Modular homes company Boutique Modern has revealed an innovative product called ModernHome which will build homes quickly for people on the social housing waiting list and help local authorities save significant money at a crucial time. As well as providing comfortable, safe and stylish homes for residents, the ModernHome product
Barratt London and Places for London have secured planning approval for the next phase of its Bollo Lane site, following a unanimous decision by Ealing London Borough Council’s planning committee. The site, which sits between Bollo Lane and the Piccadilly railway lines by Acton Town Station, was the first development
Following the success of its award-winning St Osyth Priory development, now completely sold, award-winning housebuilder City & Country is starting work on 190 high-quality new homes at Priory Fields, also set adjacent to the grounds of the ancient St Osyth Priory near Colchester in Essex. The first homes will be
Major homebuilder Cala has launched a new business division, Cala Southern, as part of its growth strategy across the South of England. Cala Southern will spearhead the company’s westward expansion, enhancing Cala’s presence in Dorset, Hampshire and Southern Wiltshire, to meet strong demand for high-quality housing. The new division will
Award-winning housebuilder, Spitfire Homes, recently hosted a fully booked launch event for prospective buyers to view its highly-anticipated show home at Maybank, a collection of design-led new properties in Halesowen. New data from Zoopla has revealed the housing market has made the strongest start to a year since 2022, with
Morgan Sindall Construction has completed a new residential and community space in London’s Notting Hill area. The £17.5 million Acklam Road project, which consists of 32 residential flats alongside community space, was procured via the Southern Construction Framework and delivered on behalf of the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea
Vistry Group, the UK’s leading provider of mixed-tenure homes, has extended its partnership with housing association Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH) to deliver 256 homes at Finchwood Park in Wokingham. Having now completed the land purchase of parcel 10 at Finchwood Park from Cala Homes, the 256 homes to be
As National Apprenticeship Week (10–16 February) approaches, independent housebuilder Dandara is highlighting a range of trainee schemes for those interested in a career in the housebuilding industry. This initiative is part of Dandara’s ongoing commitment to helping the UK close its skills gap and inspire the next generation. While the
Salford City Council has approved plans for the construction of 25 new affordable homes across two sites in the city. The developments, which will be owned and managed by Dérive, the council’s wholly-owned housing company, will provide much-needed supported accommodation for young people who are homeless or at risk of
Thakeham, one of the leading housebuilders in the south of England, has secured outline planning approval for a development on Land North West of Preston Farm in Bookham, Surrey from Mole Valley District Council’s Planning Committee. Land North West of Preston Farm has received a resolution to grant outline planning
Modular homes company Boutique Modern has revealed an innovative product called ModernHome which will build homes quickly for people on the social housing waiting list and help local authorities save significant money at a crucial time. As well as providing comfortable, safe and stylish homes for residents, the ModernHome product offers a rapid to deploy, innovative and cost-effective financial model that will transform council and housing association land into vibrant communities, alleviating the costly top-up requirements currently plaguing councils around the UK. This product launch comes after recent data from the Local Government Association (LGA) revealed the number of households in temporary accommodation has surged by 89% over the past decade. Dick Shone, managing director at Boutique Modern, which is based in Newhaven, East Sussex, said: “We believe the launch of ModernHome can provide a genuine solution to the national housing shortage. “Local authorities are spending billions on emergency accommodation all over the country when this money could be spent on other important local services. “ModernHome and the financial models available with it can immediately stop this haemorrhage of cash and provide a solution to this long-term problem. “The product is available right now across London and the South East, with plans to roll out the product nationally as soon as possible. “ModernHome has been designed above all else to provide safe and comfortable homes, with a stylish design, that residents will enjoy living in and which will fit in with the surrounding neighbourhood. “Interest in ModernHome from councils has already been strong as local authorities need a financially viable solution that responds to their needs. We’re confident this uptake will continue as we roll out across wider areas of the UK.” In the 2022/23 financial year, councils spent more than £1.74 billion on temporary housing, largely due to the shortage of social housing and rising private rental costs, according to the LGA. For example, in Eastbourne, the council has been spending £4.5 million on temporary accommodation, which equates to 49p in every £1 collected in council tax. With many councils now allocating more than half their housing budgets to emergency accommodation, ModernHome presents a financially viable alternative which can be delivered in a fraction of the time of a traditional council housing scheme. It is also an excellent fit for sites that may be earmarked for future development, maximising the use of available space to provide urgent accommodation for those in need. When required, ModernHome can even be easily relocated by crane to a new site, allowing the land to be repurposed for permanent developments in the short or long-term future. Another unique and innovative offering of ModernHome is that councils can lease the homes from Boutique Modern with monthly payments in line with their Local Housing Allowance for up to 20 years, with options for outright sale too. This means that councils with limited capital to deploy, can use ModernHome on sites without the outlay of typical development. The available ModernHome range includes seven different apartment types, developed with Fuse Architects, including homes with studio accommodation right up to spacious four-bedroom layouts. Schemes can be up to four storeys high, with each development designed to enhance and fit in with the look of the local area. Dave Hughes, design director of Fuse Architects, said: “It is a privilege to work with Boutique Modern on this innovative and much needed housing product to address the shocking lack of temporary and affordable housing in this country. ModernHome provides a high quality, sustainable and viable, immediate solution, to this problem and we are proud to be involved.” The products are also designed to be affordable to run, low energy and easy to maintain, which is expected to minimise ongoing costs to tenants and local authorities. Boutique Modern has also joined the Prisoners Building Homes initiative run by the Government, Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, which will see the contractor partner with Ford Open Prison to employ people serving sentences in the Newhaven factory and in office roles, unlocking up to 100% funding for local authorities to pay for planning permission and up to £10,000 per home towards infrastructure on sites using ModernHome. The ModernHome range also includes additional facilities such as community spaces, coffee shops, pop up spaces and other commercial spaces, which can be tailored to the needs of the development and surrounding neighbourhood, recognising that these housing schemes need to solve the immediate problem whilst enhancing existing neighbourhoods and towns. Importantly, Boutique Modern, the UK’s first certified B Corp modular construction company, has not abandoned or steered away from any of its existing environmental practices to develop ModernHome with environmental standards and social value considered as part of the offering. The product is delivered using its BOPAS-certified build system guaranteeing a lifespan of at least 60 years, ensuring long-term value for councils, investors and residents. As part of the offering, Boutique Modern will also provide a planned and responsive maintenance service to all products including compliance checks, warranty renewals and component inspections. With pilot schemes with local authorities already in development for planning permission, it will soon be clear what impact ModernHome will have on the number one issue plaguing local authorities around the UK. Boutique Modern is already taking ModernHome enquiries with a focus on London and the South East. For more information visit: https://boutiquemodern.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Barratt London and Places for London have secured planning approval for the next phase of its Bollo Lane site, following a unanimous decision by Ealing London Borough Council’s planning committee. The site, which sits between Bollo Lane and the Piccadilly railway lines by Acton Town Station, was the first development to be announced as part of the West London Partnership, an industry-leading collaboration that will unlock more than 4,000 new homes over the next decade. The Bollo Lane project will be delivered in four phases and will provide up to 900 new homes once complete. Each residential phase will deliver 50% affordable housing to rent or buy. Construction works are due to begin this spring, with the first phase comprising 195 one, two and three-bedroom homes for private and affordable rent. The second phase that will be unlocked by the committee approval will deliver 455 new homes for affordable and private sale over the next five years. In addition to delivering much-needed new homes, the project will create an entirely new street frontage along the western edge of Bollo Lane, providing extensive areas of new public realm alongside 20,000 sq ft of commercial and retail spaces. Residents will benefit from two new podium gardens, whilst the wider community will enjoy biodiverse green spaces through the creation of a new public square and community garden on land that was previously inaccessible to the public. The scheme has been designed to promote healthy and active travel methods, with new pedestrian and cycle routes linking Acton Town and Chiswick. Biodiversity and sustainability have been carefully considered at every stage of scheme design. The proposals for Phase 2 are set to achieve a biodiversity net gain of 126%, with an urban greening factor of 0.47. There will be 250 new trees planted across the development, whilst highly efficient buildings will use sustainable energy sources to reduce carbon emissions and generate lower energy bills for residents. Section 106 contributions agreed with Ealing London Borough Council will see more than £3m contributed to Education, Healthcare, Transport and other improvements in the Borough. In addition, the project will create up to 500 new jobs over the course of the development, and 20 new apprenticeships will be made available thanks to the West London Partnership. Craig Carson, Managing Director at Barratt West London, comments: “We are pleased to receive the unanimous approval of Ealing’s Planning Committee for our updated Bollo Lane proposals, on what is a key strategic site for the West London Partnership. Since Places for London appointed us as their formal development partner for the site two years ago, we have worked closely on our shared vision to bring plans forward and ensure we deliver a site to be truly proud of. Our partnership at Bollo Lane will unlock nearly 900 new homes, and with half of these affordable, we are working in tandem with Places for London and Ealing London Borough Council to meet the housing needs in the borough.” Jonathan Cornelius, Head of Property Development at Places for London, comments: “It is fantastic news to get the go ahead for our plans at Bollo Lane in Acton Town. This milestone is a significant step in our plans to deliver around 900 homes here – our largest development to date. “Our plans have been designed to reflect the area’s heritage and context, such as the Grade II-listed station next to it, and will bring hundreds of the homes that London urgently needs. “The scheme will benefit the local community with welcoming green spaces, improvements to pedestrian and cycling facilities and new commercial opportunities for local businesses.” To find out more about Barratt London visit www.barrattlondon.com or for further details on Places for London visit www.placesforlondon.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Following the success of its award-winning St Osyth Priory development, now completely sold, award-winning housebuilder City & Country is starting work on 190 high-quality new homes at Priory Fields, also set adjacent to the grounds of the ancient St Osyth Priory near Colchester in Essex. The first homes will be available to buy off-plan from Spring 2025. The new development will include a mix of two, three, four and five-bedroom houses, all carefully designed to offer luxurious modern living while blending with the character of the historic Priory, parts of which are Grade I and II* Listed. With access to a private circular walk around the grounds of the historic Estate, extensive landscaping and green open spaces, residents here will be surrounded by nature as well as centuries of history. Now an established events venue, St Osyth Priory dates back to the 12th century, when it was founded as a monastery, dedicated to Saint Osyth – a local noblewoman after whom the nearby village is named, who founded a convent in the seventh century. After the dissolution of the monasteries, the priory passed first to Thomas Cromwell, then to Princess Mary, remaining a private home until the First World War when it was requisitioned by the Army, later being used as a convalescent home. The priory was acquired and repurposed in 1999 and has since undertaken a complete refurbishment of the estate, with new homes, holiday accommodation, a working rare breeds farm, a luxury wedding and events venue and a country pub, as well as the restoration of the 16 separate listed buildings on the site. After the success of City & Country’s first development of 73 private homes on the site, which won a Silver award for its public realm in the Whathouse? Awards 2023 and Housebuilder of the Year in 2024, the new build and historic renovations specialist was the obvious choice to develop a further 30 acres of land adjacent to St Osyth Priory, which is within walking distance of the quaint village of St Osyth. Priory Fields is located just five miles from the bright lights and sandy beaches of Clacton-on-Sea and 12 miles from the historic town of Colchester with its castle and Roman walls – the longest and best preserved in the country. Colchester is known for its independent shops and high street names, including a Fenwick department store, the thriving Mercury Theatre, grammar schools and University of Essex campus. Trains from Colchester, Clacton and Great Bentley offer convenient direct services to London Liverpool Street. Meanwhile, the