Urban 180 Phase 1 & 2
Type/size: 63 residential dwellings
Location: West Bromwich
Status: Phase 1 completed 2014 - Phase 2 completed 2016
Contract Value: £7.8Million
Construction Type: Traditional masonry
Client: Accord Housing Association (In-house scheme)
Awards:
Best Social or Affordable New Housing Development - LABC Awards 2014 (Winner)
Scheme Overview:
Eastern Gateway is a mixture of affordable housing and outright sale located in West Bromwich town centre. The scheme has been developed and designed using Accord’s in-house regeneration and Architecture teams with the construction element outsourced. The houses are built using traditional brick / block methods.
The proposal is for 63 new dwellings. The layout consists of 52No 3 and 4 bed units and 11No 2 bed apartments.
The character of the existing neighbourhood is one of well-established Victorian and Edwardian streets of terraced homes of a very high density with no in-curtilage parking. All of the surrounding streets appear to be of a similar 20mph or 30mph zone thus promoting quite a close community.
This type of streetscape does not always lend itself to provide appropriate car parking solutions however the proposal seeks to maintain a reasonable density in line with the existing urban grain whilst promoting public, shared and appropriate private amenity and defensible spaces.
Penetrations to the site are kept to a minimum with the majority of in-curtilage car parking provided to the frontage. This is more traditional however the width of Overend Street does not allow for street parking but due to the depth of the site it is possible to pull back the frontage of the terraces to a new building line which allows in-curtilage car parking to the front.
The main vehicular access to the site seeks to do two things; it provides a new boulevard street linking High Street and Overend Street whilst providing segregated vehicular and pedestrian access through the site. It also allows access to the rear of additional plots that are able to complement the existing neighbourhood character at the rear of existing shops.
This existing gap between shops on High Street, being the former access to the car park, is wide enough to allow an adequate vista through the site with visual links into the new public realm and access through to Overend Street.
Two more penetrations are afforded from Overend Street serving phase 1 and phase 2. These penetrations not only provide access to the rear of private defensible space but more importantly, give access to public open space and additional car parking. These spaces are not meant to be rear courtyard parking clusters but more open space; their boundaries between public and private transparent to allow one’s amenity space to spill out into a public area if required.
This gives the feeling of separation between blocks and reduces overlooking whilst enhancing spaces where people can meet and children can play. They are not so much designated play areas but look to rekindle the village green aspect.
Car parking has been very carefully thought out with a density of 1 to 1.5 in line with planning policy but also integrated carefully within the built form so as not to dominate. The landscape strategy enhancing this vision and will be dealt with in a later section of this document.
The existing neighbourhood character of terraced housing, whilst not directly bounding the site, is within visual comparison being two and a half to three storeys high. It is deemed appropriate to maintain this scale of property, particularly on the boundaries of the site in places on Overend Street and of course to the flatted developments on High Street and to the corner of Bull Street and Overend Street. This in no way competes with the surroundings but ensures that the relationship with scale is not lost.
The footprints of the proposed dwellings are efficient and well thought out, promoting visual relief with very modern but contemporary feel elevations which are striking and create a quality of kerb appeal.
This is important in an area not only dominated by historic industrial use but also, in some cases, by a lower quality of new build developments typical of the 1980’s and 1990’s which has done nothing to enhance this part of West Bromwich.
With striking roof lines, quality cladding materials and high quality public realm and boundary treatments, it is hoped that this development will bring a new and refreshed feel to this part of the town.
The Eastern Gateway scheme has been designed so that the Architecture and Landscape sit comfortably together. Rear gardens overlook public spaces to create a safe village atmosphere. Paved surfaces are extensive to enhance the feeling of open space.
Street furniture and lighting has been carefully selected together with tree species and planting to provide an attractive setting for residents. A simple palette of materials and colours will help to limit future maintenance problems and again create a greater feeling of space and unity.
The public spaces have a coherent selection of materials and textures that will provide a setting for informal play and relaxation. Seating areas are provided and also spheres and boulders that can provide more informal seating for children and teenagers.
Fencing to rear gardens overlooking public spaces will be a simple low bespoke galvanised mesh fence with timber posts. Thus, allowing views out for residents and extending the feeling of space within the site. Solid panels and screen fencing will be used where adjacent neighbours require a greater degree of privacy. Railings and gates are limited to rear gated car parking courts and to punctuate entrances into the site.
