Project title : Burnside Road, Gorebridge
Client : Melville Housing Association & Cairn Housing Association
Design Team : Hart Builders (Contractor), Pottie Wilson (QS), Matheson Partnership (Planning Supervisor), Scott Bennett (Engineer)
Responding to a significant housing shortage in the Midlothian area, this project has delivered 28 social housing units for rent and 4 HomeStake units for shared equity sale.
The site was an area of existing open ground with a number of mature trees. In order to maintain the open space and maximise the potential of the site the units have been arranged in a curved run of terraces stepping down the hill and looking out over the open space. The HomeStake flats are situation at the top of the hill, maximising the use of the slope to give views out over the site, down to Edinburgh and the Fife coastline beyond.
The north-eastern edge is formed by a run of four semi-detached units, which address Midlothian Council’s development across the road. Acting as architects for both sites, and with Hart Builders as the contractor for both sites, Assist were able to ensure a continuity of design and minimise disruption of Barleyknowe Crescent during construction.
All rear gardens are contained by 1800mm high timber fences and the project is accredited by Secured By Design. To ensure all units have barrier free access a series of small walls are used to take up the level differences as the houses step down the hill. All the units are fully compliant with Housing for Varying Needs. To achieve high thermal efficiency a 140mm timber kit has been used with 140mm of warmcel insulation. The warmcel insulation is manufactured from 100% recycled waste newspaper. Panelvent sheathing board has been used to help enhance vapour transfer and deliver a healthy living environment. The panelvent is made from wood chips and forest thinnings. The timber for the kit has been sourced from sustainable sources.
The preservation of mature trees on the open space and an area of dense woodland to the rear of the long terrace was a consideration during construction. A range of low-maintenance shrubs and trees have also been planted throughout the site. Midlothian Council and Melville Housing Association collaborated in the design of a neighbourhood plan involving adjacent sites that they were developing. This innovative approach ensured that planning issues associated with the creation of new, public, open space was achieved while protecting valuable woodlands and biodiversity while delivering the maximum number of social housing units.
Contact: Andy Jack
Completion: October 2008