Community land trust beats housing association to develop Lewisham site

Architype and Jon Broome Architects have been named preferred bidder working with a self-build community to design 33 homes in south-east London.

The winning team was up against RCKa and Phoenix Housing Association which is believed to have withdrawn from the Ojeu process at the last minute.

RCKa previously worked with the council on a feasibility study for the site, an old school on Church Grove in Ladywell, Lewisham.

The self-builders, a community land trust known as the Rural Urban Synthesis Society (RUSS), have now been named preferred bidder.

RUSS was founded five years ago by Kareem Dayes, who grew up in Walter’s Way, one of Walter Segal’s original self-build schemes.

The group, which aims to provide sustainable homes for people priced out of the market, has been looking for a suitable site for some time.

It appointed Architype and Jon Broome to help its members design their homes. Broome, a former Architype director, worked with Segal on his original 1970-80s Lewisham schemes, as did Architype’s Bob Hayes.

This community design process is due to in the new year, with a view to submitting a planning application in the summer. The target is to be on site in spring 2017 and to complete in 2019.

James Todd, associate director of Architype, said it was a return to the practice’s self-build roots.

“The self-build development on the Church Grove site is a fantastic example of a bottom-up approach to the housing crisis, challenging the conventional market-led, top-down approach which is currently failing all over the UK,” he added.

“RUSS are looking to build truly affordable homes, appropriate to income rather than market prices so that the real community can afford to continue living in, while contributing to their local area.”

Dayes said: “We aim to establish a new precedent, a replicable model in community-led housing that will benefit people currently unable to access housing on the open market. As a community land trust we invite all local people to get involved, become a member of RUSS and participate in the realisation of this project.”

Project description

The scheme offering 33 new homes will comprise of one- to four-bedroom properties across and range of tenures including social rent, affordable rent, shared equity and shared ownership.

The specific mix of properties and tenure will be tailored to suit the mix of residents that come forward for the scheme. People interested in the project will be able to get involved in the self-build process – and learn new skills – regardless of their skill level at the outset.

The design, which will promote social inclusion, will incorporate large terraces to maximise external space for shared gardens and food production, as well as roof gardens and communal pavilions. A community hall, office and kitchen will also be created to accommodate community meetings, performances, physical activities and childcare.

The scheme looks to offer an alternative response to the current housing crisis in London, tackling not only the shortage and cost of homes but also the quality. Unit sizes will be 10% greater than area standards in London and the “fabric first” approach will promote high-quality, high-performing robust materials that will drive down life-cycle costs. The proposed Passivhaus designs will also ensure residents maintain low-energy costs through occupation, for some as little as £70 a year.

 

Topics