Aqua Construction was asked to source a building capable of conversion for Gloucester City Homes to support homeless young people and rough sleepers. With the team at Ash Chartered Surveyors, Aqua secured the vacant Hewmar House, on London Road, Gloucester.

A former office building, Gloucester City Council assisted with determining the change of use planning application to repurpose Hewmar House into an 8-bedroom supported housing development for young people.

Working closely with Quattro Architects and Gloucester Building Control on the technical details of the works, the conversion will create homes and opportunities for young, homeless people.

Following investment from Homes England, and in partnership with Gloucester City Council, Gloucester City Homes secured £1.34 million funding from the Single Homeless Accommodation Programme (SHAP).

The conversion works include structural repairs, re-roofing, external wall insulation and render, new heating, electric, solar panels, new plasterwork, and decoration throughout and the forming of a communal kitchen, communal lounge, staff office and 8 bedrooms with shower rooms.

Work commenced in late March 2024 to clear the site and in parallel carry out a soft stripping of the interior of the building and remove the roof.

Work is scheduled for completion in November 2024.