Construction work is continuing on hundreds of new homes and community facilities at Holloway Park, on the site of the former Holloway Prison in Islington. Peabody and its partners, including the Greater London Authority, the London Borough of Islington and London Square, gathered at the historic site on to see
Guildford-based housebuilder Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties is helping to tackle the construction industry skills shortage, having recently recruited its latest graduate trainee. Chloe Lopez (age 22), a Business Management graduate from the University of Surrey, was accepted onto Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties’ ASPIRE Programme this Autumn, based at
Torsion Group forms a Joint Venture to deliver one of Yorkshire’s largest Build-to-Rent Residential Developments with Khalbros Group and Oliver Cookson’s Family Office. Leeds-based Real Estate company Torsion Group is celebrating the successful sale of 50% of the freehold and shares in The Phoenix residential scheme. The Phoenix consists of
Leading housebuilder, Barratt Developments Yorkshire West’s Commercial Director, Lindsey Sills, has been named as a finalist in the Forward Ladies Leadership Summit & Awards 2023. Forward Ladies is a community of like-minded women dedicated to advancing leadership opportunities for the next generation of ladies coming into the workforce. Currently in
Affordable housebuilder, Orbit Homes and leading construction company, Wates are celebrating after being presented with the Gold award for Best Partnership Scheme at the 2023 What House? Awards in recognition of their regeneration of Park East in Erith. The award was presented following completion of a £120m scheme which was
Bellway is building hundreds of homes as a part of an award-winning project within Kings Hill in Kent. The housebuilder is delivering a total of 542 new homes across five developments at Aviation Park, part of the huge Kings Hill regeneration project which has been taking place over the past
Housing developer Story Homes is delighted to announce that it has been recognised by the prestigious UK Property Awards, winning two 5-star accolades for its Brigsteer Rise development in Kendal as well as the award for ‘Best Developer Website’ for the second year running. Brigsteer Rise beat strong competition from
Henry Boot Construction has officially completed work on the impressive Kangaroo Works, Sheffield City Centre’s new 14-storey build-to-rent development. The development on Rockingham Street, which brings 365 high-quality and contemporary homes to the city centre, forms part of Sheffield City Council’s Heart of the City masterplan – delivering a significant
Story Homes has recently received Reserved Matters planning permission, which will see the developer bring 143 new homes to Tanfield in County Durham. Story Homes has worked in partnership with Miller Homes, to bring forward plans to redevelop the site of the former Ever Ready battery production factory in Tanfield,
Local housebuilder Crest Nicholson has secured planning approval for homes at its brand new Windsor Gate development, in Windsor, Berkshire. The development will comprise 135 energy efficient new homes, with 54 affordable homes, across the 13-acre site, and has a focus on enhancing biodiversity and sustainability. Each of the 117
Construction work is continuing on hundreds of new homes and community facilities at Holloway Park, on the site of the former Holloway Prison in Islington. Peabody and its partners, including the Greater London Authority, the London Borough of Islington and London Square, gathered at the historic site on to see how the redevelopment has progressed since work first started in October last year. Holloway Park, which is set to welcome new residents from 2027, is being built in three phases and will deliver 985 homes in total. Of those, 415 will be for social rent and 178 for shared ownership – making 60 percent of the homes affordable. Most of the social homes will have two or three bedrooms, making them suitable for families, and there will also be 60 extra care one-bedroom homes and a sensory garden. The development will use air source heat pumps to heat the homes, and photovoltaic solar panels will provide some of the electricity. The ten-acre scheme will be home to a new 1.4-acre park, which will see the site and its mature greenery accessible to the public for the first time. Connected by a network of pedestrian paths, the development will also have parking facilities for up to 2,000 bicycles, commercial spaces, and a Women’s Building that will house support services tailored to the needs of women from the local community. Peabody has been working closely with Islington Council, former residents of the prison, and a range of groups to discuss the scope for the Women’s Building. A joint steering group, made up of Peabody, Islington Council and independent experts, has been set up to secure its long-term success. Work to select an operator will begin early next year. Not-for-profit housing association Peabody, which has 107,000 homes across London and the home counties, bought the Holloway Prison site in 2019 and was given planning permission for the homes and facilities by Islington Council last year. Except for the former visitor centre, which is currently being used as a site office, all the former prison buildings have been taken down and foundations have been laid for the first homes. To honour the rich legacy of the site, Peabody has commissioned a heritage plan that will seek to respectfully incorporate some of the old prison materials, including banisters and mirrors, in new artworks. 429 homes are being built in the first phase, including 215 social rent homes, as well as the Women’s Building and three-quarters of the new park. The construction of Holloway Park will provide 51 apprenticeships for local people, with aspirations for at least 30 percent to be women. An on-site ‘green skills’ hub will also deliver construction training programmes. Angela Wood, Deputy Executive Director of Development for Peabody, said: “We have a long history of providing affordable homes and community services in Islington, working alongside Islington Council and other partners. “Our plans for Holloway Park will provide nearly 1,000 much-needed homes, a significant percentage affordable, in a prime location with a range of new facilities. “While our plans are undoubtedly different to what’s been on the site before, we’re committed to honouring its history – not least in our preservation of the wonderful green spaces and trees that were such a striking feature of prison’s design. And we will continue to work with the community to ensure the Women’s Building delivers a fitting legacy.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Guildford-based housebuilder Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties is helping to tackle the construction industry skills shortage, having recently recruited its latest graduate trainee. Chloe Lopez (age 22), a Business Management graduate from the University of Surrey, was accepted onto Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties’ ASPIRE Programme this Autumn, based at its head office on Old Portsmouth Road. The two-year scheme provides hands-on career education and training, and will see Chloe deployed within each department of the business to learn first-hand about Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties’ operations. Chloe will then undertake a final placement within the Commercial department, where she will train to become an Assistant Quantity Surveyor. During the programme, Chloe will meet regularly with other graduates from across the business and undertake entrepreneurial fundraising with the Princes Trust’s Million Makers challenge. Chloe comments: “It’s an exciting time to be entering the construction industry – the market is changing at a rapid pace and Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties offers an incredibly dynamic working environment. The ASPIRE Programme was the very first scheme that I applied to after my degree, and after a few short weeks I have already gained so much knowledge and experience. Alongside my placements, I am also being mentored by the Managing Director, which has given me valuable insight and training to take forward in the role.” Chloe’s time is split between the office and working onsite at Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties’ developments in Berkshire and Sussex, where she is currently shadowing the surveying team. “You have the opportunity to get stuck in from day one!” Chloe adds. “It’s hard work but when you’re on the job you can see the real-life impact of the work that we’re doing. Each day brings a new challenge, and I’m learning everything from procurement to budget valuations to overseeing the contractors. Each day is different and varied and there’s no better way to learn.” Chloe recently supported with the launch of David Wilson Homes’ newest development in Finchampstead, Finchwood Park, and worked closely on the creation of the customer sales arena. “Seeing the final product brought to life demonstrates how each person plays a vital role in constructing new homes and ensuring its success,” Chloe adds. Julian Hodder, Managing Director at Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties, adds: “What is fundamentally clear is the fact that the construction skills shortage reaches far beyond traditional trade careers such as carpentry and bricklaying. There is an impetus now for us to invest and train across all roles, and the ASPIRE graduate programme is just one way that we are attracting some of the best talent from the next generation. Chloe’s drive, dedication and work ethic has impressed her colleagues, and she has a very bright future ahead in construction.” Chloe is hoping to continue her career with Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties after completing the Aspire Programme, with ambitions to progress to a manager within the next five years. Chloe and the team at Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties are helping to create new homes across the South East, including at The Poppies in Aylesford, Brookwood Meadows in Westham and Finchwood Park in Finchampstead. For further details about Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties or the ASPIRE Programme, visit www.barratthomes.co.uk / www.dwh.co.uk or call 0333 355 8498. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Torsion Group forms a Joint Venture to deliver one of Yorkshire’s largest Build-to-Rent Residential Developments with Khalbros Group and Oliver Cookson’s Family Office. Leeds-based Real Estate company Torsion Group is celebrating the successful sale of 50% of the freehold and shares in The Phoenix residential scheme. The Phoenix consists of two tower blocks in the centre of Leeds. Tower Block A is a 156 Build-to-Rent apartment development. Tower Block B is a private build-to-sell residential development. The combined GDV of the development is in excess of £90m, making this one of Yorkshire’s biggest residential developments, and it expects to bring high-end, affordable living into a prominent Leeds market. The Joint Venture structure consists of 50% of the freehold being sold to Oliver Cookson’s Family Office, with the remaining 50% being retained by Torsion Group and Joint Venture partner Khalbros Group. Tower Block B, which represents the Build-to-Sell element of the scheme, has been pre-sold to private owners, and it will be ready for occupation in the first quarter of 2024. Upon completion in 2024, The Phoenix will be the fourth tallest residential building on the Leeds city skyline. Block A reaches an impressive 21 storeys at 223ft high, and Block B stands at 180ft with 17 storeys. The transaction team consisted of Shakespeare Martineau, DWF, Shoosmiths, Addleshaw Goddard on Legals, Cowgils and Saffery on Tax, Maslow Capital on Debt Financing with additional professional services provided by Abacus Cost Management, Gardiner & Theobald and Dalbergia Group. Dan Spencer, Group CEO of Torsion Group Limited, said: “The Phoenix represents our continued growth in the Living sector and the Company’s first venture into the Build-to-Rent and Build-to-Sell market. This sale is a truly significant milestone in the evolution of Torsion Group.” “When set against the backdrop of a challenging economic, financial, and housing market, it is clear to see just what a remarkable achievement it is for everyone involved. This deal shows that prime assets in great locations like The Phoenix are proving to be resilient and remain attractive to investors. I am incredibly proud of the Torsion team and their determination to develop and construct this landmark Leeds development.” “The Build-to-Rent assets complement our delivery model and operational business and deliver excellent returns for ourselves and investor partners. Having a fully vertically integrated delivery model including developer, contractor, facilities management, and operator allows us to ensure we deliver best-in-class sustainable buildings.”. “We have a strong secured pipeline across all our living sectors, including Purpose Built Student Accommodation, Residential, Later Living and Care Homes. We will continue to grow in the Build-to-Rent sector and have recently secured planning on our subsequent three schemes in Leeds, Manchester, and Sheffield.” Oliver Cookson, said: “My roots are in the North – it’s where I’ve launched my latest nutrition venture, Verve, and it’s where I grew up and bought my first house. So I feel passionate about this investment as it allows me to drive local economic growth even more, while providing high quality new housing for the area’s growing population of professionals. Leeds is a great place to invest for the long term. It’s a leading business hub with key growth industries bringing new opportunities, and a huge student population with the talent to make it even better.” To find out more about The Phoenix, visit https://www.torsiongroup.co.uk/the-phoenix-leeds/ For more information on Torsion Group Ltd, go to https://www.torsiongroup.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading housebuilder, Barratt Developments Yorkshire West’s Commercial Director, Lindsey Sills, has been named as a finalist in the Forward Ladies Leadership Summit & Awards 2023. Forward Ladies is a community of like-minded women dedicated to advancing leadership opportunities for the next generation of ladies coming into the workforce. Currently in its 13th year, the theme of this year’s Leadership Summit & Awards is ‘Breaking Barriers’, honouring the impact of female leadership within a variety of business sectors. The housebuilder’s Commercial Director, Lindsey Sills, has been shortlisted in the STEM Leader of the Year category, which recognises women in senior positions working within science, technology, engineering and mathematics sectors, who are encouraging other women to join their industry and demonstrating significant achievements in male-dominated businesses. Within the nomination, Lindsey demonstrated not only her achievements but also the challenges that came with being a female in the industry during this time. These included being the only female in her team for over half of her