Unique homes in the Saxon walled town.
Drawing inspiration from the site’s former use as an agricultural auction yard, the homes are thoughtfully arranged around a central courtyard that echoes traditional rural enclosures. The scheme is deliberately scaled and articulated to harmonise with the existing townscape, respecting the urban grain, massing, and materials of its historic setting.
The development is composed of three subtly distinct zones. Along East Street, two-storey homes align closely with the pavement edge, echoing the historic street pattern and reinforcing the character of the conservation area.
The central courtyard is a semi-private communal space that fosters interaction and enclosure, referencing the site’s agricultural past and the historic structure of yards and markets.
On Wyatt’s Lane to the rear, a more contemporary response reflects the evolving character of this edge-of-town location, with dwellings set back behind dense planting to soften their presence.
The idea of a place that has grown incrementally over time.
The palette of materials draws directly from Wareham’s architectural vernacular: red brick, lime render, and occasional use of Purbeck stone. Roofs are finished in clay and slate, while historic detailing is thoughtfully reintroduced. Double Roman pantiles on one plot reflect the agricultural past while some roofs have 2 courses of stone by the gutter, picking up on a local detail historically used to anchor roofs down against strong winds
Each dwelling has its own detail, reinforcing the idea of a place that has grown incrementally over time rather than as a singular development. This narrative is continued in the landscaping strategy, which reflects a layering of surfaces and finishes, giving the impression of a site shaped by ongoing occupation and adaptation.
The courtyard design contributes to the story of the site. Concrete setts mark the position of old posts and walls, while variations in block paving subtly map the shape of the old auction ring. At the centre, a newly planted tree is positioned to mature into a central feature of the space.
To the north-west, a mature sycamore has become the catalyst for a small new public green space on East Street, turning a planning constraint into a local benefit. Meanwhile, the dwellings along Wyatt’s Lane are screened by a robust planting scheme, providing ecological value while creating a green pause in the urban fabric.
