Housing regeneration specialist, Lovell has been chosen to deliver a £7.4 million housing redevelopment programme for housing association, Greenfields Community Housing, who are based in Braintree, Essex.
The scheme will see the demolition of 40 unsustainable 1950s concrete-framed Unity homes in Kelvedon, Essex, which will be replaced with 64 modern houses and flats in Church Road, Croft Road and Thorne Road. High levels of insulation and other low-carbon measures will make the new properties extremely energy-efficient.
The redevelopment work, set to start this autumn, will create 36 houses, 27 flats and one bungalow, with the first new homes set to be handed over in spring 2017. Five of the homes will be available on a shared ownership basis, with the rest being available for affordable rent.
Andy Allocca, new business and project manager at Greenfields, says: “Helping to create and maintain thriving communities is at the heart of what we do. These properties will last for generations to come, and I look forward to handing the residents the keys to their new homes.”
Lovell regional director, Simon Medler says: “Our team have a strong record in the successful replacement of Unity houses with brand-new, high-quality and energy-efficient properties. We’re delighted to bring that expertise to this exciting project – our first for Greenfields Community Housing – and help create much-needed new affordable housing for local residents.”
Unity properties are system-built homes of non-traditional construction with a concrete frame and cladding, which were built in the post-war period as a way of delivering new homes quickly and cheaply. Hard to insulate and heat, they are prone to damp and condensation. Lovell’s experience in redeveloping Unity houses includes an ongoing £13.6 million scheme for Orbit Homes in Suffolk, which will provide164 new homes.
Lovell was chosen to deliver the Kelvedon scheme by the e² Consortium – a group of five housing associations including Greenfields Community Housing. The company was selected from approved contractors on the Homes and Communities Agency’s Delivery Partner Panel 2 framework
