The agreement, which spans five years (and an option to extend), draws PCG and THG together to deliver a major “place shaping” strategy across THG’s 38,000 residential property portfolio across the north and the midlands.
Place shaping will enhance the quality of the physical environments that make up THG’s estates, through enhanced public realm, better community infrastructure and excellent neighbourhood management. It will also include the construction of new homes and remodelling others to make them more energy efficient and relevant to the needs of today’s and future households.
The first project under the agreement will see investment and regeneration of the Shadsworth housing estate in Blackburn. Built in 1953, the Shadsworth estate consists of over 850 homes and is home to over 2,100 people. The estate was the subject of a highly controversial BBC Panorama Documentary in 2012, which was negatively received by the community.
Under the project PCG will act as THG’s Development Manager to deliver 134 new homes through remodelling existing stock, new build on infill sites and major improvements to the public realm on the estate. The project will also improve community assets and build social infrastructure and provide access to work opportunities, events, information and support. Properties across the estate will benefit from facelifting works and the installation of renewable heat infrastructure through air source heat pumps.
Work is currently underway on the redevelopment of “Unit 2”, adjacent to the Shadsworth Hub, into a resource and consultation hub where the development of the area will be rooted. The full consultation programme will be unveiled to the community in November. Remodelling of empty properties on Staffa Crescent will commence shortly (subject to planning) to provide show home apartments.
Kevin Ruth, Chief Executive (designate) Together Housing Group said: “Following a rigorous open market procurement process, we are extremely pleased to appoint Place Capital Group to help deliver our Corporate Plan priority of “Creating great places to live” by “investing in place”. We were impressed by the quality and vision of PCG particularly in their approach to place making and deep rooted real-life developer experience. The partnership will help to focus and build capacity in core strategic areas of our business so that we maximise impact, build social infrastructure and deliver a first class neighbourhood management service within our communities.”
Commenting on the appointment, David Smith-Milne, Place Capital Group Chief Executive said, “We are delighted to be working with Together Housing Group on this ambitious and far reaching programme of investment. This is not a traditional development management contract that simply requires technical, consultancy or project management expertise to deliver a set of predetermined plans. At the core of this project is the need for visionary development expertise, to help THG to set a new future and vision for some if its most challenging neighbourhoods. We’re determined and motivated to do this alongside THG through imaginative and innovative design that is deliverable, maximises social impact and is grounded in the technical and cost realities that THG’s neighbourhoods present.”
