Manor Road, Swindon, a neglected and run-down part of the Wiltshire town, has been transformed by Raglan Housing’s new affordable housing development and food producing community garden. The re-development of Manor Road has re-integrated the site back into the community with the delivery of much needed quality affordable housing in this location.

Comprising five two-bedroom houses, nine two-bedroom flats and eight one-bedroom flats, the homes were designed to support the different accommodation needs in a sustainable, cost efficient and holistic way. All 22 homes have a Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 rating and were designed to ensure maximum energy efficiency, ensuring lower heating bills for residents.

Despite the challenges of the shape of the site, Oxford Architects developed the scheme based on a ‘stepping stones’ concept that reflected the sites multiple but disparate land blocks. The ‘gatehouse’ incorporates three flats positioned at the entrance to the development and acts as the linking element between the neighbouring Victorian properties and the heart of the site. The ‘main house’ element includes the remaining flats and is laid out along the narrow portion of the site, making maximum use of the land and providing safe eyes over the adjacent footpath through the development.

Finally, the site is completed by the ‘outbuildings’ comprising the two-bedroom family homes at the widest cul-de-sac end of the site.

• Code level 3 affordable housing
• Low energy costs for residents
• Maximum use of narrow site
• Redevelopment of the area with outdoor space and community garden