Work on the next phase of the redevelopment of Pulrose is to begin in January 2011.
Bounded by Hazel Crescent, Heather Crescent and Heather Close phase eight - the first in a three-phase ?17.6million redevelopment scheme - represents a ?6 million investment by Douglas Borough Council to provide 44 new public sector housing units: 28 two-bedroom apartments, three two-bedroom and 11 three bedroom houses, one of which has been designed for disabled use, and two four-bedroom houses. In addition, Pulrose police station is to be relocated and incorporated into the development.
The main Contractor is Dandara Contracting Limited and the design team leader is architects Savage Chadwick. Mark Savage said: ‘Savage and Chadwick is very pleased to be involved in this first phase of the redevelopment of Upper Pulrose. The master plan for the development unifies Upper and Lower Pulrose with a central parkland open space to create pleasant hard landscape areas and much improved car parking facilities. We have also worked closely with the Isle of Man Constabulary to ensure that the design achieves Secured by Design accreditation. The properties are to modern standards with low maintenance materials and each three or four-bedroom unit will be equipped with solar panels for hot water heating. The three-phase development will be continuous and the whole scheme is scheduled for completion in 2014.’
Secured by Design is a range of crime prevention and reduction principles for architects and developers, with particular emphasis on natural surveillance, aimed at deterring antisocial behaviour, reducing opportunities for criminal activities, increasing the likelihood of detection and reducing the fear of crime. In 2007 Douglas Borough Council gained the Island’s first Secured by Design Developers Award for its lower Pulrose scheme.
Phase eight, which is due for completion in October 2012, is designed around a courtyard providing parking and finished in hard and soft landscaping. Apartments are accessed from the courtyard, houses from the outer road, in order to evenly distribute the car parking areas.
As part of the redevelopment the existing refurbished properties on the ‘outer ring’ will benefit from new front boundary fences and off-street parking; new front and rear doors will also be fitted. Additionally, modifications to the one-way system will improve traffic flow.
Public health and housing committee chairman Councillor Colin Cain said: ‘Phase eight, together with phases nine and 10, has been designed to restore a sense of community to the area. The design scheme is the result of close consultation with tenants and in particular, reflects their wish for improved car parking arrangements.
‘Existing tenants will be offered the opportunity to transfer to the new development, the final phase of which will see the construction of a sheltered housing complex.
‘The redevelopment of Pulrose is a practical demonstration of the Council’s long-standing partnership with government, specifically the Department of Social Care, that shares our commitment to provide affordable high quality public sector housing.
‘This scheme will not only upgrade and increase our housing stock but also, at a time of much financial uncertainty, provide a welcome boost to the Island’s building industry and, by extension, to the Isle of Man’s economy.’
Minister for Social Care Hon Martyn Quayle MHK commented: ‘I wish to re-affirm that my department and this government remains wholly committed to providing good quality affordable housing that meets the needs of local people. Around 1000 public sector homes have been built in the last decade. This unprecedented investment in housing continues and the current year is expected to be the best ever in terms of the number of new homes built with government funding. This important development in Pulrose forms part of the public sector housing investment programme worth more than ?130m over the next five years'.
Ends
Monday 17th, January 2011 09:03pm.
