Broadacres continues to deliver innovative solutions when it comes to building new homes and supporting local organisations, charities, and communities.
We recently acted as the development agent for the 700 Club, a Darlington-based charity that provides temporary accommodation and support services to vulnerable individuals, families and couples who are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless and/or are in condition of need, hardship or distress.
The charity was supported by Broadacres to apply for funding for Homes England to convert a sheltered housing scheme in Neasham Road into 32 self-contained, one-bedroom flats. This is now being used as move-on accommodation for individuals who have the potential to live independently but who are not yet ready to do so.
As well as securing £1.6 million funding for the scheme, Broadacres managed the whole process from appointing a contractor through to overseeing the redevelopment of the building.
700 Club Chief Executive Yvonne Beattie said: “For small local charities seeking to develop social housing, there are numerous obstacles to overcome, and registering as a social landlord is only the beginning.
“To access government grants, appoint architects, contractors, and sub-contractors and liaise with planners, fire safety and health and safety experts requires time, commitment, and expertise which goes far beyond the capacity of small organisations like ours.
“There is another way and in our case that was to enter into a development partnership with Broadacres.
“From day one, once we had identified a site, the development manager took us by the hand, and brought into operation Broadacres’ extensive experience in contract negotiation and management in order to complete our project.
“Though a small organisation, we were never made to feel like spectators in the development process, and consultation and engagement was constant.
“I cannot speak more highly of Broadacres’ professionalism and commitment and without their help we could never have achieved what we have.”
In the village of Burneston in North Yorkshire we are working closely with local charity The Matthew Robinson Trust on a project which, subject to planning, could see historic Almshouses and a former schoolmasters’ house being remodelled into new affordable homes for local people. We are providing our professional services to secure funding for the scheme and oversee the work of the contractor on the sympathetic refurbishment of the Grade 2* listed building, which dates back to 1680.
We’re also involved in another exciting scheme in Colburn which, subject to planning, will see us developing specialist 24-hour accommodation for people with complex needs, including learning disabilities and autism. The six two-bedroom bungalows will be built to passive house principles to make them as energy efficient as possible but also to ‘design out’ the possible triggers for people with autism, so for example there will be no radiators on walls.
Another good example of how we are working in an innovative way to deliver affordable housing can be seen at Sedbergh, on the North Yorkshire/Cumbria border. Here, we are currently consulting with the local community on a scheme which could lead to us building, in partnership with South Lakes Housing, a 50-home affordable housing development for local people.