Projects

Option Appraisal of Two Sheltered Housing Units

Dudley MBC

Nature of Work Undertaken

Michael Dyson Associates Ltd via the F21 framework by DMBC to carry out an Option Appraisal of two sheltered housing blocks in Dudley.

Woodhouse Court – A purpose built 2/3-storey sheltered accommodation block comprising of 39 x 1-bed flats and 1 3-bed flat previously used for warden accommodation, together with under-utilised communal areas.

Jack Newell Court – A purpose built sheltered accommodation block constructed in 1988, comprising of 38 x 1-bed flats and 1 2-storey 2- bed maisonette, together with under-utilised communal areas.

The purpose of the commission was to provide an option appraisal based on market demand, void performance, stock condition, and future investment requirements for the two schemes initially identified; it was to include financial and service outcomes, cost and designs for the options available to DMBC in relation to the identified sheltered housing schemes.

The information enabled DMBC to make an informed decision about the condition of the stock generally and provide an analysis regarding the viability of the options available based on:

Refurbish and redevelop to an acceptable living standard.
OR
Refurbish, redevelop and remodel to an aspirational standard living standard

Following our initial investigations, design solutions were prepared for each building providing base proposals with three different options for refurbishment works:

Option 1 – Base Proposals plus minimal refurbishment to existing flats, conversion of communal ground floor areas to flats to provide 45 flats in total, addition of Juliet balconies.

Option 2 – Base Proposals plus extension solutions to existing flats to conform with national space standards, outward extensions via enclosed balconies, wheelchair friendly kitchen areas etc.

Option 3 – Base Proposals with some demolition and major re-modelling of flats to maximise use of space and conform to national space standards, providing 45 flats in total

Option 3a – Base Proposal with demolition and major re-modelling of flats with possible additional elements including replacement roof glazing etc.

DMBC have made the decision to go ahead with the works outlined under option 3 of our report and our design and project management services have been retained to take the sites through to delivery on site.