Outline plans have been submitted by the Flagship Group for the regeneration of the Abbey in Thetford. The project is designed to bring meaningful, long-term change and improvements to the Abbey and increase the supply of much-needed affordable homes. It would take place in phases over 20 years. Peter Hawes, Flagship Group’s Chairman, said: “This is an exciting day for the Abbey, which has been at the heart of the Thetford community since it was built more than 50 years ago. “The outline planning application follows five years of talking to the people who have a home on the Abbey. Local people have told us that they do want to see improvements for the Abbey and they’ve let us know what things could be better.” The Abbey has around 1,100 homes and Flagship hopes to improve and retrofit some existing homes while replacing others with new homes, built to a high standard. The new homes will also be far more energy-efficient. The plan also seeks permission for an additional 320 to 500 homes – although this figure is yet to be confirmed and will be based on further consultation. Flagship’s vision includes improved parking, lighting, pavements, play areas and green spaces. The Abbey will get a new neighbourhood ‘heart’ with a neighbourhood park and community centre. There will be better and safer walking and cycling routes to the town centre, Little Ouse riverside and Thetford Forest. Mr Hawes added: “We are still at an early stage. The application is just for the principle of change for the Abbey and doesn’t set out the details of what would happen. A regeneration project of this size must be delivered in multiple phases. “Each phase of the detailed design will be informed by local people, through further consultation, with separate reserved matters applications submitted at each stage. Flagship has never undertaken a project with more engagement and consultation than this – but this is still the beginning. We’re going to keep listening and speaking to residents in the weeks, months, and years to come.” The Group plans to fund an independent tenants and leaseholders advisor to act as a “resource for the community” as the plans progress. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Peabody has appointed Higgins Partnerships to build 189 homes at Deptford Landings, southeast London. The project will not only tackle the urgent demand for affordable homes in London but will also be Peabody’s first venture into providing homes that achieve Passive House certification. The Passive House concept is widely accepted by the construction industry as the standard to aim for when reducing a building’s running costs and the amount of energy it uses. The energy needed to heat and cool Passive House buildings can be 90 percent lower than that of regular buildings, and more than 75 percent lower than typical new ones. Peabody’s homes at Deptford Landings will be one of the largest single-phase Passive House projects in the UK to date and will see residents benefitting from reduced energy costs and a significant improvement in comfort and air quality. The fully affordable scheme from Higgins, managed by Peabody, will include social rent and shared ownership homes – helping local people from the council’s housing waiting list in London. It will be made up of three eight-storey buildings, two of which will have large roof terraces, and a central landscaped courtyard. Designed by architects, Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM), with Max Fordham engineers and a high calibre design team, each home will benefit from a private balcony. Block 6A will provide 69 one- and two-bedroom homes, while Block 6B will comprise 61 homes ranging in size from one to three bedrooms. The final residential block, C, will have 59 one- and two-bedroom homes. The homes will be part of a masterplan being delivered by Lendlease. The global company is developing a community with new homes, shops, a renovated pub, and green spaces connected to The Waterline Way walking and cycling route. The project is unfolding in stages, offering residents a vibrant place to live, work, and socialise. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals