Knapp House, Swinegate
Framework: SCAPE Regional Construction Framework
Client: South Kesteven District Council
Location: Swinegate, Grantham, Lincolnshire
Value: £3.79m
Sector: Housing
Completion: October 2025
“For many people, this development represents a fresh start — a place to build a future, to put down roots and contribute to the life of our growing community. It is an example of how to regenerate an area positively to meet the needs of those on our housing register by providing one and two bedroomed accommodation that is much sought after.”
Councillor Virginia Moran
Cabinet Member for Housing, South Kesteven District Council
The Swinegate development has transformed a redundant brownfield site in the centre of Grantham into 20 high-quality, affordable apartments that meet a growing local housing need.
Delivered for South Kesteven District Council by Lindum Group through the SCAPE Regional Construction Framework, the Swinegate development project has regenerated an underused area, supported the town’s continued investment and renewal, and delivered sustainable, energy-efficient homes that complement the historic Georgian streetscape.
By creating accessible, adaptable housing close to local amenities and services, the development contributes to the long-term social, economic and environmental wellbeing of the community while setting a benchmark for future town centre regeneration projects.
The purpose of the project was to deliver 20 affordable one- and two-bedroom apartments on a 700 sqm brownfield site incorporating disused land and part of the Watergate car park in the heart of Grantham.
Developed to address local housing demand, the scheme provides high-quality homes for individuals and couples seeking sustainable, well-connected accommodation within the town centre. The apartments were designed to reflect the Georgian character of Swinegate while meeting modern standards for accessibility, adaptability and energy efficiency. The development places a strong emphasis on inclusive design, ensuring homes remain suitable for residents with changing needs throughout their lives.
Sustainability was a key objective, with the project delivering energy-efficient homes that reduce running costs and environmental impact while offering excellent long-term value. The scheme also sought to regenerate an underutilised urban site, making effective use of brownfield land and contributing positively to Grantham's ongoing regeneration and the vitality of its town centre.
The project presented several challenges associated with constructing a residential development on a constrained town centre brownfield site. Working within the historic setting of Swinegate required careful consideration of the surrounding Georgian architecture to ensure the design complemented the existing streetscape while meeting modern building standards.
The limited site footprint, together with its location adjacent to operational roads, businesses and public parking, demanded detailed logistics planning to minimise disruption to neighbouring properties and maintain safe access throughout construction.
Delivering high-quality, accessible apartments within these physical constraints also required close coordination between the design and construction teams to maximise available space without compromising functionality or sustainability. In addition, the development had to balance modern energy performance requirements with architectural detailing appropriate to the conservation setting. Through careful planning, collaborative working and effective project management, Lindum successfully overcame these challenges while maintaining quality, programme and safety standards.
The completed development successfully delivered 20 high-quality affordable apartments that fulfilled the project's objectives of providing accessible, sustainable and energy-efficient housing within Grantham town centre.
The scheme transformed an underused brownfield site into an attractive residential development that enhances the character of Swinegate while supporting wider regeneration of the local area.
The apartments provide modern, adaptable homes that meet the needs of residents while reducing environmental impact through efficient design and construction. The project was completed to a high standard, demonstrating the value of collaborative working and thoughtful planning in overcoming the constraints of a complex urban site.
Its success has been recognised across the housing sector, winning the 2025 Inside Housing Award for Best Development Under £5 Million. This prestigious recognition reflects the quality of the design, delivery and overall contribution the project has made to providing much-needed affordable housing and revitalising Grantham's town centre.
Social value initiatives
As part of the project’s social legacy for the community, Lindum delivered the following social value initiatives through the construction works:
Prioritising local supply chains and labour
During the project, 19 local employees were retained on the contract, with 79% of labour sourced within 40 miles of the site. In total, the project delivered a £1.6m boost to the local economy, with 83% of subcontractor spend within 40 miles and 52% coming from within 20 miles. The project also delivered 100% SME engagement (20% micro, 80% SME) and 100% fair payment.
Additionally, a community noticeboard was procured through the Pelican Trust, a Lincolnshire-based social enterprise. The purchase supported an organisation that delivers positive social impact while providing a valuable community asset to enhance communication, engagement and access to local information.
Supporting the local community
Alongside the project, Lindum made £5,000 in donations to the local community:
- Donated woodworking equipment – a Charnwood mortice tool & Triton 450w Oscillating Spindle Sander – to Men in Sheds, a local community group that promotes wellbeing, reduces social isolation and develops practical joinery skills. In addition, they gave a hamper of ethically sourced refreshments to the group, featuring tea, coffee and biscuits supplied by social enterprises Nemi Teas, Ethstat Ethical Coffee and Half Story.
- A publicly accessible defibrillator was donated and installed as part of the project, providing a potentially life-saving asset for residents and the wider community. This investment has enhanced local community resilience by improving access to emergency equipment and delivering a lasting health and wellbeing benefit beyond the development itself.
Inspiring the next generation
The project team delivered 32 hours of careers engagement through classroom presentations for students at The King's School. This provided young people with valuable insight into careers in construction, helping to inspire future talent, develop employability skills and strengthen links between education and the industry.
Additionally, 24 apprentices completed 51 weeks on-site.
Why SCAPE?
The SCAPE framework allowed Lindum to engage early with South Kesteven District Council to navigate issues associated with the site’s high footfall and complicated access routes. It meant that the project teams were able to discuss issues with the council early in the project, enabling planning to mitigate any potential complications and help work start on site sooner.
“We are delighted that this important project to provide high-quality, affordable homes is being accelerated through SCAPE. Using our framework will enable South Kesteven District Council to meet increasing demand quickly and efficiently, whilst generating enhanced social value through Lindum and opportunities for local businesses. Building these new homes on brownfield land minimises the cost and carbon involved in the development, ensuring value for money and sustainability remain at the forefront of delivery.”
Mark Robinson
Chief Executive, SCAPE Group
“We’re delighted to see Knapp House in Swinegate, Grantham completed and handed over. Working with a repeat client such as SKDC is always particularly rewarding, as it reflects the trust and strong relationship we’ve built over time. It’s projects like this that allow us not only to deliver high-quality construction but also to make a meaningful impact on the local community. We’re pleased that this scheme has generated an additional £1.6 million in social value, demonstrating how we can create benefits that go beyond the bricks and mortar.”
Darren King
Managing Director, Lindum Peterborough
Social value outcomes
This project has been submitted by Lindum Group as part of the collaborative Social Value in Construction Benchmarking Report. This report captures the latest insights into the regional and national trends in social value delivery; learn more here.
£1.5m+
total social, local and economic value
41%
social value added
19
direct local employees retained on the contract
79%
of labour sourced within 40 miles of site
83%
subcontractor spend <40 miles, of which 52% subcontractor spend <20 miles
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Owen Cheshire
Framework Manager | Construction
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