Story Homes has recently launched two brand new developments in the North East, and both have received an overwhelming response from customers hoping to be the first to secure their dream Story home. Robinson Fields, located in the desirable area of North Tyneside, near Whitley Bay and Tynemouth, launched on
Bruntwood has received planning permission for The Ev0 Building, the UK’s lowest carbon new build workspace. Based at Didsbury Technology Park in South Manchester, the £31 million development will meet LETI 2020 design targets for upfront carbon, RIBA 2025 targets for whole life carbon and the UK Green Building Council’s
Property firm X1 has been appointed as the developer of Patagonia Place, a 31-storey residential development at Peel L&P’s Liverpool Waters. X1 has a global reputation for ambitious, quality residential developments in high-growth areas, such as Liverpool, and was behind the development of The Tower near the Albert Dock which
Milton Keynes Council has appointed contractor Willmott Dixon as its preferred bidder to deliver the landmark Agora regeneration scheme in Wolverton, which has received £36 million of investment by the City Council. Working alongside developer TOWN, Willmott Dixon will review and finalise the design for the new development on the
Housebuilder Hayfield has submitted a Reserved Matters Application to Tewkesbury Borough Council to create a 50 new homes development in the Village of Gotherington, Gloucestershire. The £35m, 6.27 hectares scheme, just north of Bishops Cleeve, will deliver a range of two, three and five-bedroom EPC A-rated homes and bungalows, which
Wates Developments business has secured planning consent on land in Windsor and sold the homes scheme to Crest Nicholson. The release of land from the Green Belt was secured last year through an allocation in the recently adopted Windsor and Maidenhead Borough Local Plan. The homes near the A308 will
Plans to build 88 new affordable, green homes at the gateway to Oldham have entered the next phase as Greater Manchester-based housing provider, First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) has signed a deal with contractor, Caddick Construction, to deliver the project. The ‘West Vale’ housing scheme – part of FCHO’s £160m
Award-winning property group Beresfords has brought an exclusive new development to market, built by prestigious developer Marden Homes, in Brentwood, Essex. Set in 16 acres of private parkland, the Grade II listed building has been converted into a collection of 30 luxury four and three-bedroom homes and two and three-bedroom
Artisan Real Estate to Deliver Sustainable Homes and Commercial Spaces, With Landscaped Roof Terraces and Courtyard Proposals for a landscaped and carbon friendly mixed-use development at the heart of Glasgow’s Merchant City have been given the go-ahead by Glasgow City Council, subject to agreement of a ‘Section 75’ legal agreement. Artisan
Lovers of luxury can now set up home at one of the most prestigious addresses in the North East. For 10 centuries Lambton Park – just 15 minutes from Durham City, on the banks of the River Wear – has been the ancestral seat of the Earls of Durham. Now
Story Homes has recently launched two brand new developments in the North East, and both have received an overwhelming response from customers hoping to be the first to secure their dream Story home. Robinson Fields, located in the desirable area of North Tyneside, near Whitley Bay and Tynemouth, launched on Saturday 4 February. Demand for the development was so strong that some customers camped outside the marketing suite the night before the launch so they could be the first in line to secure a high specification home. Initially, Story Homes planned to release just five homes for its sales launch. However, due to high demand, additional homes were released to avoid disappointment for its customers. Riverbrook Gardens, which is in a prestigious position within walking distance of both Alnwick town centre and Castle Gardens, launched on 14 January. The development also received a fantastic response from customers wanting to secure a high quality home designed for modern living. Sales Director for Story Homes North East, Kye Bradley, said “We’re delighted that our two new developments have been so well received by our customers, and the success of these recent launches demonstrates a continued high demand for quality new homes in the North East. “We are very much looking forward to opening our new show homes at Riverbrook Gardens, and our ‘show village’ at Robinson Fields, in late summer.” The first phase of Robinson Fields offers 50 new homes ranging from two to five-bedrooms, which are now under construction. Furthermore, Story Homes was recently delighted to successfully secure planning consent for the remaining 250 homes at the development. Story Homes previously worked with Northumberland Estates to deliver the former Chancel Place development in Longhoughton. The success of that collaboration gave Northumberland Estates the confidence in Story Homes to successfully deliver these two new high quality developments, on their land in Alnwick