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Gloucestershire Business News

Aqua Construction builds home for Gloucester’s young homeless

Colleagues and friends from Aqua Construction, Gloucester City Homes, Gloucester City Council and other partners met at Hewmar House this week to see the building's transformation, before the first wave of referred residents move in next month.

In partnership with Gloucester City Homes (GCH), Aqua Construction was asked to source a building for conversion into a housing development to support homeless young people at risk of rough sleeping, as well as staff.

With help from the team at Ash Chartered Surveyors, Aqua secured the vacant, virtually derelict Hewmar House, just off London Road.

A former office building, Gloucester City Council assisted with determining the change of use planning application to repurpose Hewmar House into an eight-bedroom supported housing development for young people.

Working closely with Quattro Architects and Gloucester Building Control on the technical detail of the works, the redevelopment has created homes and opportunities for young homeless people.

Hewmar House will accommodate eight young people aged 18 to 25, giving them a nurturing environment to help them move from crisis to stability. The service will focus on empowering them to gain independence, with tailored support plans for their individual needs.

Following investment from Homes England, and in partnership with Gloucester City Council, GCH secured £1.34 million funding from the Single Homeless Accommodation Programme (SHAP).

The property had been empty for more than five years and was covered in ivy, had a leaky roof and settlement. The absence of damp courses contributed to extensive wet and dry rot throughout.

Aqua Construction started on site in March 2024 with site clearance, stripping the interior of the building and removal of the roof structure and covering, before moving on to underpinning the external walls, structural repairs, a new roof structure, a slated roof, new external wall insulation and render.

The extensive internal fit-out involved double glazed windows, new gas central heating, rewiring with fire protection, solar panels, metal stud drylining plasterwork, and decoration throughout.

The redesign included a communal kitchen and lounge area, with staff office and accommodation to the ground floor, and eight ensuite bedrooms on the first floor.

The car park was partially resurfaced, the outside area levelled, patio and lawns created, and the boundary brick walls repaired around the garden, with a repurposed secure cycle shed.

The building was completed on schedule and on budget in November and handed over to the housing association in December.

Jason Wasley, managing director of Aqua Construction, said: "The build was challenging; however, we are pleased with the outcome and are proud to have been involved with this important Gloucester housing project in partnership with GCH."

Natalie Thelwell, director of housing operations at GCH, said: "We are very excited about our new supported housing scheme for young people in Gloucester, which is a first for GCH.

"Our dedicated specialist support workers will provide one-to-one support, offering a lifeline to vulnerable young people at risk of homelessness.

"We will be welcoming our first customers soon to provide not only accommodation, but also essential life skills, mental health support and pathways to education, training and employment."

Gloucester City Council worked closely with GCH to secure £1.34 million from the government's SHAP programme to address gaps in specialised supported accommodation for young adults at risk of sleeping rough and with complex needs.

Cllr Luke Shervey, cabinet member for housing at Gloucester City Council, said: "We're delighted to see this project now open and able to provide much needed support to local young people, who sometimes can fall through the gaps.

"Homelessness is a tragedy at any age, but particularly for young people, so it's vital that they get this tailored help early on so they can get their lives back on track and look forward to a better future."

For more information, go to https://aquaconstruction.co.uk or call 01452 722212.

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