The Paper Mill

Living with nature

Set along rivers and canals, Paper Mill creates opportunities for self-build homes. Thoughtful design, communal networks, and natural landscapes encourage wildlife, active transport, and strong community connections.

Expertises

Urban designLandscape design

Services

Spatial strategyFeasibility studyMasterplan

Client

Steenvlinder UK

The Paper Mill landscape-led self-build masterplan in Kings Norton, Birmingham

The Approach

Set between the historic heart of Kings Norton and the industrial edge of Lifford Lane, The Paper Mill transforms 4.5 hectares of post-industrial land into a pioneering self- and custom-build community. Therefore, it offers a new model of living that balances personal expression with shared experience through considered urban design.

Where the River Rea meets the Worcester and Birmingham Canal, a distinctive lifestyle is emerging. Instead of being defined by roads or fences, it is shaped by water, woodland, and shared spaces. This approach enables residents to enjoy daily interaction, meaningful connections, and strong community engagement.

The site’s character is unique. The historic James Cropper Paper Mill and its lake sit at the centre of a landscape framed by the river valley, central canal, and woodland corridor. Hence, the masterplan celebrates these features, weaving them into a coherent and memorable environment.

A plot-based delivery model lies at the heart of the project. Serviced plots enable individuals and community groups to build their own homes, fostering diversity, creativity, and choice. Furthermore, residents can adapt historic shells, create terraced canal-side homes, or build compact micro-plots within the floodplain, each reflecting a genuinely collaborative design approach.

The eastern zone embraces a lively, urban character, activating canal, river, and lake edges with shared streets and a pocket park. Conversely, the western zone is quieter and landscape-led, prioritising nature, views, and interconnected communal spaces.

Walking and cycling networks, off-site construction, and communal cargo bike hubs reduce environmental impact. Additionally, ecological restoration, re-wilding, and canal-based leisure support a sustainable lifestyle integrated with the river valley.

Ultimately, life at The Paper Mill is communal and intertwined with nature. Therefore, each plot enriches the landscape, and every resident contributes to a profound sense of belonging.

Ready to explore what is possible? let’s talk.