ACANTHUS WSM ARCHITECTS
NEWS
Going Green in 2020
January 2020
Acanthus WSM have taken delivery of two new E-Bikes courtesy of Leeds City Council’s Clean Air Leeds initiative. Staff will be abandoning the car and travelling sustainably around the city to meetings and sites.
Another record breaking year for Acanthus WSM
2019 saw the completion of over 750 new homes in Yorkshire and the wider region. These include major PRS projects such as Brook Place at Summerfield Street, Sheffield and a number of bespoke, specialist housing schemes for Habinteg. Following a series of planning approvals throughout the latter part of the year, the office is gearing up to start a number of new projects on site early in the New Year, totalling over 1000 homes.
Successful planning applications last month included:
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32 new build residential dwellings in Kirklees that were given the green light following a unanimous decision at planning committee. The project will see the brownfield site of a former railway cutting brought forward for a modern housing development for Stonewater Housing.
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95 new homes in Rossendale, Lancashire, on the site of the former football ground and stands, that is being delivered by Galliford Try on behalf of Together Housing.
Finally we are delighted to announce that as of the 1st January 2020 Joe Keighley is now an Associate at Acanthus WSM.
Homes in Keighley approved at plans panel
November 2019
Acanthus WSM, working alongside Galliford Try Yorkshire and Yorkshire Housing have secured planning permission for a large housing development on a prominent site close to the outskirts of Long Lee, a village to the south east of Keighley overlooking the Aire Valley. The approved scheme comprises over 60 two and three bedroom dwellings that adopt a traditional aesthetic, utilising elements of natural stone on prominent elevations to reflect the existing context. Close collaboration with the design team was needed to overcome the challenging constraints. The site is very exposed with a cross fall exceeding 10m whilst there are also high voltage cables together with pylons. In addition there is a disused quarry to the north and an adjacent Grade II Listed Milestone requiring a considered design approach to minimise impact on it’s setting.
The end result will create a place with a locally distinctive character, utilising the context to provide significant landscape features from woodland to wildflower meadow whilst linking into the existing public network with a new and improved footpath. Works on site are due to commence in early 2020.
Brook Place, Sheffield - Phase 1
October 2019
Acanthus WSM were delighted to see the completion of the first phase of this major regeneration project at Summerfield Street, Sheffield. Comprising 237 high quality apartments, extensive communal areas, retail, gymnasium and undercroft car parking, it was completed to programme, opening its doors earlier this month.
Planning consent was granted in October 2016. Over the last three years Acanthus WSM have worked closely with Abode Hallam Ltd and Winvic Construction Ltd to deliver this prestigious city centre scheme. The development is owned and managed by Grainger plc, the UK’s largest listed landlord.
A limited palette of materials was adopted with corten steel providing a direct link to Sheffield’s famous steel heritage, contrasting with the predominantly brick facings. Sections of glazed curtain walling create a natural break between the materials, reinforcing the vertical emphasis and rhythm across the façade.
It is anticipated that subsequent phases will provide market leading student accommodation with further apartments for market rent.