Developments

The Site

Local authority: Slough District Council
Client: Sovereign
Contractor: RJ Leighfield
Homes: 6 Rent
Total HCA grant: £444,000

The Scheme

Situated on the north-west outskirts of Slough, the Britwell Estate was originally built in the 1950s to provide homes for those leaving the clearance areas of east London. Typical of estates built at this time, they included lock-up garages in remote courtyards. These garages have since fallen into disrepair and, over time, residents have become reluctant to use them.

Planning consent was secured by Sovereign to build four detached and one pair of semi-detached houses across five sites on the estate: Cecil Way, Wentworth Avenue, Rokesby Road and on two garage courts on Monksfield Way.

The estate provides good connections for its residents to the M4, as well as a selection oflocal shops, schools and a bus service to the surrounding area.

Information gathered from local surveys demonstrated conclusively that the greatest need was for larger family homes to assist in accommodating extended families. Sovereign in partnership with Slough Borough Council, have successfully redeveloped these redundant garage courts to provide six new family homes in a mix of three and four bedroom houses for general needs rent. Utilising the larger internal layouts, the houses will ensure the provision of accommodation for a total of 37 residents.

The homes have been traditionally constructed to a high standard with gas central heating, double glazing, and solar panels to assist with hot water provision. The houses have been built to meet Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes and to Lifetime Homes standards.

The redevelopment of these sites has not only provided much needed accommodation but has succeeded in regenerating run down areas of the estate.