Traditional timber-framed buildings in Northwich have been restored thanks to Townscape Heritage Project, and the first factory-built homes at a housing development in Gloucestershire have been craned into place
Improvement works have now been completed on 14 traditional timber-framed buildings in Witton Street and High Street in Northwich town centre thanks to the Townscape Heritage Project.
The timber-framed buildings included in the Townscape Heritage Project are:
- ‘The Melting Pot’ – J.S. Trophies & Sunny BBQ (96-102 Witton Street)
- Burton Building (51-53 Witton Street)
- Crafty Stitches (48 Witton Street)
- One 2 One (50 Witton Street)
- Post Office (58-60 High Street)
- Hays Travel (29 Witton Street)
- Crane Counselling (107 Witton Street)
- Northwich Dry Cleaners (109 Witton Street)
- Northwich Art Shop (111 Witton Street)
- Quartz Hair & Beauty (116 Witton Street)
- Golden Horse (118 Witton Street)
- Helen’s Hair (83 Witton Street)
- Charlie’s Café (85 Witton Street)
Many of the timber-framed buildings are locally listed and have benefited from restoring specific heritage features that have been lost and improvements to front elevations and timber frames.
The Council presented a successful bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2015 which facilitated a grant support programme helping businesses to finance improvements to shop frontages with a focus on restoring heritage features.
Initiatives to promote the heritage and the history of the buildings to residents, visitors and businesses have also been funded by the project. This includes an education programme for local schools such as a town trail, numerous stalls, exhibitions, community events, and walking tours.
A Building Maintenance Guide has also been distributed to town centre businesses, and plaques marking the end of project are being erected.
Major regeneration works are taking place to preserve the historic heritage of Northwich
The Townscape Heritage Project complements the major regeneration works taking place in the town and helps to preserve the historic heritage of Northwich for future generations alongside modern development.
The project was strongly supported by Northwich Business Improvement District (BID), who supported the initial bid, engaged with businesses and residents about the project, supported Heritage Open Days, and arranged for a number of property owners to give tours and history talks to visitors.
Councillor Richard Beacham, cabinet member for inclusive growth, economy and regeneration, said:
“This project really highlights the long-term commitment of the Council to preserving the history and investing in the future of Northwich. It has been a significant achievement to pull together the funding and expertise, so that we could work with property owners to deliver this transformational change over the past few years.
“Preserving the character of Northwich is vital and that’s why the completion of this project complements our latest investment programme in the Northwich Library, where another important building is being preserved, protected and renewed for future generations to enjoy.”
First factory-built homes in Gloucestershire have been craned into place
Housing association Bromford is building 28 new homes at Stockwells in Moreton-in-Marsh, all of which are being built in sections by leading modular housebuilder ilke Homes.
The first 10 modules have now been transported from ilke’s Yorkshire factory to Gloucestershire and craned into place – the remaining 18 are due to arrive in the month ahead.
The new homes will replace a street of 24 non-traditional properties that had been built as a quick-build solution to the housing shortage in the 1950s. Over the years their condition had deteriorated, and they were experiencing issues with damp and draughts.
The former properties were demolished in the summer of 2022 and the groundwork prepared for the arrival of the new homes. The finished two- and three-bedroom homes will all be available at social rents to let when completed later this year.
Millie Nicholls, regeneration project manager at Bromford said: “It’s been so exciting to see the first of these modular homes being lowered into place here in Moreton-in-Marsh.
“With high energy prices continuing to fuel the cost-of-living crisis, it’s never been more important to build energy-efficient affordable housing. Not only will customers benefit from living in A-rated homes which require less energy to run, it is another step for us to making sure all of our homes have at least a C Energy Performance Certificate rating by 2028.
“This is the first development of its kind for us in the Cotswolds and our first project with ilke Homes. We can’t wait to see the rest of the homes arrive on site in the weeks ahead so we can put the finishing touches to them and make them ready for customers to move in. We hope to work with them on further sites in the next few years to deliver more affordable, energy-efficient homes for our customers.”
Tom Heathcote, executive director of development at ilke Homes, added: “This site milestone demonstrates offsite manufacturing’s ability to speed up the delivery of highly energy-efficient, affordable homes.
“ilke Homes is increasingly becoming a partner of choice for housing associations looking to scale up the delivery of much-needed housing. Much like many councils and housing associations across the country, Bromford and Cotswold District Council understand the role modular housing has to play in enhancing the build quality of homes and their ability to speed up construction programmes.
“We look forward to working closely with all delivery partners to bring this scheme forward.”
The homes will be made some of the most energy-efficient homes in the country
Thanks to £550,000 of funding from Cotswold District Council, the finished homes will also boast additional sustainable features such as solar panels, battery storage and air source heat pumps, making them some of the most energy-efficient homes in the country.
Leader of Cotswold District Council, Cllr Joe Harris, said: “It was great to watch this development take shape. This is an innovative zero-carbon housing scheme and the first modular build of its kind anywhere in the Cotswolds.
“Our housing teams have worked incredibly hard to build a strong relationship with Bromford and I would like to thank them for all their efforts in bringing about this fantastic scheme for the Cotswolds.
“This is the standard we expect of affordable housing here in the Cotswolds. Not only do we want housing to be zero carbon, we want it to be genuinely affordable. This development is set to make Stockwells of the best parts of Moreton and we’re confident these exemplar modern homes will do just that.”
