Convamore Road, East Marsh, Grimsby
From derelict land to desirable community
A £4.1 million regeneration project has transformed a derelict brownfield site and anti-social behaviour hot spot into a desirable, settled community. The site at Convamore Road, Grimsby is in North East Lincolnshire’s most deprived ward. The land, vacant for
20 years, was used as a meeting place for youths and was subject to fly-tipping, fires and vandalism. The POD team led a partnership to create 39 homes - 29 for rent and 10 for shared ownership, on behalf of the client Longhurst and Havelok Homes.
Progressing the scheme was not straightforward. Mixed land ownership meant that the POD team had to identify and contact several owners to assemble the site. Flood risk was also an issue, as many areas of Grimsby are below sea level, so the team worked closely with local planners and the Environment Agency to make sure that the new development was sensitively designed and managed. The new development was part-funded by the Homes and Communities Agency. Completed in September 2008, Convamore Road was an instant hit with residents with all but one of the shared ownership properties snapped up off-plan, despite the economic climate. The scheme has also beenwelcomed by the local community. Convamore Road has also contributed towards the wider regeneration of East Marsh, which was recently identified as a neighbourhood renewal area.
Beyond the Brief
Maximising Build Potential
When the site was acquired for Longhurst and Havelok Homes the original landowners, Lincolnshire Co-operative Society had planning permission for 21 homes. Working with the Co-op, extra land was successfully obtained increasing the number of homes which could be built to 39.
Efficient Project Management
Working closely with all the partners involved, particularly North East Lincolnshire Council ensured that planning was achieved before the last day of March to enable construction to start before the end of the HCA’s financial year and loss of funding.
Stakeholder Consultation
Local residents and ward councillors actively participated in a variety of consultation events, resulting in a resident’s petition being submitted to the council – in support of the development.
Overcoming Challenges Innovatively
Flooding
The site was designated Flood Zone 3a, so dealing with flood risk was key to the overall design of the homes and the surrounding area. In collaboration with the Environmental
Agency, the architects and planners, some innovative flood protection solutions were agreed. This resulted in living spaces situated on the first floor, under housing parking to most of the properties raised timber decking areas to rear gardens and utilising roof space as additional bedrooms which also included en-suite bathrooms. With help from the builders Lindum Construction, there were a variety of challenges, on site including:
• Vandalism and thefts
• A 2m wide culvert across the site
• A natural tidal flow (acquifer) from the sea
• Party wall issues with neighbouring properties
• Land Registry issues
Sales and Marketing
The 10 shared ownership homes were offered for sale six months before their completion. The initial marketing event successfully resulted in 7 properties being reserved with deposits on the day and all but one sale was completed before the homes were finished.
“It is wonderful, nothing like the usual affordable housing developments.... Even if we won the lottery tomorrow we still wouldn’t want to move...”satisfied resident.
Scheme summary
Providing 39 homes for up to 160 people:
Shared Ownership: 10 x 2 bed houses
Rented: 16 x 3 bed houses
9 x 2 bed houses
1 x 1 bed house
3 x 1 bed apartments