PRC Homes
Somer Community Housing Trust owns over 435
Pre-cast Reinforced Concrete (PRC) houses and flats in Bath and
Keynsham.
PRC
homes were
built in large numbers in the post-war years and the Trust owns a
number of different types in a variety of locations. As a result of
structural problems either in the concrete used in their
construction, or due to the corrosion of the steel reinforcement
within the concrete, the properties have been technically classed
as defective.
While no immediate structural problems are apparent, the
properties have a limited life in their current form. The options
available to deal with these problems are to either refurbish the
properties or to demolish them and redevelop the area with brand
new homes.
The Board’s decision on 31st October 2006 followed extensive
consultation with residents earlier that year. A detailed study of
the financial viability of the redevelopment options informed the
decision to redevelop five of the six areas.
In summary, the proposals for the six areas are as follows:
- Caernarvon Road, Keynsham – redevelopment
- Amberley Close / Lulworth Road, Keynsham – redevelopment
- All other PRC properties in Keynsham – refurbishment
- Pennyquick View, Hinton Close, Twerton – redevelopment
- Southlands, Weston – redevelopment
- Holcombe Green, Weston – redevelopment
Redevelopment will involve demolishing some of the existing
buildings and building a mixture of new properties in their place.
Where a property adjoins a privately-owned home (e.g. a
semi-detached house or flat), it will be refurbished.
The increased number of homes will provide additional affordable
housing in Bath and North East Somerset and regenerate their
neighbourhoods.
Contractor selection
The Trust has selected affordable housing and neighbourhood
regeneration specialist Lovell as its preferred partner to build
all of the new homes.
Lovell, which has offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge,
Cardiff, Glasgow, Leatherhead, Leeds, London, Manchester,
Merseyside, Newcastle, Norwich, Nottingham, Stockton-on-Tees and
Tamworth, is Britain’s leading provider of affordable housing.
Lovell is part of top five UK construction and regeneration group
Morgan Sindall plc which operates through five specialist divisions
of fit out, construction, infrastructure services, affordable
housing and urban regeneration.
Lovell website.