career, facing increased challenge and breaking down typical stereotypes. Following 20 years in the housebuilding industry, Lindsey joined Barratt Developments Yorkshire West in March 2023 where she joined as one of seven board members. As Lindsey has progressed in her career, her determination to support in diversifying the industry and create an inspiring work environment for her entire team no matter the gender continues to develop. Lindsey has been an inspiration across the industry, showing that the award’s theme of ‘Breaking Barriers’ is possible in the sector. Lindsey is passionate that everyone has the same opportunities no matter a person’s upbringing or background and is keen to spread this message to young people. Outside of work, Lindsey has visited her child’s school to support STEM week and showcase the opportunities available within the industry, in particular to young girls who are considering joining the housebuilding sector. In her journey to inspire young women, Lindsey is set to invest her time into teenage girls who are negatively impacted by social media. She wants to inspire those who may not know what career opportunities are available to them, or to consider career paths that they may not have otherwise considered. Lindsey is keen to mentor and support these young women to find their ideal path no matter what their background. On the nomination, Lindsey said: “I’m extremely proud to have been named as one of the finalists in this year’s Forward Ladies Leadership Summit & Awards for STEM Leader of the Year. “I’ve worked within Commercial teams in the housebuilding industry for more than 20 years and one of my greatest achievements is being able to head up the Commercial department at Barratt and create a supportive environment for my team to grow and thrive. “I’ve worked hard to break the stereotypes and the stigma surrounding housebuilding over the lifetime of my career and have used my own experiences to positively encourage my teams to become more diverse and I’m proud to say more women than ever are coming through into this part of the business. “Diversifying the industry and inspiring young women to consider this career path is something I’m incredibly passionate about, and I hope I can be an inspiration to women in and out of the industry. It’s so exciting to be able to attend these awards and I wish all the finalists the best of luck at the event.” The Forward Ladies Leadership Summit & Awards 2023 ceremony will take place on November 24th, 2023, in London, which will see Lindsey and members of the Barratt team enjoy a full day of celebrations with category winner announcements and talks from female industry leaders. For more information about Barratt Developments Yorkshire West, please visit: www.barrattdevelopments.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Affordable housebuilder, Orbit Homes and leading construction company, Wates are celebrating after being presented with the Gold award for Best Partnership Scheme at the 2023 What House? Awards in recognition of their regeneration of Park East in Erith. The award was presented following completion of a £120m scheme which was the latest phase by the two organisations of a wider initiative to regenerate two estates in Erith in the London Borough of Bexley. Between the two phases, around 900 households have been moved from substandard accommodation and a similar number of new homes for market sale, rent and shared ownership have been built under the partnership. The judges praised the collaborative approach in delivering a thoughtfully designed scheme, with a high level of specification and architectural detail, as well as the palpable community feel that has been generated at what is an exemplar of estate regeneration. Group Director of Orbit Homes, Helen Moore, commented: “I’m extremely proud of this award. To be presented with the Gold Award for Best Partnership alongside Wates is an outstanding achievement. “The award is a real testament to how partnership working and a shared commitment to providing high quality affordable homes can help to transform estates previously dominated by poor quality, ageing housing into vibrant and attractive, mixed tenure communities. “Park East and its neighbouring Erith Park are now safe and inclusive communities providing high quality, energy-efficient homes. It’s wonderful to see the team’s shared vision and seamless partnership in creating a place people are proud to call home achieve recognition with this award.” To find out more about Orbit Homes, click here. Helen Rieman, Business Growth Director, Wates said: “Creating genuine partnerships is what we strive to achieve – to work with deprived and wanting communities, to create not just better homes but a better living environment in all ways. We are very proud of our collaboration with Orbit and to win this Gold award from WhatHouse? is the culmination of a strong and enduring partnership between our teams. “The integration with all stakeholders and ensuring that we have a supply chain that is aligned to our and our partners’ values, are all important ingredients to creating a successful new development. At Park East, we have taken an area and a community that needed support and investment, through a journey which has delivered them a well-connected and quality new place to call home.