Beechfields View is a brand new £20 million housing development for Torquay.
The development includes a mix of apartments and houses, and is being implemented by Sovereign Housing Association Limited, Torbay Borough Council and the Homes and Communities Agency.
The new development is a flagship scheme for the South West and has been constructed on 4.6 acres of previously undeveloped land. The site was originally owned by Torbay Borough Council and gained planning consent in 2009.
Beechfields View includes 144 homes, comprising 65 general needs rental properties, 42 open market sale properties, 20 intermediate rental homes and 17 for shared ownership. The development includes 25 apartments which have been specifically designed for people over the age of 55 and eight wheelchair accessible homes.
All properties on the housing development have been built to meet a number of high level industry standards, including Code for Sustainable Homes Levels 4 & 5, Building for Life, Housing Quality Standards, Secured by Design and Design and Quality Standards.
Homes at Beechfields View include a number of sustainable features, from photovoltaic roof panels to rainwater harvesting facilities. A Mechanical Ventilated Heat Recovery system has been installed to recycle heat within each home and permeable paving to roadways.
Work began on Beechfields View in October 2010, with work being completed in phases throughout 2012 and 2013. Leadbitter Group was the main contractor on the project, whilst RPS/Narracotts provided all architectural services.
£6.5 million of funding for the project was provided by HCA grant, with £270,000 from Torbay Borough Council and £714,000 from RCGF.
Throughout the course of the scheme, a number of training and apprenticeship opportunities have been made available. The opportunities were for local people and have provided skills, development and practical experience.
Render specialists, McCarthy Contractors was responsible for the external insulated render work on Beechfields View. McCarthy Contractors work on a broad range of projects, using a variety of products and on the Beechfields View development, McCarthy Contractors installed a Marmorit render system. Commenting on the work, James Hill, McCarthy Contractors, said:
“It was important that a specialist, approved contractor was appointed to carry out this work – that is always a key factor.”
James added:
“At McCarthy Contractors, we pride ourselves on the quality of our work. We believe that we are only as good as our last job, so we always ensure that each project is completed to the best of our ability. Beechfields View looks fantastic.”
Sovereign Housing Association Limited provides homes for all types of income, from private rent and shared ownership, to social rent, specialist housing and properties for over 55s. The association currently has more than 70,000 residents and works hard to ensure that the homes it builds and the services it provides help to people to live the best life they can.
For more information on Beechfields View or Sovereign Housing Association, please visit: www.sovereign.org.uk.
