North Tyneside Council set out with an ambitious vision to overturn several under-used garage sites into homes for over 55s in an area of high housing demand.
Background
North Tyneside Council set out with an ambitious vision to overturn several under-used garage sites into homes for over 55s in an area of high housing demand. Using their patented product, HUSK provides a turn-key solution, delivering sought-after bungalows in the middle of an already thriving estate. North Tyneside Council recognised that many of their garage sites were void and becoming a maintenance problem, often attracting anti-social behaviour, and creating little revenue for the Council. In a Borough with limited land availability for new housing, North Tyneside Council is driven to look at innovative solutions for increasing the affordable housing offer. In addition, the UK housing and energy crisis’ means that the delivery of homes that are affordable to those on lower incomes is more important than ever.
Key objectives
At Bellshill Close and Blackhill Avenue in Wallsend, our vision was to transform 73 garages across five sites, into accessible, affordable homes for an aging population. This also presents an opportunity for tenants to remain in their local communities rather than relocating to another town or village. In addition to this, the high-quality design offers regeneration of often tired existing housing estates. We want our residents of all ages and abilities to be given the opportunity to live in well-connected, sustainable communities, in quality affordable homes that are designed and built to a high standard and are energy efficient. There is no gas on site. A key focus was on space and water heating systems. In addition to an uplifted fabric, reducing heat loss and improving air tightness, the properties are fitted with air source heat pumps and solar panels which reduces carbon emissions, costs for new tenants and supports North Tyneside Council’s Carbon net-zero ambitions
Initiating the project
In partnership with ‘HUSK Northern Limited’, a North Tyneside based contractor, the Council developed their vision to convert the garages into nine high quality two[1]bedroom bungalows with a low carbon footprint. HUSK are based locally, and welcome opportunities to sit down with our team and explore what sites/opportunities there are across the borough. This project was the second phase of HUSK garage conversions and going forward we are working closely with HUSK and with local members to identify other suitable areas for HUSK developments.
Impact
The benefits of the HUSK patented method of construction are widespread, from the short construction timescales owing to the innovative design which retains the concrete bases of garage blocks, minimising ground preparation other than service connections. This overcomes sub-ground issues and by using the existing footprint of the garages, it also negates planning issues with overlooking distances.
The development demonstrates the ambition of both the Council and HUSK to create great places where people want to live. In an area of high housing demand, it is a perfect example of finding an innovative solution to regenerate brownfield sites that have previously been deemed undevelopable and have become a burden, either financially in terms of maintenance costs or by attracting anti-social behaviour.
The homes are fully accessible and meet the current Nationally Described Space Standards ensuring generous accessible spaces throughout. Increased insulation ensures that running costs are kept as low as possible for our tenants, and the use of green technologies to a) generate electricity to b) power Air Source Heat Pumps for space and water heating ensures that the impact on the environment is minimal.
Working with HUSK
North Tyneside Council is happy to endorse HUSK Northern Ltd as a partner to deliver affordable housing via their patented / innovative method. The array of benefits these developments offer tie in with the priorities of Local Authorities eg. delivering affordable homes, tackling anti-social behaviour and the regeneration of otherwise undevelopable sites. In addition, the team at HUSK possess an understanding of how Local Authorities operate.
Lessons learned
For our second phase of HUSK in Wallsend, we altered the design of the roof to remain in-keeping with the surrounding properties. This had a slight impact on the spaces within as well as the external appearance. With hindsight we agreed that the HUSK standard mono-pitch roof was preferred for future phases.
Were the initial objectives achieved?
The HUSK patented method of construction creates high-quality places to live that residents can afford within already established communities.
This project epitomises sustainable development by neatly integrating HUSK homes into the existing urban grain by converting old garage blocks into affordable homes for over 55s.
The bungalows offer tenants a highly efficient fabric which contributes to lower energy bills and utilises Air Source Heat Pump and Solar PV technologies.
With our first two award-winning developments complete in North Shields and Wallsend, we continue to explore our other garage sites for further development opportunities.
Benefits of the housing scheme
Key benefits of the scheme
Bringing undevelopable brownfield sites into use
By using this innovative method, brownfield sites that are undevelopable using traditional housing methods are unlocked, developed and re-used.
Resolving antisocial behaviour problems and maintenance issues
Converting garages into bungalows solves the issue of antisocial behaviour often attracted by unmonitored spaces.
Cost-effective, affordable housing provision
Husk is a cost-effective method of delivering affordable housing when compared with traditional methods of construction.
Local authority-owned sites
These are sites that the local authority own. There is no need to search for/purchase new sites. These are sites that may not have been considered before now.
Use of existing concrete slab
Where possible the HUSK modern method of construction utilises the existing slab on which to sit the new bungalow. This minimises the groundwork preparation required.
High-quality design regenerates areas
The high-quality design offers regeneration of often tired existing housing estates.
Existing overlooking distances / planning considerations
The innovative concept allows the homes to be situated closer than standard privacy distances forming secure and safe environments for the elderly.
Satisfies a number of LA policies
Re-use of brownfield sites, provision of affordable housing and regeneration of existing housing estates are just a few of the ways in which the new bungalows meet the criteria of the NPPF. With the site being off gas and being well insulated, having ASHP and Solar PV arrays installed the project contributes toward our Carbon net-zero ambition.
Sites are well provided with existing services
As the garage sites are located within established housing estates, they are usually close to existing services.
Faster build time = faster provision of affordable homes & rental income
The average build time for a three to four bungalow scheme is 16 weeks.
Cost-effective way to increase housing stock
As the new bungalows are situated in areas of existing council-owned housing they provide an excellent and cost-effective way of increasing housing stock without affecting the existing infrastructure of housing maintenance.
Innovative thinking
The patented innovative idea is supported by Homes England and Falmouth Road attracted a high level of grant funding for using Modern Methods of Construction.
Accessible housing provision in existing communities
HUSK provides people in need of a bungalow with the opportunity to stay in the area they know and love, rather than having to move to a different area to get an accessible home.
Contact
Please send any questions about this project to: [email protected]