Subject to formalising contracts, One Housing, a leading developer and provider of homes, care and support in London and the South East has selected Countryside, one of the UK’s leading home builders specialising in placemaking and regeneration, as a preferred development partner to enter into a true 50:50 joint venture partnership with One Housing.
Countryside will jointly plan, design, fund and deliver a comprehensive regeneration of Gilbeys Yard and Juniper Crescent estates in Camden (subject to a positive resident ballot) with One Housing over an eight-year period. Currently, 202 homes are provided but the project will look to deliver around 650-700 units including new homes for the current residents.
Extensive resident engagement is an integral part of the regeneration project. The resident steering group have been part of the procurement team to select the joint venture partner and will continue to be involved in aspects of the project.
At the end of 2018, following a comprehensive options appraisal process the preferred option was in favour of redevelopment. The options appraisal was recently highly commended for Resident and Stakeholder Engagement in Planning at this years’ Planning Awards. Residents will continue to be consulted and will be provided with a landlord offer prior to a ballot in March 2020 to decide on the future of their estates.
Mike Johnson, Group Director of Development, One Housing said: “Following a rigorous procurement process, we are looking forward to working with Countryside, our residents and the London Borough of Camden to deliver this project. Countryside share our commitment to providing high quality new homes. We were also impressed by their approach to resident engagement and their ability to demonstrate that they could deliver on added social value and community benefits.”
Andy Fancy, Managing Director, Partnerships South (North and South), Countryside, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with One Housing on this landmark mixed-use regeneration scheme in the heart of Camden. We are looking to deliver more than three times as many high-quality homes including affordable homes as well as ensuring that local residents benefit from attractive public open spaces and crucial local amenities – all vital in creating sustainable communities.”
Monika Petrasova, on behalf of the Residents Steering Group said: “We have been pleasantly surprised by the level of involvement in the regeneration project from the start. We were part of the moderation meeting, which has never happened before, and we also marked all the tender submissions”.
Spyros Katsaros, Director at PRP, who are the architects and master planners for the full redevelopment proposals said: “We are inspired by the residents’ passion and dedication working with us to define their aspirations for their neighbourhood. It is a scheme which is truly community-led and will continue to be shaped by residents. What could result is a vibrant and sustainable community, which not only is a considered and sensitive but also makes the most of its opportunities and those of the wider aspirations for Camden.”
Chris Wheaton, Director, at Quod, who are the planning consultants for the project said: “It has been a pleasure to work with One Housing and the Resident Steering Group on the Options Appraisal and to select a developer partner. This is an important milestone and a further step towards the delivery of new homes. We now look forward to working with all parties to create detailed proposals and present these to residents for approval via a ballot.”