WikiWirral Wirral's Biggest Online Forum
Forum Statistics
Forums65
Topics76,352
Posts1,033,280
Members14,560
Most Online16,551
Feb 2nd, 2024
Who's Online Now
12 members (ArranGirl13, 3 invisible), 7,886 guests, and 533 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Top Posters
sunnyside 45,164
MattLFC 22,315
Mark 21,269
granny 17,788
_Ste_ 16,345
Newest Members
Kalena1962, rattus, Lisrush, Emotecreative, ArranGirl13
14,560 Registered Users
New General Forums
New Wirral History
Tall Brick Chimneys
by diggingdeeper - 16th Mar 2024 11:56am
D.I.Y. / Building Shop
by mharford91 - 3rd Mar 2024 8:53pm
1970's Murder in Central Park, Wallasey
by cutespam - 4th Aug 2018 10:28am
Old Hall in Higher Bebington
by Rhoobarb - 25th May 2010 5:55pm
Oleo Works
by Ducko - 14th May 2008 3:09pm
Top Posters(30 Days)
granny 14
casper 13
bri445 4
Topic Replies
Facial recognition coming in supermarkets?
by diggingdeeper - 27th Mar 2024 3:50pm
Bolts at Bebington Road
by diggingdeeper - 27th Mar 2024 2:33am
Hot Spot Chippie Broadway
by Excoriator - 26th Mar 2024 7:57pm
Tall Brick Chimneys
by diggingdeeper - 26th Mar 2024 5:43pm
Lost river (Well, brook really)
by diggingdeeper - 26th Mar 2024 3:09am
Old Hall in Higher Bebington
by diggingdeeper - 24th Mar 2024 5:58pm
Netflix 3 Body Problem.
by BultacoAstro - 22nd Mar 2024 8:04am
Wisper electric bike. 36v .
by Dilly - 21st Mar 2024 7:36pm
This is Elvis
by GingerTom - 21st Mar 2024 9:27am
March
M T W T F S S
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Top Likes Received (30 Days)
cools 1
Kylix 1
Top Likes Received
bert1 14
Mark 4
Gibbo 3
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
#411143 24th May 2010 8:37pm
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 417
Neil_c Offline OP
Smartchild
OP Offline
Smartchild
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 417
Redevelopment of the Sunningdale complex on the Sandbrook Estate to replace the masionettes.

SUNNINGDALE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
INTRODUCTION:

Sunningdale Community Development is the result of a dramatic
transformation of a previously dilapidated, vandalised and unpopular housing site within the Sandbrook Estate in Wirral.
Within a development that provides new and upgraded housing for the elderly, a range of communal and social facilities have been integrated to create a positive focus for those living both in the scheme and in the immediate neighbourhood.
The important need for a new community and social focus was recognised from inception and the design seeks to naturally encourage a wide social interaction and participation, whilst at the same time ensuring an attractive and secure environment for the Sunningdale residents.

BACKGROUND:

Sandbrook Estate in Moreton, Wirral, dating from the 1960s consists primarily of six hundred dwellings of two and three storey residential accommodation and includes four fourteen-storey tower blocks, two schools and a small shopping precinct.

One of the tower blocks, the shopping percent and a three-storey maisonette block formed the basis of the one and a half acre site which was to become the Sunningdale Community Development. Blighted with many of the problems commonly associated with developments of this era, lack of identity, poor supervision,inadequate security and no control over vehicular or pedestrian movement, the site was prone to vandalism and general mis-use. The shopping precinct, with severe security problems and lack of passing trade, had several vacant tenancies. The maisonette block, raised off the ground on “pilotis” and with an impersonal external access staircase was insecure and unpopular. The tower block, with stark internal corridors, lack of communal facilities and poor environmental control was bleak and suffered constant misuse due to inadequate security provision.

The site generally lacked privacy and identity, was unsupervised and suffered regular abuse. Whilst much of the site lay barren and many of the facilities provided
within the original development had been abandoned, two specific amenities had survived. The obvious need for a retail provision serving the immediate community had ensured that a small number of retail outlets had occupied two of the abandoned and dilapidated retail units,providing much needed community services including a creche and basic leisure/recreational facilities. These were to become essential ingredients in the creation of the Sunningdale Community Development.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE BRIEF
Throughout the design process, Brock Carmichael Associates, BCA Landscape and Officers of Wirral Borough Council worked closely on all aspects of the scheme.

