NHIC modernisation award for Two Rivers

Published by Jenny George for Two Rivers Housing in Housing and also in Communities, Environment

Innovative social landlord, Two Rivers Housing, based in the heart of the Forest of Dean has recently won the NHIC Housing Association Modernisation Project award for its Ledbury Cottage Hospital regeneration project.

One of the key principles of the NHIC is to help stimulate modernisation of existing buildings; the Ledbury Cottage Hospital project did just that. By transforming the building into a modern mix of contemporary apartments and studio work spaces, the historic and well-loved local landmark was saved from demolition and given a new lease of life.

Two Rivers’ vision to ‘provide quality affordable housing that meets the needs of the community’ is epitomised in this regeneration project which sees affordable housing coexisting with commercial work studios. This eclectic mix was made possible through strong partnership working and commitment from the LADT, Herefordshire Council, AWM, HCA and Two Rivers along with vision and sensitivity from architects, Quattro Design. The Homend Studios, as they’re now known, has provided local entrepreneurs with centrally located unique studios from which to do business whilst the apartments of Homend Court, have given local people low-cost homeownership opportunities in this thriving market town.

Vicki Wright, Head of Development for the association said:
“We’re thrilled that our regeneration project at Ledbury has once again been recognised as excellent and this award confirms that through solid partnership working we can deliver quality housing for local people whilst preserving a much loved local building.”

Representatives from Two Rivers and Quattro Design Architects attended the NHIC awards ceremony, held in London recently.

Colm Coyle from Quattro Design Architects added:
“The Ledbury Cottage Hospital scheme is a perfect example of how a community based regeneration project can be successfully delivered through a considered and sensitive approach. It is evident from the end result that the project team, headed by Two Rivers Housing, understood the importance of the architectural and social aspects of the proposal, and ensured that Ledbury Cottage Hospital was not only brought back into the town of Ledbury as a fine example of traditional architecture, but also as a key component to the progress of the local community. ”