In 2012 Huntingdonshire District Council completed a comprehensive Supplementary Planning Document to guide development along the River Great Ouse corridor between the settlements of Houghton and St Ives. Part of the site area identified for development fell under the ownership of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and had been scheduled to be sold as a high specification residential development. To gain planning approval ELD were appointed to provide the strategic open space design which comprised of wooded boundary treatments, streetscapes, a public park and habitat areas. The proposals integrated sustainable draining principles throughout the scheme to provide a Rain Garden and Village Pond feature. A Bioswale and Retention pond were located towards the edge of the site to form a wetland habitat area. Play opportunities are present throughout the scheme with a large ‘natural play’ area located within a wooded glade.