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bellway is building hundreds of homes as a part of an award-winning project within Kings Hill in Kent. The housebuilder is delivering a total of 542 new homes across five developments at Aviation Park, part of the huge Kings Hill regeneration project which has been taking place over the past 30 years on the site of the former RAF West Malling base. Within Aviation Park, Bellway Kent is building 140 properties at Blenheim Green and 52 homes at Liberty Quarter, both off Park Drive, where homes are currently under construction and for sale. The first of 70 apartments at Gloster Chase, off Kings Hill Avenue, have also just been released for sale, with 42 for private ownership and the remaining 28 as affordable homes for the local community. DeHavilland Place, off Jubilee Way, which comprises a further 210 homes, and Westland Place, off Abbey Wood Road, which will bring 70 apartments, are due to be launched in spring next year. These five sites will provide a total of 402 properties for the private market and 140 affordable homes available for local people through low-cost rent or shared ownership. Aviation Park will also see the creation of hundreds of jobs in sales and construction. Bellway won an award for its part in the Kings Hill regeneration project, claiming the Best Regeneration Project category at the Evening Standard New Homes Awards 2023 in September. The description for the Best Regeneration Project category stated that the judges were looking for inspired schemes that have transformed a neglected site or zone into a vibrant new quarter, typically with a mix of residential, retail and commercial premises, and green space, and where the lives of local people and businesses have improved as a result. Chris Moore, Bellway Kent Managing Director, said: “At Bellway, we are proud to be playing a part in this landmark project which is seeing the regeneration of this historic site and transforming it into a vibrant modern community. The award win is a tribute to its success. “RAF West Malling played a major part in helping Britain defend itself from the German aerial attacks during the Second World War and was an important base during the Cold War. Aircraft based at the site took off from the base to fight the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain in 1940 and to shoot down the V1 flying bombs launched from across the Channel in 1944. “Although Kings Hill is a project that looks to the future, we also wanted to acknowledge the past and have named Aviation Park and its developments in homage to aircraft manufacturers or planes involved in the Second World War and Cold War. “Construction work is progressing well at all five sites within Aviation Park, where we are delivering a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments and two to five-bedroom houses to help meet the specific requirements of the local housing market. “Many residents have already moved into their new homes at Liberty Quarter, while the build programme is advancing at Blenheim Green and Gloster Chase, where the first homes are now available to reserve.” Aviation Park is part of the wider Kings Hill project, where more than 3,500 homes have been built or planned since work began in 1990, along with a million square feet of commercial floor space, three new schools and 23 shops. Bellway has previously delivered 381new homes in Kings Hill since 2011, which has been masterminded by Kent County Council and Liberty Property Trust. Residents are able to enjoy the green spaces on their doorstep within Kings Hill, which features 100 acres of public open space including a new linear park as its focal point. Part of the military heritage of the site takes centre stage within the linear park, where a Pickett-Hamilton, a rare example of a sunken concrete gun fort built to defend the RAF base’s runway, is on display. The structure, which has been restored, takes centre stage as the focal point of a grassed amphitheatre on the slope of a sculpted grass mound. Also preserved at Kings Hill are a Bofors light anti-aircraft gun tower and a hexagonal concrete pill box, which, along with the fort, form part of a scheduled monument as defined by Historic England. For more information about all five of the Bellway developments at Aviation Park, visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/kent. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Housing developer Story Homes is delighted to announce that it has been recognised by the prestigious UK Property Awards, winning two 5-star accolades for its Brigsteer Rise development in Kendal as well as the award for ‘Best Developer Website’ for the second year running. Brigsteer Rise beat strong competition from national housebuilders to win the award for the ‘Best Residential Development’ in the Cumbria region as well as the award for ‘Best Residential Interior for a Show Home.’ Now in its 30th year, the UK Property Awards are the most demanding and rigorous in the property sector. The awards are judged by an independent panel of over 80 industry experts, focussing on design, quality, service, innovation, originality and commitment to sustainability. Story Homes was presented with the three awards at a ceremony on 10 November at The London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square. As winners of two 5-star awards, the builder will be entered into the European Property Awards, which ultimately determine Europe’s finest property companies. Hayley Blair, Sales & Marketing Director at Story Homes said: “We are so proud to be recognised once again at the UK Property Awards, which is a very prestigious accolade within the housebuilding industry. “To walk away with two 5-star awards for our Brigsteer Rise development, plus a further award for our website for the second year running, was a fantastic achievement and further demonstrates the quality and design of the new homes we hand over to our customers.” Brigsteer Rise is a desirable development of high quality homes located in Kendal. This exclusive development offers Story Homes’ ‘Story Collection’ of two to five-bedroom homes, carefully designed throughout, with a high specification as standard. Since its official launch in August 2022, the development has been extremely popular with customers and Story Homes recently handed over the keys to its 10,000th new home, and the milestone event took place at Brigsteer Rise with new homeowners Tina and Colin, who purchased a 5-bedroom Cranford home. For more information, please contact Katie Brown, Communications Manager on 01228 891528 or email katie.brown@storyhomes.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Henry Boot Construction has officially completed work on the impressive Kangaroo Works, Sheffield City Centre’s new 14-storey build-to-rent development. The development on Rockingham Street, which brings 365 high-quality and contemporary homes to the city centre, forms part of Sheffield City Council’s Heart of the City masterplan – delivering a significant influx of new residents in the city centre. Delivered for build-to-rent developer Ridgeback Group and designed by Whittam Cox Architects, the 14-storey block comprises a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with five commercial units incorporated into the ground floor. The development’s design focuses on traditional brick buildings, reflecting the typology and heritage of the traditional little mesters works seen in the original ‘Kangaroo Works’ on the same site. This timeless aesthetic is further complemented by attractive outdoor spaces, including a landscaped central courtyard and rain garden for residents. The development also directly connects to Pound’s Park – the major new outdoor public park in the city centre, which was also successfully delivered by Henry Boot Construction. Tony Shaw, Managing Director for Henry Boot Construction, said: “We’re thrilled to see Kangaroo Works reach completion. It’s very rewarding to see people moving in and calling the development home. “At Henry Boot, we really understand the changing trends of our urban centres and the important role of new homes in creating vibrant and active cities. “Kangaroo Works is another important piece of the jigsaw and will provide a permanent community to support and complement our other projects in the Heart of the City masterplan, including Pound’s Park, the Cambridge Street Collection food hall and net-zero carbon office Elshaw House. “We are proud to be helping private and public developers, like Ridgeback Group and Sheffield City Council, transform our hometown and provide a sustainable and well-balanced city centre.” Christopher Allen, Development Director at Ridgeback Group, said: “It has been a pleasure to work with the Henry Boot team over the past four years to deliver Kangaroo Works. This scheme was Ridgeback’s first acquisition and established the high standard for our growing portfolio. The quality of the workmanship has been impressive, and we are grateful to receive such a fantastic looking building.” Ian Lowson, Director at Whittam Cox Architects, added: “It’s incredibly rewarding to witness the final realisation of this scheme. Our approach has been guided by an unwavering commitment to delivering a best-in-class, Build to Rent offering in the heart of one of Yorkshire’s great cities, Sheffield.