village of St Osyth has a range of local, independently run pubs, bistros and restaurants, convenience stores, a busy seasonal street market and amenities including a primary school and GP surgery. The homes at Priory Fields will be varied in design to create an environment that is enhanced by the grandeur of the nearby listed buildings, while the off-the-beaten track nature of the development will guarantee peace and privacy. Rare breed animals, including white deer, roam the grounds, while the natural wetlands and ponds close to the river provide a habitat for marshland and coastal birds. At various points around the estate residents can enjoy beautiful views towards Brightlingsea and Mersea Island and sunsets over the estuary. With public nature reserve, Martin’s Farm Country Park opposite Priory Fields is only a short five-minute walk away. Shelley West, Group Sales and Marketing Director at City & Country, comments: “Our first development in this fabulous location sold out exceptionally quickly, so we are delighted to be starting work on Priory Fields, which will launch a wide variety of homes offering the perfect mix of modern living in a historic, country setting. Surrounded by peace and nature, with beautiful walks, quiet beaches and the quaint village of St Osyth just a stroll away, Priory Fields on the Essex coastline offers life at a slower pace – in a setting enjoyed by monks, saints and royalty for over a thousand years.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Major homebuilder Cala has launched a new business division, Cala Southern, as part of its growth strategy across the South of England. Cala Southern will spearhead the company’s westward expansion, enhancing Cala’s presence in Dorset, Hampshire and Southern Wiltshire, to meet strong demand for high-quality housing. The new division will also manage Cala’s existing live sites in these counties, including Winchester, Wimborne and Fordingbridge, previously overseen by Cala Thames. Cala Southern will be led by incoming managing director Rod Martin who brings a wealth of experience to the role having worked across the housebuilding sector for almost 25 years, including in leadership positions at Taylor Wimpey and Redrow. This year, Cala Southern will deliver 400 homes, with plans to increase this to over 500 homes annually by 2028. The division’s new headquarters in Winchester will open in March, and the region will support around 90 new direct roles so far, and hundreds more jobs through subcontractor partners and the supply chain. Kevin Whitaker, CEO of Cala Group commented: “Our strategy to expand Cala’s presence in the South West of England has taken a significant step forward. The expertise within our team and success of our high-quality, sustainable homes across England, have given us the confidence to invest in Cala Southern.” “Cala is well-positioned to achieve our goal of building over 4,000 homes by 2029, across the Group. Aligned with this ambition, our teams throughout the UK are proactively looking to invest in sites with and without planning permission, for both short-term and future development. They have the skill and financial backing to unlock potential across the full range of planning and development opportunities.” “We’re delighted to welcome Rod to the Cala Southern business. His extensive experience and deep understanding of the local market and our customer profile will further strengthen our team as they continue to invest in opportunities across the new patch.” Rod Martin, Managing Director of Cala Southern added: “I’m thrilled to be joining Cala at such an exciting time as we announce the launch of the Southern division. The business is already in a strong position, with 1,800 homes in the pipeline to be delivered between now and 2028.” “We will soon be opening our new head office in Winchester, which will perfectly position Cala to further capitalise on markets across Dorset, Hampshire and southern Wiltshire. We are focused on building on Cala’s success in the region to date and look forward to forging new relationships as we further expand the business.” Cala has a long-term plan for growth in England. The strategic decision to launch Cala Southern has been accelerated by the strong performance of Cala’s Thames division, which completed over 560 homes and delivered over £225m turnover in 2024. Cala Thames aims to deliver more than 1,800 homes in prime residential locations in Surrey, Berkshire and central Wiltshire by 2028. For more information about Cala Southern visit: www.cala.co.uk/southernland Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Award-winning housebuilder, Spitfire Homes, recently hosted a fully booked launch event for prospective buyers to view its highly-anticipated show home at Maybank, a collection of design-led new properties in Halesowen. New data from Zoopla has revealed the housing market has made the strongest start to a year since 2022, with new sales agreed increasing by 12% year-on-year. Located at the former Sandvik HQ, the new West Midlands address includes a range of 61 two-to four-bedroom homes, plus two one-bedroom maisonettes, and first occupations