Leiden Road, Oxford – Affordable Homes & Supported Housing
- Client
- E G Carter & Co. Ltd
- Location
- Marywood, Oxon, Oxford
- Project Leaders
- Kate Da-Costa-Greaves Richard Fellows
- Size
- 20 Units
- Value
- 4.66M
Challenge
In and around Oxon, the range and tenure of the local housing stock and this site is generally mixed, although the immediate area is predominantly Council stock built in the 1960’s with many of the units in previous years having been lost by social landlords being subject to the Right to Buy.
Overall, the development area is a popular one and has strong demand within the local housing market, however opportunities with viable sites are few and far between. Confident of our ability to deliver a successful scheme, we were approached by the contractor, to ensure a positive outcome (equally) for the two housing associations he had on board, ready to work through any issues the site may pose. One would fund the 10 houses and flats on the site and bring them to the market with a shared ownership tenure, whilst the other would be responsible for the specialist flat block which would be allocated for  specialist independent living for adults with learning difficulties.
- Services
- Partners
-
SovereignAdvance Housing & Support LtdDoubloon DevelopmentsEG Carter & Co.LtdInfrastruct CS
Gallery
Solution
Shared preliminary savings between the different tenures across the site ensured cost viability for both sets of schemes. It was therefore essential to co-ordinate both design and construction programmes to ensure that the shared preliminary savings became a reality.
Quattro assisted the contractor E G Carter, in a Design and Build Contract, with the compilation of a dual construction package for the specialised block for adults with learning difficulties on behalf of Advance Housing & Support  and with the integrated construction of 10 shared ownership units for Sovereign.
Architecturally, both elements of the development compliment each other, whilst remaining individual and different in a contemporary, individual style, with the projections and recesses of the facade providing added interest. Attention to detail was therefore key in the working drawings, to ensure planning intentions were followed where possible, whilst also enabling the inclusion of value engineering opportunities without having a detrimental effect on the overall scheme. The scheme maximises the use of natural light across the site and provides flexible accommodation which has the potential to meet a wide range of needs for people with learning disabilities. Assistive technology enhances the support provision and helps provide privacy and independence.
The units were designed to Lifetime Homes Standard, Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 and they also meet the HAPPI criteria. Local supply chains helped preserve project quality and deliverability of the scheme which finished safely, on time and on budget.
From the outset they work collaboratively with us to ensure that best value is achieved within the client's budget.
Kier, Gloucester
We are pleased that we were able to improve upon the target construction period to deliver these much needed affordable homes sooner than anticipated. This project (Kelston Close) is an example of true collaborative working.
E G Carter & Co Ltd, Gloucester
Solon is very proud of the 24 homes developed at Kelston Close which provided much needed affordable housing.
Solon Housing Association, Bristol
I knew their reputation and skill set from my work with previous employers, to their credit these standards have been maintained. They deliver to program and have the flexibility to respond promptly through out the design and building process.
Housing 21, Birmingham