Thimblemill pub side social housing development completes

Stephen George + Partners (SGP) is delighted to announce the completion of a new 24 dwelling social housing scheme on the site of a demolished pub in Smethwick, West Midlands.

Designing a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments and two- and three-bedroom houses, SGP worked closely with developer Build Fifty5 Living, contractor Tricas Construction and Citizen to create an attractive group of affordable rental tenure homes that respond to local needs and fit well within the site and its context.

Although situated on a challenging site with a 4-5m difference in levels, a rigorous technical and design process allowed the quality development to be delivered without major issues, on time and within a restricted budget.

Juma Chipeta, Associate at SGP, explains: “The design team worked closely to overcome significant site and build constraints to deliver this attractive scheme in the heart of Smethwick. Beginning with initial concepts prepared with Build Fifty5, and proceeding with developed proposals to meet Citizen’s design standards, the team collaborated to achieve planning consent, ensuring the scheme is delivered and contributes to the locality’s urban perspective”.

SGP’s design adopts a broadly traditional approach with a modern aesthetic, which gives the area an uplift. Simplicity is key to settling the development into its surroundings and the design uses stripped back palettes in terms of both colours and materials. The homes carry the theme of red brick and off/white render, with slate grey pitched tiled roofs and subtle grey windows and rainwater goods. The frontages face outwards, continuing the existing residential built form, set back, but creating an active and attractive street experience.

The new development is owned and managed by Citizen, a major provider of social housing in the West Midlands.

Executive Director of Development at Citizen Nick Byrne said: “We are pleased our Thimblemill site in Smethwick has been completed and we have welcomed families into the homes.

“We’ve helped create more affordable housing for people living in the area and we have also transformed a site that had been derelict for a number of years.

“It was great to work with Tricas Construction and SGP on this 24 home development and we are very pleased with the result.”

Thimblemill Road sits close to the local shopping centre and adjacent to two major bus routes, as well as being within walking distance of the train station into Birmingham, making it ideal for residential units.