A firm has been appointed to help deliver a new social housing scheme in Lancaster.

Bellrock Consulting, part of the property and facilities management company Bellrock Group, has been appointed via the £1.5billion Innovation Chain North (ICN) Framework.

The appointment by Great Places Housing Group mark the first major instructions secured by the project management and construction consultancy since being appointed to the ICN framework in 2024.

The Bellrock Consulting team will provide a dual service role as Employer’s Agent and Principal Designer (CDM), and will help to deliver the Newlands Road development as well as four other schemes across the north.

On site at Newlands Road are (from left) Adam France, construction director, Holmpatrick Developments, and development partner on the scheme; David Blakey, sSenior director and specialist housing lead at Bellrock; and James Lee, Bellrock's senior employer's agent.

placeholder image — On site at Newlands Road are (from left) Adam France, construction director, Holmpatrick Developments, and development partner on the scheme; David Blakey, sSenior director and specialist housing lead at Bellrock; and James Lee, Bellrock's senior employer's agent.

The scheme features 31 homes, currently under construction.

We reported in February how the plans were given the go ahead by Lancaster City Council’splanning committee for land off Newlands Road.

All homes are designed with a focus on sustainability, featuring energy-efficient technologies such as solar panels and heat pumps.

The ICN framework, operated by Great Places Housing Group, supports the delivery of affordable housing across the north through a trusted network of contractors and consultants.

Nick Gornall, director of growth at Great Places, commented: “The Innovation Chain North framework was designed to ensure we have tried, tested and trusted partners to help registered providers and local authorities tackle the housing crisis by delivering high quality, sustainable homes across the north of England.

“We are pleased to see work beginning on these various schemes, utilising the specialist expertise of the Bellrock Consulting team to help us meet our ambitious development goals across the region.

“Once complete, these developments will make a significant impact helping to reduce the social housing shortage.”

David Blakey, senior director of Bellrock Consulting and specialist housing lead, added: “Securing these direct awards is a fantastic achievement and a powerful way to begin our new chapter as Bellrock Consulting.

“While our name has changed, the 100+-year heritage of expertise and reliability associated with Summers-Inman remains the backbone of our service. We are proud to embark on what I hope will be a longstanding relationship with Great Places as we help to deliver much needed, genuinely affordable homes for local people.”