RCKa and Barnet Homes have submitted plans for a new development project within the Broadfields Estate that will provide 100% affordable housing on a low-density, suburban site in the north of the borough. Taking advantage of the Common Home model developed by RCKa, the 47 homes will be delivered across the estate using a modular construction system, with the potential for future expansion.
The existing estate contains a mixture of housing from the 1930s, 60s and 70s, and the new proposal involves the removal of underused garages. Typical of many estates of its era, the site suffers from a poor arrangement of space, featuring dead ends and green spaces with no clear purpose. The new development will address this and identify a number of distinct areas that can be shaped to offer all local residents sustainably-minded places, including a village green, play zones and community-oriented routes through the estate.
The houses themselves will utilise modern methods of construction to ensure that the delivery of the project is affordable and efficient. The Common Home system was developed by RCKa to minimise construction wastage, cost and unnecessary complexity. Created to accommodate local supply chains, the typical product using this system can be designed and configured in a few weeks. The homes will feature sustainable elements such as heat recovery instead of gas central heating, as well as solar panels, thermal water heating and efficient appliances both for power and water consumption. High levels of insulation and Passivhaus-level air tightness will also ensure that energy bills are kept low.
“We are excited to be forging a new partnership with RCKa to deliver much needed innovative new affordable council housing to rent into Edgware. This also offers the opportunity to deliver other wider improvements into the area including the estate environment, better local connectivity and enhanced green spaces for existing residents. I look forward to seeing the progress on site and the completed new homes in 2023.”
Derek Rust, Group Director Growth & Development at Barnet Homes
Client
Barnet Homes
Status
In planning
Location
Edgware, London
Project Team
James Hockey
Benjamin Summers
Flavio Brosio
Quincy Haynes
Holly Le Var
Wendy Charlton