Archive

Wallace Crescent, Carshalton

Sep

The Oakwood Group negotiated the purchase of this former industrial site off Wallace Crescent, on a subject to planning permission basis.

The previous industrial use of the site was not appropriate in this location and did not sit comfortably with the residential uses surrounding it on all sides.

We saw an opportunity to visually enhance the street scene and dramatically improve the existing built environment and worked in conjunction with the local planning authority and key stakeholders to establish a proposal for 9 x four bedroom houses, with emphasis on providing high quality accommodation to meet the local need.

The layout comprises a row of semi-detached and terraced dwellings, which are traditional in design with pitched slate roofs London stock brick, single storey bay windows and sliding sash windows throughout.

The height of all of the dwellings is two storey with accommodation within the roof space. The design ensures that there is sufficient space between the end units and the Site boundary line to ensure the Development does not have an unacceptable impact on neighbouring residential amenity.

The application was submitted in early June 2014 and was granted by the planning committee nine weeks later. Construction started in February 2015 and was completed in March 2016.

Beulah Hill, South Norwood

Sep

Our Client, Kitewood Estates, purchased this site made up of several back gardens and secured detailed planning consent for 37 one and two bed apartments in three individual blocks, with associated level access parking for 27 cars.

We priced and won the scheme in competition and entered into a back to back arrangement with Tower Homes who purchased the freehold of the site.

We delivered the units to Tower under a design and build arrangement procured via a JCT Standard Form of Building Contract with Contractors Design.

The enabling activities comprised demolition of existing dwellings, site clearance and reducing levels. The buildings were constructed on piled foundations, using a timber frame with facing brickwork and reconstituted stone elevations. External works included extensive hard and soft landscaping.

Approximately 65% of the units were provided for shared ownership and the internal fitting was completed to a high standard to suit the Employer’s Requirements.

The scheme was the first residential development in London Borough of Croydon to attain an ‘Excellent’ EcoHomes Rating and was been designed to incorporate building materials selected from natural renewable or recycled sources.

The energy efficient design included super insulation, careful consideration of orientation, recycled rainwater to minimise mains water consumption and semi porous pavings to provide natural surface water run off.

The project was completed in February 2007.

Butter Hill, Carshalton

Sep

The Oakwood Group was introduced to this site, following failure by one of our competitors to secure planning consent. The site had been dismissed at a Public Local Inquiry, prior to our involvement, and presented a series of very complicated challenges related to privacy and overlooking of neighbouring residential properties.

The building design demanded a very sensitive solution and we worked very closely in conjunction with the planners and design officers at the Local Planning Authority [LPA] to overcome the Inspector’s concerns in dismissing the previous appeal. After several months of negotiation and following two separate detailed planning applications, the LPA finally recommended the scheme for approval, however it was refused at Committee by Members, rather bizarrely on grounds of insufficient parking, which had never been cited as a reason for refusal.

An Appeal was lodged against the decision of the Planning Committee, and the Planning Inspectorate granted permission for the scheme. Full costs were awarded by the Inspector.

The scheme comprises twenty-one, 1, 2 and 3 bed apartments, together with a terrace of 5 family sized houses. The site was developed in conjunction with one of LB Sutton’s partnering Registered Social Landlords, The Orbit Group, who purchased the freehold of the completed development.

Enabling activities comprised the demolition of a three-storey reinforced concrete framed commercial building and two houses.

The site lies within an area of archaeological interest and we were required to carry out a field Investigations to assess and record the nature and importance of any archaeological remains on the site. These works were carried out in conjunction with the Local Authority and English Heritage.

The buildings have been designed using Modern Methods of Construction and were manufactured ‘off-site’ using timber frame technology.

The homes were designed to meet the Building Research Establishment’s Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 Rating and twenty per-cent of the predicted annual energy consumption of the dwellings is generated from on-site renewable energy sources, principally photovoltaic panels.

Water saving devices were incorporated into the design, such as low flush cisterns in wc’s, spray taps and low volume baths to reduce water wastage in the buildings.

The project completed in April 2011.

Little Birches, Kingswood

Sep

The Oakwood Group constructed this truly exquisite 10,000 square foot traditional style seven bedroom house in one of Kingswood’s premier private roads.

