A celebration was held on Tuesday 28 July when the Mayor of South Ribble, Councillor Mary Green and Leader of Lancashire County Council, Councillor Jennifer Mein, officially opened Calico Close in Bamber Bridge, a new development of affordable housing.
Officials from Progress Housing Group, South Ribble Borough Council, Lancashire County Council and Eric Wright Construction came together to celebrate the success of their partnership, which has resulted in the regeneration of a disused site, which previously housed empty offices, into 34 new affordable homes.
The new development includes a mix of 18 two and three-bedroom houses and 16 one and two-bedroom apartments and will allow families with a housing need move into brand new homes.
Work started on the site in June 2014 and was delivered over two phases, the first in March 2015 and the final phase in June 2015.
Jacqui De-Rose, Group Chief Executive at Progress Housing Group, said: “We are delighted to have been able to partner with South Ribble Borough Council, Eric Wright Construction and Lancashire County Council on this scheme.
“We are committed to working with local councils and our development partners. This fantastic new development is a perfect example of a former derelict site being regenerated in order to provide much needed new affordable housing for local residents.”
John Wilson, Managing Director at Eric Wright Construction, added: “The 34 new homes are a major step forward in ensuring everyone has the opportunity to access quality, affordable accommodation. Calico Close is a well thought out neighbourhood with a mix of properties that will cater to a range of individuals and families and will provide positive benefits to the surrounding areas.”
The new development received funding of £751,323 from the Homes and Communities Agency and support from South Ribble Borough Council.
The affordable housing scheme was awarded a Considerate Constructors Performance Beyond Compliance Certificate for its sensitivity to the surrounding environment, communities and neighbourhoods.
All the properties have been designed to meet the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 which achieves a 25% ‘dwelling emissions’ improvement on Building Regulations, making the properties more efficient to heat and thereby reducing tenant’s energy bills. The properties also meet the Homes and Communities Agency Design and Quality Standards and ‘Secured by Design’ requirements, which is the official UK Police flagship initiative supporting the principles of ‘designing out crime’.
The project team included architects MPSL Planning & Design, Employment Agent, Wilkinson Cohen Partnership and CDM Co-ordinators, AEOM.
Steve Ross, Clients Agent/ PQS (Wilkinson and Cowan), Dai Howells, Progress Housing Development Manager, Joel Casstles, Site Manager (EWC), Jonathan Rayner, Operations Director (EWC), Phil Marsden, Quantity Surveyor (EWC), Mr Wright, Kevin Barrow, Managing QS (EWC), Bill Mason, Finishing Manager (EWC)