Initial schematic masterplan design for Ashwicken Lake
External view of Ashwicken Lake Clubhouse seen from deck
LAKESIDE LIFESTYLE

LAKESIDE LIFESTYLE

Location:

Norfolk, East Anglia, UK

Status:

Pre-planning

Client:

Norfolk Farm Leisure Ltd.

Scale:

80 hectares

Constraints:

Former mineral extraction site

Budget:

£35million

Scope of Works:

Project management, masterplanning and full plans, architectural submission

 

Ashwicken Lakes Floating Holiday Resort & Spa

 

Internal view of Ashwicken Lake folding pool roof
Waterside view of Ashwicken Lake Floating Lodges
Aerial view of Ashwicken Lake Floating Lodges
Internal view of Ashwicken Lakes Floating Lodges
Waterside view of Ashwicken Lake treehouses

 

 

 

Norfolk Farm Leisure Limited are proposing to transform Ashwicken Lake, an unused restored quarry lake, into a unique eco-wellness resort centred on waterside living, water-based recreation and wellness. This £35m private

investment in the local economy will see the lake reimagined from a former sand extraction pit, into a unique destination where outstanding architectural elements will seamlessly combine with an enhanced natural landscape, to offer a

memorable staycation as well as a leisure facility for local people.

...full text

 

Norfolk Farm Leisure Limited are proposing to transform Ashwicken Lake, an unused restored quarry lake, into a unique eco-wellness resort centred on waterside living, water-based recreation and wellness. This £35m private

investment in the local economy will see the lake reimagined from a former sand extraction pit, into a unique destination where outstanding architectural elements will seamlessly combine with an enhanced natural landscape, to offer a

memorable staycation as well as a leisure facility for local people.

 

The resort offers the potential to significantly contribute to the local economy, by providing a unique form of eco-focused holiday accommodation. The resort will create employment opportunities and an important injection of consumer expenditure into the area.

 

The 80 hectares site is located in East Anglia, a low lying area close to the Norfolk Broads, a National Park with over 125 miles of navigable lock-free waterways set in beautiful countryside and studded with charming and picturesque towns and villages. It has formerly been quarried for sand, with a large quarry lake present in its centre.

 

The proposals seek to develop an eco-wellness resort comprised of c150 floating and lakeside holiday lodges including treehouse accommodation, a clubhouse on the water and associated boathouse. There will be a specialised focused on water-based pursuits including rowing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, fishing and open water swimming.

 

The approach to the resort will take guests through a landscaped sequence from their moment of arrival, where they’ll leave their car behind in a park graced with rain gardens. Here, their experience of connection with nature, ecological diversity and wellbeing begins. A stroll through swales leads to a land bridge which connects lakeside with the clubhouse. This is the UK’s first clubhouse on water, which sits at the heart of the resort. Distinctively designed, this exceptional building will comprise a spa, café/restaurant, and lakeside pool facilities as well as alfresco waterside dining.

 

The clubhouse is encircled by 132 lodges, all located on or near the water’s edge, and each with a mooring. Our masterplan arranges the lodges in clusters, interspersed with new planting, trees, follies and water taxi jetties to create areas of different character across the resort. Alongside the existing woodland are 22 treehouses, which will provide additional accommodation.

 

Water-based pursuits will include rowing, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) as well as opportunities for open water swimming. For those preferring to stay on land, tennis courts and areas for ball games and archery have also been designed into the landscape along with a climbing wall and children’s play area.

 

 

Team

Baca Architects (Architects)

Aardvark EM (Planning Consultant)

iTransport (Highways)

HR Wallingford (Flooding)

Aspect Ecology (Ecology)

Alpaca Communication (Communications)

Landscape Visual Limited (LVIA)

York Aviation (Business Case)

WYG (BREEAM)

CAD Masterplan drawing of Ashwicken Lake
Waterside view of Ashwicken Lake Clubhouse at dusk
Internal view of Ashwicken Lake treehouse
Waterside view of Ashwicken Lake Resilient Villa
View of Wedding Ring Folly at Ashwicken Lake
3D Model of all Ashwicken Lake follies
3D Model of Ashwicken Lake Site

Norfolk Farm Leisure Limited are proposing to transform Ashwicken Lake, an unused restored quarry lake, into a unique eco-wellness resort centred on waterside living, water-based recreation and wellness. This £35m privateinvestment in the local economy will see the lake reimagined from a former sand extraction pit, into a unique destination where outstanding architectural elements will seamlessly combine with an enhanced natural landscape, to offer a memorable staycation as well as a leisure facility for local people.



The resort offers the potential to significantly contribute to the local economy, by providing a unique form of eco-focused holiday accommodation. The resort will create employment opportunities and an important injection of consumer expenditure into the area.



The 80 hectares site is located in East Anglia, a low lying area close to the Norfolk Broads, a National Park with over 125 miles of navigable lock-free waterways set in beautiful countryside and studded with charming and picturesque towns and villages. It has formerly been quarried for sand, with a large quarry lake present in its centre.



The proposals seek to develop an eco-wellness resort comprised of c150 floating and lakeside holiday lodges including treehouse accommodation, a clubhouse on the water and associated boathouse. There will be a specialised focused on water-based pursuits including rowing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, fishing and open water swimming.


The approach to the resort will take guests through a landscaped sequence from their moment of arrival, where they’ll leave their car behind in a park graced with rain gardens. Here, their experience of connection with nature, ecological diversity and wellbeing begins. A stroll through swales leads to a land bridge which connects lakeside with the clubhouse. This is the UK’s first clubhouse on water, which sits at the heart of the resort. Distinctively designed, this exceptional building will comprise a spa, café/restaurant, and lakeside pool facilities as well as alfresco waterside dining.


The clubhouse is encircled by 132 lodges, all located on or near the water’s edge, and each with a mooring. Our masterplan arranges the lodges in clusters, interspersed with new planting, trees, follies and water taxi jetties to create areas of different character across the resort. Alongside the existing woodland are 22 treehouses, which will provide additional accommodation.



Water-based pursuits will include rowing, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) as well as opportunities for open water swimming. For those preferring to stay on land, tennis courts and areas for ball games and archery have also been designed into the landscape along with a climbing wall and children’s play area.



Team



Architect: Baca Architects


Planning Consultant: Aardvark EM


Highways: iTransport


Flooding: HR Wallingford


Ecology: Aspect Ecology


Communications: Alpaca Communication


LVIA: Landscape Visual Limited


Business Case: York Aviation


BREEAM: WYG

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