Pictured above: 'I've got the key of the door' new
resident, Sally Hill (centre), with Chan Kataria, group chief
executive, East Midlands Housing Group (left), Guy Higgins,
managing director, William Davis Ltd, Cllr Paul Westley, cabinet
lead for housing, Leicester City Council and Silvia Ham Ying, board
member, Foundation Housing Association
A new housing project designed to help alleviate the shortfall
of affordable homes by utilising pockets of derelict City Council
land across Leicester is now complete and has been officially
handed over by Loughborough-based contractor and developer William
Davis Ltd to project partners East Midlands Housing (EMH).
The £4.9m project, built as seven mini developments on
sites at five existing Leicester estates, has provided 43 new homes
available for affordable rent. Built to meet the Government's
targets for sustainability the new homes benefit from wider wall
cavities, increased thickness of loft insulation, energy efficient
boilers and thermally efficient windows, elements which reduce heat
loss from the building, resulting in lower utility costs and CO2
emissions. These features, together with low energy lighting, solar
hot panels and external rain water harvesting enabled the project
to achieve a Code for Sustainable Homes level 3 rating.
Collectively known as 'Batch 1' the homes at Dillion Way, New
Parks; Carpe Road, Charnwood; Queens Park Way, Eyres Monsell; Towle
Road, New Parks (2 sites) and Wreford Close, Thurncourt (2 sites)
will be managed and owned by Foundation Housing Association, part
of the East Midlands Housing Group and will comprise a mix of
houses, apartments and bungalows, one of which is built to
wheelchair standards.
Handing over the scheme Guy Higgins, managing director, William
Davis said: "The use of infill sites in the City is a pragmatic
solution to both the provision of new housing and the problem of
disused and derelict areas on existing housing estates.
"This type of scheme, however, does require extensive planning
to ensure that every element of the project is communicated
effectively to all parties involved, from partners, local
residents, local authority to on-site employees and 'Batch 1' is an
excellent example of how this should be done.
"We are all delighted with the outcome and look forward to
continuing our positive and long standing relationship with both
EMH and Leicester City Council"
Chan Kataria, chief executive, East Midlands Housing Group,
said: "Housing need is very high in Leicester City and we are very
pleased to have been able to meet some of those needs. Finding
suitable land for such housing is not always easy in cities like
Leicester, but this scheme shows how effective partnership working
between housing associations, builders and local authority can
produce much needed housing."
Councillor Paul Westley, cabinet lead for housing, Leicester
City Council added: "The council welcomes these much needed
affordable homes for rent. It is not just the homes that help the
City; it is the construction jobs they bring and the contribution
to the environment on these estates. We look forward to more
schemes like this".
Silvia Ham Ying, board member, Foundation Housing Association
commented: "A home is a necessity which provides a strong
foundation from which individuals can flourish and thrive. I am
pleased that FHA was included in a partnership which provided homes
for those with the greatest need."