Case Study Highlights
| Project | Preston Road, Brighton |
| Client | Southern Housing Group |
| Architect | Yelo |
| Scope | metroSTOR PCH Cycle Stores |
| CENTAUR SV Semi-Vertical Cycle Racks |
metroSTOR cycle stores help with renovation and new build development, meeting local plan requirements in a conservation area
Cypress Villa and Birch Villa are substantial properties, located on a large site within the Preston Park conservation area to the north of Brighton’s city centre. Previous uses of the site had seen the two villas joined with a link building which detracted from the period design of the original. Unused since 2016, the Preston Park site was acquired for residential redevelopment by Southern Housing Group.
Yelo Architects were appointed to design the scheme, which included the removal of the 1950s link block and replacement with a new structure, refurbishment of the Victorian villas and the construction of six terraced family houses to the rear of the grounds. Nicholas Dexter Studio created a landscape design that gives occupants of the properties beautiful landscaped grounds to enjoy, and enhances the historical buildings.
A key consideration in the design of the scheme was the provision of cycle storage to meet the stipulations of Brighton & Hove City Council’s local plan. This requires cycle parking that is ‘secure, clearly marked and wherever possible, undercover’ to encourage residents to travel by bicycle rather than by car.
metroSTOR’s predesigned cycle storage hubs enabled the project architects to demonstrate how the planning requirements would be met, without spending valuable design time detailing bespoke storage buildings.
Two metroSTOR PCH 24.98 cycle parking hubs were specified with Centaur SVR semi-vertical racks, each providing storage for 26 cycles. A further metroSTOR PCH 24.32 unit provides 8 ‘visitor’ cycle spaces. Clad in ForestPanel pressure treated tongue and groove cladding, the units blend in beautifully with the landscaped gardens and the large, mature trees which surround the original buildings.
Semi-vertical cycle racks offer more space efficient storage than traditional cycle stands, while still being easy to use and store cycles securely. Lighting, operated by sensors, has been installed to the interior of all three cycle stores to help ensure residents feel safe when using the stores. Access pathways to the stores are carefully located to ensure they cannot be blocked by parked cars.
With the exact specification and scope of the cycle stores locked down at the planning stage, it was simple for contractors tendering for the work to make correct allowances for the stores, with quotes swiftly provided by the Streetspace estimating team. Main contractors Rydon found the procurement of the stores to be hassle free and were impressed with the speed with which the installation took place, causing minimal disruption to the site operations.
