ACANTHUS WSM ARCHITECTS
NEWS
Penn Street, Oakham
September 2017
A detailed planning consent was granted earlier this month on our latest McCarthy & Stone residential scheme. Set in the traditional English market town of Oakham, the approval process was extremely protracted with the Local Authority unable to accept our proposed use classification order. After 8 months permission was finally granted on the basis originally submitted i.e C2 (Care Home/Residential) rather than their requirement of C3 (General Residential) that would have had onerous implications with regard to parking and Section 106 contributions.
With direct access to the historic town centre, the development provides 56 well appointed, assisted living apartments and associated communal facilities including a coffee bar and restaurant. The location dictated a traditional vernacular design approach including pitched roofs with projecting gables to provide rhythm and a strong vertical emphasis to the façade. Main body brickwork is enhanced with feature areas of the local Iron Stone.
Production information is being commenced with a start on site envisaged early in the New Year.
Passivhaus
August 2017
Now approaching completion, this ten house scheme in north Leeds, is being built to the Passivhaus Low Energy Building Standard (a first for the Leeds area).
To achieve this certification the two bedroom houses have a timber frame construction are highly insulated and airtight with an intelligent whole-house energy-efficient heat recovery and ventilation system. Additionally the homes are all fitted with solar panels that include battery storage, all of which will deliver lower bills for residents, and an extremely low carbon footprint.
Construction was started on site in December 2016 by the principal contractor, Starfish on behalf of Connect Housing. Adopting a traditional design approach to reflect the adjacent properties these affordable homes for rent will be ready for occupation in September 2017. The scheme is part-funded by the Homes and Community Agency and supported by Leeds City Council.
Meagill Rise, Otley
July 2017
Detailed planning consent has been granted for 75 houses in Otley. This major development will provide a range of homes from 2 bedroom to large 4 bedroom detached houses on an elevated, south facing site with spectacular views across the town to The Chevin beyond.
The site is heavily constrained, there is a 25m cross fall from north to south and large areas of protected trees necessitating a sympathetic design approach.
Strategic Team Group are developing this scheme on behalf of Yorkshire Housing as a land led initiative. Work is due to start on site in October with an 18 month contract period.