BedZED, Sutton
The Beddington Zero Energy Development is a mixed-use urban village built on the 3½-acre site of an old sewage works, lying between London Road and Beddington Lane in Hackbridge
BedZED’s cutting edge architecture integrates environmental, social and economic needs and employs various methods of reducing energy, water and car use. The development incorporates 82 homes and around 20 small businesses, with on-site facilities such as a sports club, football pitch, nursery, organic shop and health centre. Despite the relatively high density of BedZED, all the houses have roof terraces or gardens.
The neighbouring landfill site has been transformed into a working parkland with over 50 acres wetlands, community forests and open green space, as well as reintroducing some of the lavender fields for which the area was traditionally renowned.
Like most utopian schemes, BedZED has its flaws and some residents have mixed feelings about having moved here, but its creators’ intentions are admirable and further schemes of this nature would greatly enhance London’s social housing stock.