and North Tyneside. When speaking about the recent launches, Colin Barnes at Northumberland Estates, said: “It’s been a pleasure to work with Story Homes on these developments, which are delivering high-quality new homes with excellent access to open space and local amenities that are so important for wellbeing and creating a lasting community.” Story Homes’ proposals for both developments include a range of two to five-bedroom homes from the Story Collection, designed to suit the flexible living that people are looking for in a new home. More information about Robinson Fields and Riverbrook Gardens can be found here: https://www.storyhomes.co.uk/developments/robinson-fields/ https://www.storyhomes.co.uk/developments/riverbrook-gardens/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bruntwood has received planning permission for The Ev0 Building, the UK’s lowest carbon new build workspace. Based at Didsbury Technology Park in South Manchester, the £31 million development will meet LETI 2020 design targets for upfront carbon, RIBA 2025 targets for whole life carbon and the UK Green Building Council’s (UKGBC) Paris Proof operational energy use targets, making Ev0 net zero in both construction and ongoing operation. It is also targeting a NABERS 5.5 star rating, the highest level of environmental performance in use. The development’s key innovative feature is its mass timber frame. The design is centred on the use of timber because of the material’s ability to capture and store carbon, ensuring it is not released back into the atmosphere until the end of its lifespan. This process is known as sequestration, with Ev0’s timber frame predicted to store 4,000 tonnes of carbon, the equivalent of 2,500 return flights from Manchester to New York. Ev0 will be a fully electric development, with up to 94% of its energy requirement generated through photovoltaics located on the building’s roof and car park, acting as a series of mini power plants. All energy required by the development will either be generated on site or supplied by Bruntwood’s co-operative wind farm. As part of Ev0’s energy efficiency plans, the building’s ground-breaking design estimates running costs at 58% lower than a traditional new build, supporting future occupiers in mitigating the risks and uncertainty of rising energy costs. Bruntwood will provide sustainability guidance to Ev0 customers to help them meet Paris Proof targets for their own operational energy use, as part of a green leasing strategy. A smart building management system will also help customers manage their daily energy use effectively. The development has employed parametric design principles to reduce the overall carbon footprint of the building, with the facade designed to minimise solar gain and overheating on the south and westerly elevations, and maximise solar gain on the north and east elevations. Ev0 will also feature a gym, cafe, customer lounge, cycle storage and event space, characteristic of Bruntwood’s approach to the provision of excellent onsite customer amenity. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Property firm X1 has been appointed as the developer of Patagonia Place, a 31-storey residential development at Peel L&P’s Liverpool Waters. X1 has a global reputation for ambitious, quality residential developments in high-growth areas, such as Liverpool, and was behind the development of The Tower near the Albert Dock which opened in 2019. The development of Patagonia Place will go ahead in accordance with the existing, approved plans, which were originally put forward by Your Housing Group (YHG). It will consist of 278 homes and marks the fifth residential development at Princes Dock, one of five new neighbourhoods being created at the waterfront development. “With planning already approved by Liverpool City Council and a world-renowned residential developer at the helm, we are delighted that the development of Patagonia Place can now proceed full steam ahead,” said Chris Capes, Director of Development at Peel L&P’s Liverpool Waters. “Patagonia Place is a high-quality proposition, and will be yet another incredible residential development for Princes Dock. It will create more quality homes that meets the needs of the local market and will secure local jobs and investment in an enviable waterfront location and we look forward to bringing the development forward as planned.” Liverpool based Vermont has been appointed as the main contractor for Patagonia Place and work is already underway on site. Liverpool Waters is delivering on the 30-year vision to completely transform the city’s northern docks, creating a sustainable world-class, high-quality waterfront, including retail, leisure, office, and residential space, and bringing life back to the historic docklands. The waterfront project will also be the home to a new Isle of Man ferry terminal, and Everton FC’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, both currently under construction. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Milton Keynes Council has appointed contractor Willmott Dixon as its preferred bidder to deliver the landmark Agora regeneration scheme in Wolverton, which has received £36 million of investment by the City Council. Working alongside developer TOWN, Willmott Dixon will review and finalise the design for the new development on the former site of the disused Agora Centre and adjacent car park. The scheme will provide 115 new two- to four-storey homes across six residential blocks, nearly a third of which will be affordable housing and which incorporates a co-housing community for over-50s alongside family homes for rent. Also known as the Love Wolverton project, it is set to elevate the local environmental and social sustainability of the area through an inclusive mix of housing, nine ground-floor commercial units and a designated community space to inject life into the local economy. Sustainable elements of include energy-efficient buildings and a smart renewable energy microgrid to generate around two-thirds of the annual energy required for the scheme. There will be several car-free streets, as well as a sustainable mobility hub including a car club and bike hire facilities. This is the latest in a series of town centre regeneration for Willmott Dixon. The company is also involved in the Spindles development in Oldham town centre, Upperbanks development in Rochdale and Stockport Interchange. “The Agora regeneration scheme is a pivotal project that will breathe new life into the local area of Wolverton. As one of the most environmentally ambitious regeneration schemes in the UK, we are proud to have been appointed to deliver a project that is set to offer such value to the area, both in terms of its sustainable benefits and social value potential. We look forward to working alongside the City Council and TOWN to ensure the scheme is one that stands out on the national stage and that the benefits promised to the community are fully realised,” said Michelle Cotterill, Director at Willmott Dixon. The scheme, which is procured through Pagabo’s Major Works Framework, will deliver on a long-held ambition to regenerate Wolverton town centre, modernising the high street while respecting the history and character of its railway town conservation area, reinstating the previous neighbourhood layout and Victorian character. Work is expected to start on-site later this year. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Housebuilder Hayfield has submitted a Reserved Matters Application to Tewkesbury Borough Council to create a 50 new homes development in the Village of Gotherington, Gloucestershire. The £35m, 6.27 hectares scheme, just north of Bishops Cleeve, will deliver a range of two, three and five-bedroom EPC A-rated homes and bungalows, which will add aesthetic variety to the neighbourhood, as well as meet continued market demand for single floor properties. Hayfield will take a tenure-blind approach to delivery, with a total of 20 of the plots designated for affordable housing and the rest for open-market sale. The development will be fossil-fuel free and achieve the gold standard for energy efficiency. Each home is to include solar PV panels, an air source heat pump, energy-efficient underfloor heating, increased insulation, water efficiency measures and electric vehicle charging point. These sustainability factors are in line with Hayfield’s A-rated, zero-carbon-ready design principles, which already exceed the government’s Future Homes Standard – a level of specification that will be mandatory for housebuilders to meet from 2025. “Our vision for this scheme has been to demonstrate how impressive a sustainable development can look and the positive impact it can achieve for local communities. That’s why in designing this scheme, not only have we harmonised our signature house designs to be in keeping with the village’s existing architecture, but to also introduce sustainable measures that will enable future residents to significantly lower their carbon footprint and household energy usage,” said Andy Morris, Managing Director of Hayfield. The scheme’s design has been inspired by the character of Gotherington’s existing properties, with care taken to ensure the new homes complement the village in an organic, sustainable way. Materials chosen, including stone, reflect those used throughout the existing village. A new access road and a network of footpaths will be created from Ashmead Drive incorporating the existing Public Rights of Ways. Particular attention has equally been paid to the natural environment. Prioritisation of biodiversity will see new habitats for wildlife incorporated, with native tree planting and an attenuation pond and wetland wildflowers added, while the vast majority of existing trees and hedgerows will also be retained and enhanced. The site will deliver a biodiversity net gain. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Wates Developments business has secured planning consent on land in Windsor and sold the homes scheme to Crest Nicholson. The release of land from the Green Belt was secured last year through an allocation in the recently adopted Windsor and Maidenhead Borough Local Plan. The homes near the A308 will not now be delivered by Wates Developments. Instead, the land has been sold off to property developer Crest Nicholson to deliver the project. Wates stated it was a “business decision” to sell off the parcel of land to Crest but could not reveal the price tag due to confidentiality. Outline plans, which ask if the principle of development is acceptable – including access, were approved by councillors sitting on the Windsor and Ascot development panel last year. The scheme also includes 54 affordable homes, public open space, recreational space, allotments, play spaces, landscaping, and a biodiversity net gain. The plans include 135 much-needed homes, (40% of which will be affordable housing), for the 5.4ha site. Plans include landscaped open spaces, (including recreational space), blue-green infrastructure and sustainable technologies, with a 30.69% net gain in biodiversity that will far exceed local and national planning policy. The site will also deliver improvements to walking and cycling routes into Windsor and other local destinations, as well as improvements to the A308 network to increase capacity. “We are pleased to have completed this sale of a parcel of our land interest in Windsor to Crest, and with great support from Leaders Romans Group. This is a truly exceptional new homes site and a fantastic location for a new community in Windsor. We expect to secure planning for the remainder of the wider site early in 2023 to allow the whole scheme to come forward quickly,” said David Brocklebank, Executive Managing Director, Wates Developments Group. The disposal was supported by Leaders Romans Group. The scheme has been sold to Crest Nicholson, a leading residential housebuilder with a track record in creating well-designed, high-quality homes in sustainable communities. The reserved matters planning application is now being prepared for submission and expected to take place in the first half of 2023. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Plans to build 88 new affordable, green homes at the gateway to Oldham have entered the next phase as Greater Manchester-based housing provider, First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) has signed a deal with contractor, Caddick Construction, to deliver the project. The ‘West Vale’ housing scheme – part of FCHO’s £160m plan to deliver 1,100 affordable, modern homes in Oldham and surrounding areas between 2020 and 2026 – will transform the site where tower blocks, Crossbank House and Summervale House once stood at the top of Manchester Rd, Coldhurst. Following demolition of the ageing blocks last year, Caddick Construction is now readied to build FCHO’s £21m contemporary development of twenty-six houses – a mix of two, three and four-bedroom family houses – and 62 one and two-bedroom apartments to meet local housing need. All homes will be off gas, with a high energy performance rating, and use latest sustainable technologies including air source heat pumps and additional insulation to help residents save energy and money. The mixed tenure project will see 26 homes for shared ownership under FCHO’s Fabric Living brand, helping local people to get a foot on the housing ladder at an affordable price. Sixty two properties will be available for affordable rent – set at no more than 80% of the average local market rent. Properties for rent will be allocated in line with Oldham Council’s Allocations Policy. Plans for the West Vale site also include landscaped green spaces and a recreational zone with dedicated play area, providing a much-needed facility for younger children in the neighbourhood. Enabling works on site began in January this year and all new homes at the development are due for completion in winter 2024. Generating social value benefits throughout the new-build phase is a priority for the housing provider. FCHO and the contractor will be working with Oldham College to create training opportunities such as apprenticeships, work placements and T-level placements for local people over the life of the contract and adding further value by maximising local supply chain partners and carrying out wider community engagement. Joel Owen, FCHO’s Director of Development said: “We are very excited to be working with Caddick Construction to bring forward this exemplar scheme in such an important location in Oldham. “We’ve been on a journey with local people, businesses and organisations to get to this point and have worked hard to design a development that meets local need – providing a mix of affordable housing options, making home ownership possible for more people and leaving a positive legacy in the local community. “The build will set the benchmark for how we deliver great, high quality, sustainable homes that meet housing need today and are fit for the future and I look forward to works progressing.” Ian Threadgold, Managing Director of Caddick Construction in the North West, added: “I take great pride in the news that Caddick Construction has been appointed to deliver on the new build phase of this fantastic development. We look forward to building these much-needed new homes in Greater Manchester on behalf of First Choice Homes Oldham.” Councillor Abdul Jabbar MBE, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Low Carbon and Coldhurst Ward councillor, said: “It is fantastic to reach another key milestone in bringing 88 new affordable and green homes to the West Vale site as First Choice Homes Oldham appoints Caddick Construction to deliver the project. “These new houses will provide much-needed homes for many families who are on the Council waiting list. “This will transform the site where the tower blocks once stood at the top of Manchester Road – and does so in a way that is considerate to the environment around us and leaves a positive legacy for future generations. “This is another development that will contribute to the Council’s, and borough’s, targets for carbon neutrality that we have in the Oldham Green New Deal Strategy and look forward to seeing the homes completed over the next 18 months to two years.” PRP Architect has designed the West Vale scheme and the professional team also includes Markhams as employer’s agent, Alan Johnston Partnership as structural engineering consultants, LeClardo as mechanical and electrical engineering consultants and Jensen Hughes as fire protection engineering consultants. As the West Vale development moves forward, FCHO is also investing in the region of £780k in investment works to its existing properties in the neighbourhood between now and 2025. A range of environmental improvements are underway, too. In the last 12 months the housing association has invested £9.5k on tree inspections, maintenance and planting, and a further £63.5k on clearing alleyways of rubbish and removing fly tipping, repairing and repainting fencing, and overhauling a disused communal garden behind Vale Drive. Read more about the West Vale development at www.fcho.co.uk/westvale Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Award-winning property group Beresfords has brought an exclusive new development to market, built by prestigious developer Marden Homes, in Brentwood, Essex. Set in 16 acres of private parkland, the Grade II listed building has been converted into a collection of 30 luxury four and three-bedroom homes and two and three-bedroom apartments – known as Boyles Court. With prices starting from £625,000. Each house has been designed with convenience and luxury at its heart, as well as incorporating a traditional style, with handmade sash windows and impressive German kitchens – including quality integrated appliances, quartz countertops and generous islands. The homes are surrounded by landscaped communal gardens, allocated parking, car ports or garages and all plots have an EV charging point. “We’re delighted to be bringing this unique and truly breath-taking development to market. Boyles Court offers contemporary living to suit all needs, whether you’re looking for a stunning apartment or a brand-new home. Each property has been designed to welcome beautiful spaces, while respecting the heritage of the original building, where you can relax and entertain. It is very rare that something this exceptional comes to the market in such a prime area,” said Nicki Treffers, Marketing Director at Beresfords. Adapted from the original Georgian building, the spacious and contemporary apartments feature traditional elements – such as bespoke joinery radiators and sash windows – that have been configured with modern features including structured cabling, wiring for SkyQ and underfloor heating. The development is landscaped to include mature planting of the original estate, each apartment has parking, and ground floor residents benefit from their own private courtyard garden, with a phenomenal outlook over stunning parkland. Boyles Court has excellent amenities, with Brentwood centre just under two miles away and a 25-minute journey to London Liverpool Street Station. Residents can also now travel straight through central London, without the need to change trains, via the Elizabeth Line. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Artisan Real Estate to Deliver Sustainable Homes and Commercial Spaces, With Landscaped Roof Terraces and Courtyard Proposals for a landscaped and carbon friendly mixed-use development at the heart of Glasgow’s Merchant City have been given the go-ahead by Glasgow City Council, subject to agreement of a ‘Section 75’ legal agreement. Artisan Real Estate’s plans for the site at 65-97 Ingram Street, currently being used as a temporary car park, include 109 sustainable apartments and ground floor commercial space, housed in buildings varying in height from four to seven storeys. Central to the development’s design is a publicly accessible landscaped garden courtyard filled with trees, flower boxes, raised beds for growing vegetables and seating areas. A series of landscaped private rooftop gardens and terraces will further help in creating a ‘green oasis’ for Glasgow’s city centre, significantly enhancing the local area’s biodiversity. Designed by Scottish architects AMA Studio, the apartments will include a range of one, two and three bedroomed properties offering the latest in low carbon, fossil-fuel free living – including energy-efficient