are set from Spring 2025. All properties at Maybank include energy-efficient air source heat pumps, underfloor heating, and electric vehicle charging points, all as standard. In addition to retaining existing woodland, Spitfire is planning to plant a number of trees and enhance green areas to encourage wildlife and preserve the natural environment. Matt Vincent, Operations Director at Spitfire Homes, said: “We have seen unprecedented levels of interest at Maybank since acquiring the site in 2023, and the opening of the new show home marks a significant and exciting milestone for the collection. “Our database has been consistently growing and there was a real sense of anticipation ahead of the opening weekend, with a number of customers having already visited show homes at our other collections across the Midlands to experience the Spitfire difference. We are already 10 per cent sold prior to the show home launch so we would urge any prospective buyers to schedule their appointment to view.” The Midlands-based housebuilder welcomed customers to explore the Kedleston, a four-bedroom detached family home showcasing Spitfire’s Signature specification. As the largest property available at Maybank, it boasts an open-plan kitchen and dining area, as well as a spacious living room and study ideal for home working. Upstairs, the home presents four double bedrooms, including a premium en suite to the primary and a four-piece family bathroom. Dean Grove, Managing Director at Grove Properties Group, the instructed selling agent for Maybank, added: “We are not surprised by the high level of interest at Maybank because Spitfire Homes has a growing reputation as one of the leading housebuilders in the region, and the show home is testament to why that is. We’ve also found that buyers are prioritising futureproof homes due to the financial benefits of sustainable technologies and the general change in attitudes towards living a greener lifestyle, something that aligns well with Spitfire’s energy-efficient homes.” To find out more about Spitfire Homes, or schedule your appointment to view the show home at Maybank, please visit: https://spitfirehomes.co.uk/find-your-home/maybank/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Morgan Sindall Construction has completed a new residential and community space in London’s Notting Hill area. The £17.5 million Acklam Road project, which consists of 32 residential flats alongside community space, was procured via the Southern Construction Framework and delivered on behalf of the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea (RBKC). Of the 32 homes that have been built, the majority (20) are social rent homes. The seven-storey building incorporates ground floor community units open to the public, with residential space starting on the first floor in a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments. Four of these homes will be fully wheelchair accessible and all the apartments feature a fully enclosed balcony or winter garden. The homes were officially opened in a ceremony attended by Deputy Leader Cllr Kim Taylor-Smith, representatives from Morgan Sindall, members of Swinbrook Residents’ Association and Golborne Youth Centre, local councillors, Lead Member for Housing, Cllr Sof McVeigh. The scheme was recently named the best affordable housing development for under £20million at the Inside Housing Development Awards. Situated near Portobello Road market, Acklam Road has been constructed with a brick facade to complement the building’s surroundings. Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP) have been installed to provide the new homes with a sustainable energy source and making the site completely gas free. Morgan Sindall’s London business leveraged its Intelligent Solutions approach to incorporate advanced fire safety measures into Acklam Road. This included installing an enhanced, commercial grade sprinkler system in each apartment and throughout non-residential areas. The building also includes two staircases and two emergency evacuation lifts as well as a dry riser. A high-end smoke detection and alarm system as well as an evacuation alert system has also been added to every apartment. The site’s proximity to the busy A40 presented a logistical challenge during construction. The project team utilised its Intelligent Solutions approach to think innovatively and utilised only a small pocket of land in an efficient manner to ensure that the work could continue at pace. Additionally, the Acklam Road development is situated opposite the Al-manaar cultural heritage centre, to ensure minimal disruption the team organised delivery schedules to avoid Friday prayer times while the road is at its busiest. As part of the tier one contractor’s commitment to generating as much social value as possible, the site team engaged in a wide variety of educational, volunteering and community projects. Among other things, this included creating a new kitchen for Golborne Youth Centre, engaging with 483 students, putting on 19 local education events and creating seven jobs for Kensington and Chelsea residents. The development also hosted eight apprentices, five work experience placements, five people on a week-long employability programme, one T-Level student, and three year-out placements. The amount of social value activity Morgan Sindall conducted onsite meant the project far exceeded the Employment and Skills plan requirements. This level of social value generation is especially impactful in the local community as there is a limited pool of construction labour and skills in the area. The Morgan Sindall team also worked in collaboration with numerous key partners including The Children’s Book Project, Metropolitan Police, Morley College, Construction Youth Trust, and several schools and engaged in educational events such as open days, volunteering within the local community, and donating to community-led projects. