Publication Date: 13-06-2025 09:00
Public art project for Springstead Village in Cherry Hinton is revealed
Plans for a nature-inspired public art project at Springstead Village in Cherry Hinton, which were designed with input from local young people, have been unveiled.
Wayward, an award-winning design practice working at the intersection of landscape, architecture, and socially engaged art, have revealed its vision for this sustainable new neighbourhood – developing a series of artworks based on the concept of the iconic British hedgerow tying communities and land together.
As part of the creative process, Wayward held two workshops with 11 to 16-year-olds at St Andrew’s Church Centre in Cherry Hinton in November last year. The youngsters were given the chance to suggest outdoor space designs they would like to see, with their feedback being used to inform the final designs.
Springstead Village – a collaboration between homebuilder Bellway and Latimer, the development arm of Clarion Housing Group – has outline planning permission for 1,200 new homes on a 138-acre site which previously formed part of Cambridge Airport.
Ulrich van Eck, Project Director for the Bellway Latimer joint venture, said: “Wayward was chosen for this important public art and landscape commission due to the connection between its award-winning work and the natural world. These installations will form a ‘visual’ hedgerow network connecting the different areas in Springstead Village.
“In addition to linking the whole site, the installations will be functional and allow people to interact with them, sit on some of them, climb some of them and enjoy getting closer to nature. The aim of the art is to foster childhood nostalgia, encourage outdoor play and support biodiversity.”
Hedgerows, which are valued for their ecological, cultural and historical significance, will be used as a unifying design motif through the Village Green, the Market Square, the North Park, the South Park and the Greenway (West Park) at Springstead Village.
The hedgerow will be made accessible by the addition of giant stiles and kissing gates, classic parts of the English countryside, that create unique and playful opportunities across the site. This careful weaving of hedgerow and installations will become walking trails, secret hideaways, playful structures and seating areas, creating ‘hedge houses’, bridges, conversation spaces, tunnels, dens, forts, and a giant woven willow hedge. The main materials to be used will be hand-made red-coloured steel, locally reclaimed timbers including those rescued from the site, and local stone.
The different installations include the Crinkle Crankle Hedge, the Nesting Gate, the Coffen Stile, the Pooh Sticks Bridge, the Ancient Hollow Hedge House and the Edgeland Benches.
Ulrich said: “The key themes that emerged from the workshop sessions with local young people were the importance of using natural materials, the provision of seating, safe spaces and swings, an interest in socialising areas, outdoor classrooms, places to shelter from weather and an emphasis on freedom, autonomy and physical activity. This valuable feedback, along with the local public art strategy, was used to inform the creation of the final plans.
“Work to create the first pieces of this design began in May and we are very much looking forward to seeing this intriguing vision brought to life.”
Since the workshops last November, engagement with the young people has continued, focusing on the future and the long-term connection of a new community to its home and landscape. A series of ongoing workshops and events will be popping up around Cherry Hinton over the next year for the wider community to come and participate in.
To date, the joint Bellway Latimer venture has secured detailed permission to build 487 new homes at Springstead Village, with 98 of these properties so far built.The new community is planned to have its own local centre, a new primary and secondary school, sports and recreation areas, community facilities, allotments and landscaped open spaces.
For more information, call the sales team on 01223 081346 or visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/essex/springstead-village.
