42 PROJECT REPORT: SOCIAL HOUSING
The former prison sits at the centre of the site with four new build elements located around the perimeter within the listed prison walls, and one building constructed outside on the former prison car park. In total VIVID built 183 new homes, 110 of which were for social rent and 73 shared ownership. The blocks vary in height with the largest standing at seven storeys, and the flats are all either one or two bedroom.
“BEING AN RP, WE WERE ABLE TO SHOW WE WEREN’T JUST THERE TO
MAKE A PROFIT” - TRISTAN SAMUELS, VIVID
WWW.HBDONLINE.CO.UK
Planning the landscaping on the site was divided between VIVID and St Cross Homes, with VIVID ensuring all their flats would overlook a courtyard-style green space. However while green space was important, it was also essential to the company that every flat had at least one parking space, with parking in the city being “one of Portsmouth’s biggest problems,” Samuels says. While the parking provision takes up what could have been green space, he explains how it wasn’t the primary focus with the site backing on to the large Kingston Cemetery. “It was more about ensuring the development was fit for purpose and had usable space internally, noting that they had plenty of space to go just outside the wall.”
When deciding on both unit and bedroom numbers, VIVID works closely with the council while also “thinking
about it from a mixed and balanced community perspective,” Samuels explains. The company engages with the council, taking note of what their current housing needs are, as well as what the planners want, and what it feels offers the best mix of tenures. “We’re thinking about what families in there want – communities that support each other. If you get all single living people, you don’t really get that.” With the shared ownership units – all of which were reserved before the development was completed – Samuels says VIVID looks at what’s selling well in the local market. hat’s definitely more demand-led.” The overall number of units for the entire development was also somewhat controlled by Historic England and what they would allow within the confines of the listed structures, as well as what would work for VIVID with the Homes England grant funding they received.
The company is a strategic partner with Homes England, which allows them to utilise grant funding by bidding on an amount and explaining what percentage will be used for social rent and what percentage for shared ownership. “It’s a good position and we value that relationship with Homes England because it allows us to make decisions quickly,”
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