To achieve Croydon’s goal of 2,000 high quality new homes across the borough, the council has, like several other forward-thinking boroughs, set up its own development company, Brick by Brick.
Brick by Brick is a private, independent company, with the council acting as sole shareholder. It aims to deliver high quality, new, residential-led development on a range of sites across the borough as well as being able to make sure the borough benefits from land value uplift and development returns.
The aim of Brick by Brick is to ensure people in Croydon have access to high quality and affordable housing with the full value of development growth kept in the borough – whether it be in the form of additional affordable housing, physical improvements in the local centres or dividend return to the council to fund council services.
The first phase of developments delivered, Phase 1 of the 2,000-unit plan was the Smaller Works Programme totalling 224 units built on 31 ‘in fill’ sites, typically old garage sites, car parks and vacant buildings.
The homes included a mix of private sale, shared ownership and social rent with about half the homes delivered designated ‘affordable’ (shared ownership and affordable rent). All new homes built are available solely to Croydon residents for two months before becoming available to people outside the borough.
The homes were all designed using structurally integrated panels to benefit the construction programme and to limit impacts on the local communities reducing construction traffic movements and deliveries. The category 2 modern method of construction saw the structural frames erected in a number of days, allowing for a conservative fit-out programme with a focus on quality finishes.
Cast acted as Project Managers and Employers Agent, as well as offering Strategic Advisory services at the inception of the programme.
