The Adria Factory Site, Beechmount Ave, Strabane

AFA are appointed by Habinteg Housing Association (Ulster) Ltd as Civil and Structural Consulting Engineers in relation to the regeneration of the 11-acre derelict brownfield former factory site at Beechmount Ave, Strabane. The Kevin Watson Group have been appointed as Main Contractor and construction activities commenced at March 2021 providing a much-needed boost to the local economy and necessary accommodation for people on the local social housing waiting list.

The proposal provides a residential-led, mixed use development comprising 165 residential units in a mix of dwellings and apartments with a mix of tenures including social, affordable and market-rent. RPP Architect’s integrated design team are pleased to have met our Client’s objectives of sustainable, high quality, low energy consumption homes achieving low lifecycle costings all in compliance with DfC’s Housing Association Guidelines including Secure by Design certification and Lifetime Homes accreditation. Community facilities, office start-up units and open space areas with playground facilities have been designed to provide a ‘gateway’ to the development fronting Beechmount Avenue. These apartments and community facilities were inspired with an industrial aesthetic linking back to the former use on site.

The brownfield site itself presented a number of significant civil engineering challenges including environmental constraints, extreme topographical variations requiring a balancing cut/fill exercise minimising artificial retention and embankments, variable geotechnical sub-soil conditions resulting in a range of sub-structure solutions, off-site road enhancements and the requisitioning of sewage infrastructure to serve the development. These challenges were controlled and overcome through early engagement with statutory authorities, attention to detailed design and close engagement with the Client, Design Team and Main Contractor.

project details