Specialist offsite contractor M-AR has completed the first of three new housing schemes in partnership with Bromley Council, all designed to provide ‘Bromley Homes for Bromley People’. The new affordable housing development off Bushell Way in Chislehurst, which has been named Chris Whitty Place, was officially opened by Deputy Mayor of Bromley Councillor Christine Harris at a recent launch event hosted by Bromley Council.
The housing development contains 25 modern one- and two-bedroom apartments and is amongst the first housing schemes developed on council land to create more affordable housing in the borough as part of the ‘Bromley Homes for Bromley People’ programme. The development also contains a number of environmental features in its design, including photovoltaic panels and herb gardens. Leader of the Council, Councillor Colin Smith said: “I am extremely pleased to see such high-quality homes coming on stream, both here and on other sites across the borough, as part of the Council’s drive to supply more Bromley Homes for Bromley people.
“With residents now moving in to hopefully begin much happier chapters in their lives, such accommodation also reduces the Council’s reliance on expensive, nightly paid accommodation elsewhere, benefitting the wider Council Tax payers too, and underlines the Council’s determination to tackle the blight of homelessness, wherever the opportunity presents itself.” M-AR worked as main contractor in partnership with the Council to deliver these homes using offsite methods, as well as 10 further apartments on a site adjacent to Anerley Town Hall and a mix of apartments and townhouses under construction at York Rise, Orpington. By utilising offsite construction two crucial operations of the build were carried out concurrently, with the groundworks/foundations installed as the modules were manufactured offsite – reducing disruption to the local community during construction. The housing development has recently been shortlisted for several industry awards, including Social Housing Project of the Year in the Offsite Awards.
Ryan Geldard, director at M-AR commented: “We put people at the heart of everything we do. We consider the needs of all stakeholders – from our build teams and clients to the local communities and people who will ultimately call our buildings home – to make sure it works for everyone. These homes, which we’ve successfully delivered in partnership with Bromley Council, are testament to this approach in action and our dedication to building relationships. This modern development also includes the use of renewable energy sources to help new residents manage utility costs making sure the apartments are truly affordable.” Throughout the project, M-AR has also been able to lend its support, together with Bromley Council, to several local community projects around the sites, including donating food for children attending a four-week long summer school.