Sectors

Housing AssociationsBDHT, New Road, Rubery

BDHT, New Road, Rubery

The project consisted of constructing 16 affordable residential dwellings together with all external works, car parks, drainage, sewers, paths and landscaping. Prior to this a two-storey former youth centre had to be demolished on the site (brownfield).

As a central urban location, the site has excellent links to local facilities and public transport and is bordered by shops, small offices and housing. The site is heavily pedestrianised across the front of the site, particularly with the close proximity of a well-used bus stop. During the construction phase, traffic in and out of site had to be carefully managed whilst keeping health and safety at the forefront of logistics.

The dwellings were constructed using timber frame with an outer skin of red brick and rendered panels, reconstituted stone head and cills and grey concrete roof tiles. The newly completed development comprises 8 flats in a single block at the front of the site and 8 semi-detached houses at the rear of the site. The flats are of a ‘walk-up’ style and each benefit from its own private entrance enhancing security for the tenants. The dwellings have been offered to tenants on an affordable rent tenure.

North Worcestershire Building Control have indicated a keen interest in submitting the project for a quality award. Further update is awaited at the time of writing this article. In addition to this, the scheme fully complies with the HCA’s Housing Quality indicators and is certified by Secured by Design, meets requirements of the Lifetime Homes standards and has scored to achieve Beyond Compliance Performance for Considerate Constructors.

Thornton-Firkin were appointed by BDHT as Employer’s Agents and CDM-C. The final cost of the project was £1,186m.