air source heat pump technology and high levels of insulation helping to keep energy costs down. The ground floor commercial space will accommodate up to four separate units ranging in size from 1750 to 2750 sq. ft. and suitable for a range of uses including leisure, office, retail or restaurants/cafés. Welcoming the planning approval, David Westwater, Artisan’s Regional Director for Scotland, said: “We are now looking forward to our vision for this brownfield site in the heart of the city centre becoming a reality. We have set out an innovative design to attract people back into the Merchant City – creating an attractive and accessible space to live, visit, work and enjoy. As well as building sustainable and energy efficient new homes, we are also creating a variety of green, open spaces which will provide a rich, natural experience for both residents and visitors alike, with interlinked pathways and accessible seating areas.” Mr Westwater said that more than 1200 people viewed the proposals during a three-month consultation programme held in 2022. He added: “We received some valuable feedback during the consultation. Incorporating the garden terraces and courtyard shows how natural landscaping can feature in even the most urban of settings, providing a genuinely different living experience to encourage people back in to the city centre. We look forward to working closely with the local community and other stakeholders to make the most of this accessible, public courtyard space.” Supporting the city’s net zero ambitions, no car parking spaces are proposed although residents will be provided with secure bike spaces and access to the city car club. For more information on Artisan Real Estate’s plans for 65-97 Ingram Street, visit the consultation website at: www.65-97ingramstreet.co.uk For more information about Artisan Real Estate, visit: www.artisanrealestate.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Lovers of luxury can now set up home at one of the most prestigious addresses in the North East. For 10 centuries Lambton Park – just 15 minutes from Durham City, on the banks of the River Wear – has been the ancestral seat of the Earls of Durham. Now buyers can snap up their own stately home on the estate, set in 1000 acres of historic Durham woodland, complete with a castle. The Lambton Park development by Miller Homes comprises properties of varying sizes with the Oak and the Aspen at the top of the range. Designed by the architect behind HM The King’s Poundbury estate at Dorset, the Oak and Aspen combine historically empathetic design with state-of-the art features expected by buyers at the upper end of the market. These include dual aspects to living rooms and bedrooms, along with walk-in wardrobes, studies or reading rooms, substantial utility or laundry rooms, open plan kitchen and dining rooms and spacious bathrooms and en-suites. Design features include Victorian-style sashed bay windows, bi-fold doors leading to private gardens and spacious hallways and landings with extra wide doors to all rooms. Owners can also enjoy exclusive access to private areas of Lambton Estate with around 11.5km of footpaths through some of the most unspoilt woodland in Britain and the Grade II listed Lambton Castle – the ancestral seat of the Lambton family – at its heart. Within just one week of first viewing an Aspen house Anne Parrott and husband Ed decided to buy and Anne, from County Durham, said: “It was love at first sight. There is just so much light in these houses – the windows are huge and the whole development is so light and airy. Everything about the house is fantastic and there is absolutely nothing that we would change. I can’t fault the care we received from Miller Homes. It has been a lovely experience.” As with Poundbury, the intention is that Lambton Park – which has excellent regional and national transport links – will become a self-sufficient community and plans are in place for the construction of Bowes Gate. This ‘community hub’ will consist of a Pavillion café bistro and a range of independent stores such as a delicatessen, butcher, florist and baker. Lindsey Oliver, Sales Manager at Miller Homes North East, said the Lambton Park development really represents the best of British design, architecture and vision, in the most historic and beautiful of settings – and the Oak and Aspen homes are the jewels in its crown. “These houses beautifully combine period features with all the benefits of a new build, including the opportunity to save thousands on energy bills. So, whether you are from the North East or are looking to relocate here, you’ll find Lambton Park offers luxury living in superb quality homes, with all the attractions of the North East, from its coast to its castles, in this case quite literally, on the doorstep.” An Oak home completely ready to move into will be unveiled at a special open day event at Lambton Park on 4 March and along with the Miller Homes sales team, a financial advisor and solicitor will be on site between 11am and 4pm to answer any enquiries potential buyers may have. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
