The Cloisters Apartment Development, Dungannon

Albert Fry associates are pleased to have provided Civil and Structural Engineering consultancy services, as members of RPP Architect’s Integrated Design Team, to Habinteg Housing Association in the delivery of The Cloisters, Dungannon. The development, located on a brownfield site east of Dungannon town centre on the south of Killyman Rd with trees and mature vegetation on the south, east and western boundaries, provided for 28 general needs apartments, retaining structures, siteworks, landscaping, new adopted roads and footpaths with associated drainage and underground utility services. All dwellings and associated communal areas meet the requirements of DSD Social Housing Design Guidelines, Lifetime Homes Standards, Secured by Design, DoE Planning Approval Conditions, NI Building Regulations and Roads Service/NI Water adoption criteria. In developing the site concept, which helped resolve long standing concerns of the site being vacant, full consideration was given to the relevant planning policies including, DCAN 8 (Housing in Existing Areas) and in particular PPS 3, PPS 7, PPS 8 & PPS 12 and the guidance provided by ‘Creating Places, Achieving Quality in Residential Developments’. It is considered that the aesthetic look, massing and scale of the design created a quality development with a strong distinct character which is sensitive to its surroundings.

The brownfield site itself presented a number of significant civil and structural engineering challenges including extreme topographical variations requiring a balancing cut/fill exercise minimising artificial retention and embankments and variable geotechnical sub-soil conditions resulting in enhanced sub-structure solutions. These challenges were controlled through early engagement with statutory authorities and close engagement with the Client, Design Team and Main Contractor.

project details