Homes Plus, a leading provider of affordable homes has completed a landmark £3.2 million project in a Staffordshire village that aims to provide high quality, retirement living for older people. The purpose-built complex in Kinver offers 20 modern, spacious, self-contained apartments with extensive communal facilities, including an attractive rooftop terrace,
As a leading provider of affordable homes across the North West, Torus Developments is about to start its latest scheme in Standish, Wigan, which will see 155 new homes built at Hallbrook Gardens – Torus’ biggest investment in Wigan to date. With works starting on site with Seddon in the Spring,
Two social landlords have joined forces in a newly formed partnership to offer a more locally based repairs service. Platform Housing Group and national housing provider, Stonewater, have signed a contract which will see Platform Property Care – a subsidiary of Platform Housing Group – undertaking repairs on Stonewater homes in Herefordshire
20 new affordable homes will be constructed on land near to Earl Marshal Recreation Ground. Esh Construction has been named as construction partner on a £3 million scheme which will bring new affordable homes to Sheffield. Working on behalf of Great Places Housing Group, one of the fastest growing housing
All 51 homes at Living Space’s flagship Malvern Oaks development in Herefordshire are now completed and occupied. The six-acre scheme features 32 homes delivered to housing provider Stonewater for affordable rent and shared ownership, together with 19 open market properties. Located off Pixiefields in the traditional village of Cradley, the
Advanced Industrialised Methods for the Construction of Homes (AIMCH), the three-year project to support the sector to tackle the UK housing crisis, has arrived at an answer to the UK’s chronic housing shortage. Following 18 months of intense collaboration and research, AIMCH partners Stewart Milne Group (SMG) and L&Q have
Leading Repairs and Maintenance contractor, HMS, has been engaged by Cobalt Housing to work with specialists Aico and HomeLINK to incorporate innovative technology into 96 homes within Cobalt’s neighbourhoods. Piloting this environmental technology for the first time in the North West, Cobalt and HMS are strengthening their commitment to futureproofing
Dealing with damaged or neglected old metal windows can be a genuinely daunting challenge for property owners or their maintenance teams, but replacement – especially using modern alternatives – is rarely the only answer as specialist contractor Associated Steel Window Services (ASWS) can attest. In work across the South-East and
National housebuilder Keepmoat Homes welcomed the Mayor, Councillor Rob Tromans, to a ribbon cutting ceremony at its Exhall Gardens development in Coventry. The launch, which took place on Friday 4th February, celebrated the official opening of the development’s sales centre and show homes. The event consisted of a tour of
A multi-million-pound housing development and regeneration scheme that has transformed an historic part of Salford is now complete. The £22million Poets redevelopment project in Swinton is now finished and fully occupied – bringing 160 brand-new homes and breathing new life into the area, which is also known as Beechfarm. Poets
Homes Plus, a leading provider of affordable homes has completed a landmark £3.2 million project in a Staffordshire village that aims to provide high quality, retirement living for older people. The purpose-built complex in Kinver offers 20 modern, spacious, self-contained apartments with extensive communal facilities, including an attractive rooftop terrace, secure parking and electric vehicle charging points. The property also has photovoltaic panels which will improve the building’s overall energy efficiency. Homes Plus has developed the site of several bungalows that no longer met the organisation’s high standards. The Burgesses development has been designed for people over 55 who want to live independently, with the reassurance of access to care and support provided by Housing Plus Group’s care company, Care Plus. During the construction process, residents of the bungalows were temporarily rehoused at a neighbouring Care Plus retirement living scheme, and a number of them will soon be moving into the new apartments.Kerry Bolister, director of development at Housing Plus Group, explained: “We are delighted to see the completion of this landmark project that has received strong support from residents who previously lived in The Burgesses and from people living in Kinver who may need to move into more suitable accommodation as they get older. “As well as providing much-needed affordable housing for older people, the development is also a great example of working in partnership to replace outdated housing stock with high-quality homes, much better suited to current and future housing need.” The ambitious project went ahead following a £1.1 million Social Housing Grant from Homes England and additional funding of £145,000 from South Staffordshire District Council. Darren Adnett, provider manager of Homes England, commented: “Despite the current challenges affecting the country, accelerating housebuilding remains our number one priority. We are committed to supporting Housing Plus Group that has ambitions to build new homes and our investment through affordable housing grant allows us to do that. “We’re delighted that this funding will enable Housing Plus Group to deliver much needed new homes for older people in Kinver, Staffordshire.” Work on site has been carried out on behalf of Housing