Stowe Place

Client: Sunninghill ConstructionLocation: Newhaven, East SussexProject: Residential

Shortlisted for Best Affordable Housing Scheme (under £10m) and Best Development (4+ storeys) at the Inside Housing Development Awards 2024.

This new development, situated on the site of a former police station, delivers much-needed social housing for the local council, with dedicated provisions for residents who use wheelchairs or have other mobility requirements.

The development incorporates a wide range of sustainability features across the site. All 21 properties are fully electric, with hot water provided by air-source heat pumps in the two houses and air-to-water heat pumps in the 19 flats. The roofs are equipped with solar photovoltaic panels, generating renewable energy and reducing CO₂ emissions. Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery is installed throughout, and all lighting is energy-efficient.

To support local biodiversity, the scheme includes bee bricks and a swift box, fostering a habitat for wildlife.

The ground-floor apartments have been specifically designed to meet accessibility needs, with every room carefully adapted to accommodate residents with physical and additional support requirements, ensuring they can live comfortably and independently.

Councillor Mark Slater, Cabinet Member for Housing, said:

“I really couldn’t be more impressed by Stowe Place and prouder that at a time when costs have spiralled and funding is so stretched, we have managed to get these essential affordable homes completed”.

“The long list of sustainability features also includes a substantial bike store for all the tenants to use and being so central in Newhaven, there is easy access to public transport links, with bus routes on the doorstep and the railway station just a short walk away.”

Councillor Zoe Nicholson, Leader of Lewes District Council, said:

“This is a simply stunning council development and yet more evidence of this council’s determination to build the right homes in the right place for local people”.

“Being shown around Stowe Place I was struck by the superb way each apartment has been finished and the all-round accessibility within the building. The ground floor flat is specifically for wheelchair users with each room expertly designed and adapted.”

Projects

Gary has gone above and beyond in providing the electricity loading information and has patiently answered my questions upholding the reputation of MCA very nicely.

Darren Kenny - Technical Manager – Berkeley St Edward Southern Counties

I would like to say that I've been impressed with your team and how quick you are at responding to everything, so pleased we decided to go with MCA! They have always got time to talk through on the phone, which is helpful for me as I am keen to learn as much as possible.

Private Developer

We would like to express our sincere appreciation for the dedication and professionalism that MCA Consulting Engineers Ltd has consistently demonstrated throughout the project.

Assistant Technical Manager – Berkeley (Homes) Sothern Ltd

MCA and Berkeley Homes enjoy a long-established working relationship spanning over 15 years. The team at MCA have successfully delivered numerous projects in that time and are considered to be one of our core Consultants for M&E designs on all types of projects. MCA provide expert advice and produce efficient, cost effective designs to a high standard of detail and quality. The Engineers are all experts in their field and are able to communicate design intent and technical matters in layman’s terms when required. MCA are a solution focussed business and always meet the brief on time, on quality and on budget

James McCrae, Technical Director – Berkeley Homes (Southern) Ltd.

As always, a pleasure working with MCA and I think the final result is a great looking scheme! I look forward to continuing working on future schemes with MCA.

Anna Peters – Design Coordinator – Sunninghill Construction Co Ltd

MCA have worked as M&E consultants for Thakeham for over ten years on a diverse range of projects including a primary school, mixed use residential, retirement living and multi-storey developments. MCA is always a pleasure to work
with and they work diligently and effectively with the wider design team to deliver high quality designs with careful consideration to the brief to ensure that the end result is always to the highest standards.

Clive Cannings, Head of Technical/Building Innovation – Thakeham

MCA have been appointed on a number of developments across the St William portfolio and whilst the complexity of each development is varied their level of professionalism, attention to detail and commercial awareness remains the same. I have the upmost confidence in the team and they have never let me down! They really go above and beyond!

Senior Development Manager – St William LLP

We'd happily recommend MCA Engineers; because they are interested in the project, they provide engineering that supports the architecture and the client's goals.

We've found their designs avoid over-engineering because they're involved in the project and so are aware of constraints. They listen and understand when things need tweaking or a different or more elegant solution is required. If a subcontractor wants to use a different product they review it without getting defensive. Sustainability underpins how they approach the work, and sustainability includes economics, for example just had them push back on a ventilation suggestion, citing the future tenant's ongoing maintenance and cost implications.

Charlotte Smith Cityzen

We have been using MCA for many years for both standard and complex projects and have always found them to be professional, reactive and supportive of our objectives as a client. Most of all we find them easy to deal with which explains why we continue to place repeat business with them time after time.

Richard Bateman, Interim Managing Director – Taylor Wimpey (South Thames)