Aralia Landscape Architects pay homage to historic landscape, working on a contemporary Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown inspired design details, reintroducing historic planting and ancient woodland.

Aralia have been appointed in collaboration with Clear Architects to reinstate a piece of architectural history within a belt of protected woodland. Known locally as Debden Hall; the Loughton based country estate was a prominent place in the 18^th Century, boasting a large Georgian mansion with beautifully landscaped grounds. Today it is all but lost with only the original grade II listed gates and original driveway tree-avenue as proof of its existence.

Debden Hall III has been approved by Epping Forest District Council planning committee in a 12:2 vote due to the design’s ‘exceptional’ architectural merit inspired by the infamous architect Henry Holland and contemporary Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown inspired landscape design.

Henry Holland was a very prominent figure whose clients consisted of the very highest English nobility designed the original Debden Hall country estate. Due to historic references to Holland’s personal and professional relationship with Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown, it is reasonable to believe that the Debden Hall country estate would have been designed with Brown, or at the very least would have been influenced by his landscape ethos. The new Debden Hall uses these two historic figures to create a new layer of history with subtle hints to what was by restoring lost feature.

These principles have been carried through in the new design of Debden Hall along with sympathy for the current context, embracing the encroaching woodland setting to enhance its ecological and aesthetic value. The grade II listed ornamental gates will be restored, creating a focus at the entrance to the site, which has been elegantly simplified to allude to the sites previous grandeur. The scheme will enhance the current condition of the woodland through implementation of a 10 year woodland strategy. Over the past few decades the site has been increasingly encroached upon by woodland species, as a result the original landscape of Debden Hall has been lost. The intention of the development is to reinstate the site as a typical English estate true to its heritage while taking careful consideration to maintain, develop and enhance the amenity and ecological value of the infringing woodland.

The country estate will become a legacy for the local area creating ecological links to nearby Epping Forest. The project has so far been received well by local residence who are eager to see the once forgotten layers of history revealed and the disused land reinvigorated.

A public consultation on the Debden Hall III scheme, held on November 18 2015, was attended by more than 70 local residents who showed their support for the project in the majority. Aralia are now working with on the next design stage.

Patricia Fox, managing director of Aralia says:“We are delighted that Debden Hall III has been planning approved. This is an exciting time for Aralia and feel privileged to be a part of a project with such historical relevance. The Aralia team and I are now looking to get the next design stage underway to further progress on this fantastic journey… Watch this space”

Over the last 12 years Aralia Landscape Architects have built an enviable reputation for offering a highly professional landscape design service to both private individuals and commercial clients, on projects ranging from country estates, hotels and golf clubs set within several acres to contemporary roof terraces, such as our RHS Chelsea award winning garden and series of penthouse terraces for St George.

Visualisation by Clear Architects