The developer of a £50m property scheme in the centre of Derby has appointed an East Midlands construction specialist to deliver the project over two years. Elevate Property Group, which is responsible for the iconic Trent Bridge Quays development in Nottingham, has selected Bode Contracting to build the 258 apartments that will offer high quality, affordable city centre living for young professionals, couples, and downsizers. Phase 1 of The Silk Yard will provide 94 apartments on the corner of John Street and Castleward Boulevard, with the second release set to include 164 properties in a five and seven-storey building on the adjacent site. Buyers and investors will be able to choose from one, two and three-bedroom apartments, as well as studio-style apartments across the 1.55-acre site that was once an historic manufacturing sawmill. Steve Dodd, managing director of Elevate Property Group, commented: “We have built a very strong partnership with Bode Contracting. They have just finished The Priory House Development for us in Birmingham and are currently working on the second phase of our Trent Bridge Quays development in Nottingham. “The company have always impressed us with the quality of their build and ability to meet deadlines, especially with the well documented supply chain disruption we’ve seen in construction in recent years.” He continued: “Bode are also working with us to ensure that sustainable construction techniques are used in what will be one of the highest-profiles schemes Derby has seen since lockdown eased.” The Silk Yard, which has been designed by architects Corstorphine & Wright, is the first time Elevate Property Group has developed in Derby and continues the firm’s desire to bring historic city centre sites back to life through high quality residential developments. Bode Contracting will start work this month and the construction of the three apartment blocks will take two years to complete. The 258 new homes will be ideally located between the city centre and the railway station, contributing a valuable new source of quality housing in central Derby for first-time buyers, downsizers, investors, and professionals commuting by rail. Dan Bodell, managing director of Leicestershire-based Bode Contracting, went on to add: “This is our fourth appointment by Elevate Property Group in the last two years and underlines the strength of the relationship and the fact we share the same passion and values of high-quality construction, regeneration and best practice.” He concluded: “The Silk Yard is a very ambitious project and will unlock a vital site that will support Derby’s desire to regenerate this area and attract new people and businesses into the city.” Elevate Property Group’s development footprint in the East Midlands continues to grow, with Phase 1 of its Trent Bridge Quays project almost sold out and Phase 2 well underway and selling fast. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

Repton Gardens has opened its doors to new residents in London’s Wembley Park. The homes, which sit across three new buildings are leased and operated by Quintain Living, the award-winning management company now overseeing the rental of more than 3,650 apartments in London’s most exciting new neighbourhood. The newly launched development, which is already so popular amongst new residents that it is outperforming leasing expectations, comprises three buildings, Cherry House, Birch House, and Aspen House. The apartments have been designed with families and sharers in mind, with the building featuring a range of spacious three- and four-bedroom apartments, as well as studios and one- and two-bedroom homes in range of layouts.   Altogether, Repton Gardens offers 396 rental homes, spread across 40 different layouts, 1,000sqm of ground floor retail space and 1,200sqm earmarked for a GP surgery. The varying apartment designs encompass features such as half bedrooms for guests, work-from-home studies, recessed shelving, breakfast bars, a choice of U-shaped and L-shaped kitchens, studios with bedrooms separated by doors and more. “Our goal with Repton Gardens is to support a wide range of renters to access the outstanding lifestyle on offer in Wembley Park. We’re here for individuals, couples, families with children, sharers, multi-generational families… our wide range of homes means that everyone can find something that suits their individual circumstances.”   Danielle Bayless, Chief Operating Officer, Quintain Living Quintain Living’s most sustainable homes to date, the design concept for Repton Gardens has focused on natural, earthy colours and the use of natural products. Botanical living brings the outside in, with plants delivering enhanced air quality and a connection with nature throughout the building. In the podium garden, mounded groundworks have allowed for the planting of large, mature trees and shrubs, to support biodiversity. The tree species in the gardens (cherry, birch and aspen) mirror the buildings’ names.  “The design of Repton Gardens focuses on forward-thinking ideas about urban living. Life in the heart of a bustling urban area can still deliver that all-important connection with the natural world. You can see and feel this in action as you move through Repton Gardens.”   Danielle Bayless, Chief Operating Officer, Quintain Living Repton Gardens is named after Humphry Repton, who was hired by the wealthy Page family back in 1792 to landscape their estate. It was on Repton’s advice that the family named the estate ‘Wembley Park’. Now, over two centuries later, Repton’s own name is being honoured in Repton Gardens – along with Humphry Repton Lane, which runs south of the development. Repton’s landscaping work remains influential to this day, inspiring the landscaping at both Repton Gardens and nearby Union Park. At Repton Gardens, Cherry House is home to the main entrance lobby. It also houses 10 work-from-home offices and a meeting room. These rentable ‘third places’ make up the largest work-from-home area on the Wembley Park estate so far, with Repton Gardens’ design factoring in new ways of living and working.  