Objectives
The brief was to develop three ‘city blocks’ for the
local Asian community. Two of the blocks contained
run-down or derelict terraced housing and the
other block was a school site (made available due
to relocation).The client request was for large
family homes (six to nine bed spaces) and the
flexibility to accommodate later phases.The urgency
of this project was thrown into sharp focus by the
riots of May 2001 which were centred around this
part of Glodwick.
Our View
A steeply sloping yet wide area was an unusual
feature of the site which we were able to
accommodate and take full advantage of .Waterloo
Street, the major road, was given a continuous
stepped terrace with vehicle access to private
courts at the rear. Corner houses ensured no blank
gables to street frontages and a key corner was
given a focal point tower to provide a ‘Gateway to
Glodwick’.
The Results
We have received excellent feedback from the
residents; before this development, property values
in the area were at rock bottom and building
homes for sale without subsidies was unthinkable.
The improved confidence in the area has resulted
in building homes for sale being a realistic
proposition and the third, final phase comprises of houses for outright sale and shared ownership, which will be completed in Spring 2008. |
