Plans have been approved for Countryside Partnerships to develop an additional 204 mixed tenure homes in Teesside. Countryside Partnerships North East, was chosen by Homes England to complete the third phase of the £119 million Kirkleatham Green project, near Redcar, in April this year and submitted a planning application in
Southwark Council and housebuilder, The Hill Group, has welcomed residents to their new council homes at Aylesbury Estate. Hill recently completed 229 high-quality homes, exclusively designated for affordable rent, on behalf of the council. Providing 187 apartments, 27 houses, and 15 maisonettes, these new properties include 54 extra-care homes and
A provider of rented retired homes has acquired an apartment development in London. Birchgrove has bought a total of 78 apartments in Hampton Court growing its portfolio across the South-East. The £39 million deal has been completed with Octagon Developments, who design and build high quality homes throughout Southern England.
Oxford City Council has acquired over 100 homes from housebuilder The Hill Group at Oxford North’s Canalside development, south of the A40. The new homes, part of the first 317 energy-efficient new homes that Hill is delivering at Canalside, will bring vital affordable housing to the Oxford market, which currently
Housing association B3Living has secured a £50 million sustainability-linked loan from Lloyds Bank to build hundreds of new, affordable properties. Its sustainability-linked loan facility will be measured against three KPIs, which will see B3Living receive discounted funding relative to its performance as against agreed targets. The first KPI relates to
Developer Regal London have submitted plans for a Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) scheme on ‘Wembley Greenaway’, in the London Borough of Brent. The proposed scheme will open up the railway lands parallel to High Road, Wembley for the first time, and will provide safe and inclusive green space. The proposals
Leading South West housebuilder Cavanna Homes has marked 100 years in business with a special party for staff and shareholders at its Torquay headquarters. Founded in 1923 by Philip ‘PD’ Cavanna and his brother Ray, the company has been at the forefront of house-building projects across the Westcountry for the
Housebuilder The Hill Group has announced the acquisition of a 17-acre site for residential development in the picturesque village of Fulbourn, Cambridgeshire, to deliver 110 high-quality new homes for the local area. With a strong reputation for sustainable redevelopment across Cambridgeshire, Hill will provide a wide range of attractive, energy-efficient
Far East Consortium (FEC) has secured planning permission for the next phase of their Red Bank Scheme, a joint venture project with Manchester City Council’s Victoria North. Passed by Manchester City Council’s planning committee on August 31st, the approval helps to unlock FEC’s ambitions to deliver up to 4,800 new
Plans have been approved to build over 50 affordable homes and a 68-apartment extra care development, two miles from Bridlington Town Centre. The scheme has been brought forward by Esh Construction in a land led deal worth £25 million in partnership with Housing 21 and Yorkshire Housing. Earmarked for land
Plans have been approved for Countryside Partnerships to develop an additional 204 mixed tenure homes in Teesside. Countryside Partnerships North East, was chosen by Homes England to complete the third phase of the £119 million Kirkleatham Green project, near Redcar, in April this year and submitted a planning application in May. Now approved, the popular development can continue to offer homes that meet the various housing needs of the area, improving both choice and quality for local people. Work on the third phase of the Teesside homes development is expected to begin in November this year and will include the creation of affordable homes, homes for private rent and homes for open market sale via the Linden Homes brand. The designs for the homes on this third phase have been created following feedback from phase one customers. Countryside Partnerships is already working on phase one and two of the project – constructing 375 homes for sale, shared ownership and private and affordable rent – and a specialist residential village of 75 homes, for people with a specific housing need. Key to securing this latest contract, Countryside Partnerships has risen to Homes England’s challenge to build homes at pace, enabling residents to move in quickly – without compromising on quality. Adopting the same mixed tenure approach to this £44 million third phase will allow this successful model to continue. Development partners to manage the affordable and private sector rental properties will be announced in due course and it is expected the first residents will be able to move into these new third phase homes by Autumn next year. The Home Builders Federation (HBF) also awarded a five-star builder status for the work already completed on the development, following liaison with open market sale and affordable rented customers who have moved into properties completed during phase one of the project. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Southwark Council and housebuilder, The Hill Group, has welcomed residents to their new council homes at Aylesbury Estate. Hill recently completed 229 high-quality homes, exclusively designated for affordable rent, on behalf of the council. Providing 187 apartments, 27 houses, and 15 maisonettes, these new properties include 54 extra-care homes and seven homes designed to enable people with learning difficulties to enjoy independent living. A combined heat and power energy centre will help improve energy efficiency, and new community facilities include a landscaped central park, play areas, and a community centre. These homes are just one phase of the wider regeneration of the Aylesbury Estate which is being managed by Southwark Council. The total redevelopment will see 3,575 new homes and 7,800 sqm of employment, retail, healthcare and community spaces built over the coming years. The overall masterplan aims to create new neighbourhoods which are integrated into the wider network of streets and spaces in Walworth. The Una Marson library on the estate was recently finished and will be opening to residents before Christmas. The library is named after Una Marson, who was the first Black female presenter on the BBC during World War II. Cllr Helen Dennis, Southwark’s Cabinet Member for New Homes and Sustainable Development, said: “It’s really exciting to see residents moved into these wonderful new council homes and celebrate the start of a new chapter in the story of the Aylesbury Estate. I can see the difference these new homes are making to the lives of our residents and it’s fantastic to be able to celebrate that here in the brand new community centre at the heart of this latest development.” Oluwakemi Odutayo, a resident who moved into her new home on Aylesbury Estate in March, said: “I’m really pleased with my new home. It’s spacious, it has a garden, my kids are enjoying it, and our lives have much improved since moving out of temporary accommodation.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A provider of rented retired homes has acquired an apartment development in London. Birchgrove has bought a total of 78 apartments in Hampton Court growing its portfolio across the South-East. The £39 million deal has been completed with Octagon Developments, who design and build high quality homes throughout Southern England. Octagon Developments will deliver the apartments on a turnkey basis by 2025. This is Birchgrove’s eighth development with their equity partners Bridges Fund Management and follows the successful exit of its first two neighbourhoods to M&G last year. The debt is provided by Beaufort Capital and is their fourth deal with Birchgrove. The project’s GDV is forecast to increase to £68m once all units are fully let. The development will provide 78 contemporary, self-contained assisted living one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments available to independently minded renters aged over 65, together with extensive communal facilities including a restaurant, club room, licensed bar, wellness suite, library and landscaped gardens. Honor Barratt, Chief Executive, Birchgrove said: “Our new site at Hampton Court will encapsulate all the benefits of the Birchgrove offering: beautiful, purpose-built apartments, a flexible rental model, publicly accessible communal spaces and a development that frees up homes for local families. Imagine being able to sit on your balcony and look over the Thames into the back garden of Henry VIII – who wouldn’t want to live like that? “With more and more retirees looking to rent, London is firmly in our sights to expand our portfolio, and having secured sites in Chiswick and Hampton Court we look forward to announcing further exciting news in the capital soon.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Oxford City Council has acquired over 100 homes from housebuilder The Hill Group at Oxford North’s Canalside development, south of the A40. The new homes, part of the first 317 energy-efficient new homes that Hill is delivering at Canalside, will bring vital affordable housing to the Oxford market, which currently ranks among the most unaffordable places to live in the UK. Of the 111 homes, 89 will be made available for social rent and 22 on a shared ownership basis. Hill, which has a strong track record of delivering high-quality homes within the Oxford area, secured detailed planning permission at Canalside in September 2022 and commenced work on the new homes in January 2023, with the first homes due to complete in the spring of 2024. The council’s housing company OX Place are acting as development managers for the acquisition. Andy Hill OBE, Group Chief Executive Officer of The Hill Group, commented: “Canalside at Oxford North represents a landmark residential development for the City, and we are delighted to agree on the delivery of the project’s affordable housing to Oxford City Council. This agreement ensures local people will have access to sustainable, well-designed homes on an affordable basis, built to the high standards for which The Hill Group is renowned.” Homes at Canalside have a strong emphasis on sustainability, going above and beyond Oxford City Council’s progressive environmental targets thanks to a range of low-carbon features. These include air-source heat pumps, photovoltaic panels, and living green roofs. The development also boasts water consumption reduction measures, electric car charging points, and ample cycle storage. As part of the wider Oxford North development, Canalside will help deliver a minimum 5% biodiversity net gain, ensuring residents and nature can thrive in harmony. Homes are designed around a large landscaped communal park with play areas, meadow grassland, and an activity lawn. Extensive tree planting of over 200 species is planned across the site, including the introduction of a new orchard. Additionally, an intricate network of pedestrian and cycle paths will be integrated into the development, promoting active lifestyles and sustainable modes of transportation. The construction phase brings with it local economic benefits through the recently published Oxford North Phase 1 Community Employment Plan (CEP) to maximise the opportunities created for local people and businesses during the next 18 months of construction. The CEP covers local labour, supply chain, and procurement, as well as engagement with educational institutions, youth and apprenticeships, and disadvantaged communities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Housing association B3Living has secured a £50 million sustainability-linked loan from Lloyds Bank to build hundreds of new, affordable properties. Its sustainability-linked loan facility will be measured against three KPIs, which will see B3Living receive discounted funding relative to its performance as against agreed targets. The first KPI relates to retrofitting existing stock to ensure the housing association is going above and beyond the current minimum regulations to bring all of its properties up to at least EPC C by 2028. T B3Living supports around 12,000 people in 5,000 homes among communities in Broxbourne and the wider south east Hertfordshire area and is currently rated as ‘Silver’ via the SHIFT sustainability framework (which amalgamates 15 separate ESG KPIs into one overarching score). Its aim is to enhance its SHIFT score year-on-year with the ambition of achieving a stretching SHIFT “Gold” status in 2024, and continuing to target a further numerical uplift in following years. Finally, B3Living aims to build at least 50 energy-efficient, affordable new build homes a year by 2028, of which 70% will be in Broxbourne to help tackle the ongoing shortage of affordable housing in the borough. Alex Shelock, B3Living’s executive director for finance, said: “In this current operating environment of high inflation and interest rates coupled with political and economic uncertainty, organisations like ours have a tough balancing act in terms of protecting financial resilience whilst delivering for our customers and communities. “The transition towards net-zero carbon is a key strategic priority for B3Living, and this type of flexible and incentivised loan is an excellent avenue for us to stretch our ESG ambitions and deliver benefits for existing customers as well as those yet to be housed. It also strengthens a nearly decade-long partnership between Lloyds Bank and B3Living.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Developer Regal London have submitted plans for a Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) scheme on ‘Wembley Greenaway’, in the London Borough of Brent. The proposed scheme will open up the railway lands parallel to High Road, Wembley for the first time, and will provide safe and inclusive green space. The proposals for Wembley Greenaway comprise 639 student beds across a range of bedroom typologies, including 10% accessible rooms. The development is proposed to be car free, and will include new public realm with greenery, seating and play for use by all and a community studio rentable space. Providing easy access to significant numbers of higher education campuses in London, Wembley Central Underground Station is less than a 10 minute walk from the site, with access to the Overground, Bakerloo and London Northwestern Lines, while the equally close Wembley Stadium Station offers access to the Chiltern Main Line, with regular fast trains to London Marylebone. This is Regal London’s second PBSA development in the borough, and it’s fifth in London following The Society – also on High Road Wembley, Devonshire Place in Southwark (currently in planning) and the proposed new developments on Chalk Farm Road in the London Borough of Camden next to the Roundhouse, and Orchard Wharf opposite the 02 Arena. Subject to successful planning approvals, this takes Regal London’s PBSA portfolio to nearly 3,500 beds across the capital. Paul Eden, co-founder of Regal London commented: “There is clear demand for high quality purpose-built student accommodation in London – well located, with good sustainability credentials and a thoughtful approach to design and wellbeing. We hope to be able to deliver this for High Road, Wembley and to continue working closely with our local neighbours in the area.