Other on-site amenities include a club room with pool table, soft seating, TV area and bar with beer tap and wine. There’s an 1,150 square foot gym overlooking the podium garden, while the garden itself includes four covered, hireable BBQ areas, two play areas and a lawn area. Cherry House and Birch House also feature roof terraces, including paved areas, artificial grass, sun loungers and seating. Individual apartments are furnished in one of two palettes: garden and natural. They feature a mix of natural materials and shades of green, deep blue, grey, brown and stone. John Lewis & Partners has curated a special sustainable collection of furniture, including ‘sustainability hero’ products. These items, which include sofas, coffee tables, beds, bar stools, dining chairs and mattresses, were selected following a stringent review of characteristics such as origin of manufacture, material construction and recycling potential. The resulting selections are predominantly sourced from the UK or Europe using sustainable fabrics and/or processes. In particular, handmade rattan armchairs, side tables and coffee tables contribute to a unique design within the homes. Rattan is an excellent choice in sustainability terms, as well as being a stylish and durable material. Due to its fast growth and harvest time, plus the fact that every part of the rattan vine is used, rattan outperforms more traditional woods used in furniture production and is an excellent companion crop. Floors in all apartments are cedar plank effect Amtico in kitchens and living areas, with grey ceramic tiles in bathrooms. Walls are neutral throughout each home, with a feature wall to add colour and depth. Kitchens feature natural oak laminate worktops with cabinets all in green in the natural palette homes and in green and grey in the garden palette apartments.   The design of the apartments creates a strong sense of bringing the outside inside. It also serves, along with the layout of the three buildings, to build a sense of the podium garden being the epicentre of the community. For more information on Quintain Living or to book a viewing, visit www.quintainliving.com, @quintainliving on Instagram or call 020 3151 1927. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

Studio Moren has recently gained a planning consent from Tendring District Council for a scheme of 86 new homes on the edge of the village of Great Oakley, Essex. The 3.7ha development, for Great Oakley Development Ltd, features a mix of bungalows, terraced, detached and semi-detached homes and has been designed as a contemporary interpretation of the local vernacular of the villages nearby.  An emphasis on nature, context and the living community has driven the overall design of the scheme which is complemented by extensive landscaping, including communal open spaces for residents to meet and relax, as well as a woodland walk that extends the length of the site. A community building is proposed, opening out to a new play area and connecting the site to the local village and school. Mark Wood, Partner at Studio Moren comments: “Our design for this development has included involvement from multiple stakeholders such as the Parish Council, Tendring Planning Authority and members of the local community. The result is a highly contextualised extension to the local village, with architecturally rich and varied streetscapes, acting as a positive contributor to the local area. All dwellings meet Essex Design Guidelines and planning and building regulations, whilst being integrated into extensive new landscaping and several pedestrian friendly streets.” Whilst the site, which sits at the south-western end of the village, presented a number of constraints, it was important whilst efficiently accommodating the quantity of residential units required to, at the same time, deliver an architecturally diverse and attractive scheme which maintained a high degree of architectural quality and variation. Studio Moren’s expertise and collaborative approach, working extensively with consultants and the local planning authorities, has provided a scheme which maximises site potential, reinforces commercial viability ultimately has exceeded client expectations.   Great Oakley is a historic village that has developed organically over centuries and Studio Moren’s studies of the local vernacular revealed a palette of architectural features such as staggered building lines, varied roofscapes, front-facing gables and multi-coloured façades. Studio Moren has incorporated all these elements into the proposed architecture of the scheme in a contemporary manner. The generously sized and architecturally appealing community hub, comprising parking, community building and play area, extends along the northern part of the site and will offer amenities to the site’s residents, the nearby school and the local village. The design geometry alludes to the patterns of the allotments, with facilities divided up as a patchwork across its length. Sustainability has been a key driver with this scheme, including measures such as electric charging points and air source heat pumps fitted to every dwelling and solar roof panels to power the Community building. Collaborating with landscape architect Turkington Martin, Studio Moren’s site layout incorporates a series of rich and varied landscaping features, connecting the development with the local community and the wider rural landscape, as well as providing a sustainable environment for local fauna and flora. The design makes extensive use of permeable paving for both pedestrians and vehicles, and different types are used throughout the site to create streets which are pedestrian friendly and encourage neighbourly interactions. An existing public right of way has been incorporated into a ‘woodland walk’ complete with new planting, seating, and other woodland features. A new wetland open space will act as a drainage basin and focal point where the community can meet and relax. Surrounded with wildflowers and grasses, the sunny space will support biodiversity with an aquatic habitat for local wildlife. A boardwalk allows people to engage with nature and a paved area with seats, tables and benches set within ornamental planting offers a viewpoint across the open grassland. New trees will be planted across the site and existing hedgerows will be supplemented with native species, with the addition of bird and bat boxes, and insect hotels. Street lighting is sensitively placed to maintain the rural feel of the area while providing safe passages for pedestrians. Project Team Developer: Great Oakley Development Ltd Architect: Studio Moren Planning Consultant: Smith Jenkins Landscape Architect: Turkington Martin Traffic consultants: Campbell Reith Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

