Summers Grange is a 98-home development in Wollaston near Wellingborough, with a focus on high-quality design, energy efficient construction, and easy access.
In 2020, The Duchy of Lancaster made 6.3 hectares of development land available for housing and Bloor Homes secured planning approval for the construction of 98 new homes on the site.
The new development includes a wide variety of accommodation from smaller starter homes and terraced properties to bungalows and large detached family homes. Around 40% of the total dwellings will be available as affordable housing including options for shared ownership.
All properties were built and finished to a high-level specification.
The approved scheme also includes a community woodland, a large children’s play area and a landscaped public open space.
“Any new housing should enhance the surrounding environment and reflect the character of the local architecture and heritage.”
Duchy of Lancaster Head of Project management Graeme Chalk.
Our approach
Working closely with Bloor Homes, who approached the Commercial Window Group during the design phase in October 2021, we manufactured and installed 959 frames on the 98-plot site over a two-year period, which included 772 Casement Windows, using Profile 22 from Epwin. We also supplied and installed 112 French Casement Windows, 71 French Doors, 2 Entrance Doors, and 2 Tilt and Turn Windows.
Our windows and doors fulfilled two key requirements of the project. One was to enhance the surrounding environment and reflect the character of the local architecture and heritage, and the other was to complete the build to high standard, including high energy efficiency.
On the first point, we completed the windows and doors in cream and anthracite grey foils, which complemented the high-end design of the properties in this Northamptonshire village, allowing them to blend into their surroundings. This was complemented with dummy casements with square lead glass or Georgian bars, which enhanced the high-end design.
On the second point, our Profile 22 Casement Windows achieve U-values of 1.3W/m2K, which comfortably complied with Part L of the Building Regulations.
Additional requirements included: the supply and installation of cavity closers; close attention to Part M of the Building Regulations, which required wheelchair access on the site; and specific overhead vents, which help to meet Part F of the Building Regulations in a discreet and efficient manner.
Considerations
We were approached by Bloor Homes in between Covid lockdowns. Like many developers during that period, they had been let down by supply chain issues, and had decided to move away from their supplier to look for a more reliable partnership.
Bloor Group representatives visited our head office and manufacturing site in Wellingborough to confirm we met their exacting requirements, and quickly drafted an approved supplier agreement.
Following the successful involvement on the Wollaston project, we have since been involved in two subsequent projects – one in West Northampton and one in Desborough.
Providing a reliable product supply chain from design and specification through to installation and sign-off is key, and our developing relationship with Bloor Homes has demonstrated how well it is working.
Summary
- 98-home development in Wollaston near Wellingborough
- Focus on high-quality design, energy efficient construction, and easy access.
- 772 Casement Windows, using the Profile 22 from Epwin
- 112 French Casement Windows
- 71 French Doors
- 2 Entrance Doors
- 2 Tilt and Turn Windows
- Cream and anthracite grey foils for exclusive finish
- U-values of 1.3W/m2K to meet Part L of the Building Regulations.
- Wheelchair access to meet Part M of the Building Regulations
- Exclusive overhead vents to meet Part F of the Building Regulations
Closing thoughts
“Our involvement on the Summers Grange project at Wollaston was a great start to our relationship with Bloor Homes. As they were exiting one relationship due to supply problems, they were careful to scrutinise every element of our operation. True to form, we managed all elements of product supply, including manufacture and installation, and we took all Building Regulation compliance in our stride, while meeting the exacting requirements for an exclusive high-end finish.”
Stanley Richardson, Commercial Window Group’s Sales Manager.
