The development, located on the site of the former Woodburn Nursery near Coniscliffe Road in Darlington, is currently under construction by Homes by Esh and will deliver 25 large detached homes.
The group of students are studying as part of the advanced apprenticeship programme and have been tasked with designing two decorative metal gates to provide access from Woodburn Gardens into the West Cemetery via the traditional brick wall which encircles the development perimeter.
The brief to design the gates was given to apprentice students from the college to create two gates of up to 3m incorporating the history and heritage of the local area into the final decoration and design. The winning gate design will be manufactured locally before installation on site.
Colin Willetts, Deputy Managing Director of Homes by Esh comments: “Woodburn Gardens is encircled by the kind of distinctive brick wall you would find in many traditional Victorian walled gardens and there seemed a clear opportunity for the sizeable metal gates we installed to offer some local significance to the area. We are looking for a design that blends in with the wider development but also offers a chance for local students to flex their design muscles and create a visual installation that will really stand the test of time for future residents of Woodburn Gardens.
“It made sense to work with the engineering department of Darlington College given their extensive experience with CAD design and we are already looking forward to seeing the initial designs before the public choose the winning gates.”
The shortlisted designs created by the students will be shared online and the winning gate chosen as part of a voting process via the Homes by Esh and Darlington College social media platforms. The winning design will be on site by the summer of 2019.
All students involved in the project visited the development location at the end of March to research the final position of the gates and assess the design implications of the site. This was in addition to looking for inspiration in the local area as to the type of materials and overall design the gates should take.
Curriculum Manager for Engineering and Science at Darlington College, Neil Bowen, said: “This type of support from local employers is exactly what our students require as it provides them with greater insight and exposure into the needs of our local industry. The apprentices have taken up the task with gusto.”
The shortlisted gate designs are expected to be available online to vote for the winner in the summer of 2018.
Eight of the properties at Woodburn Gardens have now been sold with a selection of four and five bedroom properties still available to purchase. The development will feature six different house types in total ranging in price from £399,995 and offer contemporary style living space in a high specification environment.
For further information on properties available at Woodburn Gardens, please contact Homes by Esh on 01325 360044 or visit www.homesbyesh.co.uk. For details about the college’s engineering apprenticeships visit www.darlington.ac.uk/courses/engineering/.
