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Forge DS Project Updates!

Regeneration Projects

Regeneration of previously developed urban sites remains at the heart of many of our projects.

Major news for the year included the Former Brewery Site, Portslade which was granted Planning Consent in August. After an intensive period of work immediately preceding the Committee it was passed by an over-whelming majority. The proposal includes a mixed-use of 48 residential units, in a mixture of new build and conversion, together with a Creative Arts complex providing start-up, low rental employment space.

The proposals retained the conceptual principles that have been at the heart of the project from the outset with a careful blend of context and contemporary design. We are in continued discussion with our Client and look forward to the stage of the project.

Our first site in Hertford, the Former Waters Garage on North Road has continued on site whilst on the opposite side of the road!! …. construction work has started on 60-68 St Andrew Street. Both projects are complex insertions within close proximity to grade II Listed Buildings. The archaeological investigation which was required on 66-68 as part of the planning conditions was completed and a start on site was made in Summer. The hybrid construction of steel and masonry is well underway and the shape and form of the building is now evident.

On a different scale construction is nearing completion at North Brook End Stud on Dragonfly Barn. Marketing advice has been taken and the property will be brought to the Market early in the New Year – the impressive interiors and panoramic views have been very well received so far and we look forward to a successful sales process.

Call For Sites!

We are delighted to receive two new instructions to prepare outline feasibility proposals for sites within Test Valley Borough Council.

Working with Adrian Barker of Lucid Planning we are preparing initial material for consideration under the recent Call for Sites issued by the Local Authority. Developing the links set out by our involvement with our colleagues in the Connected Collective this is a perfect example of our ability to help our clients from the most strategic level through to the delivery of detailed planning and construction advice.

Details of the process are set out in the extract from the Local Authorities website as follows –

SHELAA & Brownfield Sites Call for Sites Submission Form 2017

This process should be used to promote land for the Strategic Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (SHELAA). The information you submit will be used by the Council to inform future housing and economic land allocations within future Planning Documents and on-going monitoring within the Borough including calculating the five-year deliverable housing land supply position.

With regards to residential and economic uses, the Council will accept sites for a net gain of 5 or more dwellings and sites that are 0.25ha (or likely to provide at least 500m² of economic floor space) and above.

This form should also be used to put forward Brownfield sites for inclusion on the Brownfield Register.

Attached are the aerial shots of the sites which need to remain anonymous at this stage. Should you or your client need any similar advice please contact the office.

Competition Entry

Amongst a busy schedule we managed to fit in time to submit an entry to the RIBA Competition for a Co-living Project in Forest Gate, London.

The intention was to have some fun with the project, so when faced with the brief, which asked us to select one object which represented the concept of Co-living, in true Forge Design Studio we thought of our stomachs!!

Competition 1

A well known brand of sweets seemed to perfectly encapsulate the idea of community, individuality and connectivity. Unfortunately, the judges were obviously not ready for this and we didn’t get short-listed. Too bad. However, it was a really enjoyable exercise and gave us the excuse to buy several bags of Revels to have with our coffee in the studio.

Competition 2

Attached are 2 of the 4 sheets that we submitted. We thought you might like to see them!

Royal West Indies, Turks and Caicos

Forge Design Studio have been commissioned to prepare a Vision Document for the Future Redevelopment of the Royal West Indies Resort site on the Turks and Caicos Islands. Fronting onto the world famous Grace Bay the existing site is renowned for its beautiful setting and landscape, however great potential exists to develop some residual areas of land.

We have worked closely with our Client to develop the initial concept to reorganise the entrance and arrival experience and to shift the centre of gravity of the site further away from the existing beach frontage. Ideas are now focussing on the site fronting the road to create a new, high profile impact building for visitors to the resort.

Photos attached show the benefits of a drone for achieving great quality aerial shots with the flexibility of fixing on specific heights to create realistic viewpoints.

The opportunity for a site visit is getting closer!!

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Fast Start to 2017!

Forge Design Studio have completed our first feasibility study of 2017 in support of a competitive bid on a highly prestigious site in the South-East. Working closely with our client we visited the site in the first week of the New Year and drew up several potential development options. After some rapid financial assessments, one option emerged as a clear favourite in terms of viability and architectural response.

Located in a historic parkland setting the main building is a grade I listed building! Formerly used as a public building the structure is held in fond regard by the Local Community and will require a well-considered consultation and planning strategy to bring it forward as a deliverable development.

We undertook a detailed site analysis following a helpful meeting and walk-around the site with the Local Authority Conservation and Design Officer. This understanding directly informed our preferred option which considered all the constraints and influences on the site.

Our client has submitted their final bid, having made the project short list, and we are keeping our fingers crossed for a positive start to the New Year.

Redevelopment of Odyssey Health Club

Following lengthy negotiation with the Local Authority the application for the redevelopment of the Odyssey Health Club site has been resubmitted to the Planning Department. The overall design has retained its original quality whilst reducing the impact on the green belt through adjustments to the scale and massing of the proposals as well as the extent of the land take.

The apartments have been relocated to relate more closely to the existing Health Club buildings and a greater mix of units, including one and a half storey bungalows have been introduced in key locations.

The application is for 70 units together with the re-organisation of all the parking and approaches to the Health Club. The statutory consultation period is underway with a decision expected in Summer 2016.