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading South West housebuilder Cavanna Homes has marked 100 years in business with a special party for staff and shareholders at its Torquay headquarters. Founded in 1923 by Philip ‘PD’ Cavanna and his brother Ray, the company has been at the forefront of house-building projects across the Westcountry for the past century, retaining a commitment to quality set by its founders. The expansion of the business has seen Cavanna Homes, now one of the South West’s largest independent housebuilders, appoint non-family members in senior roles. However, Jeremy Cavanna, the grandson of co-founder PD Cavanna, remains as a non-executive director, after handing over the chairmanship of the business this year to Keith Miller, formerly group managing director and then deputy chairman. Grayham Tucker was appointed to the role of group managing director in January 2023 to oversee the day-to-day operation of the company. Keith Miller told guests at the celebration event: “There have been huge changes in the housebuilding industry over the past century and Cavanna Homes has moved with the times. But the business has always stuck to the principles of its family founders – delivering excellent homes safely and to the highest standard for our customers.” The company has come a long way from its foundation, embracing the latest sustainable technology in many of the homes it builds, designing property to meet the needs of 21st century living and providing help and support for hard-pressed homebuyers. Cavanna Homes has never lost sight of its strong Torbay presence and continues to concentrate on building beautiful and sustainable new homes in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset. When the company was founded, Britain was still emerging from the economic difficulties caused by the aftermath of the First World War. In 1923 the Cavanna brothers set out from their home in Watford to seek work as plasterers in Torquay. They had been advised by their parents, who had been in service on the English Riviera, to head West. The thinking was that because Torquay homes were often finished with render there would be plenty of work for qualified plasterers and the brothers soon branched out into house building. In 1924 sufficient progress had been made for P.D and Ray’s families to join them in the homes they had built in Laura Grove, Paignton. Not long after, the partnership dissolved and P.D moved into general contracting and house building while Ray continued the plastering business. As the need for new housing increased, especially following the Second World War, Cavanna Homes began to grow into Torbay’s foremost building company and in 1949 the company was incorporated. The business grew through the 1960s and 1970s, selling in excess of 100 homes a year for the first time. PD Cavanna was involved in the business with his sons and son-in-law at the helm, right up until his death in 1983 at the age of 93. In the past year Cavanna Homes has been shortlisted for an award in the Michelmores Property Awards for its development at Wolborough Hill, Newton Abbot and is also in the running for a national Housebuilder Award for its scheme Broadleigh Park in Tavistock. The finals will be held in November. A team of cyclists from Cavanna Homes raised more than £12,000 in July for its Charity of the Year, Children’s Hospice South West, completing the gruelling St Austell to Bristol “Ride for Precious Lives” sponsored cycle ride. And, in recognition of the challenges facing first-time buyers as mortgage rates rise, Cavanna Homes has been offering a helping hand to buyers with a contribution to their deposit, cutting borrowing and reducing monthly mortgage payments on selected homes. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Housebuilder The Hill Group has announced the acquisition of a 17-acre site for residential development in the picturesque village of Fulbourn, Cambridgeshire, to deliver 110 high-quality new homes for the local area. With a strong reputation for sustainable redevelopment across Cambridgeshire, Hill will provide a wide range of attractive, energy-efficient homes surrounded by landscaped open green space. Nestled among mature trees, the development will incorporate linear and meadow parks, further enhancing the natural beauty of the area. Hill is working with an independent ecologist to ensure the sensitive management of the site to preserve its biodiversity. The development will include a children’s play area and a network of footpaths and cycle lanes to connect residents with local amenities. Andy Hill OBE, Group Chief Executive at The Hill Group, commented: “This remarkable site represents an excellent opportunity to protect and enhance the scenic natural environment. Having successfully delivered similar developments across Cambridge and throughout the South East of England, we look forward to applying our experience to deliver sustainable new homes in this highly sought-after location.” Situated north of Cow Lane and close to a variety of essential amenities, such as high-performing schools, shops, and Addenbrooke’s Hospital, the development will be designed to reflect the existing architectural vernacular of this popular village. This collection of new homes will include two-bedroom apartments and two to five-bedroom terraced, semi-detached, and detached houses for private sale. Affordable housing will include one, two, and three-bedroom apartments and two-bedroom houses available through shared ownership and affordable rent. Residents will have access to cycle storage, and each of the houses will benefit from a private garden. In keeping with Hill’s impressive track record for sustainable development, each of the properties will utilise a range of energy-efficient features, including air source heat pumps and underfloor heating. The Fulbourn site will continue Hill’s expertise in delivering high-quality, community-focused new homes within the Cambridge area. Other developments in the area include Marleigh, a flagship development proudly delivered in partnership with Marshall LLP on the eastern edge of Cambridge, and the award-winning, highly sustainable Knights Park development in Eddington. Hill also has a successful investment partnership with Cambridge City Council to deliver a programme of housing developments across the city, with over 1,000 homes either delivered or currently underway. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Far East Consortium (FEC) has secured planning permission for the next phase of their Red Bank Scheme, a joint venture project with Manchester City Council’s Victoria North. Passed by Manchester City Council’s planning committee on August 31st, the approval helps to unlock FEC’s ambitions to deliver up to 4,800 new homes in the emerging Red Bank neighbourhood across a range of tenure types and sizes, including affordable homes. The first, an outline planning application, is for the delivery of up to 3,250 homes and more than 160,000 sq ft of non-residential floor space to be earmarked for commercial uses, a health centre, primary school, residential amenities and community spaces. This will be accompanied by the creation of new public realm with extensive areas of landscaping, greenspace and wetlands, supporting a minimum 10% biodiversity net gain across the neighbourhood. The second approval is for a full planning application for FEC’s next phase of delivery on the three plots adjacent to the 634-home Victoria Riverside scheme, which is currently under construction. This will see the delivery of seven buildings varying in height between six and 34 storeys and comprising 1,550 homes, as well as a new high street that will include 20,000 sq ft of commercial and retail space earmarked for local independent businesses. The homes will comprise a mix of one, two and three-bed apartments and townhouses catering for a diverse mix of homes including build to rent (BTR), affordable and open market sale. Both planning submissions were centred on the Wild Urbanism concept, which prioritises green space, biodiversity, active travel and public realm as part of the city centre living experience, placing sustainable living at the forefront of the project. The buildings within the masterplan will be delivered to a high sustainability standard which will include the installation of solar panels, heat pumps and green and brown roofs. The masterplan and outline application proposals were developed in partnership with masterplanner Maccreanor Lavington and Copenhagen-based public realm specialist, Schulze+Grassov with support from local practice OP-EN and sustainability experts Useful Projects. The full application was created by Maccreanor Lavington in collaboration with Manchester-based practice Hawkins/Brown. Red Bank is one of the first of seven neighbourhoods being regenerated as part of the £4bn Victoria North project, which is one the largest in the UK and will create 15,000 new homes over the next decade. Hilary Brett, project director at FEC, said: “Red Bank is one of the most under-used areas in Manchester, but its proximity to the city centre and the existing natural assets of the River Irk and St Catherine’s Wood make it the ideal location for a thriving new neighbourhood. “We are delighted to have received approval and want to thank everyone who has been involved and supported the project to get us to this point. We’re excited to move forward with our next phases of delivery.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Plans have been approved to build over 50 affordable homes and a 68-apartment extra care development, two miles from Bridlington Town Centre. The scheme has been brought forward by Esh Construction in a land led deal worth £25 million in partnership with Housing 21 and Yorkshire Housing. Earmarked for land off Pinfold Lane in the north of Bridlington which is allocated for residential development in the East Riding Local Plan, the inter-generational scheme meets an identified need for affordable housing in the area and homes for older persons aged over 55. A three-storey extra care building containing one and two-bedroom apartments and communal facilities, including a restaurant, hair salon and a resident lounge, will be managed by Housing 21. This will allow people to live independently in their own home, while accessing on-site care and support should they need it. For Yorkshire Housing, Esh will build a mix of two and three-bedroom houses, two-bedroom bungalows and one-bedroom ‘walk up’ apartments for affordable tenures, including affordable rent, shared ownership and rent to buy. Modern methods of construction (MMC) will be used throughout the scheme and 26 homes will be built with a timber frame. Laura Devaney, land and partnerships director at Esh Construction, said: “This land led scheme has been long in the making, therefore we are delighted to receive the go ahead from the planners. “With an ageing population it is important that we are building more new extra care housing to satisfy the needs of later life living options, as well as helping to meet the Government’s affordable housing targets. The development in Bridlington is an exciting project and we look forward to getting work underway next year.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