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Vistry Group, the UK’s leading provider of mixed-tenure homes, has extended its partnership with housing association Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH) to deliver 256 homes at Finchwood Park in Wokingham. Having now completed the land purchase of parcel 10 at Finchwood Park from Cala Homes, the 256 homes to be built on the site have been forward sold to MTVH. Reserved matters planning permission has already been granted for these 256 homes, of which 35% will be affordable housing, delivered in a variety of tenures. Vistry will deliver these new homes for MTVH in a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments and two, three and four-bedroom houses. Construction on Parcel 10 will commence in early 2025. This deal follows the exchange of contracts with Cala Homes in September 2024 on five parcels of land at Finchwood Park in Finchampstead, near Wokingham. In total, these five parcels of land will deliver over 600 new homes, as part of the wider development of 1,500 homes being brought forward by Cala Homes. With outline permission already granted, Vistry will submit detailed planning applications for the remaining parcels of land in early 2025, with construction on those phases then expected to begin in the latter part of 2025. Trevor Wicks, Managing Director for Vistry Thames Valley, said: “We’re excited to extend Vistry’s strong relationship with MTVH through these 256 homes at Finchwood Park, which will make a significant improvement to the provision of affordable housing and the availability of green open spaces in the area. With detailed planning permission already granted, our team is looking forward to starting construction on these high-quality new homes imminently.” Guy Burnett, Executive Director of Development at MTVH, commented: “MTVH is pleased to be involved in this partnership with the Vistry Group for the delivery of 256 homes at Finchwood Park in Wokingham. This development is an exciting project which will deliver a variety of mixed housing, many of which will be affordable homes, and continues our long-standing relationship with Vistry. “This is also a crucial step in helping to alleviate the housing pressures facing the local community in the Southeast. As the new homes are of a mix of sizes, these benefits will be felt by families and single people alike. Continuing these partnerships is crucial as we work to deliver the homes which ensure everyone has the chance to live in a safe, warm, and affordable home and to live well.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As National Apprenticeship Week (10–16 February) approaches, independent housebuilder Dandara is highlighting a range of trainee schemes for those interested in a career in the housebuilding industry. This initiative is part of Dandara’s ongoing commitment to helping the UK close its skills gap and inspire the next generation. While the UK government has planned to build 1.5 million new homes over the next five years[1], the latest Construction Skills Network report forecasts that there is a need for 251,500 extra construction workers by 2028 to meet the anticipated levels of work[2]. Amid concerns regarding a lack of trained professionals to help reach the target, Dandara has established a trainee programme to guarantee newcomers the proper training and qualifications needed for the future. Dandara’s trainee scheme include an initial three-year programme designed to deliver skills and qualification-based experience, rotating between all departments. Provided a trainee stays with Dandara two years after completing their traineeship, their tuition and qualifications costs will be taken care of as they continue to study and work on the job. Alison Murphy, Learning & Development Manager at Dandara, commented: “The skills gap is a major challenge we face as a housebuilder. The boom for housing and Government ambition to build 1.5 million homes is there, but the most crucial element driving the whole project is missing – the workforce to deliver these ambitions. “As National Apprenticeship Week beckons, we want to support those trying to plug this skills gap by offering schemes such as our management programme. The scheme is designed for anyone looking to leave education right through to those looking to change careers. Investment into people and training the next generation