In an attempt to develop an appropriate design strategy and brief, a process of consultations with the local community was established. Research confirmed that in addition to the sheltered housing accommodation proposed for the site, a small retail provision should be retained and that the services provided by the Sandbrook Community Association should be extended through the provision of a new community centre serving the entire Sandbrook Estate.

Alternative strategies for the site were investigated, including refurbishment of the existing facilities. It quickly became apparent, however, that radical physical and environmental changes would be required. It was equally clear that for the long-term success of any new development to be ensured a firm and extensive commitment on behalf of
Wirral Borough Council in respect of a high level management and maintenance programme would be an essential ingredient. It was thusdecided to .demolish the maisonette block, integrating it into a new development within which the essential support facilities for the management programme would be clearly established.

Thereafter, the object was to create a carefully sculptured and landscaped environment, responsive to the communal, social and security needs of the elderly, yet accessible in varying degrees to the surrounding community.

Last edited by Neil_c; 24th May 2010 8:51pm.
Google Ads
Neil_c #411148 24th May 2010 8:44pm
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 417
Neil_c Offline OP
Smartchild
OP Offline
Smartchild
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 417
The development seeks to provide a powerful and identifiable focal point within the Sandbrook Estate, but one which does not alienate itself from the surrounding community. An important element in achieving this is the use of a strong architectural discipline throughout the scheme, a appropriate architectural identity. Moreover, a sensitive placing of the various elements within the development allows varying degrees of interaction with the wide community.

The new shopping arcade, which forms part of the secure boundary to the site, is independently accessible to Sandbrook Estate as a whole, while remaining convenient for Sunningdale residents.

The Community Centre reflects its opportunities for wider social
interaction by forming a gatehouse to the site entrance equally
accessible to both Sunningdale residents and local people. Designed to wheelchair standards, it contains a community hall, kitchen, office and stores, it also houses the Security Lodge. Deliberately moderate in size, it reflects the tradition of the village hall and provides for a range of social activities appropriate to its specific location.

These include dancing, keep tit, play groups, a creche, youth clubs, dinners for the elderly as well as private functions. Establishing the correct scale of community provision was extremely important in giving an appropriate reflection of the specific needs of the community. More extensive leisure facilities are available within the Sandbrook Estate in
the two existing schools.

The sheltered housing development is concentrated within the secure site boundary. The existing tower block has been converted into sheltered housing for the ambulant elderly. This block, and two groups of new two-storey sheltered flats form three sides of a shared Garden Court.

Within the tower block, a communal lounge has been formed on the
ground floor through careful manipulation of openings within the
structural walls. With a seating capacity of fifty, it also has a kitchen and servery. The space actively used for casual social interaction, and games of cards, darts, bingo etc., a birthday party or a wedding anniversary are regular occurrences. An independent Residents association has been established to organise more formal activities, excursions and social events.

In addition, a free laundrette, a hairdressing salon and first aid room are provided.

It was the specific intention of the design team not to dictate the way in which communal facilities should be used, but rather to create a range of opportunities within the development for communal activities and social interaction. However, it was considered essential to carefully plan the towards alienation or isolation. A good example of this philosophy is the treatment of the Garden Court and its associated elements. High quality and familiar materials have been used throughout the development such as natural roof sites, subtle tones of brick, and stained timber to encourage a sense of pride in the environment created.

Strong patterns and boldly contrasting colours, have been exploited in the planting so that those residents with poor eyesight and those living on upper floors can appreciate the landscape. In contrast to the original development where the emphasis had been on simplicity, producing bland surfaces and buildings, there is a richness in the articulation of form and space and a variety of detail.

The plants chosen have the rich colours of nostalgic smells of a
Victorian cottage garden: rhododendrons, mulberry, lavender, lilacs and herbaceous plants are placed in areas screened from wind by protective evergreen hedges.

A central focus of the garden Court is a sitting area formed with
trellised screens and an open summer house over which many varieties of highly scented climbing roses and clematis will grow.

The detailing of the trellis-work and the summer house are reflected in the balconies and entrances in the adjacent flats, thus creating an integrated environment on a deliberately human scale.
The arrangements of pedestrian paths, the design of outside seating areas and private balconies encourage residents to enjoy the communal gardens from both within their flats and within the gardens themselves; and provide for informal social contact, through short walks or just “taking the air” .

The ground floor flats have protected semi-private gardens to the rear with raised planting areas to enable individual gardening for disabled or elderly residents.

