A competition to design a major social housing scheme in Mansfield’s White Hart Street area has resulted in a shortlist of five entries being invited to go through the next stage.
There were a total of 37 entries for the competition which is being managed by The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) on behalf of Mansfield District Council.
Mike Robinson, Strategic Director at the council, said: “There was a very high level of interest from architectural practices nationally and internationally and we are confident this will lead to a high quality scheme.”
The five shortlisted practices now have to develop a concept design for the site to be submitted by the end of May. These submissions will then be assessed by the evaluation panel to select the winning practice.
Whoever wins will work with the council subject to the approval of a business case for the scheme.
White Hart Street is an important area close to the town centre which has been run-down and largely derelict for many years.
The council is seeking a scheme that will address the challenges of climate change, provides affordable high quality homes for people of all ages and respects the architectural heritage of the site which is within the Bridge Street conservation area.
The council purchased land in this area last year (2022) in order to facilitate its regeneration. Redevelopment of this area would strongly align with the council’s Growth, Aspiration, Wellbeing and Place priorities.
Full Council approved a £16.5m budget to build new council homes on this brownfield site in 2019. Architects entering the competition currently have a £14m budget for the scheme although this may increase subject to a successful bid for grant funding.
The properties are expected to be a mix of housing types, including family houses and apartments for older people, and built to the Future Homes Standard to save energy for residents, in line with the council’s Climate Emergency Action Plan. They would be added to the council’s stock of affordable homes.
The firm winning the competition will progress the design for planning permission, subject to approval by the Full Council of the business case which is expected in early 2024.
If approved, a planning application will be submitted and if that is approved, demolition work could start around October 2024 and building work in February 2025.
