The 79th Group: Hexham Workhouse Redevelopment Project

The 79th Group, which has a sound track record of property developments all over the UK, will take on the redevelopment of Hexham’s 182 year old workhouse through its 79th Luxury Living division, after negotiating a deal with the support of top 50 law firm, Weightmans LLP.

The concept of creating 34 luxury two and three bedroomed apartments already has detailed planning permission and will involve the part demolition, refurbishment and extension of the building.

Group Chairman, David Webster, said: “This is a really exciting project because despite all the interest in this site, over several years, sadly the plans have never come to fruition. It enjoys an enviable position in the heart of the Tyne Valley and has huge potential to become a sought after residential development.

“We are planning to employ the expertise of people with a proven track record for bringing derelict buildings back to life and where possible, maintain original period features. This is exactly the sort of creative reuse of historic buildings which helps to provide housing on accessible town centre sites.”

The original Hexham Union Workhouse was constructed in 1839, consisting of three parallel two-storey blocks. Between 1880 and 1883, the building was remodelled, with the main west range being demolished and replaced with a new administration block and a Master's House, flanked by two sick wards. This sizeable expansion allowed the site to accommodate 300 residents.

The Old Workhouse was used for a myriad of different purposes after 1930. It was first repurposed as the Hexham Public Assistance Institution, until the building was utilised for administrative purposes during World War Two. The formation of the NHS in 1948 saw the site put to use as the administration buildings of Hexham General Hospital, until the premises were vacated in 2004 upon the hospital's relocation.

Since then, the site has laid unoccupied and developers have time and again been unable to realise its potential. Fortunately, this provided our team with an opportunity that fits perfectly with our area of expertise - acquiring distressed assets and realising their potential.

The project has been featured in a number of local and national press articles and further updates will be coming very shortly.

ROMCO Group: Gearing up for Cop 26

ROMCO GROUP: Gearing up for cop 26

As the international community gears up for the COP 26 UN Climate Change Conference to discuss climate change, ROMCO is focusing on one of the biggest gaps in sustainable infrastructure — Africa. It’s a massive problem, and they have solutions.

Have a look at our their facility and see what we’re doing to help achieve global climate ambition in their newest video on youtube here.

Godwin Developments: Demand for student beds in Nottingham significant and set to rise.

Purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) is high on Nottingham City Council’s agenda as the city continues to attract growing numbers of students to its two world leading universities, University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University (NTU). Nottingham has the fourth largest full-time student population in the UK outside of London, with just over 63,800 full-time students for the 2019/2020 academic year – and cementing its name as a quality higher education hub among both domestic and international students.

Over the past five years, full time student numbers at NTU in particular have grown by 7,440 and this year saw the largest ever number of students gaining acceptance at 11,595 (UCAS).

One of the biggest student accommodation operators also announced in July that it expects a significant demand for dedicated student living spaces nationwide on the back of a record 43% of 18-year-olds applying for university in 2020/21 according to UCAS. With an upcoming demographic boom of this age group, as well as government policy that seeks to attract more overseas applicants, student populations are set to swell.

In Nottingham, there is a real need to meet demand for student accommodation which has been recognised by the Council. Councillor Linda Woodings, portfolio holder for housing and planning at the Nottingham City Council, recently told local media: “I think it is an ongoing challenge to provide enough accommodation for students.”

Even with more than 7,000 purpose-built beds in the pipeline to cater to students for both universities, there is still not enough to meet demand. Currently, a lack of purpose-built student accommodation means that students have to live in traditional housing stock in the city, converted into Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

In the central NG1 postcode in Nottingham, according to CBRE, more than 5,000 students live in HMOs and are unable to access the quality facilities provided by purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA).

Cllr Woodings added that of the purpose-built student accommodation already built, only 0.4 per cent was not occupied.

She said that purpose-built accommodation is the best way forward for the city and will encourage students out of residential areas such as Lenton and the Arboretum, both of which have faced concerns from residents they are losing their community identities.

By moving students to dedicated student flats in areas such as the Creative Quarter, it will be possible to shape a more balanced city with vibrant and sustainable neighbourhoods.

The Councillor agreed that increasing the availability of PBSA offers “a range of benefits including being better-aligned to student lifestyles, being built in locations that are closer to public transport and walking or cycling routes, and acting as a catalyst for further urban development and job creation.”

She added that: “Purpose Built Student Accommodation is an essential part of Nottingham’s housing market – allowing students to live in the right accommodation and locations for them while freeing up much-needed family housing.”

Major dedicated student housing developments also bring significant benefits for the rest of the city and its residents, supporting job creation, drawing in further investment, improving the townscape, as well as assisting local businesses and the city centre through discretional spend. In addition, developers make significant financial contributions to open space, promoting the well-being of residents and the wider community.

Godwin Developments is in the process of developing a major student living scheme in Nottingham – the Bendigo Buildings – which when completed will provide 783 additional student beds for the city. The development is located within half a mile from Nottingham Trent University, and in close proximity to the city centre, amenities and open spaces.