BROADHEATH, COVENTRY (Touchstone)

BROAD HEATH SCHOOL, COVENTRY

DEVELOPER
Touchstone Housing Association

LOCATION
Foleshill, Coventry

COUNCIL
Coventry City Council

SITE
Former Victorian school transformed from dereliction into the first live/work units for affordable rent in the West Midlands. Part of wider investment in a district designated o­ne of the most deprived in Britain.

'We've aimed to maximise use of the facilities by blurring the distinction between leisure and work. The new centre offers a young people's leisure facility and is intended to help inspire tomorrow's entrepreneurs. Some live o­n site, developing their ideas and products with support from specialist staff.'

SELLING POINTS
Tastefully refurbished building offering a mix of traditional and contemporary materials, with eight live/work apartments for young entrepreneurs setting up a new business in Coventry. An enterprise centre is based o­n the lower floor, offering business support, training and use of equipment. Coventry has groiwng reputation for live/work with market-led scheme proving successful at Electric Wharf nearby

SCHEME DESCRIPTION
Eight live/work units including kitchen, bathroom, living and working area with mezzanine sleeping area. All with modern finishes designed for solar gain and designed for full disabled access or adaptation.

STAGE
Completed in autumn 2005

TENURE
For affordable rent by young entrepreneurs, o­n assured shorthold tenancies

FLOORSPACE SPLIT
Flexible

PARTNERS
Led by Keynote Regeneration, parent group of Touchstone HA, backed by Coventry City Council, Coventry and Nuneaton Regeneration Zone, Advantage West Midlands, the Learning and Skills Council, the Prince's Trust, Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and Coventry University

FUNDING
RDA (SRB and regeneration zone), part subsidised by Touchstone HA, Housing Corporation social housing grant, private loan

For an indepth analysis, see also Homes that Work