Affordable Housing Development, Chirbury
EHA were instructed to take over the design of a planned affordable housing development located on the edge of the beautiful village of Chirbury, set among the rolling Shropshire hills. The site, which was formally an orchard, is owned by Powis Estates and has been leased to Shropshire Rural Housing Association for the construction of a residential housing development consisting of 13no. affordable homes (PHASE 01) and 26no. market houses (PHASE 02).
Ellis Hillman Architects were appointed to amend and update a previous design for the Phase 01 – which was submitted and approved by the Local Planning Authority.
The houses, which are to be constructed in timber frame, by local contractor SJ Roberts, who specialise in this method of construction, are traditionally designed and faced with red brick, render and some feature rumbled limestone. The palette of materials and fenestration details are designed to create a scheme that is heavily influenced and complimentary to the existing village architecture. Brick quoins and brick rowlock arched window heads all feature within the village and we have incorporated these into our design.
Each house will be constructed to higher than regulatory u-values and improved airtightness and heated via a Grant Air Source Heat Pump.
Whereas previously, access to the countryside to the east of the village was along the busy main road, the site plan has been designed to improve connections to and from the village to the local amenities and surrounding area, therefore improving road safety and accessibility.
Being a former orchard, improving the ecological value of the site has been a key consideration in the design. Wildlife corridors to existing boundaries and large areas of existing landscaping to the front of the site will act as a further wildlife corridor, whilst providing an acoustic and natural buffer to the main road.
We commissioned Ellis Hillman to provide architect and lead designer services for the Chirbury project, tasked with taking the scheme forward to completion, post planning approval.
From the outset, Richard understood and took on board the brief, offering creative solutions and embracing our vision as the client whilst balancing the expectations and timescales of funders and other partners. The friendly and collaborative approach, alongside the professionalism and expertise we expect, helped us navigate some inevitable bumps in the road. I look forward to working with them on future projects and would have no hesitation in recommending them to others.
This scheme for much needed local affordable housing has been a long time in the making, so it is great to be working with Shropshire Rural Housing Association and all other stakeholders to deliver this scheme for the local community.
Richard Evans
Director