The success of the Garden Court can already been seen in the scale of participation on any moderately sunny day. Residents have begun to establish their own feature planting areas within the specific parts of the site. In the existing tower block, where communal areas and corridors have been re-styled and carpeted, a warm and comfortable environment has been created here again and throughout the scheme, a high degree of personalisation by residents has also developed with the use of their own plants and possessions.

CONCLUSION
Sunningdale Community Development is the successful result of a
sympathetic and responsive design approach in which the individual,communal, social leisure requirements of the various aspects of the community to which it relates have been addressed in conjunction with the basic design requirements. In contrast to the original site and buildings which suffered inherent problems, Sunningdale Community Development now has the successful base of a new management structure as well as a renewed environment and social confidence, both of which
we all hope will continue to develop and mature.

Neil_c #411150 24th May 2010 8:50pm
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 417
Neil_c Offline OP
Smartchild
OP Offline
Smartchild
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 417
The development seeks to provide a powerful and identifiable focal point within the Sandbrook Estate, but one which does not alienate itself from the surrounding community. An important element in achieving this is the use of a strong architectural discipline throughout the scheme, a appropriate architectural identity. Moreover, a sensitive placing of the various elements within the development allows varying degrees of interaction with the wide community.

The new shopping arcade, which forms part of the secure boundary to the site, is independently accessible to Sandbrook Estate as a whole, while remaining convenient for Sunningdale residents.

The Community Centre reflects its opportunities for wider social
interaction by forming a gatehouse to the site entrance equally
accessible to both Sunningdale residents and local people. Designed to wheelchair standards, it contains a community hall, kitchen, office and stores, it also houses the Security Lodge. Deliberately moderate in size, it reflects the tradition of the village hall and provides for a range of social activities appropriate to its specific location.

These include dancing, keep tit, play groups, a creche, youth clubs, dinners for the elderly as well as private functions. Establishing the correct scale of community provision was extremely important in giving an appropriate reflection of the specific needs of the community. More extensive leisure facilities are available within the Sandbrook Estate in
the two existing schools.

The sheltered housing development is concentrated within the secure site boundary. The existing tower block has been converted into sheltered housing for the ambulant elderly. This block, and two groups of new two-storey sheltered flats form three sides of a shared Garden Court.

Within the tower block, a communal lounge has been formed on the
ground floor through careful manipulation of openings within the
structural walls. With a seating capacity of fifty, it also has a kitchen and servery. The space actively used for casual social interaction, and games of cards, darts, bingo etc., a birthday party or a wedding anniversary are regular occurrences. An independent Residents association has been established to organise more formal activities, excursions and social events.

In addition, a free laundrette, a hairdressing salon and first aid room are provided.

It was the specific intention of the design team not to dictate the way in which communal facilities should be used, but rather to create a range of opportunities within the development for communal activities and social interaction. However, it was considered essential to carefully plan the towards alienation or isolation. A good example of this philosophy is the treatment of the Garden Court and its associated elements. High quality and familiar materials have been used throughout the development such as natural roof sites, subtle tones of brick, and stained timber to encourage a sense of pride in the environment created.

Strong patterns and boldly contrasting colours, have been exploited in the planting so that those residents with poor eyesight and those living on upper floors can appreciate the landscape. In contrast to the original development where the emphasis had been on simplicity, producing bland surfaces and buildings, there is a richness in the articulation of form and space and a variety of detail.

The plants chosen have the rich colours of nostalgic smells of a
Victorian cottage garden: rhododendrons, mulberry, lavender, lilacs and herbaceous plants are placed in areas screened from wind by protective evergreen hedges.

A central focus of the garden Court is a sitting area formed with
trellised screens and an open summer house over which many varieties of highly scented climbing roses and clematis will grow.

The detailing of the trellis-work and the summer house are reflected in the balconies and entrances in the adjacent flats, thus creating an integrated environment on a deliberately human scale.
The arrangements of pedestrian paths, the design of outside seating areas and private balconies encourage residents to enjoy the communal gardens from both within their flats and within the gardens themselves; and provide for informal social contact, through short walks or just “taking the air” .

The ground floor flats have protected semi-private gardens to the rear with raised planting areas to enable individual gardening for disabled or elderly residents.

The success of the Garden Court can already been seen in the scale of participation on any moderately sunny day. Residents have begun to establish their own feature planting areas within the specific parts of the site. In the existing tower block, where communal areas and corridors have been re-styled and carpeted, a warm and comfortable environment has been created here again and throughout the scheme, a high degree of personalisation by residents has also developed with the use of their own plants and possessions.

CONCLUSION
Sunningdale Community Development is the successful result of a
sympathetic and responsive design approach in which the individual,communal, social leisure requirements of the various aspects of the community to which it relates have been addressed in conjunction with the basic design requirements. In contrast to the original site and buildings which suffered inherent problems, Sunningdale Community Development now has the successful base of a new management structure as well as a renewed environment and social confidence, both of which we all hope will continue to develop and mature.

Neil_c #411152 24th May 2010 8:56pm
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 417
Neil_c Offline OP
Smartchild
OP Offline
Smartchild
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 417
plans

Attached Images
sandbrook1.jpg (202.15 KB, 366 downloads)
sandbrook2.jpg (118.96 KB, 368 downloads)
Neil_c #411154 24th May 2010 9:01pm
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 417
Neil_c Offline OP
Smartchild
OP Offline
Smartchild
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 417
Flats.

Sandbrook Lane Development
Approved 1964, Wallasey CBC
4 x 15 storey blocks (340 residences)

Attached Images
flatts.jpg (69.48 KB, 373 downloads)
Neil_c #411163 24th May 2010 9:18pm
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 417
Neil_c Offline OP
Smartchild
OP Offline
Smartchild
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 417
The heights were typical 1960's brutalist architecture usings LPS (large panel construction). This is were a crane lifts the panels into place (you can see the seperate panels quite clearly on these heights). Securing bolts hold the panels in place with mortar.

It's quite suprising that these don't have gas in the flats themselves as they pre-date the Ronan Point accident in London (the block partly collapsed due to a relatively small gas explosion). The accident itself caused questions around high-rise living as many of the blocks suffered from substandard construction. These seem ok though with the amount of time that they have been up for.

The flats were unique as they have underfloor heating and the blocks were heated as a whole. Wirral MBC supplemented parts of it that had failed with storage heaters.

Last edited by Neil_c; 24th May 2010 9:21pm.
Neil_c #411172 24th May 2010 9:28pm
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 417
Neil_c Offline OP
Smartchild
OP Offline
Smartchild
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 417
1971.

How could they get the design so horribly wrong that in 10 years time it would be in ruin?

Attached Images
massionette.jpg (32.95 KB, 356 downloads)
Masionettes mentioned in the report
1971flats.jpg (66.06 KB, 349 downloads)
1971 Aerial pic of the flats that would become Melrose, Thornridge and Sandbourne
4046891023_edfaa7cf1a.jpg (82.57 KB, 343 downloads)
The estate before redevelopment. Note the huge camera above the door.
Last edited by Neil_c; 24th May 2010 9:34pm.
Neil_c #411206 24th May 2010 11:32pm
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 13,487
Green Meanie
Wiki Master
Offline
Green Meanie
Wiki Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 13,487
some good pics mate thanks for shearing them! thumbsup


[Linked Image] Please do not adjust your mind, there is a slight problem with reality
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 417
Neil_c Offline OP
Smartchild
OP Offline
Smartchild
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 417
The three blocks on Stavordale Road; Sandbourne, Melrose and Thornridge will be demolised shortly as Wirral Partnership homes believe that it's too expensive to bring them up to modern standards.

Sandbourne was used by WPH and Wirral MBC to house people under 25 and suffered because of this.

Thornridge hosts the Bidston TV transmitter, which is a relay of Winter Hill. I'd imagine this may have to get relocated to Sunningdale.

Check out the Sunningdale cam at the top:
http://www.wirralwebsite.co.uk/Wirral360/Panoramas/top_of_flats.html

Attached Images
3779897705_ba42b05e3e.jpg (215.6 KB, 291 downloads)
The 3 Stavordale Heights
bidston-pc-03.jpg (44.44 KB, 292 downloads)
Bidston TV Transmitter
Neil_c #411476 26th May 2010 2:06pm
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 22,315
Wiki Master
Offline
Wiki Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 22,315
Not likely to be demolished within the next 5 years im afraid, they don't have the money to do this either. They need all new kitchens, bathrooms, windows, insulation, central heating, amongst other things, the structures were also never looked after by Wirral Council during the ownership of the blocks, and as a result, degraded to the point where they may only remain safe for another 10 years. They have a budget of £30m to do all 15 blocks that they own, and the cost across all 15 was estimated to be £90m hence the closure of a number of WPH tower blocks. There is rumors floating that these blocks have concrete cancer - though WPH say these rumors are unfounded.

Thornridge and Melrose are not cleared for another 12 - 18 months at least, Sandbourne still has at least 8 people living in it (that I know of).

The exteme shortage of suitable housing within 2 miles, is the main barrier to these blockes being emptied.

smile

MattLFC #411481 26th May 2010 2:23pm
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 417
Neil_c Offline OP
Smartchild
OP Offline
Smartchild
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 417
I lived in Melrose with my mate who worked for Wirral BC housing. The blocks do have some contrete cancer and damp in places. WPH refuse to fix them as it would cost too much money just to erect the scaffolding to do the work.

The underfloor heating leaks slightly in Thornridge and they have really struggled to find the source.

Large panel high-rise construction was never designed to be a long-term solution but to solve immediate housing problems faced in the 50's and 60's. A fair number of people moved from Wallasey to the Sandbrook during the constructon of Kingsway tunnel.

During the late 70's and early 80's I attended Sandbrook school and we would sit in class and watch people scale up the balonies on the higher floors like spiderman. The teachers used to tell us not to watch.

They weren't bad to live in and were always fairly warm. The only downside was the occasional "deposits" left in the lifts.

Neil_c #411495 26th May 2010 3:56pm
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 417
Neil_c Offline OP
Smartchild
OP Offline
Smartchild
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 417

Attached Images
image002.jpg (204.7 KB, 227 downloads)
Neil_c #411508 26th May 2010 4:49pm
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 19,446
Wiki Master
Offline
Wiki Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 19,446
I lived in Hillview Heights? 1972-77 We lived on the top floor and got shipped out to the New Estate when they decided the heights were no place for kids!

RUDEBOX #411526 26th May 2010 5:52pm
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 417
Neil_c Offline OP
Smartchild
OP Offline
Smartchild
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 417
The height were called: Fender, Hillview and Millhay. The names of these are still on the substations that feed them.

It was funny when Wirral renamed the estate and heights. The Ford became the Beechwood and the Avenues (Goodwin, Harding & Mason) all got renamed too. They made a special point of telling a number Wirral staff that they could be disciplined if they used the old names.

We had a BBQ on one of the balconies which caused the fire brigade to be called out. The Council weren't impressed and wrote letters to all the residents.

Neil_c #411535 26th May 2010 6:09pm
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 19,446
Wiki Master
Offline
Wiki Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 19,446
I used to chuck my sisters dummies+ nappies etc off the verandah. Apparantly i was 'jealous'. raftl

Page 1 of 2 1 2

Moderated by  Mod 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Random Wirral Images

Click to View Topic.
Newest Topics
Facial recognition coming in supermarkets?
by Excoriator - 27th Mar 2024 10:52am
Hot Spot Chippie Broadway
by Excoriator - 26th Mar 2024 7:57pm
Bolts at Bebington Road
by Excoriator - 23rd Mar 2024 9:48am
Netflix 3 Body Problem.
by BultacoAstro - 22nd Mar 2024 8:04am
Tall Brick Chimneys
by diggingdeeper - 16th Mar 2024 11:56am
For Sale & Free
Wisper electric bike. 36v .
by Dilly - 21st Mar 2024 7:36pm
This is Elvis
by GingerTom - 17th Mar 2024 2:37pm
Member Spotlight
diggingdeeper
diggingdeeper
Wirral
Posts: 14,343
Joined: July 2008
Today's Birthdays
There are no members with birthdays on this day.
New Wirral Info
Facial recognition coming in supermarkets?
by Excoriator - 27th Mar 2024 10:52am
Hot Spot Chippie Broadway
by Excoriator - 26th Mar 2024 7:57pm
Bolts at Bebington Road
by Excoriator - 23rd Mar 2024 9:48am
Get your Money Tree ready
by keef666 - 22nd Mar 2023 12:27pm
Restaurant/pub with outdoor seating - Bromborough
by CarterUSM - 7th Aug 2020 7:59pm
News : New Topics
Gaza
by diggingdeeper - 29th Oct 2023 9:28am
Lost river (Well, brook really)
by Excoriator - 10th Sep 2019 8:50am
New Enthusiast Forums
Netflix 3 Body Problem.
by BultacoAstro - 22nd Mar 2024 8:04am
Xbox
by TudorBlue - 3rd Mar 2024 8:48pm
Wiper mechanism needed
by Peter0787 - 20th Feb 2024 4:07pm
Popular Topics(Views)
5,067,823 WIKI WALK CHAT
4,013,760 Spotted!
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5