Priorswood is a mixed tenure estate of 212 non-traditional Woolaway homes, mostly owned by our client Taunton Deane Borough Council. Woolaway homes’ construction is now considered a defective form according to the 1984 Housing Defects Act. As planners and architects, our task was to lead an option appraisal process to find a strategy to resolve the structural issues of these properties.
An inclusive consultation strategy
The project brief identified the need to work with the local community to explore the options to resolve this issue and, if possible, provide additional affordable homes. Our consultation strategy and design process set out to be truly inclusive within the community. To build trust and open communication with residents, we identified the following principles for engagement:
- Resident empowerment
- Clear, honest and consistent communications
- Visibility of project members
To achieve these principles in our engagement, we used a range of methods to reach out including:
- Community events
- Workshops with an established residents’ design group
- One to one door knocking
- A site office for daily discussions
Empowering the community
Using information gathered from one-to-one consultations with over 90% of residents, we worked with the Residents’ Design Group to develop a range of house types to suit the current and future community.
The purpose of the design group was to empower the community in designing options for the future of the estate. This gave the community representation and involvement in the decision-making process. To do this, we trained residents in design principles, technical issues and the planning process so that they could understand the project constraints.
Members commented on the proposed layout and house designs throughout the process. Changes to the masterplan and dwellings were made following their comments.
Key outcomes
Through our inclusive process, we gained the support of many residents, who have gradually agreed design and delivery solutions for this sensitive project. Our transparent approach (supported by testing) has enabled the team to find positive solutions for the people living in the area. A Residents’ Charter has been produced for tenants and homeowners to outline commitments such as compensation, rights to returns, valuations and rents.
By working with residents as part of a community and consultation-focused approach, the project team has discussed how different solutions (eight options) could address the Woolaway issues and regenerate the local community.
An exemplary engagement process
“The design process and community consultation process undertaken to date has been extremely rigorous and is considered to be outstanding” (The Design Review Panel – www.designreviewpanel.co.uk)
As a result, we are replacing 162 Woolaway homes, refurbishing 27 Woolaway homes, providing 65 additional homes, a new open space and a community centre.
A phasing strategy was established to ensure the rolling construction of the new homes. Phase A, which will see 26 of the Woolaway homes replaced and 21 additional properties created, is complete. Approval has also been granted for phases B and C, which will involve replacing 78 homes with 111 new builds. Proposals for development on Phase D only will follow after phases B & C. And Phase E, the refurbished homes, was approved in 2022 and is expected to start soon in 2023.
In August 2020, the project was shortlisted for a Michelmores Award in the ‘Masterplanning for the Future’ category.
In 2024, Phase A of the project won the ‘Affordable Housing’ category at the SW Residential Property Awards. It has also been shortlisted in the ‘Residential Project of the Year 36+ homes’ category of the Michelmores Property Awards.