Following the successful completion of the Pember Close, Bishop’s Drive redevelopment in Bishop’s Cleeve, Cheltenham, for Rooftop Housing Group, the Evesham-based housing association, the collaboration has continued with another redevelopment in Crown Close.
Aqua Construction was again invited to tender competitively for the Bishop’s Cleeve project to build 28 affordable homes for local people. The build contract is valued at £5.3m.
This new development will comprise 28 properties (10 apartments and 18 houses) in a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom homes for social rent and shared ownership.
The works comprised the demolition of 20 existing maisonettes and garages which commenced in November 2023 with the first foundations poured in January 2024.
With sustainability in mind, the roof tiles, concrete, brick and blockwork arising from the demolition works were crushed, recycled and re-used on site to form temporary road surfaces and hard standings around the site.
Crown Close features a contemporary design, in keeping with the nearby Rooftop development at Pember Close, Bishop’s Drive. The scheme blends a traditional build with a modern design, featuring facing brickwork and saw-tooth pitched roofs to reflect the former character of the area, finished with standing seam metal roofs. The houses boast larger than usual living areas for modern living.
The energy-efficient dwellings comply with current Part L Building Regulations and will achieve Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) A rating, including ‘A’ rated gas condensing boilers, roof mounted solar PV panels to reduce space and water heating costs, and electric vehicle charging points.
Retained trees will be combined with new specimen trees and shrubs to create appealing landscaping and a communal seating area. A sustainable permeable paving drainage system will be incorporated into the parking and public pathways for rainwater run-off.
Mark Ramdehal, head of development at Rooftop Housing Group said, “We are proud to be making a difference in Bishop’s Cleeve; this is our second redevelopment within the area in the last three years and signifies our ongoing commitment to providing quality, sustainable, energy-efficient affordable housing for the local community.
“It’s another opportunity for us to work with local building contractor Aqua Construction, and we’d also like to thank both Tewkesbury Borough Council and Homes England, who have provided grant funding to support the delivery of the scheme.”
Jason Wasley, managing director at Aqua Construction, said: “This exciting redevelopment represents our second project for Rooftop who are specialists in delivering affordable housing schemes in South Worcestershire and North Gloucestershire. We are proud that construction work is progressing well out the ground, as we head towards completion in spring 2025.
“On site our team is working hard to deliver these homes to the highest standard. We pride ourselves on transforming sites and creating sustainable communities where people can be proud to live and work. We look forward to continuing our work and successful partnership with Rooftop Housing Group.”
Photo L to R: Laurence Aston – head of new development, Aqua Construction ; Mark Ramdehal – head of development, Rooftop Housing; Lisa Arnold – senior development officer, Rooftop Housing; Ian Dowdeswell – senior surveyor, Aqua Construction; Craig King – construction manager, Aqua Construction; Derek Gibbs – construction director, Aqua Construction