Springfield Properties has secured outline planning consent to create a sustainable new neighbourhood in Midlothian. The Lingerwood development, which was recommended for approval by planning officers, will see up to 1,000 new homes delivered within a thoughtfully integrated and well-connected community. Detailed proposals will now be progressed for the first 200 homes. Designs will promote low and zero carbon technologies and use sustainable building techniques to minimise environmental impact. The energy efficient homes will include a variety of attractive house types and will be mixed tenure, delivering a range of quality housing options for first time buyers, young professionals, growing families and those setting into retirement. The masterplans show how Lingerwood will embrace the 20-minute neighbourhood model which promotes local living and ensures local people can access services and amenities, such as shops and play parks, easily. Reflecting the local landscape, Springfield’s designs include open, green spaces, woodland planting, meadows and grasslands. Encouraging a sense of community is also a key part of the vision for Lingerwood. Designs include a standalone ‘an clachan’ at the development’s heart, drawing inspiration from the area’s proud mining history to create a vibrant village centre. The proposals demonstrate how residents could come together through the provision of play spaces, allotments, landscaped gardens and seating areas. Martin Egan, Chief Operating Officer for Springfield, commented: “This planning consent marks a major milestone for a significant development that will bring forward excellent quality, energy efficient homes for people in Midlothian. “However, more than this, Lingerwood will see the creation of a thriving village that can sustain the needs of local people for years to come. It will be a best-in-class example of placemaking and we are confident that it will complement nearby established residential areas that already have distinct identities. “We have spent a great deal of time consulting with Midlothian Council and local stakeholders and their feedback has been invaluable so far. We are keen to build on these relationships as we refine our plans and look ahead to the first phase of development.” Springfield is an experienced housebuilder, having already taken forward village communities which prioritise green space, community facilities and supporting infrastructure. The team is currently developing Dykes of Gray in Dundee, Bertha Park in Perth, and Elgin South in Elgin. Planning is also secured for Durieshill in Stirling. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

The bridge connects new residential development Soho Wharf to the existing Eyre Street Basin bridge and provides pedestrians with a crossing point for direct access to the city centre along the canal.  Heimstaden Bostad, owner of Soho Wharf, and development partner The Galliard Apsley Partnership, commissioned Shrewsbury-based bridge design company Beaver Bridges to complete the £1 million project. Jonathan Wilson, design manager at Galliard Homes, said: “This is a significant milestone for Soho Wharf. The bridge will provide an important link from the site to the city centre via the waterways. This will not only benefit residents of Soho Wharf but also the wider public, especially those working at or visiting the nearby City Hospital.” Beaver Bridges worked closely with the Canal & River Trust to develop the concept for the steel cantilever truss footbridge, which weighs 28 tonnes and measures 26 metres long.  Richard Hinckley, sales director at Beaver Bridges, said: “We are delighted to have supported The Galliard Apsley Partnership with the design and installation of the new bridge, which will leave a lasting legacy on the Birmingham canal network. “There were several challenges with the project, including designing a bridge that could span the canal without bearing onto the existing canal wall. Working with the client and the Canal & River Trust, our solution was a lightweight yet stiff cantilever truss design. “We also had to transport the bridge as a single piece to site and negotiate it through an active construction site, which posed a number of challenges in itself.” Shomsur Khan, from Canal & River Trust, said: “Research shows that spending time amongst nature alongside our historic canals is good for physical and mental health. This new bridge will provide local communities easy access to our canals which they can use for leisurely walks, bike rides or as part of their daily commute into work or school.” Soho Wharf comprises 752 build-to-rent homes, including 650 apartments and 102 townhouses, providing affordable homes at discounted rents 20 per cent below market value. There will also be 10,000 sq ft of commercial space and 300 parking spaces.  Almost 40 per cent of the site will be green space, including public realm, private communal areas for residents and private gardens to the townhouses.  Amit Kumar, Heimstaden UK head of operations, said: “Soho Wharf has regenerated this area of the city, delivering a mix of houses and apartments, designed with our ‘Friendly Homes’ ethos in mind, and green spaces for our customers. “The bridge installation will be an important link to connect the two parts of the city, giving our 2,000 residents, the first of which are expected to move in early this year, a beautiful canal route commute.” The new bridge will be open to the public in September 2023. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals