Studio Engleback were commissioned by Countryside Properties (North West) PLC to design a modern, European style ‘park’, with water features and a sense of early maturity as the first completed element to create ‘an address’. An ‘L’ shaped raised reflecting canal with stainless steel weirs at the entrance gates and raised beds with high hedges form three ‘rooms’ of different character each with colour co-ordinated planting. Black basalt paving in random width bands contrasts with Breedon gravel under multi stemmed Amelanchiers, and simple elegant Escofet benches and sitting blocks. The concept of ‘soft hard’ and hard soft’ elements are the backdrop to more informal planting of large specimen shrubs and ground cover.