3 December 2008
Roanheads Award
Tenants First runners-up in top development award
Tenants First Housing Co-operative has been named runner-up for a prestigious National Home Improvement Council Award, which recognises significant achievements in the UK housing arena.
Britain’s largest fully mutual housing co-operative was nominated for the award for best brownfield or recycled building project, focusing on its recently completed Roanheads development in Peterhead.
The former fish factory site was previously turned down by a variety of contractors, put off by considerable levels of hydrocarbon contamination in the ground. Tenants First, however, saw the site as a prime development opportunity, which following a six month demolition and clean up, it now accommodates 45 purpose built family homes and 8 sheltered houses.
The development is also a Homezone project, an initiative which aims to reclaim residential streets back from traffic, with streets designed to encourage walking, cycling and community activity.
Sandy Murray, Chief Executive for Tenants First said:
“Roanheads features a Homezone in the St Peter’s Street area – a Netherlands concept specifically developed with pedestrians in mind. Strategically placed features, such as trees, benches and block paving mean cars are secondary to pedestrians, creating a safe, socially inclusive community environment.
“We worked together with local contractors Stewart Milne to create the development using a state-of-the-art closed panel system. This kind of construction is predominantly factory-based, maintaining high standard finishing as well as reducing on-site time. The panels arrived in Peterhead with insulation, doors and windows already in place. High levels of insulation couples with reduced energy bills, meaning the development is also very environmentally friendly.
“Tenants First has transformed the brownfield site and established the wider environment as an attractive, safe and desirable residential community in keeping with Peterhead’s heritage. Our short listing for this award is a significant achievement in itself, recognising our desire to provide innovative affordable housing and our support for regeneration.”
The NHIC Awards was held in London on November 20, 2008, and was hosted by its President, The Rt Hon Nick Raynsford MP.
You can find out more about the Roanheads Village development by clicking here
