Roberts Street, Grimsby (2) - client: Havelok Homes (now L&H Homes)

A derelict eyesore site in Grimsby, the focus for anti social behaviour and neighbour nuisance for many years, has been transformed by the development of 39 affordable homes. The site, in the East Marsh renewal area, was taken on by Havelok Homes in close partnership with North East Lincolnshire Council.

The development challenges were enormous. In order to capitalise on a Section 106 opportunity, the site needed planning permission and grant uptake by the financial year end. To enable this to happen, the Council arranged a special Planning Committee meeting purely to approve this one proposal. As with many inner area sites, legals were in doubt, due to a multiplicity of ownerships. Flood risk affected part of the site and needed an innovative design, putting living accommodation at first and second floor level.

The specific achievement has been in providing local people, mostly families, with high quality accommodation. Previously living in local privately rented homes, with high rents and heating bills, together with poor upkeep and repair, family lives have been transformed.