Work has started on the £1.5 million transformation of the former site of Lincoln’s famous Golden Cross pub, which closed in 2020. Following the recent demolition of the old pub, the Gelder Group has embarked on a special housing project, after being awarded a contract by Framework Housing Association. Although the building site is quite small, the Young People’s Learning Provision (YPLP) – which is part of the county council’s Children’s Services – has kindly allowed the company to park site traffic on their land. This has removed the need for additional traffic to be on the road, relieving potential congestion. The new building will comprise 15 supported housing flats, which meet the Secured by Design accreditation. This is a police-preferred specification which provides a recognised standard for all security products that can deter and reduce crime. Gelder Group Chief Executive Officer Steve Gelder said: “We are delighted to be working on this project for several reasons. Obviously, winning this work was great news for team Gelder. “It is also special to be transforming a site which, historically, had connections with Lincoln City Football Club. Being so close to City’s Sincil Bank ground, it was a natural watering hole for Red Imps’ fans. “On a more serious note, we have also long admired the amazing work done by Framework, in supporting people who are homeless or at risk of being so. Also, it doesn’t stop there, because it also supports its ‘clients’ with their health, social care and employment needs.” The building is due to be completed by March 2025. Framework Director of Corporate Services, Dave Newmarch said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to help address the shortage of accommodation for homeless people in Lincoln with these purpose-built premises providing 15 self-contained, one-bed units for single homeless people. “Framework is a registered charity and a registered provider of social housing and we have been providing services for homeless and vulnerable people in Lincolnshire since 2011. “This new housing on the High Street will be our fifth major capital investment in Lincoln to provide good quality, purpose-built accommodation for people in need. It brings our total investment in the city to more than £9.6m and enables us to provide accommodation for more than 100 homeless people at any one time. “With support from the City of Lincoln Council, the £2.65m project has been funded under the government’s Single Homeless Accommodation Programme which provides homes and crucial support for people with high and enduring support needs, including rough sleepers. “The government grant of £1.7m has been supplemented by a contribution from Framework itself worth £850,000. “We are delighted to be working with the excellent Gelder Group – keeping the work in Lincolnshire and ensuring that the project is delivered to the high standards we wish to provide for the people we support. “When the flats are occupied in spring 2025 residents will receive dedicated support from staff who will be on site 24/7 to address the issues that contributed to residents’ homelessness in the first place.”

Shirebrook-based Frasers Group has acquired Frenchgate Shopping Centre in Doncaster. The 770,000 sq ft retail centre is a major regional shopping destination welcoming over 16 million customers a year. The shopping centre is a key part of the retail offer within Doncaster town centre and the South Yorkshire region, with major high street tenants, including Next, H&M and TK Maxx. The deal facilities the opportunity to more than triple the Sports Direct store size to over 35,000 sq ft and provide customers with access to other brands from the Frasers Group ecosystem including USC, GAME and Evans Cycles. Michael Murray, Chief Executive, Frasers Group, said: “The acquisition of Frenchgate Shopping Centre in Doncaster further demonstrates the Group’s commitment to investing into brick-and-mortar. “Acquiring property in key trading locations to unlock new opportunities for our retail and leisure businesses, such as Sports Direct, Everlast Gyms, Frasers and FLANNELS, is a key priority. “We are committed to re-inventing retail and injecting new life into high streets across the UK to bring the very best brands, environment, and experience to customers across the country.” Frasers Group was advised by CBRE on this acquisition.

A recently established partnership tasked with supporting young and fledgling housing associations and community groups to build new affordable housing in Yorkshire and Humber is having a positive impact across the region. The Unity Community Development Consortium (UCDC) was set up in May 2021 by Leeds-based BME housing association Unity Homes and Enterprise. The consortium has since expanded its membership to include Chartford Housing, Manningham Housing Association, Harrogate Housing, and Hull and East Yorkshire Mind. Unity has also been supporting Pickering and Ferens Homes to deliver new properties in Hull. To date they have completed eight new homes and are due to complete on a 24 unit bungalow development in September. In the past year, Unity assisted Hull and East Yorkshire Mind to convert three large properties to produce 21 flats for people suffering from mental health and are also working on a development opportunity which will yield 26 new properties on behalf of Harrogate Housing. UCDC has been granted Investment Partner status by the government’s housing and regeneration agency, Homes England, which allows it to apply for grant funding to deliver new properties through the Affordable Homes Programme 2021 to 2026 and the Rough Sleepers and Single Homelessness Programmes, providing much needed affordable accommodation for some of the most vulnerable people in the region. Wayne Noteman, Director of Regeneration at Unity Homes and Enterprise, explained that the partnership arrangements have enabled consortium members to support each other’s development plans by sharing best practice, resources and expertise. He said: “The vision behind the establishment of the consortium was to create a pathway for smaller providers to utilise their development capacity and increase the supply of affordable housing for the public good. “Not all housing associations possess in-house development expertise to build homes.  However, by drawing on the professional support of other members, construction programmes have gained momentum with numerous schemes now on site or at an advanced stage of preparation. “Alongside new properties, assistance has also been given by Unity to acquire existing properties from the open market for affordable rent and facilitate the transfer of housing stock from other Registered Providers.” Gudrun Haskins-Carlisle, CEO of Chartford Housing, said the knowledge transfer between the six housing associations which form UCDC has been “hugely beneficial.” She continued: “We are a small organisation which manages more than 600 properties across West Yorkshire. “Through our involvement as a founder member of the consortium, Chartford has developed four flats for homeless people and secured capital and revenue funding of over £2 million to deliver a further 22 new properties. “The assistance we have received is also supporting our efforts to identify and acquire suitable properties on the open market to add to our existing stock.” Manningham Housing Association, which manages more than 1,400 homes for over 6,000 residents in Bradford and Keighley, has joined UCDC more recently. Its CEO, Lee Bloomfield, said: “We were seeking to reboot our development plans and the support from UCDC and Wayne has been vital in progressing these. “The result has been the stock transfer of 18 houses and the acquisition of a further 14 properties through Home England’s Purchase and Repair programme. “On top of these achievements, we have concluded a deal to purchase 20 new homes and remain in negotiations to secure a further 30 properties.”