Rok - Mixed-Use Development - London SE1, Old Jamaica Road

Date: 18 May 2006

Rok has broken new ground on a project for The Hyde Group which will forever change the face of Southwark Council's Bermondsey Spa Regeneration Area and see the creation of more than 600 new homes in the next five years.

The launch marks the start of the development on what were Southwark Council's two largest vacant sites within the Bermondsey Spa Regeneration Area.

Tom Titherington, group business development director for Hyde, got building underway at the award-winning project in Southwark - along with a little help from a JCB.

Rok is building the new homes for The Hyde Group and the first phase will provide 211 apartments and maisonnettes in two eight-storey buildings on the Old Jamaica Road. The work forms part of a much larger regeneration project led by Southwark Council within one of the most disadvantaged areas of the Borough.

The London regional office of Rok secured its role in the redevelopment because of its partnership approach and long standing working relationship with The Hyde Group - a leading provider of affordable housing - in completing a number of successful projects elsewhere in the capital.

Building company Rok is one of the largest providers in the social housing sector and has secured a number of significant framework agreements in the six years that it has been active in the sphere.

This first major element of the Bermondsey Spa regeneration has won awards before a brick has even been laid. It scooped a Housing Design Award in 2005 for architects Levitt Bernstein, developer Hyde Housing Association, builders Rok and planning authority London Borough of Southwark.

Project director Jasper Akerman was delighted that members of the local community were able to join him and the Rok team to watch the work getting underway.

He said: "This is the kind of partnership project with which Rok, as the nation's local builder, loves to be involved, helping build sustainable communities which will benefit local residents.

"We've worked with The Hyde Group on a number of occasions and have been able to bring that knowledge, and our extensive experience in the social housing sector, to the preparation of the specification for these new homes.

"We are very excited that work is now underway and are looking forward to helping transform this part of Bermondsey."

The scheme at Bermondsey Spa includes private, shared-ownership, key worker and affordable housing. It was recognised by the Housing Design Awards for the way in which it will embrace the St James Church, a local landmark as a focal point The Hyde Group's work in the area began in 2005, and some 73 homes and a health centre will be completed by February 2007.

"We chose Rok as our partner for this project because of the successful work we've undertaken together in the past and the skills that they can bring to this extensive new development," added Iain McPherson, of The Hyde Group.

"The Hyde Group's aim is to make a significant contribution to improving people's quality of life by creating a vibrant living and working environment with a sense of place and community, where people from diverse backgrounds, incomes and tenures want to live and work in high quality and sustainable buildings with easy access to a range of community facilities."

The first two blocks which will emerge at Bermondsey Spa will meet the Eco Homes very good standard and incorporate the 'Lifetime Homes' concept - which means their initial design can be readily adapted to take account of occupants future needs.

The next phase of work, 114 apartments in a single 10-storey block, is due to start before the end of this year.

Rok has recently achieved approved developer status from the Housing Corporation which will enable it to apply, in conjunction with its housing association partners, for grants to fund projects that are included in the national affordable housing programme for 2006-8.

In addition to its work with The Hyde Group, it has delivered projects for social housing providers across the country in the last 12 months including Glasgow Housing Association, North Lanarkshire Council, Western Challenge Housing Association and Drum Housing Association to name but a few.

It has also secured a number of key partnering contracts including those with Anchor Trust and English Churches Housing Group.

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