Hello!
Welcome to our July blog update about our work in Somerton.
Our July Resident Steering Group met on the 5 July at Nexus House, and online via Teams. We had 7 residents attend the meeting online and at Nexus House. Andrew from Oxford Architects has moved on to pastures new, taking his place is Tony Mullin from Oxford Architects. Terry from Oxford Architects attended at the meeting.
Tony talked through the design activity we have been working on, please see minutes for this detail.
Project Plan
We are working to our project plan, which includes timescale and a phasing plan for each area of the regeneration (demolish and build new homes) works. This is a working document and all dates are provisional and could be subject to change.
Design Update
We have been looking at other companies that use Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), while we have been looking at using TopHat, we need to ensure we are using the best product for the Acacia Avenue site, as this is not a flat site. We have been looking at what is out on the market and have carried out checks and we are looking to use a company called Taylor lane. They have a factory in Wales and one across the boarder in Hereford. We will be working with them going forward for phase 1 – Acacia Avenue.
We looked more in detail from the comments we receive form Welsh Government from the concept submission proposed designs we sent to them, we had received their approval. They provided feedback for us to look into such as improving opportunities for active travel, such as cycle paths, ensuring we will achieve Secure by Design Gold standard to ensure the homes, amenity space, green space are securely designed.
We have also been working on the specification for the refurbishment of the 2 pilot properties. Welsh Government have changed their framework from EPC A to EPC C. EPC means Energy Performance Certificate. We will be looking at what works are needed to be carried out to achieve EPC C. Therefore works will not start on the 2 pilot properties in July, while we carry out this work. We will keep you update on these refurbishment works.
Communication
A newsletter will be delivered to every home in Somerton, included in the newsletter will be what we have been working on to date and what will be happening over the course of this year.
We will also be holding a community consultation event at The Hope Centre, this date is to be confirmed. Every household will have an invite to the event posted through their door.
Time and Date of Next Meeting
Wednesday 2 August at 17:30pm
We hope that this blog has been useful – if you have any questions, or if there’s anything you’d like us to cover in future blogs, please get in touch with us at rebecca.sluman@newportcityhomes.com.