Families living on the Benmore estate in Edgbaston helped to
celebrate Optima Community Association's regeneration of a derelict
pub site. The scheme is made up of 30 new homes for social rent and
shared ownership and has attracted £2m of funding from the
Homes & Communities Agency (HCA).
One of the first residents to move into the development is
mother-of-one Myra Pollard.
Forty seven-year-old Myra said "I'm delighted to be able to have
a new home and look forward to getting more involved in the
community."
Despite the current economic climate, four out of the five homes
marketed for shared ownership have been sold 'off plan' and the
last has been reserved and will complete at the end of July 2011,
offering the first step on the property ladder for five local
families.
The development is part of the wider regeneration of 5 former
council estates that has been ongoing since 1999 through a
partnership between Optima, Birmingham City Council and the HCA,
the government's housing and regeneration agency whose investment
into the Attwood Green and Park Central areas is in the region of
£37m.
Over 1,600 homes have been built in Attwood Green together with
a hotel, shop, parks and community facilities completely
transforming the area.
The total investment to date in the area is around £345m,
with a further £110m of investment to come.
Councillor John Lines, who officially opened the scheme with the
help of 10-year-old Rafia Husan said, "This development is an
excellent example of partnership working between Birmingham City
Council, the HCA and Optima and provides a much needed mix of
larger homes for families and apartments in a key area of the
city."
The homes, built on the former site of the Firebird public
house, are the first that Optima has built with photovoltaic panels
to generate electricity. The homes reach Level 3 of the Code for
Sustainable Homes (CSH) and other eco friendly features include
increased levels of insulation, mechanical ventilation which
recycles waste heat and eco-efficient boilers. A sustainable travel
plan has been developed so that residents can make the most from
opportunities to use public transport and safe walking routes.
Simon Kimberley, Optima's Chief Executive said: "It is great to
see the transformation of the Benmore estate and we are grateful to
local residents for their patience and support throughout the
construction work. The strategic and financial support of
Birmingham City Council and the HCA has been critical to making
this project happen."
Steve Dodds, Investment and Regeneration Manager for the HCA
Midlands who attended the event said: "We are delighted that HCA
investment has enabled Optima and Birmingham to transform this area
and the lives of families moving into these homes. The HCA has
invested heavily in the wider regeneration of Attwood Green and
neighbouring Park Central, and today marks another massive step
forward for the partners involved in delivering the vision and the
communities living in and around the area."
The new homes have been built by Optima in partnership with
Bullocks. Richard Baker, Regional Director for Bullock,
added: " It has been a real pleasure to be involved with the
project and be part of the regeneration of the area. To use
salvaging technologies as part of new housing to replace a
previously decaying building gives a great sense of local pride to
us as constructors.''
Optima, Bullock and Baily Garner sponsored Jaspal Singh to
undertake a full time placement as a trainee surveyor for 6 months
to work with the project team for this development. As a
result of this placement, which was one of four provided by Optima
in 2010, Jaspal has been able to secure a full time job.