Laird Bailey worked supported the Tyler Grange Group delivered a comprehensive detailed design package for the major residential development at Townstal Road in Dartmouth. Encompassing over 400 dwellings, this expansive scheme required an advanced, ecologically focused design that seamlessly integrates robust hard engineering with vibrant soft landscape architecture to respect Devon’s rural character and rolling coastal topography.

The Townstal Road project balances high-density housing with sensitive environmental integration. Our scope covered extensive hard and soft landscape details designed to establish an immediate sense of place while supporting the local ecosystem. By prioritising green infrastructure, the final master plan successfully retains historic field layouts, reduces surface water runoff, and introduces a rich mosaic of native and ornamental planting to elevate the street scene.

Our landscape architects focused on long-term landscape management and biodiversity enhancement:

• Ecological Restoration & Hedgebanks: Formed traditional Devon hedgebanks topped with native hedgerow species to establish natural wildlife corridors, preserve surrounding farmland views, and provide immediate ecological screening.
• Sustainable Urban Drainage (SuDS): Integrated climate change adaptation features into the public open space, utilizing bioswales and attenuation areas to achieve robust surface water management.
• Hard & Soft Landscape Details: Blended high-quality architectural boundary treatments, such as natural stone walling and black metal estate railings, with dynamic planting design to soften frontages.
• Urban Greening & Tree Planting: Introduced structured avenue street trees and pest and disease resilient ornamental grasses to enhance the microclimate and maximize visual amenity across the main highways.

Townstal Road sets a new benchmark for large-scale housing developments in Devon. The scheme successfully demonstrates that modern residential requirements can coexist beautifully with an ecologically focused design. By treating drainage, boundaries, and planting as a single interconnected network, the project creates an inspiring, walkable community that thrives inside its natural countryside envelope.