Pioneering Partnership Wins Top Prize for West Suffolk College

An innovative housing project that saw students working alongside a housing association to build homes in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk has won a top award with judges calling it “pioneering” and an “exceptional partnership”.

More than 200 West Suffolk College students worked with Havebury Housing Partnership on the design and building of three houses and four flats in Mitchell Avenue. That project has now been awarded the Joint Venture development of the Year by Inside Housing Top 60 Developments.

One of the judges commented that the collaboration between Havebury and the college was “A refreshing and innovative approach and one that should be promoted. Delivering affordable housing whilst letting in the next generation to spearhead solving the housing crisis. Every college should utilise this approach”.

The College Mews project was completed in August 2015 and cost less than £900,000. It was part-funded by the Homes and Communities Agency.

Lindsey Johnson, Vice Principal Curriculum and Quality commented; ”We are delighted that the collaborative project to build affordable homes at College Mews has been recognised. Degree students from West Suffolk College were instrumental in designing the homes, and teams of building and construction students worked alongside professionals to develop their own skills through real work experience on site constructing the new properties. Such innovation truly helps to cultivate the next generation of workforce, meeting the demand of the skills shortage that the sector currently faces. It clearly shows that Havebury Housing Partnership have the passion to inspire the trainee builders and the willingness to provide an opportunity to make this happen. West Suffolk College and its students are indebted to Havebury for giving us this opportunity and are delighted that this award has recognised their collaboration.”

Havebury’s Chief Executive, Karen Mayhew said: “We’re delighted to have won the Joint-venture Development of the Year in partnership with West Suffolk College. We are exceptionally proud of all the young people who worked on this scheme and to be recognised among the Top 60 in the country for our College Mews scheme is a tremendous achievement.”

Barry Chambers, Head of the School of Construction who received the award said “It’s a fantastic achievement. The project encompassed construction students and HE construction management students who were involved in the original design.

All the students benefitted greatly from this experience and it is a credit to the joint venture team for bringing this amazing opportunity to the college. This is an award for the whole team.”