The development at Latimer was one of a number of interesting developments that arose in the Milton Keynes area in the early part of the 1970s under the guidance of the forward-thinking Milton Keynes Development Corporation. Schemes by Ralph Erskine and Jeremy Dixon / Edward Jones, among others, were notably erected but the houses at Latimer are perhaps the best, both in terms of location and architectural design, which were built during this period.

It is thought that the courtyard form of the Latimer houses was largely inspired by architect Jørn Utzon's work in Denmark (particularly his Fredensborg and Kingo Houses). Brian Frost and Cliff Nicholls were both admirers of Utzon, who later went on to complete the design of the Sydney Opera House.

In April 1975,The Architect's Journaldevoted 11 pages to an in-depth study of the Frost Nicholls houses at Latimer. Accompanied by a stunning set of photographs by the celebrated architectural photographer John Donat (one of which is reproduced here), the Journal covered almost every aspect of the project from the construction of the houses to discussions of such details as the timber trellises provided on the exterior of the house – "an extremely pleasant feature [that] a skilful gardener could use well".

The author ofThe Architect's Journalarticle, Peter Collymore, describes how "inhabitants returning home through the open rolling landscape of Buckinghamshire will arrive in a private sheltered haven that could be pleasant and calming". Going into detail about the houses, Collymore remarks on "the remarkable light quality–and a sense of space which is most pleasing". Writing about the gardens, Collymore adds that the "private gardens are positioned to receive maximum sunlight and minimum overlooking".

The article also reveals that the houses were originally sold with an asking price of £18,250, "which appears to be good value for these days" the author notes, "particularly for houses of such good architectural quality". The houses were also the subject of a number of studies in international architectural journals.

After the break up of Frost Nicholls, Brian Frost went on to work with the Pritzker Prize-winning architect James Stirling. Cliff Nicholls is now Head of the School of Architecture and Visual Arts at the University of East London.