The site was previously occupied by two aging apartment blocks that had reached the end of their useful life and no longer met modern standards. These were carefully demolished to make way for a considered redevelopment, providing three new buildings that significantly increased both quality and provision. The scheme delivered Nicholas Court, containing 23 apartments for social rent, and Turnbull Court, offering 20 apartments for shared ownership, alongside a detached three‑bedroom house. Together, these new homes replaced obsolete stock with a well‑balanced mix of tenures, meeting local housing needs while raising the overall standard of accommodation on the site.
The new buildings rise to three and four storeys and were constructed using robust brick and block cavity walls. They are finished with a combination of partially flat and pitched roofs, incorporating traditional clay tiles alongside modern photovoltaic panels to enhance energy performance. The architecture was designed to provide a durable, low‑maintenance envelope that balanced contemporary requirements with the established character of the surrounding area.
To ensure privacy and comfort for residents, full‑height privacy screens were incorporated on the boundary‑facing balconies, while landscaped communal gardens were provided to create shared outdoor space. Supporting facilities such as secure cycle storage and well‑planned bin storage areas were integrated into the design to encourage sustainable living and to ensure the development functions efficiently on a day‑to‑day basis.
The project also presented several technical challenges which were resolved through careful detailing and engineering. In the north block, duplex apartments required complex detailing to achieve generous layouts without compromising the building form. In the south block, significant ground engineering was necessary, with concrete retaining walls used to create a split lower ground floor level that responded directly to the natural contours of the site. These measures ensured that the development not only fitted the context but also maximised the use of a constrained plot. This project was delivered by our director under the Avebury brand.