Latest phase of new social housing building project is complete

May 14, 2019 by Leigh-on-sea.com

A new collection of 12 flats and 3 houses have been unveiled by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council as the latest phase of a social housing building programme. 

The 15 affordable rented homes in Rochford Road were built on the site of a former under-utilised garage site which had fallen into disrepair and was subject to on-going anti-social behaviour.

The 12 two-bedroom flats are split into two blocks plus there are 3 three-bedroom houses, all built in excess of the national technical space standards, to be ‘accessible and adaptable dwellings’. The four ground floor flats have been built to the higher ‘wheelchair user dwelling’ (category 3) standard.

Glyn Halksworth, interim director of housing, said: “Building work started in June 2018 and we are pleased to be able to deliver these homes on time and within budget. Our adaptations team worked closely with building contractors Marfleet & Blyth to make sure the four ground floor flats were tailored to the needs of prospective tenants. 

“We’re very pleased to be able to offer these additional social housing homes, which will be let at an affordable rent, which means tenants will pay 80% of market value rent or Local Housing Allowance rates, whichever is the lowest. 

“The Council will continue to identify opportunities to develop affordable housing within the borough, and preliminary feasibility works indicate a possible 55 new homes could be delivered across two phases, over the next couple of years.”

The development is the latest phase of a building programme following 18 affordable homes built in Shoebury and a wheelchair accessible two-bedroom bungalow built in Audley’s Close.

The development boasts a solar photo voltaic (PV) system to help reduce electricity bills, power communal areas and a solar inverter to utilise unused energy to heat hot water.

There is cycle storage and additional visitor parking, as well as four allocated disabled spaces for the four ground floor flats.

The properties will be allocated via the council’s choice based lettings (CBL) system, in accordance with the allocation policy. 

The four wheelchair accessible properties have already been allocated by the aids and adaptations nominations panel, to ensure the property meets the tenants’ needs.

Employers’ agent Pellings LLP and clerk of works Qualitas Inspection Services Ltd have assisted the Council in delivering a high quality social housing scheme.

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