Oakridge

The Oakridge Central Regeneration Group, established on the initiative of the Oakfern Housing Association in 1997, appointed HTA as architects in 1998. In order to create a completely new centre, the project area was extended to the whole of Oakridge and proposals were submitted in 1999. Intensive consultation, which included a design panel, followed and open days, exhibitions and walkabouts were held at every stage with a newsletter and web based toolkit provided to make the process as transparent as possible.

After planning approval was granted in 2000, demolition began in May 2001 and construction started almost immediately. Procurement was Egan compliant, and the design and contracting team worked closely through the Oakridge Partnership, set up in 1999.

Walter Llewellyn (now ROK Llewellyn), owners of Forge, who manufactured the steel panel system used in the first two phases, was selected as development partner and contractor. Oakfern was joined in 2000 by Hart Housing Association to form the Sentinel Housing Group. Phase 1 with a new community centre, was completed in 2002 and the whole project will be completed by August 2006.