed building

Project Overview

The Wilkes Field development transformed a former petrol filling station and disused industrial land into a sustainable residential community. The scheme occupies the former Cranbrook Engineering Works and Wilkes Field site on Stone Street in Cranbrook’s town centre. A mixed-use regeneration project, it involved demolition of redundant industrial buildings, conversion of a listed building, plus construction of energy-efficient new housing and retail unit.

Brownfield Regeneration

The site had disused industrial buildings and underground fuel infrastructure that required removal before redevelopment could commence.

Works included:

• Redevelopment of a former industrial site in Cranbrook town centre.
• Demolition of disused industrial buildings.
• Removal of former petrol filling station infrastructure and underground fuel tanks.
• Full remediation of the site before residential construction commenced.
• Clean material imported to form stable, level and safe building foundations.
• Reintroduction of residential and community use to an underutilised prime town centre location.

The project demonstrates how brownfield land can be successfully brought back into productive use while reducing pressure on greenfield development sites.

Town Centre Regeneration

Wilkes Field is in the centre of Cranbrook and has regenerated a previously neglected site that was disconnected from the surrounding area.

The development has delivered:

• New housing within short walking distance of the town’s amenities.
• Regeneration of a previously underused site directly behind the High Street.
• Increased residential activity with the potential to support the town centre economy.

The central location also supports reduced reliance on private vehicle use compared to many edge-of-town developments.

Heritage Preservation

One of the most significant ESG elements of the scheme was the preservation and restoration of a Grade II Listed Building. The building had suffered prolonged neglect, weathering, decay and vandalism before the regeneration project commenced. The development therefore delivered both heritage conservation and urban regeneration benefits.

Conservation works included:

• Conversion and restoration of a Grade II Listed building.
• Removal and rebuilding of a significant section of the front wall under conservation guidance.
• Repairs and alterations to historic joists and roof trusses.
• Protection and enhancement of an important heritage asset in Cranbrook town centre.

Sustainable construction

Roddy New Homes specified timber frame construction for the development which has sustainable benefits including:

• Lower carbon footprint: Timber is a renewable resource that requires less energy to produce than steel or concrete alternatives.
• Build efficiency: Panels are built off-site and assembled quickly cutting total build time compared to brick and block.
• Less waste: Factory production means minimal leftover material compared to traditional on-site construction.

Further low-carbon features of the development include air source heat pumps, electric vehicle charging points and energy-efficient new homes built to current insulation standards, with double-glazed windows and doors.

Infrastructure Improvements

The project required substantial infrastructure works as part of the brownfield redevelopment, including:

• Removal of a 200-year-old culvert and installation of replacement infrastructure.
• Diversion of Southern Water infrastructure.
• Multiple party wall agreements in a constrained urban setting.

Key Sustainability Outcomes

Wilkes Field demonstrates how a challenging brownfield site can be transformed into a sustainable and active part of the town centre. Through careful remediation, heritage restoration, infrastructure improvement and the delivery of energy-efficient homes, the project has brought a previously unused prime town centre site back into use and delivered long-term value for Cranbrook.