Gilda Crescent
The Gilda Crescent housing development has given people with learning disabilities the opportunity to live independently, but with support when needed, in the heart of their local community in Polegate, East Sussex.
This is one of two similar schemes involving supported housing that the Practice has worked on for Saxon Weald in partnership with East Sussex County Council; the other is Burfield Court in Hailsham.
On the site of a former care home, Gilda Crescent provides 15 homes for affordable rent: 10 apartments for people with learning disabilities as supported housing plus 5 two and three-bedroom houses for families. Clearly defined public and private spaces were important to provide privacy for residents as the site is adjoined by a car park and a former railway line. The layout provides private gardens for all residents as well as an attractive approach to the flats.
Traditional Sussex materials have been used for the housing including stock brickwork, clay tiles and weatherboarding. The development has received Secured by Design approval.