With an unrivalled specification the house was constructed using traditional loadbearing masonry and precast concrete upper floors. Elevations comprised high quality facing bricks, stone quoins and timber sliding sash windows. The steel framed roof was finished with hand made plain clay tiles.

Set over 3 floors, this stylish property is linked by a stunning galleried staircase, capped with a glass roof to allow natural light to cascade through the property.

State of the art building services included a specialist Lutron lighting system, underfloor heating and comfort cooling to all principle rooms. The home boasts an indoor swimming pool and sauna, gym and dedicated media room with fully integrated audio and video system providing full cinematic experience.

To enhance the buildings environmental credentials the design incorporated rainwater harvesting and air source heat pumps providing the building with energy from on site renewable sources.

Internally sumptuous finishes include Italian designed kitchens and bathrooms, marble, hand finished wooden floors, bespoke joinery and fireplaces.

The home enjoys an attractive and leafy aspect set in around two acres. A sweeping carriage driveway provides access to the integral triple garage and exceptional landscaped gardens and tennis court.

We worked tirelessly to create this exemplary building using skilful design techniques to develop a home of unique character, in tune with its surroundings and in a manner consistent with environmental requirements.

Works were completed in December 2012.

Mollison Drive, Wallington

Sep

The Oakwood Group assembled this site comprising 6 semi-detached houses with substantial back gardens via a series of Option Agreements with each of the registered proprietors, on a subject to planning permission basis.

The site presented a significant challenge in planning terms following refusal of the initial planning application on grounds of overdevelopment, excessive building height, non-conformity with building line, insufficient parking and perceived incongruence with the character of the area. Detailed negotiations with the planning, highway and design officers informed a revised planning application, however, despite good progress being made, the Council once again refused the scheme.

The Oakwood Group lodged a Public Local Inquiry against the decision of the Council and following a complex and lengthy process, the Planning Inspectorate granted permission for 54 affordable apartments.

We worked in partnership with one of LB Sutton’s Housing Association Partners, Hyde Housing, to deliver the buildings, which now provide homes for individuals from the Council’s housing waiting list.

The construction was procured via a design and build contract, managed under a JCT Standard Form of Building Contract.

The buildings were designed using Modern Methods of Construction and were manufactured ‘off-site’ using timber frame technology. The homes met the Building Research Establishment’s Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 Rating and twenty per-cent of the predicted annual energy consumption of the dwellings is generated from on-site renewable energy sources, principally photovoltaic panels.

We carried out extensive research in to recycling rain water, which is stored in underground tanks and used to flush wc’s and to irrigate external soft landscaped areas.

Water saving devices were incorporated into the design, such as low flush cisterns in wc’s, spray taps and low volume baths to reduce water wastage in the buildings.

The project was nominated by the NHBC for a ‘Top 100 Award’ and was completed on time and on budget in April 2011.

Vantage Point, South Croydon

Sep

The Oakwood Group procured funding to purchase this former car park site with outline planning consent for 24 residential apartments. We secured a revised detailed planning consent for thirty apartments, eighteen of which were sold on the open market. The ‘affordable’ element, required as part of the Section 106 Agreement, made up the remaining 12 units.

We entered into a Development Agreement with Tower Homes to deliver the affordable housing.

The building benefits from secure underground car parking, passenger lifts and remote controlled entrance shutter doors and is situated within a stone’s throw of Sanderstead Road BR Station with its excellent links into Central London and the South Coast.

Few developers presently regard the environmental performance of their buildings as a strong selling point. Homes being built today will have a lifespan of 80 to 100 years, exceeding the timeframe set by the Government for achieving significant cuts in emissions [60% cut in emissions by 2050].

Once constructed it is both difficult and expensive to make significant improvements in areas such as thermal efficiency and ventilation losses.

Vantage Point embodies a holistic approach to sustainability, with the aim being the creation of a ‘carbon neutral’ community.

Rectory Lane, Sidcup

Sep

The Oakwood Group negotiated the purchase of this former Toyota dealership site off Sidcup High Street, on a subject to planning permission basis, amidst strong competition from residential and commercial developers alike.

