The former Friends’ School in Saffron Walden, founded in 1879 as a Quaker co‑educational day and boarding school, is undergoing a major transformation into The Waldens, a 96‑home residential development delivered by Chase New Homes.
The scheme brings new life to this historic site, combining the sensitive conversion of the landmark Old School House with a collection of high‑quality new‑build homes.
At the centre of the development is the Old School House, a distinctive red‑brick Victorian building now being converted into 52 contemporary apartments. The design retains key architectural features such as high ceilings, large period windows and original detailing, preserving the character and heritage of the structure while adapting it for modern living.
Surrounding the conversion, 44 new‑build houses and apartments are being constructed to complement the historic setting. These homes are designed to harmonise with the existing architecture and the wider Saffron Walden townscape, creating a cohesive and attractive residential environment.
Set within landscaped grounds and a mature tree‑lined avenue, the development offers a blend of heritage charm and contemporary design in one of Essex’s most picturesque market towns.
Sustainability and Design Approach
The redevelopment adopts a thoughtful and sustainable design strategy that balances conservation with modern performance standards.
A key sustainability benefit is the retention and adaptive reuse of the Old School House, significantly reducing embodied carbon compared with demolition and rebuild. The conversion preserves original Victorian features while incorporating modern building services and upgrades to improve comfort and efficiency.
The new‑build homes are designed to meet current energy‑efficiency requirements, including improved insulation, high‑performance glazing and updated building systems that support long‑term sustainability. The development also benefits from landscaped communal areas and mature trees, enhancing biodiversity and providing high‑quality outdoor spaces for residents.
This combination of heritage conservation, efficient new‑build design and thoughtful landscaping supports a sustainable and future‑focused residential community.
Our Role
Potter Raper is appointed as Independent Fund Monitor on behalf of Close Brothers Property Finance. Our role includes:
- Monitoring construction progress and programme
- Reviewing cost plans, valuations and drawdown requests
- Assessing quality, compliance and risk
- Reporting on contractor performance and project viability
- Providing independent, objective oversight throughout the development lifecycle
During our recent site visit, the new‑build phase had reached completion, the Old School House was fully scaffolded, and the tower crane was being erected, a significant milestone as refurbishment works progress.
Our involvement ensures the project continues to meet agreed budgets, timelines and quality expectations, giving our client confidence at every stage.
Our Experience in Residential and Heritage Projects
Potter Raper has extensive experience supporting residential developments of all scales, from large multi‑phase housing schemes to specialist sector projects. Our portfolio includes:
- Major residential‑led regeneration schemes
- Build‑to‑Rent (BTR) developments
- High‑rise and mid‑rise apartment buildings
- Recladding and façade remediation programmes
- Affordable housing programmes
- Mixed‑use developments
- Heritage conversions and sensitive refurbishments
Our heritage expertise includes working with listed buildings, conservation areas and historically significant structures. We understand the complexities of adapting older buildings for modern use while respecting their architectural and cultural value.
This combination of residential delivery expertise and heritage sensitivity makes us ideally placed to support complex schemes like The Waldens.
To discuss how our team can support your next residential or heritage project, get in touch with us.
