Huddersfield Street

LOCATION: Galashiels, Scottish Borders

CLIENT: Eildon Housing Association Ltd

CONTRACTOR: Hart

The Vision

In 2018, CSY were commissioned by Eildon Housing Association to provide proposals for a stretch of land that lay to the east of the town centre of Galashiels, that had remained vacant for number of years due to development difficulties as a result of its proximity to the Gala water; a local watercourse.

Critical to the success of the project was the ability to achieve a required number of units within a constrained site which established the principle of building at approximately 5-6 storeys, following outline analysis.

The Solution

CSY undertook a town-wide precedent study to map the extent and location of existing buildings that reflected the approximate scale and massing required to achieve the required economic model, confirming that a number of these buildings existed due to the proliferation of historic mills within close proximity to the water’s edge.

Early site investigation established challenging ground conditions, allowing the team to develop an innovative foundation strategy that was acceptable to the local authority wildlife officer and SEPA. Extensive ecological surveys were also commissioned due to the presence of flora and fauna such as otters and kingfishers to ensure that no existing habitats were destroyed.

The site planning and compact building footprint have enabled good residential density to accommodate 35 apartments and a clearly defined, generous, well orientated shared open space for the residents.

This garden space, bounded by low stone walls and planted landscape edges, acts as an arrival space to the principal entrance of new flats and is well observed by both the residents and from the surrounding streets and properties.

The building design and form is reflective of the historical textile industry context taking simple, strong masonry walls and gabled forms along with dual pitch roofs, which reference the neighbouring Gala Mill building to the East on Huddersfield Street, in particular. The principal elevations are orientated East and West, providing good natural daylight to all flats while offering views towards both the town and the wider landscape of the surrounding hills.

A fabric-first approach ensured that the thermal performance and air tightness of the dwellings far exceeded those set out in the Building Regulations whilst specific opportunities were created to utilise renewable energy sources such as solar panels.

The Conclusion

CSY’s delivery of Huddersfield Street apartments illustrates the opportunities available in Galashiels, and similar regional towns, to successfully exploit difficult sites and provide much needed affordable housing to drive town centre regeneration.