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Story Homes has recently received Reserved Matters planning permission, which will see the developer bring 143 new homes to Tanfield in County Durham. Story Homes has worked in partnership with Miller Homes, to bring forward plans to redevelop the site of the former Ever Ready battery production factory in Tanfield, which has been derelict for many years. This brownfield site was granted outline planning consent in 2017, and now Story Homes along with its development partner have permission to deliver a total of 288 new homes, transforming this under used area into an attractive residential development. Story Homes’ plans include the delivery of 143 high quality new homes, ranging from two to five bedrooms, which have been designed for modern living, with flexible open plan layouts, and luxury finishes throughout. Not only will the redevelopment of the site vastly improve the appearance of the area, but the Section 106 (S106*) Agreement linked to the planning permission, will see the developers invest a total of £286,400 into the local community. The S106 Agreement earmarks £140,000 to go towards a bus service and infrastructure. Of the remaining funds, £60,000 will be contributed to the creation of a cycleway and footpath and the final £86,400 will go towards sports facilities. In addition to these contributions, the scheme will also deliver much needed affordable homes. Dan Chant, Senior Land Manager for Story Homes said: “Our proposed development on this brownfield site will not only improve the look of the area but will deliver multiple benefits to the local community during the construction phase and beyond, as well as direct and indirect employment opportunities for local people through subcontractors and the supply chain.” Story Homes is expecting to commence works at the Tanfield site, which will be named Heritage Fields, within the coming weeks. For more information about the scheme please visit https://www.storyhomes.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Local housebuilder Crest Nicholson has secured planning approval for homes at its brand new Windsor Gate development, in Windsor, Berkshire. The development will comprise 135 energy efficient new homes, with 54 affordable homes, across the 13-acre site, and has a focus on enhancing biodiversity and sustainability. Each of the 117 homes will incorporate air source heat pumps, whilst the 18 apartments will utilise hot water heat pumps and electric panel heaters. Residents will benefit from landscaped open spaces that also provide a haven for wildlife, including a wildflower meadow, community allotments, three play areas and further informal play spaces. Additional features across the development include 50 bat bricks and 50 swift bricks in homes and apartment buildings, 10 bee homes, hedgehog highways, tree planting and attractive nature-based drainage features. The drainage features double up as informal recreational spaces, whilst providing ecological benefits and managing water during high rainfall events. With the build due to start in January 2024, the first completions are anticipated for July 2024. Nicholas Daruwalla, Land Director at Crest Nicholson South, comments: “We are pleased to have been granted planning permission to deliver much needed new homes in Windsor. The planning approval will enable us to provide a collection of new homes that meet local demand, and to continue our delivery of high-quality homes in sought after locations across the region. “As well as delivering much needed new homes and affordable housing, we are committed to creating sustainable communities, where residents benefit from access to greenspace and important amenities on their doorsteps, such as play areas.” Mark Kershaw, Group Head of Sustainability at Crest Nicholson, adds: “In line with our commitment to sustainability, we aim to make Windsor Gate a sustainable development for future generations. With a strong focus on community wellbeing, landscaped areas will provide recreational space while delivering a 14% biodiversity net gain. Carbon emissions from the use of the homes will be 76% lower than 2013 building regulations, supporting our customers to live a lower carbon lifestyle and contributing towards our target to be net zero across our value chain by 2045.” Philip Allin, Director at Boyer Planning, adds: “We are really pleased to have worked closely with both Crest Nicholson and planning officers at the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council to achieve a positive outcome. We are sure that Windsor Gate will be a high-quality development, and one that will deliver on the aims and objectives of the Local Plan site allocation.” Situated on the edge of the historic market town of Windsor, in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, residents will have access to plenty of amenities and activities on their doorsteps. Within Windsor itself, there are numerous restaurants and pubs, including a royal-themed brewery, Windsor and Eaton Brewery, plus an array of independent shops. Windsor is an idyllic base for exploring the surrounding countryside, parks and gardens such as Windsor Great Park, activities on the River Thames, like paddleboarding, and Ascot and Royal Windsor Racecourses. Windsor benefits from excellent transport links, including direct trains into London from Windsor and Eaton Riverside in under an hour. The M4 is easily accessible, providing connections into London and beyond via links to the M25, M3 and M40. For more information, or to register your interest ahead of the launch, please call 01932 911 434 or visit www.crestnicholson.com/windsor-gate. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
