St Columba’s Close – Delivering High Quality, Sustainable Affordable Homes

St Columba’s Close in Gravesend, Kent, continues to make great progress. Blockwork to the maisonettes is advancing well, scaffold removal is underway to the terraces, underfloor heating is being installed within Block B, and Block A is nearing a key milestone with its roof structure and brickwork almost complete.

This new build infill scheme will provide 46 much‑needed affordable rented homes, alongside significant improvements to the surrounding public realm, landscaping and community spaces.

We have been involved from RIBA Stage 1 and will remain engaged through to the end of the defects period, delivering services as Employer’s Agent, Quantity Surveyor, Principal Designer and Clerk of Works.

A Regeneration Milestone

The project forms the final phase of the wider Valley Drive and St Columba’s Close regeneration masterplan. Working collaboratively with Gravesham Borough Council, stakeholders and the wider consultant team, we helped structure the masterplan into deliverable, financially viable phases aligned with available resources and long‑term strategic objectives. With St Columba’s Close completing this year, all projects within the masterplan will have been successfully delivered.

A Sustainable, Future‑Ready Design

Sustainability has been a defining feature of the scheme. The design adopts a fabric‑first approach, ensuring well‑insulated, energy‑efficient homes that reduce heat loss and improve comfort for residents.

Key features include:

Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHPs) providing low‑carbon heating and hot water
Part L Plus performance standards
Underfloor heating in selected homes
Future PV retrofit opportunities to support ongoing carbon reduction
Enhanced outdoor spaces, including a new play area and outdoor gym

These measures support the Borough’s long‑term sustainability ambitions while reducing energy costs for residents.

Community‑Led Public Realm

From the outset, existing residents were taken on a structured engagement journey. Community workshops and consultation events ensured local voices shaped the design of the public amenity areas, helping to create spaces that feel safe, welcoming and genuinely reflective of local needs.

Given the proximity of existing homes, a robust engagement strategy was essential both pre‑ and post‑contract to keep residents informed of works, access changes and potential disruption.

Managing a Complex Site

The site’s steep gradient and extensive landscaping requirements presented early buildability challenges. To mitigate risk, a Structural Engineer and Landscape Consultant were appointed from RIBA Stage 1 to Stage 3, enabling detailed scrutiny of the design by the Employer’s Agent, Architect and Client.

This early intervention ensured:

Risks were identified and mitigated before tender
The contractor could offer a fixed price, avoiding provisional sums
The client’s budget remained protected

Construction works are being delivered by Oakwood Building Contractors, who are progressing well across the multi‑typology site.

Early Issue Identification and Added Value

Throughout the build, our team has provided proactive oversight, identifying issues early and supporting Gravesham Borough Council in making informed decisions. Key interventions included:

Escalating unapproved M&E changes to ensure revised calculations and design justification were provided
Highlighting early programme risks, including reduced trade numbers and scaffold constraints
Identifying mould on SFS boards and developing a proportionate remedial strategy that balanced risk, cost and practicality

This approach ensured quality was maintained without unnecessary disruption or cost.

Delivering Long‑Term Value

St Columba’s Close demonstrates our ability to support local authorities on technically complex, multi‑occupancy residential developments. Through independent oversight, clear communication and early risk identification, we have helped Gravesham Borough Council maintain control over quality, compliance and programme while ensuring long‑term asset performance.

The project will deliver: