caa’s Post

The Hudson River Park, a remarkable 500-acre development extending 4 miles along Manhattan's waterfront, stands as the largest park project in Manhattan since Central Park. Created on a previously neglected and perilous area, this park has revitalized the Hudson River estuary, safeguarded maritime commerce, and provided recreational opportunities to millions, significantly boosting tourism and the city's reputation. Additionally, it has spurred economic redevelopment in neighboring districts. However, the park's future faces uncertainty without continued community engagement and a focus on public benefit. Its inception followed the collapse of the Westway project—an ambitious $2.3 billion initiative proposed in 1974 to replace deteriorating infrastructure and introduce commercial and residential spaces topped with a park. The project's failure led to a more community-focused redevelopment process starting in 1986, culminating in the establishment of the Hudson River Park by the 1998 Hudson River Park Act. Despite the initial public investment and creation of the Hudson River Park Trust to manage the park, subsequent leadership, including mayors Giuliani and Bloomberg, shifted focus towards commercial real estate development, often neglecting the park's funding needs. This approach was exemplified by the Trust's strategy to enforce self-sufficiency for the park, further endangering its financial sustainability. The Friends of Hudson River Park, a nonprofit formed in 1999, has played a crucial role in advocating for the park, raising funds, and ensuring its preservation and enhancement. Yet, recent leadership changes and legislative amendments have intensified pressures to commercialize the park, risking its integrity and public accessibility. As the park approaches its 25th anniversary amidst these challenges, there is a pressing need to reestablish a dedicated funding mechanism, such as a park improvement district, to ensure its long-term maintenance and benefit to the community. This will require renewed civic engagement and governmental commitment to protect and prioritize this vital public space. #HudsonRiverPark #ManhattanWaterfront #CommunityEngagement #PublicSpaces #UrbanGreenSpace #EnvironmentalProtection #NYCRecreation https://lnkd.in/etg8qy5R

🌟 Successful Presentation at Hutton Cranswick Parish Council 🌟 Last night, we had the pleasure of presenting our proposed Passive House Development for Hutton Cranswick to the Parish Council. The session was incredibly engaging, with thoughtful questions and constructive feedback from the attendees. Key topics of discussion included: ▪️ Affordable Housing: Addressing the need for accessible, sustainable homes for all. ▪️ Housing for New Families: The potential to meet the housing needs of young families in the area. ▪️ Sustainable Design: Highlighting the energy efficiency and low-carbon benefits of Passive House standards. ▪️ Pricing: Ensuring the final properties are competitively priced for the market. 🏡 One important issue raised was the plot’s location outside the current development boundaries for Hutton Cranswick - The proposed development, while outside the current village development boundary, aligns with the Government's commitment to addressing the national housing shortage by delivering high-quality, sustainable homes. With a focus on energy efficiency and environmental responsibility, this project supports the push for more housing in rural areas, ensuring communities like Hutton Cranswick can grow sustainably and attract new families. We also discussed accessibility to the village, and we’re pleased to share our commitment to working with the Highways Agency to create a new footpath and cycle path connecting the development to the village, just 130 meters away. The next steps? We’re moving forward with the pre-planning application and look forward to collaborating with stakeholders to bring this exciting project to life. A big thank you to the Parish Council and everyone who attended for their time, insights, and support. This project represents a step forward in sustainable, community-focused housing, and we’re excited for what’s to come! #SustainableLiving #PassiveHouse #HuttonCranswick #GrayArchitecturalDesign #CommunityEngagement #GreenBuilding #FutureHomes #EastYorkshire

More house building news in what is likely to be the biggest week of change for housing that we have seen for a long time. Angela Rayner’s initiative to develop low-quality green belt land, or ‘grey belt’, is a pragmatic approach to address the UK’s housing shortage. By focusing on underutilized areas, this policy aims to deliver 1.5 million homes over five years, with 50% designated as affordable housing. This strategy not only provides much-needed housing but also ensures the preservation of valuable green spaces. It’s a balanced solution that supports economic growth and meets community needs.

🌆📈 Check out this insightful article from Cardinal News on how Danville is managing its rapid growth, especially with a casino in the mix. It's fascinating to see different cities handle development challenges! #UrbanPlanning #LocalPerspective

Building homes fit for the future. Through Crescent Salford, we’re creating a vibrant, well-connected community with sustainability at its heart. And, as part of this, we’re delivering high-quality, affordable housing which is designed with the environment in mind. Willohaus – located on Peru Street – is being built to Passivhaus Classic certified standard, and will be the second development of its kind in the city following the completion of Greenhaus on Chapel Street earlier this year. Comprising 100 one and two-bedroomed homes, the eco-friendly apartments will help residents reduce their energy bills by up to 90% compared to traditional housing. Delivered by ECF alongside Salix Homes, Willohaus is set to complete in 2026 and will mark the first homes handed over to residents as part of the £2.5bn Crescent Salford regeneration. You can find out more about Willohaus here - https://lnkd.in/eF4DYxGU #regeneration #passivhaus #Salford

🌿 Leading the Way in Sustainable Housing 🌟 We were thrilled to welcome council representatives from Rushcliffe Borough Council and across the UK to Abbey Central, our pioneering low-carbon residential development in West Bridgford. A joint venture with Peveril Homes, our visionary project features 71 gas-free homes designed with sustainability and low-carbon living at its core. 🏡💚 Abbey Central isn’t just a housing development—it’s a blueprint for the future of high-quality, eco-friendly urban living. ❖ Kevin Hard ❖ James Smith ❖ Vicki Goddard ❖ Katherine Marriott ❖ Peter Fleming OBE FRSA ❖ Leanne Ashmore ❖ Cara Prendergast https://lnkd.in/ee4z7QtJ #Sustainability #LowCarbonLiving #AbbeyCentral #GreenHousing #EcoFriendlyLiving #FutureOfHousing

Laguna Beach had identified new sites for building affordable housing, including a former restaurant and a local church-turned-education campus. In both cases, neighbors and leaders are weighing how to turn underutilized properties into opportunities that "deepen the benefit for the community." Read more: https://bit.ly/3R0essf Let's get into it! Where are other types of properties we could get creative with to build the housing we need? Comment below! #EndHomelessnessOC

A morning read to consider: yes - absolutely, the importance of parks should never be diminished. Many of our Neighbourhood Plan clients are town, parish and community councils who maintain these wonderful community assets themselves and are keen to see good quality, nature-friendly, design when new parks are built as part of development. Spending some time thinking about what open green space should be provided when new sites are developed is best done at a very local level, with the people who know the area, and what is needed, best. https://lnkd.in/eteryp89

We excited to announce planning approval for 135 new, energy efficient, affordable houses and apartments on the nine-acre former Skerton High School site on the Mainway estate in Lancaster. Along with the new homes, the scheme will see the creation of a large central community square providing local residents with a much needed place to meet, relax and socialise. The development work will also see the reclamation of two football pitches complete with changing facilities for players and officials. Extensive planting and landscaping measures across the development will bring added biodiversity to the estate. In the Council’s recent announcement, Councillor Caroline Jackson, leader of Lancaster City Council and cabinet member with responsibility for housing, said: “It's wonderful to have the planning permission through for the Skerton site. This development is a huge step forward in our regeneration efforts for Mainway and I am thrilled that these exciting proposals have been approved. It’s not just about building new homes, but about creating a vibrant community space that people can be proud of, and it will make a real difference to local families and the wider Lancaster community.” Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/eeFYhu4Q #placecapitalgroup #lancastercitycouncil #newhomes #placeshaping #estaterenewal #regenration #socialhousing #affordablehomes

#Stretford development update: Plans for 53 new sustainable homes in the heart of the town, on the Lacy Street car park, former Royal Mail sorting office and probation centre, have been shared today. The development will offer a mix of 2, 3, and 4-bedroom houses and 2-bedroom apartments, with 25% of the homes being affordable. The full story: https://ow.ly/QfGh50UocG0