Case Study - Valley View

Prior to their demolition, the six four storey blocks of flats at Valley Road had become an anti-social behaviour hotspot with deteriorating community relations.

The properties were demolished in 2015, which left a substantial brownfield site empty and in major need of remediation. A substantial section of the site had also been earmarked as space for a new fire station to serve the Shipley area.

Prior to work commencing, the ‘Canal Road corridor’, within which the site sat, had been earmarked as a priority regeneration area in Bradford district, one of four crucial ‘Urban Eco Settlement’ locations within Leeds City Region.

With a total scheme cost of £8.5m, the regeneration of the area represents a major investment for Incommunities. The development also received £2.8 million in funding from Homes England, which played a key role in delivering much-needed, energy-efficient, high-quality family homes.

Each of the residents in the old tower blocks were moved to new properties to make way for the site to be cleared in 2015. In addition to the apartments, garage blocks that had previously stood on the site had to be removed.

The new development was specifically designed to incorporate two- and three-bedroom family homes, which are in particularly short supply locally. Incommunities worked very closely with contractors, The Casey Group, to ensure that the site was optimised and well designed for delivery.

More than 100 local residents were initially involved in a wide-ranging consultation. Incommunities’ proposals were well received with no additional comments from the community.

A total of 42 homes were constructed using an extra-insulated timber frame build, and Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery systems to reduce heat loss and replace stale, damp air with healthy fresh air.

Roof mounted renewables will help to keep energy bills down and improve the sustainability of the new estate. A significant proportion of the homes benefit from a southern orientation, ensuring maximum solar gains and good daylighting, minimising housing energy use and CO2 emissions.

Landscaped areas have been created throughout the development, including using existing and new trees. Footpaths provide direct access through the development from Wallbank Drive to Valley Road, connecting to main footpaths outside the site. These areas are overlooked to provide high levels of natural surveillance.

Robust boundary treatments have helped to create ‘defensible space’ and ensure a higher grade of privacy for all residents.

The new development brings much-needed two- and three-bedroom affordable family homes to the area. Of the 42 homes built, 23 have been made available for Affordable Rent, 16 for Shared Ownership and 3 for rent-to-buy.

The site also delivered a brand-new fire station with state-of-the-art facilities, dedicated to serving the local area.

The site benefits from a range of sustainable transport options with easy-to-access bus stops, a railway station and cycle links, but also a range of services and amenities within walking distance, cultivated by the team at Incommunities.

The local community is also being recognised. Incommunities will honour the substantial contribution of dedicated local community member, Parvez Ahmed, who sadly passed away in January 2024, by naming one of the streets, Parvez Walk.

Alongside various voluntary and community activities, including serving as a committee member for his local Church and community centre, Parvez’s love of walking led him to organise weekly walks, providing an opportunity for community members to come together and combat feelings of isolation.