Drew Smith appointed for next phase of new homes at Townhill Park

Southampton City Council has announced the appointment of Drew Smith Ltd. to progress design working and secure a detailed planning consent for a scheme of around 200 new affordable homes off Paulet Close in Townhill Park.

Councillor Satvir Kaur, Cabinet Member for Culture and Homes, said:

“It’s great to be working with Drew Smith, who have a good track record of working with the Council to deliver homes that local people need. This appointment is an important milestone in the regeneration of Townhill Park and forms part of the Council’s pledge to deliver 1000 council homes by 2025.

“Since the approval of £144 million in July 2020 forming part of this ambitious housing delivery programme, we have made great progress across the city and are proud to be welcoming local people to their brand-new homes throughout this year and beyond.

“The new homes being delivered in Townhill Park will have a focus on affordability, design and energy efficiency, because we know a quality home leads to a better quality of life and sense of belonging. I look forward to working with the local community and Drew Smith on the designs for these new homes.”

Kim Ayling, Chair of SO18 Big Local, said:

“As a local resident of Townhill Park, it is great to see the estate regeneration continue to move forward with the appointment of the contractor for the next phase of homes.

“In my role as Chair of SO18 Big Local, we as a group are thrilled to be working so closely with the Council on the regeneration of Townhill Park. It is fantastic to see the community at the heart of this landmark project.”

Following a competitive tender exercise and thorough tender analysis, a contract is to be awarded to Drew Smith/Vistry Partnerships Ltd. who will now be designing the scheme which will be comprised of several medium-rise blocks providing around 200 residential flats. Drew Smith and Southampton City Council will undertake a thorough community engagement process as the designs develop and before a planning application is submitted.

Adrian Cator, Managing Director at Drew Smith/Vistry Partnerships, said:

“The team at Drew Smith are delighted to have been awarded the contract for this exciting project at Townhill Park, which will see the delivery of much needed affordable homes for the community.

“As a Southampton based contractor this collaborative project will build on our positive working relationship with the City Council and the Townhill Park community. It will deliver local social and economic opportunity, and through the delivery of high-quality homes will enable the people of Southampton to live healthy, happy, and sustainable lives.”

Southampton City Council are also in the process of reviewing contractor tenders for a similar design progression for two further residential schemes off Rowlands Walk and Copse Road at Townhill Park. The winning contractor will be announced in the coming weeks with further details of these two schemes.

As set out in Southampton City Council’s Corporate Plan 2020 – 2025, the delivery of affordable, good quality, greener homes is a key driver in the Council’s ambition for Southampton to be a greener, fairer and healthier city. The design of the homes will be influenced by the Council’s aspirations set out in the Council’s Green City Charter and Designers’ Manual. The Designers’ Manual steers designers and developers as they work with the Council to deliver sustainable, quality and lifestyle-appropriate homes – also known as the ‘Southampton Home’.