Event Detail : 05 February 2008

Mr Howard, an Associate Director of Urban Splash, began his talk by speaking about a project that Urban Splash is undertaking in New Islington, Manchester.

Mr Howard informed the forum that the Islington development, known as "Chips" owing to the building's innovative, stacked rectangular design, will provide approximately 140 new residential homes. Mr Howard explained that the development focused strongly on building a community for the residents. To help create a sense of community, Mr Howard stated that there would be water parks and wildlife habitats included in the development.

Mr Howard then spoke about an award winning development that Urban Splash had undertaken in Salford in 2003 where a large number of terraced houses had been extensively refurbished to maximise space, for example by using the roof/attic area of the existing houses as day-to-day living space. Mr Howard told the forum that 360 of these houses were sold in the first half hour of being placed on the market.

Urban Splash also intends to build a range of Urban Splash Hotels, Mr Howard explained, citing the company's proposed refurbishment of the Midland Hotel in Morecambe as the first stage in establishing a range of hotels.

Mr Howard said that one of Urban Splash's main aims was to change people's perceptions. Mr Howard outlined the success of the company in winning over 200 awards for design, architecture, regeneration and enterprise since 1993.

Mr Howard then discussed developments in the South West of England, in particular  a development that has been underway since 2003 at Royal William Yard in Plymouth, transforming a complex of Grade II listed buildings into residential apartments. Mr Howard added that the development did not only feature residential accomodation, but also included office space.

Mr Howard explained that Royal William Yard is partly isolated from the mainland by water, and one aspect of the development has therefore included the creation of water transport to enable people to get to and from Royal William Yard. Urban Splash has also organised music events at Royal William Yard, one occasion being in 2005. Mr Howard stated that such events form part of Urban Splash's aim to build a sense of community at their developments. Mr Howard added that there is a building located at Royal William Yard that Urban Splash may decide to refurbish into a hotel.

Mr Howard continued by giving further examples of developments that either Urban Splash were carrying out, or intended to carry out, including:-

This is the proposed development of a small part of West Somerset into apartments and commercial space.

Mr Howard explained that the proposed development was a commercial development, focusing predominantly on the creation of new economy businesses, such as IT businesses.

Mr Howard explained that Birnbeck Island is connected to the mainland by a pier and was formerly a bustling tourist location. However it has become neglected due to lack of use. Mr Howard told the forum that Urban Splash has been running a competition inviting the submission of designs for the development of the Island. Mr Howard said that the entries had been short listed, and only 6 entries remained to be considered.

Mr Howard informed the forum that this project concerned the regeneration of an old, degenerated imperial tobacco factory into 400 residential apartments. The development will include the construction of a volleyball court and jetties leading out to a lake. There has been a high level of interest in the apartments, Mr Howard explained, with 250 of the 400 apartments sold in the first 6 months of construction.

Mr Howard stated that Urban Splash is always looking to create low carbon homes, giving the example of the apartments at Lake Shore where hot water and cooling will be provided by a ground source heat pump supplemented by Biomass. Mr Howard said that Urban Splash is actively looking into areas such as wind turbines, low water use and high levels of recycling for future developments.

Mr Howard added that the residents at Lake Shore will be able to take advantage of an electric car club, which will allow residents to rent an electric car for £5.00 an hour. Mr Howard stated that he believed this to be the first such club in Bristol.

Mr Howard detailed to the forum the following factors that he believed were important to a successful regeneration: partnership, leadership, engagement, making places, design and innovation, sustainability and management.

Mr Howard said that Urban Splash is in the early stages of considering a proposed development of Sidwell Street in Exeter. However, as discussions were at an early stage, Mr Howard said he was not in a position to discuss this today.

The talk concluded with a question and answer session.

Mr Howard, when asked about his thoughts on buy to let schemes, said that he felt such schemes often took the heart out of developments. However Mr Howard acknowledged that such schemes had good points also.

Mr Howard was asked whether he thought apartments still had a place in modern developments. Mr Howard responded by saying that the type of accommodation best suited for any one development, depends on the location of the development and, therefore, the needs of that community/area.

Mr Howard has provided us with information packs which are available to anyone who wishes to come and collect one from Ashford House.