Plus Group by S J Roberts Construction Ltd, who formally handed over the development in December 2021. Michael Sambrook, S J Roberts managing director, said: “It’s been fantastic to see this vital community facility progress and now handed over to Housing Plus Group. This building will provide older people with beautifully designed independent living with the knowledge that any help they require is close to hand. “S J Roberts is proud of its relationship with the Housing Plus Group, and we look forward to this continuing well into the future.” The new homes form part of Housing Plus Group’s ambitious pledge to start building 2,000 much-needed new homes by 2023, helping to tackle the national housing crisis. “The Burgesses scheme offers yet another example of how we are investing in the future by building high-quality, energy-efficient homes to meet the needs of our customers and to help tackle a national shortage of affordable housing,” Kerry added. Councillor Terry Mason, cabinet member for planning and business enterprise at South Staffordshire District Council, commented: “Delivering much needed affordable housing across South Staffordshire remains a priority for this Council and we’re pleased to have been able to support another quality development in partnership with Housing Plus for older people in Kinver.”
As a leading provider of affordable homes across the North West, Torus Developments is about to start its latest scheme in Standish, Wigan, which will see 155 new homes built at Hallbrook Gardens – Torus’ biggest investment in Wigan to date. With works starting on site with Seddon in the Spring, Hallbrook Gardens signifies a £30 million commitment from the Torus Group to keep building genuinely affordable, modern homes outside of its traditional heartlands of Liverpool, St Helens and Warrington. With 100% of homes at Hallbrook Gardens being available by affordable means, including Affordable Rent, Rent to Buy and Shared Ownership, Torus are committed to ensuring people across the region can access high quality, modern homes that they can afford for years to come. Discussing the scheme, Managing Director of Torus Developments, Chris Bowen said: “With the cost of living increasing and this disproportionately affecting those who earn less, we want to ensure our homes are accessible to anyone and support more people onto the housing ladder. “Through building more affordable homes and increasing the mix of tenure across all our new development schemes, we are continuing to offer multiple ways people can get on the property ladder and Hallbrook Gardens is the latest scheme that evidences how we are opening the door for more people to have their own property. We are delighted to be working with Seddon on this scheme and to further increase access to genuinely affordable housing in Wigan.” Divisional director at Seddon, Duncan Williams added: “Affordable homes are vital for people to feel a part of their community and with the demand for new houses in Wigan, Hallbrook Gardens will create 155 new homes. “We are delighted to be working with Torus Developments under the new development framework providing new affordable homes and being able to make a difference in the community.” Hallbrook Gardens is the latest new build development Torus Developments is on site with in Wigan and follows closely behind its Frog Lane development and Plank Lane development in nearby Leigh, which is due for completion this December. Also complementing Torus Developments increasing footprint across the North West, Hallbrook Gardens joins over 20 schemes currently onsite outside of the Liverpool City Region and St Helens, accounting for over 1,500 homes being built in communities across the North West.
Two social landlords have joined forces in a newly formed partnership to offer a more locally based repairs service. Platform Housing Group and national housing provider, Stonewater, have signed a contract which will see Platform Property Care – a subsidiary of Platform Housing Group – undertaking repairs on Stonewater homes in Herefordshire and surrounding areas. Leon Storer, Assistant Director of Homes – Capital Investment at Stonewater explained: “I’m really pleased to say that from 1 April this year, Stonewater’s repairs in this area will be delivered by Platform Property Care. Platform already has homes in the same location as ours and by working with a partner that is based geographically closer to our customers there are a host of benefits. Not only does this bring together two likeminded organisations, with shared values, it ensures that customers across this area receive fantastic services that demonstrate true value for money.” The work to be carried out at Stonewater’s homes will include home repairs and maintenance, and repairs to empty properties that are due to be re-let to new customers. It is hoped that in time Platform will also take over responsibility for on-going maintenance projects, like the fitting of new kitchens and bathrooms. Lee Vernalls, Assistant Director at Platform Property Care said: “We are delighted to announce this new partnership with Stonewater. We share the same social values and will ensure excellent service delivery.” Platform Housing Group has a similar arrangement with Rooftop Housing; the Worcestershire based social landlord that is a charitable association and focuses on provision of affordable housing for all household types and needs. Stonewater customers wishing to report a repair can do so through the usual ways, either via MyHome or by calling 01202 319 119. Tenancy agreements and repairs standards will remain the same.
