new build

Odyssey, Stevenage – Permission Granted!!

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We are pleased to confirm that on Thursday 13th October the planning committee at North Herts District Council voted unanimously in favour of the application for 70 new homes on the Odyssey Health Club site in Stevenage.

The previously developed site has proven to be a challenge with issues of green belt, access, noise and contamination all requiring specialist input. Final design arrangements evolved as a result of strong and integrated team work across all disciplines.

Go team!!

After discussion at committee, Cllr Ward become our favourite when complimenting the Architect on a good job well done!

Forge Design’s Open Studio Today!!

Preparations are in place for the Forge Design Studio Open Day. True to form we have made sure that visitors will be looked after … tea and cakes looking spectacular. It will be a great chance to show off our work … come and join us if you can!

Please see the ‘Contact Us’ for information on where to find us!

Even the puppy is ready to go!

Portslade Brewery, Brighton

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After extensive pre-application discussions with the Planners at Brighton and Hove City Council the application for the regeneration of the Former Brewery Site at Portslade has been submitted and registered with the Local Authority.

Mike attended the second public exhibition held on site on the 8^th June and the feedback received has been further reflected in the submitted proposals. Notwithstanding the regeneration of the whole site and securing a future use for the distinctive brewery buildings, one of the most exciting elements of the scheme is the potential partnership with Pheonix Arts Brighton.

It is proposed that the former workshop building and lower floors of the corner Tower fronting onto the High St are converted to form a series of affordable low-rent studio spaces, multi-purpose exhibition, teaching areas and café. The attached images show an example of the proposed spaces together with an extract sample of the submitted drawings.

The scheme includes 50 residential units with a comprehensive mix of sizes and configurations and approx. 7,000 sqft of creative employment space.

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66-68 St Andrews Street, Hertford

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Having been retained on the project by the new site owners, Leary Developments Ltd., work is underway on the working drawings for 66-68 St Andrew Street.

The surveyors have been on site to check the setting out and discussions are underway with the planners regarding some minor alterations to the permission. The client is planning a start on site in September this year.

We are developing the project as a BIM test case and are working closely with the Structural Engineers and Energy Consultants to develop a fully integrated 3d model of project. This can be tested and manipulated as the optimum construction methodology is developed.

Looking forward to seeing another project starting on site.

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.

Portslade Regeneration

The practice is currently finalising the planning application for a comprehensive masterplan for the whole site including new build residential, conversion of the existing buildings and a community arts café/studio complex.

Details proposals have been developed which relate well to the surroundings within the context of the Conservation Area. Discussions have taken place with a number of existing Art Groups in Brighton to explore the nature of the spaces being created within the existing workshop building. Start-up artisan businesses will be encouraged.

Working closely with the Local Authority, public consultation has taken place and was very well attended. We look forward to making the final submission and the project moving forward to create a new chapter in the life of the Old Brewery.