The proposal was carefully assembled in consultation with the local planning authority and comprised of 23 apartments and 14 family houses with associated parking and soft landscaped areas. Pre-application discussions were positive and the scheme was recommended for approval by professional officers, only to be refused by the Development Control Committee.

The Oakwood Group lodged a Public Local Inquiry against the decision of the Local Authority and following a complex and lengthy process, the Planning Inspectorate granted permission for the development.

We worked in partnership with one of LB Bexley’s Housing Association Partners, Gallions HA, to deliver the dwellings with a range of affordable and market tenures. The construction was procured via a design and build contract and the buildings provide much needed, high quality family sized residential accommodation constructed using timber frame technology with facing brick, render, and timber clad elevations.

The site lies within Sidcup Town Centre which offers extensive shopping and recreational facilities. In addition, the immediate vicinity provides local shops and schools as well as an abundance of public transport facilities, bus and train services.

Construction commenced 1st Quarter 2011 and completed April 2012 ahead of programme.

Carshalton Road, Sutton

Sep

The Oakwood Group assembled this site comprising a mixture of commercial premises with residential upper floors on a subject to planning permission basis.

The site had the benefit of planning permission won at appeal for 48 apartments and 600m2 of flexible use commercial space; albeit the scheme had been planned for open market sale and the accommodation fell some way short of funding requirements for an affordable housing scheme. The commercial space was ill-conceived and suffered from poor servicing arrangements and parking provision making it unattractive to prospective tenants.

Our proposal sought to make use of the extant permission through modification of the dwellings to provide improved space standards and we secured an end user for the commercial space with whom a bespoke design was prepared to ensure maximum value for the unit was achieved. A 25 year Lease was negotiated to secure the commercial end user, Kids Unlimited, one of the UK’s largest Children’s Day Nursery operators.

Pre-application discussions with the Council were positive and the scheme was recommended for approval by professional officers only to be refused by the Development Control Committee. Some tweaks were made to overcome the council’s concerns and permission was granted by Members at the second attempt.

We worked in partnership with one of LB Sutton’s Housing Association Partners, Metropolitan Housing Trust, to deliver 44 residential apartments above the D1 commercial space.

The building is being constructed using a reinforced concrete frame with facing brick, render, and ceramic rainscreen clad elevations which enhance the existing street scene and aesthetics of the existing site.

The development lies on the outskirts of Sutton Town Centre which offers extensive shopping and recreational facilities. In addition, the immediate vicinity provides local shops and schools as well as an abundance of public transport facilities, bus and train services.

Construction commenced July 2011 and completed November 2013 ahead of programme.

Chinchilla Drive, Hounslow

Sep

Acting as Development Consultant and Project Manager for one of our strategic Housing Association clients, Places for People, The Oakwood Group coordinated the submission of a detailed planning application for the erection of 14 apartments and 4 houses.

As a result of extensive public consultation, the London Borough of Hounslow granted by planning permission at local level within the Statutory timeframe.

The application was designed to meet conditions precedent to Homes and Communities Agency funding and the homes have been designed to meet the Building Research Establishment’s Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 Rating, together with the exacting requirements of the Mayor’s London Housing Design Guide.

The Oakwood Group entered into a lump sum design and build contract to deliver the construction.

Construction commenced in August 2013 and was completed in September 2014.

Batsworth Road, Mitcham

Sep

The Oakwood Group purchased this former industrial site with the benefit of detailed planning permission for 14 family houses.

The Oakwood Group worked closely with the landowner in procuring the planning consent, where careful attention to agreeing a tenure suitable for HCA funding was key to ensuring delivery for Wandle HA.

This scheme was the first of Wandle’s development sites under the 2011/2015 investment period. Following the government’s Comprehensive Spending Review, the amount of government funding available for affordable housing has been significantly reduced and the government has fundamentally changed its process for allocating that money, and also the “products” which may be used with that money for the purposes of delivering affordable housing.

In this case, all of the houses were provided under the HCA’s new ‘Affordable Rent’ tenure and extensive work was necessary to agree appropriate rent levels with LB Merton for inclusion in the s.106 Agreement.

The scheme was procured via a design and build contract, managed under a JCT Standard Form of Building Contract.