Cathedral Group secures funding for Clapham scheme

ABC&D takes a look at the Cathedral Group which has been able to secure GBP35m funding for a landmark GBP80m mixed-use regeneration scheme in Clapham.

The landmark GBP80m mixed-use regeneration scheme, which will transform leisure services across two sites in Clapham town centre, has secured funding and work has started on site.

The development, by PPP (Public Private Partnership) specialists Cathedral Group, working in partnership with United House, will provide Clapham with a new, highly sustainable leisure centre, a state-ofthe-art library, a GP surgery and some of the most high quality residential accommodation in the borough, including affordable housing in partnership with Notting Hill Housing Group.

The PPP deal means that in the teeth of the recession, Cathedral has been able to secure GBP35m funding for this hugely important project (including a loan funding from the Homes and Communities Agency's Kickstart programme), pre-sell GBP46m of the development and guarantee the London Borough of Lambeth a brand new library and leisure centre funded entirely from the sale of the private sector element of the development.

Martin Wood, project director at Cathedral Group said: "To have delivered this project to this point in time represents a significant achievement".

"We won the bid to develop this project in 2007 with the market at its peak".

"At the bottom of the market we have been able to deliver a beautifully designed, residential-led regeneration scheme with two state-of-the-art, free public buildings next to an underground line that has been widely commended".

"We haven't made a single compromise on design, quality, commitment to the community in Lambeth or the delivery standards of our scheme".

"What we are building in Clapham is a really successful model for delivering complex community benefits for the future.

Project details Mary Seacole House on Clapham High Street has been demolished.

A beautiful new 12-storey building, designed by Studio Egret West, will replace it.

The glass-fronted ground floor will contain a new library based around an audacious spiral design, connecting to a new medical centre, a cafe;, internet zone, performance space and community rooms, reinforcing the community spirit of the development.

136 apartments, many with full height windows and views across the city, will be built above the new public facilities and will be some of the highest quality apartments in Clapham.

The current leisure centre facilities on Clapham Manor Street will be replaced with a brand new sustainable leisure centre designed by specialists LA Architects and built around the core concepts of visibility, accessibility and community.

Facilities will include a six-lane, 25m swimming pool, a separate teaching pool, a much larger fitness centre and a four-court sports hall.

A number of workshop units will provide work spaces for local residents.

The accommodation on this site consists of a mix of 63 one-, two- and three-bedroom homes available for sale, rent and shared-ownership.

44 of these will be affordable homes provided in association with Notting Hill Housing Trust.

The entire development will be built according to the most stringent environmental criteria.

Cathedral is working with some of the most experienced sustainability consultants to achieve results that will reduce carbon emissions to 30 per cent below normal standards and reduce normal water usage by 30 per cent .

An additional exciting innovation in the scheme will be the appointment of a Green Guardian who will manage the day-to-day operation of the residential accommodation, encouraging people to live more sustainably, including managing a car club.

The development project is a partnership between Cathedral Group, the London Borough of Lambeth and United House, the contractors on the Mary Seacole House site.

The Homes and Communities Agency's Kickstart scheme, which supports the construction of high quality mixed tenure housing developments, provided GBP12.7m of loan funding.

On top of this, a grant of GBP5.5m was allocated through the HCA's National Affordable Housing programme.

David Lunts, London regional director at the Homes and Communities Agency said: "This is an important milestone in the regeneration of Clapham and the striking design will create a landmark for the area".

"Replacing the run down tower block with high quality homes and facilities will benefit the community as a whole".

"We are very pleased to be playing a part in this transformation by providing GBP18.2m funding through our Kickstart and Affordable Housing programmes".

"The scheme received the highest allocation of funding in London under Kickstart round one.

Demolition on the Mary Seacole House site completed in spring 2010, the library and medical centre will open in summer 2011 and the entire development will complete in early 2012.

Development will complete on the leisure centre site by the autumn of 2011.

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