Boyer has secured planning permission for Taylor Wimpey to deliver new housing in Gloucestershire, whilst Kier begins work on providing new facilities for historic Gloucestershire school
Boyer has obtained reserved matters approval for Taylor Wimpey to deliver new housing in Gloucestershire, Innsworth.
The resolution was awarded by Tewkesbury Borough Council on 21 February 2023 and will see the delivery of 275 dwellings, including 176 new net zero carbon-ready homes for army personnel and their families at Imjin Barracks.
The project is significant in Taylor Wimpey’s partnership with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO).
The remaining development will deliver 81 affordable homes, of which 60% are for affordable rent, and 40% are for immediate housing for the local community, alongside areas of public open space.
The net zero carbon-ready homes will feature cutting-edge sustainability measures, including:
- Photovoltaic panels to generate green energy
- Air source heat pumps
- Smart heating controls
- Underfloor heating
- Triple glazing
- Increased insulation
- Electric vehicle charging points
Work on the homes, which are being provided under the Defence Estates Optimisation (DEO) Army Programme, will start later this year and is due to be completed by 2026.
Jemma Shorrock, associate director in Boyer’s Bristol office, said: “It has been exciting to assist Taylor Wimpey in securing this latest Reserved Matters approval to deliver much-needed affordable housing and new net zero carbon-ready homes for army personnel.
“The development is one of the first of its kind and may well be an exemplar of development to the wider development industry. We very much look forward to seeing this phase of development completed.”
Keith Simmons, managing director of Taylor Wimpey Bristol, said: “We are extremely excited about this partnership with the British Army, as we know it will have a direct impact on the lives of soldiers and their families, who sacrifice so much for the benefit of many.
“By working together with DIO to deliver these high quality and sustainable new homes, we can ensure that local army personnel will benefit from the very latest sustainable building methods and technologies, providing them with homes that are equipped for the future. The support we have received from Boyer through the planning process has greatly assisted the project.”
Kier to provide new facilities for historic Gloucestershire school
Kier has started work on delivering new, purpose-built teaching facilities accommodation to Katharine Lady Berkeley’s School in Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire – one of the oldest state schools in the country.
The school’s existing campus-style site will be enhanced by removing several older buildings and replacing these with a single three-storey teaching block and a separate
activity studio.
The three-storey block will include various teaching facilities and will feature PV panels on the roof, enhanced insulation levels, ground-source and air-source heat pumps to support net zero carbon in operation.
In addition, an existing single-storey block on the site will be refurbished, with extensions added to enhance the school’s sixth-form facilities and to provide a bespoke area for the special educational needs department.
Externally, a new central courtyard will be built, providing additional seating and a performance stage. The parking facilities are being remodelled, and an existing Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) is being moved and replaced.
Kier will use its new design platform kSchool, which creates unique designs for schools, to deliver the project.
Andy Bolas, regional director at Kier construction western & wales, said: “This school was founded over 639 years ago, and the buildings we’re upgrading were built post-war, so for us providing 21st Century accommodation is a real honour and something that we, as a Gloucestershire-based business, are incredibly proud of.
“Not only does this project further evidence our expertise in delivering state-of-the-art sustainable schools, but it also demonstrates our innovative kSchool design platform.”
Hannah Khan, acting Headteacher at Katharine Lady Berkeley’s School, said: “We are pleased to have been included in the first phase of the DfE School Rebuilding Programme.
“Over the past two years, the teams from DfE, Kier and Mace have worked closely with the school to ensure that the final design stays true to the school’s current campus feel, takes account of our stunning geographical location and the school’s vision for the future.
“We are excited to explore the new opportunities this project will bring to our students and the school community.
“We look forward to working with Kier over the coming years.”
The project was procured through the Department for Education (DfE) CF17 Framework, and work is expected to finish in Spring 2025.
