Helping Housing Developments Respond To Local Need
Clarion Housing Group is the largest housing association in the UK. They want to ensure that their proposed developments respond to local need and maximises the positive social value that the project can bring. They asked us to help them achieve this.
We developed a framework to enable this to happen for each of their forthcoming developments. This includes:
- Understanding the site, proposed development, and the characteristics of the surrounding neighbourhoods resulting in a Local Baseline Report. This provides useful context for effective delivery of the proposed development.
- Assessing the opportunities to make a difference locally. This includes a review of the strengths and needs of the local communities and the opportunities that the proposed development can create for locally through its delivery.
- Undertaking an Impact Assessment which includes the estimated social value that could be created in construction and operation. We also highlight how this can be enhanced further.
We have undertaken this type of assessment on around 15 of Clarion’s sites including:
- High Path: part of a £1bn regeneration project in London, this site will create 1,704 new homes, a new neighbourhood park with a play trail for children, a new community centre, and commercial and retail space.
- The former Boddingtons site: a housing development in the centre of Manchester. It includes around 440 new homes and space for new commercial opportunities.
- Cocoa West: a 4.85-hectare brownfield site in York. It includes 290 new homes; a creche; a park; a public square; newly landscaped area; and links to existing walking and cycling routes.
- Amplify: a residential development of 272 one, two and three-bedroom apartments and duplex houses in Salford Quays, Greater Manchester.
- Kirkstall Road: a 13-acre brownfield site in Leeds. It includes around 1,500 new homes, a new riverside park, reconnecting the river Aire to the city with a walkway and cycle route, a new river crossing and new art space, café and work spaces.
- Honningham Thorpe: a new development just outside Norwich with around 4,000 new homes, a school, a park, and other leisure uses.