is the key to unlocking the UK’s housing targets and we are here to help anyone who is passionate to kickstart their career. Creating opportunities for people to bring their skills, enthusiasm and passion to the industry encompasses the ethos behind our trainee schemes, and we equip all our newcomers with quality training for a career at Dandara.” Harry Collins, an apprentice on Dandara’s trainee management scheme, adds: “Each department has a designated mentor overseeing my activities, and Dandara has structured the programme exceptionally well. Although moving between departments might seem stressful, the process has been seamless so far, and the apprenticeship has provided me with valuable experience and a deeper understanding of the company. The range of experience and the opportunity to fully immerse myself in different departments have given me a much clearer idea of the housebuilding industry, and I am looking forward to seeing what the next few years have in store.” To find out more about Dandara’s trainee schemes, please visit https://careers.dandara.com/page/traineeschemes or call 01908 036 284 [1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-homes-fact-sheet-1-the-need-for-homes/fact-sheet-1-the-need-for-homes [2] https://www.citb.co.uk/about-citb/construction-industry-research-reports/construction-skills-network-csn/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Salford City Council has approved plans for the construction of 25 new affordable homes across two sites in the city. The developments, which will be owned and managed by Dérive, the council’s wholly-owned housing company, will provide much-needed supported accommodation for young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The first development, located on Bridgewater Street in Little Hulton, will comprise 12 homes, including three two-bedroom and four three-bedroom family houses, and eight one-bedroom apartments specifically designed for young people aged 18 to 25. The second development, located on Tully Street South in Higher Broughton, will consist of ten self-contained apartments for young people experiencing homelessness. “These developments are part of our commitment to increasing the number of good quality, affordable homes, with support for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness,” said Councillor Tracy Kelly, Statutory Deputy City Mayor and Lead Member for Housing and Anti-Poverty at Salford City Council. “The new, spacious low energy apartments will help tackle youth homelessness and the under-provision of young persons supported accommodation in the city.” The Tully Street South development will be delivered under the Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP), a government-led initiative aimed at tackling homelessness and rough sleeping. “There is real need for schemes such as these in our city, with over 5,000 households on the city’s housing register and over 6,000 homeless presentations made to the council in 2023-24,” said Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett. “It’s vital we continue to work to provide truly affordable housing in our city. Housing is so important for the wellbeing of everyone. Without a stable, secure, affordable place to live everything else suffers, from health to education to employment prospects.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Thakeham, one of the leading housebuilders in the south of England, has secured outline planning approval for a development on Land North West of Preston Farm in Bookham, Surrey from Mole Valley District Council’s Planning Committee. Land North West of Preston Farm has received a resolution to grant outline planning permission for up to 200 new net zero carbon one to four-bedroom homes, 40% of which will be affordable in compliance with planning policy, and a new community centre. Each sustainable home is planned to have features including dedicated electric vehicle charging points and secure cycle storage. Targeting an onsite biodiversity net gain of over 20%, the development will feature landscaping and new planting to create approximately 45 acres of open space and a new country park that will be open to the wider community. Additional landscaping will also take place around existing lakes to improve blue space. A reserved matters application will be made in due course further detailing the development’s layout, design and landscaping. Tristan Robinson, Thakeham’s Director of External Affairs, said: “After undertaking a comprehensive public consultation process for Land North West of Preston Farm, we are pleased to receive backing from Mole Valley District Council. The scheme includes 40% affordable housing – something urgently needed locally – and significant new public open spaces for everyone to enjoy.” Land North West of Preston Farm lies on the western settlement edge of Bookham, which is made up of the two historic settlements of Great Bookham and Little Bookham. The site is strategically located close to Leatherhead, Guildford and Dorking, with easy access to the M25, M25/A3 junction and Bookham railway station. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals