Pipers Way front view
Two significant multidisciplinary projects led by RPS have recently received detailed approval in Swindon and Gloucester and are expected to deliver much-needed affordable housing in 2009/10, in spite of challenging market conditions.
Pipers Way is a large-scale project being constructed on a 23ha site in Swindon. RPS was instructed in 2002 following acquisition of the former Burmah Castrol UK headquarters by an asset management company. The land was identified as a key employment site in the Swindon Local Plan.
The team prepared the development brief and secured reclassification of the site for mixed use2. Following unanimous endorsement of the Development Brief by Swindon Borough Council, RPS prepared and submitted a successful outline planning application for redevelopment comprising 616 dwellings, a 70-bed nursing home, medical centre and pharmacy. RPS provided planning, public consultation, masterplanning, landscape design and engineering services and led and coordinated negotiations on the S106 agreement.
Pipers Way entrance boulevard
Following the sale of Pipers Way to Making Places, RPS was retained to secure reserved matters for the whole of the site and deal with technical approvals, resulting in detailed approval of the first phase of 204 dwellings being secured. RPS delivered a high-quality contemporary bespoke scheme including 55 affordable dwellings, described by the Council as “an exemplary precedent”. RPS is also retained to produce all working drawings and project manage delivery of the first phase for Places for People/Wates Land.
Reserved matters submissions for the remaining 412 dwellings have been submitted by RPS which will deliver a further 132 affordable dwellings.
The team has been retained by the three sets of clients involved with the site since 2002 -a strong testament to the quality of service provided by RPS.
The result is a leading modern plan: using up-to-the-minute urban design, planning, architectural and landscape processes. Phase one of the development is due to start on site this summer, optimising Modern Methods Of Construction as part of a fast track design build programme.
Barnwood Road housing design
Permission3 for a new 90-unit residential development in Barnwood Road, Gloucester4 had recently been secured by Persimmon Homes South Midlands before the economic downturn. As the housing market was severely affected by significant drops in property value, they recognised that the change in the economy was affecting the requirements of buyers, and decided to re-evaluate their proposals to better meet the changed needs of buyers.
Having worked on layout, house type and production designs for the original development plans, RPS was well placed to produce a revised proposal for the site. RPS’ successful design and access statement proposed changing the housing types on 41 of the plots, without a reduction either in the number of units, or the 35% affordable housing provision.
As the gap between house prices and apartment prices had narrowed, the market suddenly had a glut of new, small flats, which were difficult to sell. The replan for the site substitutes three-storey blocks of two and one-bedroom flats for two-storey one-bedroom houses, and three and two-and-a-half5-storey houses for two-storey terraced homes, improving the marketability of the homes, and reducing the development’s visual impact on nearby residences.
The layout revisions also alleviate surplus vehicular access points
6 with parking spaces reapportioned, allowing extension of the communal garden areas with improved usability. Permission was granted on 28th April 2009 and construction on site has now begun.
Barnwood Road site plan
Both projects illustrate the professional multidisciplinary service RPS can deliver from initial project appraisal to site delivery for a range of requirements including initial evaluation of a site’s development potential, community and stakeholder engagement, planning and masterplanning, urban, architectural and landscape design, and civil and structural engineering.
Contact:
Pipers Way, Swindon Planning:
Tony Clements
T: +44 (0) 1454 853 000
E: tony.clements@rpsgroup.com
Pipers Way, Swindon Design:
Steve Taylor
T: +44 (0) 1454 853 000
E: taylors@rpsgroup.com
Barnwood Road, Gloucester:
Peter Brown
T: +44 (0) 1902 771 331
E: peter.brown@rpsgroup.com
1 Based on the average asking price of a three-bedroom house in Swindon at £168,537, and in Gloucester at £169,483: figures correct to 1 July 2009. Source: Home.co.uk. The Annual Survey of Homes and Earnings (ASHE) 2007 (Nomis) shows an average gross annual wage of £22,536.80 for the south-west.
2 Through the Local Plan review.
3 Subject to a S106 Agreement signed in 2008.
4 The site is on the former British Energy private pitch and putt course.
5 Half-storey - general living space is incorporated in the roof space – enabled by a higher roof pitch.
6 That would previously have served the apartment blocks.