I’m a development consultant representing GreenSquareAccord for Sharpness Development LLP. GreenSquareAccord is a registered social landlord with a strong track record in delivering and managing affordable homes. GreenSquareAccord will own and manage affordable homes at Sharpness Vale for the long-term. Those who live locally will get first access to market affordable housing at Sharpness Vale.
I joined Crest Nicholson in 1993 as a trainee land manger. By the time I left in 2005 I was development director in the Bristol office, responsible for many large place- making projects such as Portmarine at Portishead and Priory Vale in North Swindon. Since then, I have worked as a development consultant, working for the likes of Linden Homes, Curo, and particularly GreenSquareAccord who I have undertaken work for since 2010. I have also been a non-executive Director at Somer Housing Association (now Curo) and Devon & Cornwall Housing.
I’ve been giving a lot of thought on how to ensure we achieve high quality housing, drawing upon my 27 years’ experience in housing. Covid-19 is focussing national attention on the quality of housing design and on the importance of access to green space. Poorly designed and cramped housing as well as bad air quality have been linked to a higher susceptibility to the disease.
To ensure long-lasting and exemplar sustainable design quality, a design code will be put in place as part of the planning application process for Sharpness Vale to which every developer or builder will have to commit. In a network of distinct neighbourhoods, Sharpness Vale will provide a variety of homes, not ‘dwellings’, a sense of place and not a ‘housing estate’. Homes will vary from modular and self-build, through to traditional-style houses, using a diversity of modern building techniques. Many of these techniques, in particular modular, allow for consistency in quality and quality control.