Holes Bay Road

Holes Bay Road site, identified by Drew Smith was a disused brownfield site overlooking Poole Harbour in Dorset. This development was made possible through a collaborative partnership between the Local Authority, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) who provided the land, Homes England who invested grant funding, and Drew Smith who delivered the scheme through many complex challenges.

Next to a railway line and fronting a very busy road, 30 of the flats were delivered over an 11-storey block, providing private balconies and boasting breath-taking sunset views. Part way through the Metsec frame construction process the Grenfell tragedy struck which led to a pause in the project and a complete overhaul of the fire stopping measures. Drew Smith undertook a detailed ‘cladding feasibility review’ of the 11-storey residential block.

The client was delighted with the outcome as were the incumbent residents. The flats were subsequently dubbed “Britain’s best Council Flats” and have been put forward for several awards.