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First 100% affordable housing scheme
29.05.08
Thursday, 29 May 2008: PRP has submitted an application for detailed planning consent for what will be the first 100% affordable housing scheme in the Highgate area for Hill Homes and One Housing Group.
The development, known as Trees, takes its name from the many mature and protected trees which are present on the site. It will provide 40 dwellings, comprising 1 and 2 bedroom extra care apartments, along with communal facilities including lounge spaces, activity room, café, hairdressing salon, therapy room and beautifully landscaped gardens. The scheme has been carefully developed in response to the site’s location within the Highgate Conservation area and achieves a sensitive relationship with its landscape and surrounding context.
Joe Scullion, chief executive of Hill Homes, said: “Hill Homes has been providing housing for older people since 1944. Trees is our first extra care development. It has been our objective right from the start to develop a scheme which would be made 100% available for affordable rent, thus enabling us to provide housing to older people who would normally be unable to afford to live in the Highgate area.”
Kevin Beirne, Director of One Support at One Housing Group, added: “Older people have a complex range of needs and expectations and our challenge has been to design a scheme that best fits their requirements. We are delighted to be working on the Trees development, which we believe will bring real benefits to older people, allowing them to live independently and continue to play an active part in the community in which they live. The extra care scheme embraces the use of assistive technology, including telecare and smart homes, to promote independence and reduce social exclusion whilst providing a safe and secure environment for residents.”
Mark Walker from PRP, who designed the scheme, commented: “Our intention has been to design a contemporary building and one which cannot be identified as ‘specialist housing’ but simply one that is a high quality residential development.
“Our approach has been to select a combination of traditional materials combined with contemporary detailing in order to create a modern architectural style. It has also been important to acknowledge the location of the building within the Highgate Conservation Area in terms of the proposed scale, massing and balance of materials. We feel that the design sits comfortably within its setting and appears particularly elegant when viewed against the trees and existing landscape. The scheme represents an exciting community & architectural opportunity for Highgate,” added Walker. The proposals will produce a building which is light, airy and welcoming and is intended to enhance the beautiful gardens, which will be at the heart of scheme.
From the outset, the client has been committed to exceeding minimum standards in terms of sustainability. PRP Environmental has developed a strategy and proposal which includes Ground Source Heat Pumps, which would provide up to 32% renewable energy for the site. The building will also be super-insulated to reduce heat and energy loss. Sedum roofs will be provided on all the single storey dwellings offering sustainable benefits and enhanced visual amenity whilst allowing these parts of the building to become visually integrated within landscape.
The selection of contractor and procurement route is being project managed by PRP Project Services. A contractor is being sought through the OJEU process and a shortlist is currently being prepared.