20 new affordable homes will be constructed on land near to Earl Marshal Recreation Ground. Esh Construction has been named as construction partner on a £3 million scheme which will bring new affordable homes to Sheffield. Working on behalf of Great Places Housing Group, one of the fastest growing housing associations in the North of England, Esh will build 20 new properties on a vacant piece of land off Osgathorpe Drive, near to the Earl Marshal Recreation Ground. Named Fir View Gardens, the two and three-bedroom homes will be available for affordable rent and will include associated parking and landscaping. Great Places Housing Group selected Esh Construction as the chosen contractor after the scheme was procured through the Innovation Chain North framework. Esh Operations Director, Simon Woodward, said: “We are delighted to secure our first contract award via Innovation Chain North and to be working in partnership with Great Places Housing Group. “Throughout this scheme we are committed to delivering a raft of initiatives which will provide social and economic benefits within the local area, including school engagement, work placement opportunities, volunteering and community funding.” The development was given the go ahead by planners in August last year and forms part of the housing association’s plans to develop 11,000 homes by 2030. Executive Director of Growth at Great Places, Helen Spencer, said “This scheme is within the heart of an existing Great Places community, and its completion will deliver high quality new homes to complement the existing neighbourhood. We are looking forward to working with Esh to deliver these homes and excellent social value outcomes for our community.” Esh will work in partnership with Poole Dick Associates, Bowker Sadler Architects and Sutcliffe to deliver the scheme which is expected to get underway in March this year. To find out more about Esh Construction, visit www.eshgroup.co.uk
All 51 homes at Living Space’s flagship Malvern Oaks development in Herefordshire are now completed and occupied. The six-acre scheme features 32 homes delivered to housing provider Stonewater for affordable rent and shared ownership, together with 19 open market properties. Located off Pixiefields in the traditional village of Cradley, the £12m scheme benefits from enviable views of the Malvern Hills. Supported by Homes England funding, the development comprises two, three and four-bedroom high-quality family homes and bungalows. The focal point for the expansive scheme is a large area of Public Open Space with a fully equipped children’s play area. To complement the open space, Stonewater and Living Space commissioned a local artist to create hand-carved wooden pixie stools to feature as public artworks. The development opened to the public in Autumn 2020 and all of the homes for sale were matched with buyers well ahead of the build schedule. Paul Breen, Managing Director of Living Space said: “Malvern Oaks is a shining example of how well mixed-tenure development can work. The proportion of the 51 homes which were purpose-designed for affordable rent, shared ownership and private sale is very equal. There has been very little new development in this traditional rural area of Herefordshire and so demand for each type of housing has been extremely high. From the outset, we worked alongside Stonewater to ensure this partnership scheme raised the bar in terms of quality – both for the newly built homes themselves and the landscaping and communal open space. “We have really enjoyed seeing the new residents move into their homes and are delighted to be able to mark the completion of this flagship development. We are now looking forward to several new partnership projects with Stonewater, which will have a strong eco focus.” Matt Crucefix, Director of Development (West and South) at Stonewater said: “We’re pleased that we were able to work in partnership with Living Space and to provide over and beyond the number of affordable homes required at this flagship development. “We’re committed to giving everyone the opportunity to live in a home that they are proud of and we recognise that this is especially challenging in rural areas where wages are low, but property prices – in villages such as Cradley – are high. Whilst Covid-19 created some delays for this project, it’s great to hand over these high-quality affordable homes in this scenic part of Herefordshire to the people who need them most.”
Advanced Industrialised Methods for the Construction of Homes (AIMCH), the three-year project to support the sector to tackle the UK housing crisis, has arrived at an answer to the UK’s chronic housing shortage. Following 18 months of intense collaboration and research, AIMCH partners Stewart Milne Group (SMG) and L&Q have developed housing blueprints for developers, housing associations and SMEs to bring affordable homes to market quickly and cost effectively. The affordable housing pattern books, featuring 24 designs, have been created to facilitate the construction of cottage flats, bungalows, semi-detached and terraced houses, all of which offer the flexibility to meet planners needs, and to fit in with local character. Designs from the pattern book can also be pieced together to accommodate a range of elevations and streetscapes. A central element of the type approved housing collections is their use of closed panel MMC timber technology, optimised to meet 55% PMV (Premanufactured Value), a requirement of Homes England grant funding. Their 0.20 U-Value provides a fit-and-forget, fabric first approach to energy efficient building envelope, set to comply with new Jun 22 Part L building regulations. Both gas and ASHP heating options are factored into the designs, and the layout and fabric efficiency of the building envelope ensures that homes in the pattern books are heat pump ready as we move towards zero gas developing, making it easy to use the technology now or retrofit in the future. In creating the pattern books, the developers have leveraged learnings from Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA), Design Standardisation and Product Families (Kit of Parts) and BIM (3D modelling) outputs. AIMCH developers plan to exploit the standard house type pattern books on their own sites, or through strategic partnerships with other developers and clients. Through Stewart Milne Timber Systems, some of the homes will be available under free of charge license agreement, for other developers to use, as a whole house MMC supply chain solution. This novel approach, means SMEs, smaller HA/developers and new entrants, have immediate access to a range of fully considered, efficient and technically robust affordable homes, for use on their site, reducing development costs and fast-tracking appraisals and planning consents. Pattern books feature: L&Q range – 6 designs ● Two and three bedrooms ● Two storey accommodation, suitable for terracing ● All homes 100% compliant with NDSS ● Beyond the AIMCH R&D project, further L&Q typologies are planned. SMG House Range – 18 designs ● Wide mix of one to four bedroom homes ● Two storey accommodation, suitable for terracing ● Broad range of typologies including bungalows and cottage flats ● Homes offer 85% and 100% NDSS compliance Stewart Milne Group (SMG) and L&Q are confident that the pattern book route will guarantee fast delivery of high quality homes at reasonable cost and plan to deploy the designs in their own development portfolio from Spring 2022. In the case of Stewart Milne Homes, current affordable housing developments are being remixed or designed from scratch, using the new range of homes. L&Q are similarly rolling out their range on all new sites, as these come through their production pipeline. Stewart Dalgarno, Director of Innovation and Sustainability at Stewart Milne Group, and AIMCH Project Director said, “Typically, in the affordable homes sector, design and housing procurement are done on an isolated project-by-project basis, which potentially leads to higher costs, inefficiencies and variability in quality. Because of this, AIMCH sees enormous potential for accelerated use of pattern books in the sector. “Homes England affordable housing funding is already encouraging a more diverse mix of affordable home providers – SMEs and new entrant developers. This group is unlikely to have in-house technical teams to develop house type designs and associated collateral, so being able to reach for pre-configured, pre-approved housing designs, that can be deployed at pace, to accelerate and increase overall housing output is going to be an attractive option. “Furthermore, through endorsement from regulators, funders, and insurers, AIMCH believes that housing pattern books and standardised products will become commonplace in the affordable housing sector.” Wayne Hill, Production Strategy Director at L&Q said, “L&Q is proud to be leading the way in the adoption of off site technologies in the affordable housing sector. These developed approaches offer a clear way for housebuilders, housing associations and local authorities to adopt MMC methods, and the efficiencies which come with them, to build homes for those who need them the most. We have an ambitious roadmap which is seeing us roll out MMC across our development programme, and look forward to utilising the great learning of this project in our portfolio this year.” AIMCH see pattern books, together with the use of standardised product families, DFMA and BIM, developed in an earlier part of their research, as key ingredients in transitioning residential construction towards, industrialisation and off-site manufacturing, transforming how homes are delivered.
Leading Repairs and Maintenance contractor, HMS, has been engaged by Cobalt Housing to work with specialists Aico and HomeLINK to incorporate innovative technology into 96 homes within Cobalt’s neighbourhoods. Piloting this environmental technology for the first time in the North West, Cobalt and HMS are strengthening their commitment to futureproofing properties, which is especially important giving the rising cost of energy and the impending zero carbon targets facing the industry. Designed to help manage housing stock more intelligently, HomeLINK provide environmental sensors that monitors a range of data, such as temperature and CO2 humidity levels in properties, to create and maintain safer, healthier and more eco-friendly homes and communities. Being fitted into nearly 100 of Cobalt’s 6,000 homes by HMS’ team of qualified electrical engineers, SmartLINK Gateway will help social landlords monitor properties and keep customers safe by identifying any risks with fire and carbon monoxide alarms, monitoring indoor air quality, risk of mould and how much electricity is being used. Residents will also have access to a personalised app, enabling them to monitor levels within their home, and access advice on making sure they’re doing all they can to keep their home working at optimum performance. Discussing the pilot scheme, Maintenance Director, Alison Brown, said: “As a safety-first organisation, and one with ambitious green targets of our own, this pilot was one that appealed to us on multiple levels. It’s great to partner with such forward-thinking organisations to install technology that will truly help Cobalt and their customers to life in a safer, more environmentally friendly way.” Chris Fray, Technology and Transformation Manager at Cobalt, continued: “HMS have been fantastic to work with on this project, installing devices promptly, effectively and to a high standard. Crucially, HMS has acknowledged the value in sensors and how they will become a significant part of the social housing sector in years to come, becoming a contract that is required and delivered in the same vein as voids, gas and repairs and maintenance. We hope this exposure and experience will be of benefit to them too in years to come.” Jordan Toulson, Product Manager at HomeLINK, said: “This technology promises to be the standard within social housing in the coming years; Cobalt are proving themselves to be ahead of the curve by progressing such a roll-out now and HMS have proven their fantastic capability to install market-leading devices accurately, enabling the data to start flowing from the properties.”
Dealing with damaged or neglected old metal windows can be a genuinely daunting challenge for property owners or their maintenance teams, but replacement – especially using modern alternatives – is rarely the only answer as specialist contractor Associated Steel Window Services (ASWS) can attest. In work across the South-East and further afield, the London-based company carries out a wide variety of contracts, addressing everything from heritage steel windows in listed buildings, to the maintenance of more modern W40 section and aluminium frame fenestration and curtain walling. Crucially, in almost all circumstances, timely intervention by ASWS can greatly extend the working life of windows; saving building owners from the cost and greater inconvenience of full replacement. Aside from the financial and logistical advantages, there are wider environmental benefits to refurbishing older windows which are becoming more valued, as the properties where we live and work come under scrutiny for their contribution to climate change. Straightforward routine maintenance will help ensure that opening lights close correctly and that weather-stripping is replaced when necessary; both cutting down on unwanted air and heat leakage. It is also possible to replace damaged or corroded sections and straighten or ‘reset’ distorted frames; either on site or in the workshop. Single glazing, which was standard in most steel windows until late last century, can be replaced with varying thicknesses of double-glazed unit, depending on the size of the rebate. Conventional IG starts at a slender 3-4-3mm make up and can benefit from warm edge spacer bars and gas filling, but new generation vacuum glazing offers much better performance, though at considerable cost. There is also a health and environmental benefit to removing all of the original lead paint still covering many older windows along with its responsible disposal. So the question is what to do with windows which really are beyond economic repair? While the price of scrap metal continues to fluctuate, the value of recycling has never been higher, with responsible contractors ensuring that they have separate skips for clean and dirty metal in order to maximise recovery. ASWS, however, goes much further having operated its own salvage operation for decades. Wherever possible, the team saves everything from old ironmongery, beads and even ‘Whitworth’ screws for reuse at a later date. In fact, the recent replacement of an old building at the front of the London premises has created even more room for this library of spare parts to be further expanded. As Laura Mercer, Managing Director of ASWS, observes: “We have got handles and other ironmongery from 40 years ago which we can reuse for current jobs when new replacements simply aren’t available, as well as the skills to make a full range of repairs and improvements. The best recycling you can do is re-using components to extend the useful life of windows and improving their performance at the same time.” Associated Steel Window Services is a member of The Steel Window Association (www.steel-window-association.co.uk). For further information on Associated Steel Window Services, please visit www.asws.co.uk or call 020 8665 5335.
National housebuilder Keepmoat Homes welcomed the Mayor, Councillor Rob Tromans, to a ribbon cutting ceremony at its Exhall Gardens development in Coventry. The launch, which took place on Friday 4th February, celebrated the official opening of the development’s sales centre and show homes. The event consisted of a tour of the development and a ribbon cutting ceremony to launch its newly built sales centre and 2-bedroom Pixton and 3-bedroom Embleton show homes. “It was a delight to join Keepmoat Homes in the launch of their sales centre and show homes, and look forward to welcoming the new residents,” commented Mayor Rob Tromans. The new development, consisting of 129 new homes, comprises a mixed tenure of two, three and four-bedroom houses and apartments, 25% of which will be made affordable and available for Shared Ownership and Affordable Rent. “We’re absolutely delighted to launch our brand-new sales centre and show homes here at Exhall Gardens. Our array of homes are perfect for first time buyers, growing families and downsizers, and we encourage everyone to book a viewing of our stylish new show homes,” added Charlotte Goode, Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat Homes. Keepmoat Homes is a top 10 UK home builder and leading partnership home builder providing high quality and affordable homes across the country. Committed to a multi-tenure strategy, the company partners with local authorities and registered providers to deliver much needed new homes for sale, affordable rent, and the private rental sector.
A multi-million-pound housing development and regeneration scheme that has transformed an historic part of Salford is now complete. The £22million Poets redevelopment project in Swinton is now finished and fully occupied – bringing 160 brand-new homes and breathing new life into the area, which is also known as Beechfarm. Poets has been a major redevelopment scheme from housing association Salix Homes and has seen 146 defective properties, that were affected by structural issues, demolished. In their place, Salix Homes has built 120 new social housing properties, plus a further 40 homes for outright sale, available through the Government’s Help to Buy scheme. Sue Sutton, chief executive at Salix Homes, said: “Construction at the Poets began five years ago, but we’ve been developing proposals with the community for many years before that alongside Salford Council, so to see the development finally complete and those ambitions for Poets brought to life is a monumental moment for the area and the community. “This area has always been known for its real strength of community, and we have endeavoured to preserve that community spirit throughout the development, so it’s fantastic to see residents, both new and old, settled and making memories in their new homes. “At a time when social and affordable housing is in such short supply, we’re incredibly proud that Poets has increased housing choice in the area, bringing new, modern homes to both people on the social housing register and aspiring homeowners.” The mixed tenure development of two, three and four-bedroom homes, marks the first new-build scheme for Salix Homes and its first properties available for sale as part of its affordable home-ownership brand – Willo Homes. New homeowner Robin Capon was one of the last residents to get the keys, moving into his new three-bedroom home on Christmas Eve, and the 30-year-old accountant has finally seen his ambition to get on the property ladder become a reality. He said: “I’d been renting for many years, so it was such a relief to finally get the keys and move in. I’d always wanted a new-build as I like the idea that you don’t need to do anything to the property and can just move straight in. “I didn’t really think it would feel much different to renting, but it does. It’s the first house I’ve lived in that’s actually mine and I’ve become really house proud. I love it here.” Poets derives its names due to the surrounding streets being named after famous wordsmiths, which include Shakespeare Road, Wordsworth Road and Tennyson Road. Existing residents have been involved in the redevelopment process from start to finish, and those affected by the demolition proposals were given priority for moving back into the new-build properties. The wider estate has also benefitted from additional investment to make environmental improvements, including new gates, fencing and landscaping. Councillor Tracy Kelly, Statutory Deputy City Mayor and Lead Member for Housing, Property and Regeneration at Salford City Council, said: “It is fantastic news to hear this impressive housing scheme is now finally complete. “In Salford we are desperate for affordable properties for local people to live in and we are living with a national housing crisis. These 120 new social homes will make such a huge different to the lives of people who move into them. “I’d like to thank all involved with this successful project and I look forward to visiting very soon.” Salix Homes is now working on other new-build, affordable housing developments across Salford, which includes Neighbourhood – a 157-home development in Seedley; and Greenhaus – an eco-friendly apartment block on Chapel Street.
