Topping out ceremony at new social housing apartments

Building work on 26 new apartments for the over 60s has taken a significant step forward. 

Regional Builder CG Fry & Son, who are building the apartments in Vaughan Road, Whipton, Exeter, were joined by Exeter City Council (ECC) and the Project Team for a ‘topping out ceremony’ to celebrate the completion of the roof structure.

The new block of one and two-bedroom apartments is to be known as Chester Long Court - named after the former leader of Exeter City Council Chester Long. 

The new flats are being built to Passivhaus standards, meaning that the homes will provide very good indoor air quality, a stable and comfortable room temperature and heating bills will be significantly lower than that of a standard property. 

This will be the third time that CG Fry & Son has worked with Exeter City Council on a Passivhaus scheme and Mike Pinney, Contracting Director at CG Fry & Son, believes that the new building is an exciting prospect for the city.

He said: “This is a flagship project for the company, which will cement Exeter as a pioneer for new housing technologies. Building to Passivhaus standards has been another exciting opportunity for our contracting team and we look forward to working on similar schemes in the future.”

Planning permission was granted in May 2016, following a period of consultation with residents and Ward Councillors. The plans also include one wheelchair accessible unit.

Randall Simmonds project manages on the scheme, which has been designed by architects Gale & Snowden to low energy Passivhaus Standard.

Phil Lewis, Project Manager for Randall Simmonds, said: “We are delighted with the progress of this important scheme for Exeter City Council.

“By building to the Passivhaus standard we are helping alleviate fuel poverty and improve the environment for residents and it is pleasing to see the scheme topping out. This is an exciting project for all involved.”

Jonathan Barattini, of Gale & Snowden Architects, said: “The 26 new flats at Vaughan Road signify the latest and largest housing development that Gale & Snowden Architects has undertaken with Exeter City Council. 

“The Passivhaus scheme, incorporating Building Biology principles, marks almost 10 years of teamwork delivering low energy, healthy homes for Council tenants.”

Work on Chester Long Court is expected to be completed in Autumn 2017.